JP2017060136A - Network diagnosis system and network diagnosis method - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a network diagnosis system constituted by a collection probe collecting a plurality of probes and a diagnosis device for making a diagnosis with respect to a network by using information from the collection probe.SOLUTION: A collection probe 2 is constituted by a transfer control device 4 for performing transfer control of a diagnostic packet and a distribution device 5 connected to the transfer control device 4. The transfer control device 4 generates a plurality of diagnostic packets to which different addresses are allocated severally; and sets a transmission destination address to a diagnostic packet's header's area other than that for a destination before transmitting the diagnostic packet to the distribution device 5. The distribution device 5 transfers the diagnostic packet to a router R. The distribution device 5, then, extracts the transmission destination address from headers of diagnostic packets received from a plurality of router R; sets the extracted transmission destination address to the diagnostic packets' destination; and, on the basis of transmission source addresses of the diagnostic packets, redistributes the diagnostic packets to the routers R.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

  The present invention relates to a network diagnosis system and a network diagnosis method.

  In order to diagnose the communication quality of a network constructed by a plurality of communication devices, probes connected to the plurality of communication devices at the boundary of the network are used. The probe transfers a diagnostic packet for diagnosing the communication quality of the network to the network communication device.

  FIG. 1 shows an example of a conventional network diagnostic system 101 using a probe. In FIG. 1, a network NW is constructed by a plurality of routers R. The plurality of probes 102 are connected to the router R at the boundary of the network NW.

  In FIG. 1, a region surrounded by a broken line indicates the network NW, and a region surrounded by a one-dot chain line indicates a boundary of the network NW.

  Each probe 102 forwards the diagnostic packet to the router R connected to itself. The diagnostic packet is transferred through a plurality of routers R of the network NW and received by a probe 102 different from the transfer source probe 102.

  The probe 102 that has received the diagnostic packet transmits the received diagnostic packet to the diagnostic device 103. The diagnostic device 103 is connected to each probe 102. The diagnostic device 103 diagnoses the communication quality of the network NW based on the diagnostic packet received from each probe 102.

  As a related technique, a technique has been proposed in which delay fluctuations experienced by user traffic can be estimated on the safe side using sampling delay measurement results using probe packets of edge nodes (see, for example, Patent Document 1). .

  In addition, a technique for measuring a plurality of link bands in a section or network characteristics for each link band in a section has been proposed (see, for example, Patent Document 2). In addition, a technique for measuring the usable bandwidth of a communication path while maintaining good communication quality has been proposed (see, for example, Patent Document 3).

JP 2012-182747 A JP 2010-93502 A JP 2012-54655 A

  Probes (devices that transfer packets for diagnosing networks) are connected one-to-one with communication devices at the boundaries of the network. As the scale of the network increases, the number of communication devices at the boundary of the network increases, and the number of probes connected to the communication devices also increases.

  In one aspect, an object of the present invention is to consolidate devices that transfer packets for diagnosing a network.

  In one aspect, a network diagnostic system includes a transfer control device that performs transfer control of a diagnostic packet for diagnosing communication quality of a network, and a distribution device connected to the transfer control device, and the transfer control The apparatus generates the diagnostic packet, a plurality of diagnostic packet control units to which different addresses are respectively assigned, and a header that sets a transmission destination address in an area other than a destination among the headers of the diagnostic packet generated by the diagnostic packet control unit And a first communication unit that transfers the diagnostic packet processed by the header processing unit to the distribution device. The distribution device is connected to each of a plurality of communication devices in the network. 2 and the destination address is extracted from the header of the diagnostic packet received from the first communication unit and the first communication unit. A destination setting unit for setting the destination address as the destination of the diagnostic packet, and distributing the diagnostic packet to any one of the second communication units based on the source address of the diagnostic packet A distribution unit.

  According to one aspect, devices that transfer packets for diagnosing a network can be aggregated.

It is a figure which shows an example of the conventional network diagnostic system. It is a figure which shows an example of the network diagnostic system of embodiment. It is a figure which shows an example of an aggregation probe. It is a figure which shows an example of the functional block of an aggregation probe. It is a figure which shows an example of various tables. It is a figure which shows an example of the header of a diagnostic packet. It is a figure which shows an example of the functional block of a diagnostic apparatus. It is a figure which shows an example of transfer of a diagnostic packet. It is a figure which shows an example of transfer of the diagnostic packet when congestion arises. It is FIG. (1) which shows an example of addition of a probe part. It is FIG. (2) which shows an example of addition of a probe part. It is a figure which shows an example of the various information which a diagnostic apparatus memory | storage part memorize | stores. It is a flowchart which shows an example of the flow of a transfer process. It is a flowchart which shows an example of the flow of a reception process. It is a flowchart which shows an example of the flow of a fluctuation process. It is a flowchart which shows an example of the flow of a diagnostic condition delivery process. It is a flowchart which shows an example of the flow of a transmission interval change process. It is a figure which shows an example of the hardware constitutions of a diagnostic apparatus. It is a figure which shows an example of the hardware constitutions of a transfer control apparatus. It is a figure which shows an example of the hardware constitutions of a distribution apparatus.

<Example of network diagnostic system>
Hereinafter, embodiments will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 2 shows an example of the network diagnosis system of the embodiment. The network diagnostic system 1 includes aggregation probes 2A and 2B and a diagnostic device 3. The aggregation probes 2A and 2B may be collectively referred to as the aggregation probe 2. The number of aggregation probes 2 may be any number.

  The network NW is constructed by a plurality of routers R. The router R is an example of a communication device. The communication device is not limited to a router. In FIG. 2, the network NW indicates an area surrounded by a broken line.

  In the network NW, an area surrounded by a one-dot chain line indicates a network boundary. The router R at the network boundary is also called a provider edge. The number of routers R may be any number.

  The aggregation probe 2 is connected to a plurality of routers R. In the example of FIG. 2, the aggregation probes 2A and 2B are each connected to four routers R (provider edges). The number of routers R connected to the aggregation probe 2 is not limited to the example of FIG.

  In the embodiment, a probe is not connected to each router R, but a plurality of routers R are connected to the aggregation probe 2. The aggregation probe 2 aggregates the functions of a plurality of probes (devices that transfer diagnostic packets for diagnosing the communication quality of the network NW). The aggregation probe 2 transfers a diagnostic packet for diagnosing the communication quality of the network NW to one of the routers R.

  For example, the aggregation probe 2A transfers the diagnostic packet to one of the plurality of routers R. The diagnostic packet is transferred by a plurality of communication devices in the network NW and received by the aggregation probe 2A or the aggregation probe 2B.

  Therefore, the diagnostic packet transferred by the aggregation probe 2A to the router R at the boundary of the network NW may be received by the aggregation probe 2A that is the transfer source. In this case, the aggregation probe 2A receives the diagnostic packet from a router R different from the router R that transferred the diagnostic packet.

  Aggregation probe 2A and aggregation probe 2B transmit the received diagnostic packet to diagnostic device 3. The diagnostic device 3 analyzes the received diagnostic packet and diagnoses the communication quality of the network NW.

<Example of aggregation probe>
FIG. 3 shows an example of the aggregation probe 2. The aggregation probe 2 includes a transfer control device 4 and a distribution device 5. The transfer control device 4 and the distribution device 5 are different devices, and the transfer control device 4 and the distribution device 5 are communicably connected.

  The transfer control device 4 is provided with a communication interface 6 and a communication interface 7. The communication interfaces 6 and 7 are network interface cards (NIC), for example.

  The communication interface 6 is connected to the diagnostic device 3. The transfer control device 4 transmits a diagnostic packet from the communication interface 6 to the diagnostic device 3. The communication interface 7 is connected to the distribution device 5. The transfer control device 4 transfers the diagnostic packet from the communication interface 7 to the distribution device 5. The communication interface 7 is an example of a first communication unit.

  The distribution device 5 is provided with a communication interface 8 and communication interfaces 9A to 9D. Hereinafter, the communication interfaces 9A to 9D may be collectively referred to as the communication interface 9. The communication interfaces 8 and 9 are network interface cards, for example. The communication interface 9 is an example of a second communication unit.

  The communication interface 8 is connected to the communication interface 7 of the transfer control device 4. The diagnostic packet transferred by the transfer control device 4 is received by the communication interface 8 of the distribution device 5.

  The communication interfaces 9A to 9D are connected to different routers R, respectively. The distribution device 5 distributes the diagnostic packet transferred from the transfer control device 4 to any one of the communication interfaces 9A to 9D. The diagnostic packet is transferred to the router R from the communication interface 9 to which the diagnostic packet is distributed.

  Next, functional blocks of the aggregation probe 2 shown in the example of FIG. 4 will be described. The transfer control device 4 includes a probe aggregating unit 10, a plurality of probe units 11, a header processing unit 12, a packet allocating unit 13, a transfer side packet allocating unit 14, and a first transfer table 16.

  The distribution device 5 includes a distribution control unit 20, a second transfer table 21, and a third transfer table 22. The distribution control unit 20 includes a packet determination unit 23, a destination setting unit 24, a distribution side packet sorting unit 25, and a transfer interval setting unit 26. The distribution control unit 20 is also referred to as a rule engine.

  Each part of the transfer control device 4 will be described. The probe aggregating unit 10 aggregates a plurality of probe units 11. Each probe unit 11 has the function of one probe (device for transferring diagnostic packets). Each probe unit 11 is realized by a program executed by the transfer control device 4. The probe unit 11 is an example of a diagnostic packet control unit.

  In the example of FIG. 4, the first probe unit 11 </ b> A, the second probe unit 11 </ b> B, the third probe unit 11 </ b> C, and the fourth probe unit 11 </ b> D are aggregated in the probe aggregation unit 10. Hereinafter, the first to nth (n is a natural number) probe units 11 may be collectively referred to as probe units 11.

  Different addresses ((Internet Protocol) IP addresses) are assigned to the first probe unit 11A, the second probe unit 11B, the third probe unit 11C, and the fourth probe unit 11D, respectively.

  For example, an IP address “192.168.100.200” is assigned to the first probe unit 11A, and an IP address “192.168.100.201.” Is assigned to the second probe unit 11B.

  In addition, it is assumed that the IP address “192.168.100.202” is assigned to the third probe unit 11C and the IP address “192.168.100.203” is assigned to the fourth probe unit 11D.

  Each probe unit 11 generates a diagnostic packet transferred to the network NW. Each probe unit 11 performs control to transmit a diagnostic packet received from the network NW to the diagnostic device 3.

  Each probe unit 11 of the probe aggregating unit 10 corresponds to the communication interface 9 of the distribution device 5.

  The first probe unit 11A and the communication interface 9A correspond to each other. The second probe unit 11B and the communication interface 9B correspond to each other. The third probe unit 11C and the communication interface 9C correspond to each other. The fourth probe unit 11D corresponds to the communication interface 9D.

  Accordingly, one probe unit 11 corresponds to one communication interface 9. The number of probe units 11 aggregated in the probe aggregation unit 10 may be any number as long as it is equal to or less than the number of communication interfaces 9 provided in the distribution device 5.

  Each probe unit 11 generates a diagnostic packet. When each probe unit 11 first generates a diagnostic packet, the destination IP address (destination address) is set as the destination of the header of the diagnostic packet.

  Each probe unit 11 also sets predetermined information in an area (field) other than the header destination. For example, each probe unit 11 sets the IP address assigned to its own probe unit as the source address of the header.

  The header processing unit 12 sets the destination address set as the destination in the header of the diagnostic packet generated by each probe unit 11 in a field other than the destination (excluding the source address field) in the header.

  For example, the header processing unit 12 sets a transmission destination address in an unused field other than the destination in the header. The header processing unit 12 sets a dummy address as a destination in the header.

  The dummy address may be an arbitrary IP address as long as the IP address is not assigned to any of the probe units 11. In the embodiment, it is assumed that the dummy address is the IP address of the communication interface 8 of the distribution device.

  The packet allocation unit 13 allocates the diagnostic packet to the probe unit 11 corresponding to the transmission destination address set as the destination of the diagnostic packet. The packet allocation unit 13 allocates the diagnostic packet received from the network NW via the distribution device 5 to the probe unit 11 corresponding to the destination of the diagnostic packet.

  The transfer side packet distribution unit 14 refers to the first transfer table 15 and distributes the diagnostic packet to the communication interface 6 or the communication interface 7. The transfer-side packet sorting unit 14 is an example of a sorting unit.

  FIG. 5 shows an example of various tables. As shown in the example of FIG. 5, in the first forwarding table 15, the IP address “IP Address” and the interface “Interface” are associated with each other. Of the “Interface” in the first transfer table 15 in FIG. 5, “eth” indicates information that identifies a communication interface.

  “Eth0” indicates the communication interface 7, and “eth1” indicates the communication interface 8. “Type” of various tables indicates “static”. “Static” indicates that the IP address of the communication interface is a static address.

  The transfer-side packet distribution unit 14 distributes the diagnostic packet to the communication interface 7 when the destination IP address of the diagnostic packet is “192.168.100.2”. When the destination IP address of the diagnostic packet is “192.168.100.11”, the transfer side packet distribution unit 14 distributes the diagnostic packet to the communication interface 6.

  Here, the transfer of the diagnostic packet will be described with reference to the example of FIG. The header of the diagnostic packet generated by each probe unit 11 is processed by the header processing unit 12. Therefore, the destination of the diagnostic packet header is set to a dummy address.

  The packet allocation unit 13 assigns a diagnostic packet to any one of the probe units 11 based on the destination of the header of the diagnostic packet. When the destination of the diagnostic packet generated by the probe unit 11 indicates the IP address of any of the probe units 11 aggregated in the probe aggregation unit 10, the diagnostic packet is allocated to the other probe unit 11.

  For example, it is assumed that the first probe unit 11A generates a diagnostic packet whose destination is the fourth probe unit 14D. When the diagnostic packet is not processed by the header processing unit 12, the packet allocation unit 13 allocates the diagnostic packet to the fourth probe unit 11D.

  In this case, the diagnostic packet generated by the first probe unit 11A is allocated to the fourth probe unit 11D without being transferred to the network NW. Diagnosis of the communication quality of the network NW is performed by transferring a diagnostic packet to the network NW.

  Therefore, unless the diagnostic packet is transferred to the network NW, the communication quality diagnosis of the network NW is not realized.

  In the embodiment, in the diagnostic packet generated by the first probe 11A, the header processing unit 12 sets the destination address set as the destination in the header in a field other than the destination, and sets a dummy address for the destination. The

  Therefore, the diagnostic packet generated by the first probe unit 11A is allocated to the communication interface 7 by the transfer-side packet distribution unit 14 and transferred from the communication interface 7 to the distribution device 8.

  Next, the distribution device 5 will be described. The communication interface 8 of the distribution device 5 receives the diagnostic packet from the transfer control device 4. The packet determination unit 23 determines whether the destination IP address in the header of the received diagnostic packet is a dummy address.

  When the packet determination unit 23 determines that the destination of the received diagnostic packet is a dummy address, the destination setting unit 24 extracts a transmission destination address set in a field other than the destination in the header of the diagnostic packet. The destination setting unit 24 sets the extracted transmission destination address as the destination of the diagnostic packet.

  When the packet determination unit 23 determines that the destination of the diagnostic packet is not a dummy address, the destination setting unit 24 does not set the destination of the diagnostic packet.

  The distribution-side packet distribution unit 25 refers to the second transfer table 21 and distributes the diagnostic packet to any one of the communication interfaces 9A to 9D according to the destination of the diagnostic packet. The distribution-side packet distribution unit 25 is an example of a distribution unit.

  In the second transfer table 21 of the example of FIG. 5, “eth3” of “Interface” indicates the communication interface 9A. “Eth4” indicates the communication interface 9B. “Eth5” indicates the communication interface 9C. “Eth6” indicates the communication interface 9D.

  In the second transfer table 21, “IP Address” indicates the source address of the diagnostic packet. When the transmission source address of the diagnostic packet is “192.168.100.200”, this transmission source address corresponds to the first probe unit 11A. The distribution-side packet distribution unit 25 distributes the diagnostic packet to the corresponding communication interface 9A.

  When the transmission source address of the diagnostic packet is “192.168.100.201”, this transmission source address corresponds to the second probe unit 11B. The distribution side packet distribution unit 25 distributes the diagnostic packet to the corresponding communication interface 9B.

  When the transmission source address of the diagnostic packet is “192.168.100.202”, this transmission source address corresponds to the third probe unit 11C. The distribution side packet distribution unit 25 distributes the diagnostic packet to the corresponding communication interface 9C.

  When the transmission source address of the diagnostic packet is “192.168.100.203”, this transmission source address corresponds to the fourth probe unit 11D. The distribution-side packet distribution unit 25 distributes the diagnostic packet to the corresponding communication interface 9D.

  When receiving the diagnostic packet from the network NW, the distribution-side packet distribution unit 25 refers to the third table 22 and distributes the diagnostic packet. In the example of the third forwarding table 22 in the example of FIG. 5, “Interface” of all IP addresses indicates “eth7”. “Eth7” indicates the communication interface 8.

  Each IP address of the third transfer table 22 indicates the communication interface 9A to 9D, respectively. Therefore, even when a diagnostic packet is received from any one of the communication interfaces 9A to 9D, the distribution-side packet distribution unit 25 distributes the received diagnostic packet to the communication interface 8.

  When the diagnostic packet received from the network NW is distributed to the communication interface 8, the diagnostic packet is transferred to the transfer control device 4. Accordingly, the distribution device 5 transfers the diagnostic packet received from the network NW by each of the communication interfaces 9A to 9D to the transfer control device 4.

  As described above, the distribution device 5 transfers the diagnostic packet from any one of the communication interfaces 9 to the router R at the boundary of the network NW. The transfer interval setting unit 26 illustrated in the example of FIG. 4 sets the transfer interval of the diagnostic packet to the transfer interval instructed from the diagnostic device 3.

<Example of diagnostic packet header>
Next, an example of a diagnostic packet header will be described with reference to FIG. In the header example of FIG. 6, the “destination IP address” field is the above-described destination.

  Of the fields other than the destination, the source IP address is the above-described source address. The header processing unit 12 does not set the destination in the source IP address field. For example, the header processing unit 12 sets a destination in the “Type of Service”, “Identification”, and “Protocol” fields that are shaded among the fields other than the destination.

  The “Type of Service” is 8 bits, “Identification” is 16 bits, and “Protocol” is 8 bits. The header processing unit 12 sets the first octet (for example, “192”) among the transmission destination addresses set as the destination generated by the probe unit 11 to the “Type of Service”.

  The header processing unit 12 sets the second octet and the third octet (for example, “168” and “100”) among the transmission destination addresses set as the destination generated by the probe unit 11 to “Identification”.

  The header processing unit 12 sets the fourth octet (for example, “200”) among the transmission destination addresses set as the destination generated by the probe unit 11 to the above “Protocol”.

  The destination setting unit 24 of the distribution device 5 extracts the first to fourth octets of the destination address from the above three fields other than the destination in the header of the diagnostic packet. Then, the destination setting unit 24 sets the destination of the diagnostic packet to the transmission destination address (“192.168.100.200”) extracted from the field other than the destination.

  As a result, the distribution device 5 sets the original transmission destination address as the destination of the diagnostic packet. The header processing unit 12 of the transfer control device 4 may set a transmission destination address in a field other than the above three fields as long as it is a field other than the destination.

<Example of diagnostic device>
Next, an example of the diagnostic device 3 will be described. 7 includes a diagnostic condition management unit 31, a transfer interval control unit 32, a calculation unit 33, a probe number control unit 34, a communication quality diagnostic unit 35, a diagnostic device storage unit 36, a screen unit 37, and an input unit. 38 and a diagnostic device communication unit 39.

  The diagnosis condition management unit 31 manages diagnosis conditions when performing diagnosis based on the diagnosis packet. The diagnosis condition is distributed to the aggregation probe 2, and the transfer control device 4 and the distribution device 5 of the aggregation probe 2 perform transfer control of the diagnostic packet based on the diagnosis condition.

  The transfer interval control unit 32 controls the set value of the transfer interval setting unit 26 in the distribution device 5 of each aggregation probe 2. The transfer interval control unit 32 generates a transfer interval change instruction when changing the transfer interval of the diagnostic packet transferred from the distribution device 5 to the router R of the network NW. The generated transfer interval change instruction is included in the diagnosis condition.

  The probe number control unit 34 controls increase / decrease in the number of probe units 11 aggregated in the probe aggregation unit 10 of the aggregation probe 2. When the probe number control unit 34 changes the number of probe units 11 aggregated in the aggregation probe 2, a probe number change instruction is generated. This probe number change instruction is included in the diagnostic conditions.

  The diagnostic device storage unit 36 stores various types of information. The screen unit 37 is provided in the diagnostic device 3 and displays predetermined information. The input unit 38 is, for example, a keyboard or a mouse, and the diagnostic device 3 receives information input by the input unit 38. The diagnostic device communication unit 39 communicates with the transfer control device 4 of the aggregation probe 2.

  The diagnostic conditions will be described. The diagnostic conditions are distributed to the aggregation probes 2A and 2B. The diagnostic conditions include, for example, information on the packet size of the diagnostic packet, the number of transmitted packets, and the number of destination probes. Each probe unit 11 generates a diagnostic packet based on these pieces of information.

  The diagnostic conditions are stored in the diagnostic device storage unit 36. For example, when an operator who operates the diagnostic device 3 inputs any of the above information, the diagnostic condition management unit 31 changes the diagnostic condition information stored in the diagnostic device storage unit 364 to the input information. .

  Further, the diagnosis condition includes a transfer interval change instruction for a diagnosis packet transferred from the aggregation probe 2 to the network NW. The transfer interval setting unit 26 of the distribution device 3 of the aggregation probe 2 changes the transfer interval of the diagnostic packet based on the transfer interval change instruction included in the distributed diagnosis condition.

  Further, the diagnosis condition includes statistical fluctuation that is statistically processed based on “fluctuation” described later. The diagnostic condition management unit 31 manages diagnostic conditions including these pieces of information. When there is a change in the diagnostic condition, the diagnostic condition management unit 31 controls the diagnostic device communication unit 39 so as to distribute the changed diagnostic condition to the aggregation probes 2A and 2B.

<Example of diagnostic packet transfer>
Next, an example of transfer of a diagnostic packet will be described with reference to the example of FIG. In the example of FIG. 8, the first probe 11A transfers a diagnostic packet destined for the fourth probe 11D to the network NW.

  The first probe 11A generates a diagnostic packet destined for the fourth probe 11D. The header processing unit 12 sets the destination of the diagnostic packet as a dummy address, and sets the IP address of the third probe 11D in a field other than the destination.

  The packet allocation unit 13 does not allocate the diagnostic packet to any probe unit 11 because the destination IP address of the diagnostic packet is a dummy address. The transfer side packet distribution unit 14 refers to the first transfer table 15 and distributes the diagnostic packet to the communication interface 7 according to the destination of the diagnostic packet.

  The communication interface 8 receives the diagnostic packet transferred from the communication interface 7. The distribution control unit 20 of the distribution device 5 distributes the received diagnostic packet to any one of the communication interfaces 9A to 9D.

  The packet determination unit 23 determines whether the destination of the received diagnostic packet is a dummy address. When it is determined that the destination is a dummy address, the destination setting unit 24 extracts a transmission destination address from a field other than the destination of the diagnostic packet.

  The destination setting unit 24 changes the destination of the diagnostic packet to the extracted transmission destination address (the IP address of the fourth probe 11D).

  The distribution-side packet distribution unit 25 refers to the second transfer table 21 and distributes the diagnostic packet to the communication interface 9 corresponding to the transmission source address of the diagnostic packet. The transmission source address of the diagnostic packet is the IP address of the first probe 11A.

  Therefore, the distribution-side packet distribution unit 25 refers to the second transfer table 21 and distributes the diagnostic packet to the communication interface 9A corresponding to the IP address of the first probe 11A. The diagnostic packet is transferred from the communication interface 9A to the router R of the network NW.

  The diagnostic packet is transferred by a plurality of routers R of the network NW, and the communication interface 9D corresponding to the destination of the diagnostic packet receives the diagnostic packet. The distribution-side packet distribution unit 25 refers to the third transfer table and distributes the received diagnostic packet to the communication interface 8.

  The diagnostic packet distributed to the communication interface 8 is transferred to the communication interface 7. The packet allocation unit 13 of the transfer control device 4 allocates the diagnostic packet to any one of the probe units 11 according to the destination of the diagnostic packet.

  The destination of the diagnostic packet indicates the IP address assigned to the fourth probe unit 11D. Therefore, the packet allocation unit 13 allocates the diagnostic packet to the fourth probe 4D. The fourth probe unit 11 </ b> D performs processing as a probe on the diagnostic packet and performs control to transmit the diagnostic packet to the diagnostic device 3.

  Each probe unit 11 sets the destination of the diagnostic packet to the IP address of the diagnostic device 3 when transmitting the diagnostic packet to the diagnostic device 3.

  When the IP address of the diagnostic device 3 is “192.168.100.11”, each probe unit 11 sets the destination of the diagnostic packet to the above IP address when transmitting the diagnostic packet to the diagnostic device 3.

  The first probe unit 11A and the fourth probe unit 11D are integrated into the same transfer control device 4. In the case of the example of FIG. 8, the four probe units 11 of the first probe unit 11 </ b> A to the fourth probe unit 11 </ b> D are collected in the same transfer control device 4.

  In the embodiment, a different IP address is assigned to each probe unit 11. The header processing unit 12 sets the transmission destination address of the diagnostic packet generated by each probe unit 11 in a field other than the destination in the header, and sets a dummy address for the destination.

  As a result, the diagnostic packet generated by each probe unit 11 is transferred to the distribution device 5. For this reason, the diagnostic packet generated by each probe unit 11 is not assigned to any probe unit 11 without being transferred to the network NW.

  The destination setting unit 24 of the distribution device 5 sets the destination address set in the field other than the destination in the header of the diagnostic packet as the destination. As a result, since the original transmission destination address is set as the destination of the diagnostic packet, the diagnostic packet is transferred from the distribution device 5 to the network NW.

  Therefore, even if a plurality of probe units 11 are aggregated in the same device (transfer control device 4), each probe unit 11 can function as a probe (device for transferring a diagnostic packet to the network NW). Thereby, the functions of a plurality of probes can be aggregated into the aggregation probe 2.

<Example of delay variation>
In the example of FIG. 9, each communication interface 9 of the distribution device 5 transfers the diagnostic packet to the network NW at a predetermined transfer interval. As in the example of FIG. 9, when congestion occurs in the transfer path of the diagnostic packet in the network NW, the network traffic becomes high.

  Each router R of the network NW buffers the packet in the buffer of its own router R when the network traffic becomes high. As a result, the network traffic is reduced. Each router R resumes packet forwarding when network traffic falls below a predetermined threshold (also referred to as network rate).

  Due to buffering of diagnostic packets due to congestion, there may be a variation in the delay between the packets transferred by the aggregation probe 2 to the network NW and being received after being transferred to the network NW.

  In the embodiment, the delay variation is referred to as “fluctuation”. The fluctuation occurs not only when the network NW is congested, but also due to, for example, a difference in the transfer path of each diagnostic packet.

  The network NW is constructed by a plurality of routers R, and the transfer path through which the diagnostic packet is transferred differs for each diagnostic packet. For example, when the transfer path of one diagnostic packet is longer than the transfer path of another diagnostic packet, a difference occurs between the delays of the two diagnostic packets. For this reason, fluctuations occur.

  A plurality of probe units 11 are aggregated in the aggregation probe 2. All diagnostic packets received by each communication interface of the distribution device 5 are transferred to the transfer control device 4. As the number of probe units 11 to be aggregated increases, the number of diagnostic packets transferred from the distribution device 5 to the transfer control device 4 also increases.

  For this reason, the diagnostic packets are concentrated between the communication interface 7 and the communication interface 8, and the bandwidth used for transferring the diagnostic packet (hereinafter referred to as a used bandwidth) increases.

  The band between the communication interface 7 and the communication interface 8 has a predetermined predetermined safety band. If the communication traffic between the communication interface 7 and the communication interface 8 becomes high and the used bandwidth exceeds the safe bandwidth, there is a possibility that the diagnostic packet is lost.

  When the number of probe units 11 aggregated by the aggregation probe 2 increases and the above fluctuation occurs, many diagnostic packets are concentrated between the communication interface 7 and the communication interface 8, and the used bandwidth tends to exceed the safe bandwidth. Become.

  Therefore, the transfer interval setting unit 26 of the distribution device 5 lengthens the transfer interval of the diagnostic packet based on the transfer interval change instruction from the diagnostic device 3. If the transfer interval of diagnostic packets becomes longer, the amount of diagnostic packets transferred between the communication interface 7 and the communication interface 8 also decreases. For this reason, a use band falls.

<An example of adding a probe section>
Next, an additional example of the probe unit 11 will be described with reference to the examples of FIGS. 10 and 11. In the example of FIG. 10, twelve probe portions 11 of the first probe 11A to the twelfth probe 11L are aggregated in the aggregation probe 2A. In the aggregation probe 2B, eight probe parts 11 of the eleventh probe 11M to the twentieth probe 11T are aggregated.

  For example, it is assumed that an operator who operates the diagnostic device 3 uses the input unit 38 to perform an operation of adding one probe unit 11 to the aggregation probe 2A. The diagnostic device 3 receives this operation, and the probe number control unit 34 generates a probe number change instruction.

  Since the number of probes has changed, the diagnostic condition management unit 31 performs control to distribute diagnostic conditions including a probe number change instruction. Aggregation probes 2A and 2B receive the delivered diagnostic conditions.

  When the transfer control device 4 of the aggregation probe 2A receives an instruction to add the probe unit 11 from the diagnostic device 3, the transfer control device 4 adds the 21st probe unit 11U to the probe aggregation unit 10 as shown in the example of FIG. Also, the transfer control device 4 assigns a new IP address to the 21st probe unit 11U.

  As described above, the function of the probe unit 11 is realized by a program executed by the transfer control device 4. Therefore, when receiving the probe number change instruction, the transfer control device 4 adds the function of the probe unit 11 by executing a predetermined program.

<Example of changing the transfer interval>
Next, referring to FIG. 10 and FIG. 11, the change of the transfer interval of the diagnostic packet will be described. As described above, the diagnostic device 3 delivers diagnostic conditions to the aggregation probes 2A and 2B.

  Of the diagnostic conditions, the packet size of the diagnostic packet is “1000 bytes (= 8000 bits)”, and the number of transmitted packets is “10”. The diagnostic device 3 manages the number of each probe unit 11 of the aggregation probes 2A and 2B.

In the example of FIG. 10, the total number of probe units 11 is “20”. Therefore, the number of probe units 11 that are transmission destinations of one probe unit 11 is “19”. For example, when the first probe unit 11A transfers diagnostic packets to the 19 probe units 11 at the same time and transfers diagnostic packets at a transfer interval of “10 ms”, the transfer bandwidth is about 145 Mbps.
"145Mbps = 8000bit x 10 (number of transmitted packets) x 19 (number of destination probes) x 1000 / 10ms (transfer interval) x 1/1024 (K units) x 1/1024 (M units)"

  As described above, there is a possibility that variation (fluctuation) may occur in the delay of each diagnostic packet received by the distribution device 5 due to congestion in the network NW or a difference in transfer path.

  When this fluctuation is not present or small enough to be ignored, the reception band is 145 Mbps, which is the same as the transfer band. On the other hand, when the router R of the network NW buffers the diagnostic packet due to congestion in the network NW, the amount of bandwidth increase due to fluctuation is determined according to the information amount (buffer size) of the buffered diagnostic packet.

  For example, it is assumed that the router R of the network NW when congestion occurs performs buffering up to a diagnosis packet corresponding to five transfer intervals (50 ms = 10 ms × 5). In this case, the bandwidth increase amount is about 7.2 Mbps.

  The bandwidth used for one probe unit 11 of the aggregation probe 2 is a value obtained by adding the transfer bandwidth, the reception bandwidth, and the amount of increase in bandwidth. In this case, the total value is approximately 297.2 Mbps (= 145 Mbps + 145 Mbps + 7.2 Mbps).

  In the case of the example of FIG. 10, for example, eight probe units 11 are aggregated in the aggregation probe 2B. Therefore, considering the total number of probe units 11 aggregated in the aggregation probe 2B, the bandwidth used between the communication interface 7 and the communication interface 8 is about 2.37 Gbps (= 8 × 297.2 Mbps). .

  As described above, a safe band is defined for the band between the communication interface 7 and the communication interface 8. For example, when the maximum communication band between the communication interface 7 and the communication interface 8 is 4 Gbps and the safety band is 60% of the maximum communication band, the safety band is 2.4 Gbps.

  Therefore, in the example of FIG. 10, the use band (= 2.37 Gbps) is equal to or less than the safe band (= 2.4 Gbps) even if fluctuations are taken into consideration.

  Here, let us consider a case where the 21st probe unit 11U is added to the aggregation probe 2A as in the example of FIG. The diagnostic condition management unit 31 of the diagnostic device 3 changes the diagnostic condition because the number of the probe units 11 of the aggregation probe 2A has been changed. The calculation unit 33 calculates the bandwidth when the number of probe units 11 increases by one.

  In the example of FIG. 11, the total number of probe units 11 is “21”. Accordingly, the number of probe units 11 that are transmission destinations of one probe unit 11 is “20”. In this case, since the number of probe units 11 is increased by 1 from the above case, the transfer band is about 152.6 Mbps, which is higher than when the total number of probe units 11 is “20”.

  The calculation unit 33 calculates the use band based on the transfer band, the reception band, the band increase amount, and the number of probe units 11 aggregated in the aggregation probe 2. In this case, the bandwidth used is 2.44 Gbps.

  As described above, the safety band is 2.4 Gbps. Therefore, the use band (= 2.44 Gbps) exceeds the safe band (= 2.4 Gbps). In this case, since the use band exceeds the safe band, the diagnostic packet may be lost.

  In this case, the computing unit 33 recalculates the used bandwidth by increasing the transfer interval by a certain time (1 ms in the embodiment). The calculation unit 33 performs recalculation until the use band becomes equal to or less than the safe band.

The previous transfer interval is “10 ms”. The calculation unit 33 recalculates the used bandwidth by setting the transfer interval to “11 ms”. In this case, the transfer bandwidth is about 137.3 Mbps.
"137.3Mbps = 8000bit x 10 (number of transmitted packets) x 20 (number of destination probes) x 1000 / 11ms (transfer interval) x 1/1024 (K units) x 1/1024 (M units)"
The computing unit 33 calculates the use band based on the transfer band, the reception band, the band increase amount, and the number of the probe units 11 of the aggregation probe 2. In this case, the bandwidth used is about 2.21 Gbps.

  As the transfer interval is increased by “1 ms”, the bandwidth used decreases. In the case described above, the use band (= 2.21 Gbps) is equal to or less than the safe band (= 2.4 Gbps).

  The diagnostic condition management unit 31 delivers diagnostic conditions including a transfer interval change instruction to change the transfer interval to “11 ms” to the aggregation probes 2A and 2B. The transfer interval setting unit 26 in the distribution device 4 of the aggregation probes 2A and 2B sets the transfer interval of the diagnostic packet to “11 ms” based on the transfer interval change instruction.

<Other examples of changing the transfer interval>
In the example described above, the calculation unit 33 calculates a use band in consideration of a diagnostic packet (for example, 50 ms (= 5 periods × transfer interval (10 ms)) buffered in the router R of the network NW.

  In this case, the calculation unit 33 calculates the used bandwidth in consideration of the bandwidth increase amount in consideration of the buffer size of the router R of the network NW (50 ms in the above example). This buffer size is a fixed value.

  The communication quality of the network NW varies depending on the communication status. For example, when congestion occurs in the network NW, the communication quality of the network NW decreases. When the communication quality of the network NW is unknown, it is preferable that the calculation unit 33 calculates the used bandwidth in consideration of the buffer size.

  On the other hand, the communication quality diagnostic unit 35 of the diagnostic device 3 diagnoses the communication quality of the network NW based on the diagnostic packet received from the aggregation probes 2A and 2B. Therefore, the diagnostic device 3 can estimate whether the communication quality of the network NW is good.

  The use band calculated considering the buffer size as a fixed value is higher than the use band when the communication quality of the network NW is good. For this reason, for example, when the probe unit 11 is added to the aggregation probe 2, even if the use band does not actually exceed the safe band, the transfer interval of the diagnostic packet may be increased.

  When the transfer interval of the diagnostic packet becomes longer, the communication quality diagnosis interval of the network NW performed by the communication quality diagnostic unit 35 of the diagnostic device 3 also becomes longer. In addition, when the use band calculated considering the buffer size as a fixed value exceeds the safe band, the diagnosis device 3 may not distribute the instruction to add the probe unit 11 to the aggregation probe 2.

  When the delay variation (fluctuation) of each diagnostic packet is small, such as when the network quality of the network NW is good, there is a possibility that the probe unit 11 can be added without increasing the diagnostic packet transfer interval.

  Therefore, the diagnostic device 3 performs statistical processing on the fluctuation, and distributes diagnostic conditions including a transfer interval change instruction to the aggregation probes 2A and 2B based on the result of the statistical processing.

  Hereinafter, the change of the transfer interval based on statistical processing for fluctuation will be described. FIG. 12 shows an example of various types of information used when statistical processing for fluctuation is performed. Various types of information in the example of FIG. 12 are stored in the diagnostic device storage unit 36.

  The communication quality information is information diagnosed by the communication quality diagnosis unit 35 and indicates the communication quality of the network NW. The communication quality information includes items of diagnosis date and time, round trip delay, packet loss rate, fluctuation time, and statistical fluctuation.

  The diagnosis date / time indicates the date / time when the communication quality of the network NW was diagnosed. The round-trip delay indicates an average value of round-trip delay of each diagnostic packet. Each diagnostic packet is transferred from one probe unit 11 to another probe unit 11.

  Accordingly, when the total number of probe units 11 of the aggregated probes 2A and 2B is the total number of probes, the round trip delay is an average value of round trip delays of “total number of probes × (total number of probes−1)” diagnostic packets.

  The packet loss rate indicates an average value of the rate of packet loss for each diagnostic packet.

  The fluctuation time indicates an average value of fluctuation difference values of the probe units 11. The fluctuation difference value indicates the difference between the maximum delay of one way and the minimum delay of one way of the diagnostic packet for each probe 11. The larger the difference is, the greater the variation (fluctuation) in the delay of the diagnostic packet is, and the smaller the difference is, the smaller the fluctuation is.

  The statistical fluctuation indicates a value subjected to statistical processing based on the fluctuation time and the variation from the fluctuation time. In the embodiment, the statistical fluctuation is calculated based on the standard deviation σ.

  The statistical fluctuation indicates a range between a time obtained by subtracting a value obtained by multiplying the standard deviation σ by a predetermined coefficient from the fluctuation time, and a time obtained by adding a value obtained by multiplying the standard deviation σ by a predetermined coefficient from the fluctuation time. In the example of FIG. 12, when the fluctuation time is “10 ms”, the statistical fluctuation is “10 ± 3 ms”. Calculation of the average value, statistical processing, and the like are performed by the calculation unit 33.

  Next, setting information will be described. The setting information includes items of buffer size, fluctuation accumulation period, fluctuation determination threshold, variation determination threshold, and usable bandwidth.

  The buffer size is the size of the diagnostic packet that the router R buffers. The fluctuation accumulation period indicates a period to be subjected to statistical processing. The computing unit 33 performs statistical processing using the standard deviation on the fluctuation time of the fluctuation accumulation period (7 days in the example of FIG. 12) retroactively from the latest diagnosis date and time, and calculates the statistical fluctuation.

  The fluctuation determination threshold value is a threshold value for determining whether the fluctuation time is normal. The fluctuation time exceeding the fluctuation determination threshold value may not be a normal value, and the fluctuation time is not suitable for statistical processing. In the example of FIG. 12, it is determined that the fluctuation time that is more than twice shifted from the average of each fluctuation time is not normal.

  When the fluctuation time exceeding the fluctuation determination threshold exists in the communication quality information, the calculation unit 33 does not perform statistical processing. In this case, the calculation unit 33 calculates the use band based on the buffer size.

  The variation determination threshold is a threshold for determining the degree of variation in fluctuation time. If the communication quality information includes a fluctuation time that deviates from the average of each fluctuation time by a fluctuation determination threshold or more, it is determined that the degree of fluctuation of the fluctuation time is large.

  On the other hand, when the fluctuation time shifted from the average of each fluctuation time by the fluctuation determination threshold or more does not exist in the communication quality information, it is determined that the degree of fluctuation of the fluctuation time is small.

  When it is determined that the degree of variation is large, the calculation unit 33 performs statistical processing using a value obtained by multiplying the standard deviation σ by the first coefficient. When it is determined that the degree of variation is small, the calculation unit 33 performs statistical processing using a value obtained by multiplying the standard deviation σ by a second coefficient that is larger than the first coefficient.

  In the example of FIG. 12, when a fluctuation time deviated by 5 ms or more from the average of each fluctuation time exists in the communication quality information, the calculation unit 33 performs statistical processing using a value obtained by multiplying the standard deviation σ by a first coefficient having a small value. Process.

  On the other hand, when the fluctuation time shifted by 5 ms or more from the average of each fluctuation time does not exist in the communication quality information, the calculation unit 33 performs statistical processing using a value obtained by multiplying the standard deviation σ by the second coefficient having a large value.

  The safety band is the above-described safety band. The setting information is stored in advance in the diagnostic device storage unit 36. Each value of the setting information is not limited to the example of FIG.

  Next, probe aggregation information will be described. The aggregation probe name indicates the name of the aggregation probe 2. The degree of aggregation indicates the number of probe units 11 that can be aggregated into one aggregation probe 2. The aggregation degree determination value indicates whether or not the aggregation degree has reached the maximum number of probe units 11 that can be aggregated into one aggregation probe 2.

  As described above, the maximum number of the probe units 11 is the number of communication interfaces 9 provided in the distribution device 5. When the aggregation level determination value is “1”, the aggregation level of the probe unit 11 is the maximum, and the aggregation level matches the number of communication interfaces 9 provided in the distribution device 5.

  On the other hand, when the aggregation level determination value is “0”, the aggregation level of the probe unit 11 does not reach the maximum, and the probe unit 11 can be added. In this case, the degree of aggregation is smaller than the number of communication interfaces 9 provided in the distribution device 5.

  As described above, the calculation unit 33 calculates a used bandwidth that allows for an increase in bandwidth. The amount of bandwidth increase is determined by fluctuations. In the embodiment, the fluctuation considered when the calculation unit 33 calculates the band increase amount is set as the fluctuation consideration value.

  When there is no statistical fluctuation in the communication quality information of the diagnostic device storage unit 36, or when the fluctuation of fluctuation time exceeds the fluctuation determination threshold, the calculation unit 33 uses the fluctuation consideration value as the buffer size described above, and increases the bandwidth. Calculate

  If there is statistical fluctuation in the communication quality information in the diagnostic device storage unit 36 and the fluctuation in fluctuation time does not exceed the fluctuation determination threshold value, the calculation unit 33 sets the fluctuation consideration value as the maximum value of statistical fluctuation and sets the amount of increase in bandwidth. calculate.

  For example, when the fluctuation consideration value is the buffer size, the fluctuation consideration value is “50 ms”. In this case, the bandwidth increase amount calculated by the calculation unit 33 is high, and when the probe unit 11 is added, the transfer interval may be long.

  On the other hand, when the fluctuation consideration value is the maximum value of the statistical fluctuation, the bandwidth increase amount calculated by the calculation unit 33 is low. For example, in the example of FIG. 12, when the fluctuation time is “10 ms”, the statistical fluctuation is “13 (= 10 + 3) ms”.

  In this case, the fluctuation consideration value is “13 ms” lower than the buffer size (= 50 ms). Therefore, the bandwidth increase amount calculated by the calculation unit 33 is low, and when the probe unit 11 is added, there is a possibility that the transfer interval does not become long.

<Example of transfer processing flowchart>
Next, an example of processing in which the aggregation probe 2 transfers a diagnostic packet to the network NW will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. Any of the probe units 11 aggregated in the probe aggregation unit 10 generates a diagnostic packet (step S1).

  The header processing unit 12 sets the transmission destination address of the diagnostic packet in a field other than the destination, and sets a dummy address as the header destination (step S2). For example, the header processing unit 12 may set the first octet of the transmission destination address in “Type of Service” of the diagnostic packet.

  The header processing unit 12 may set the second octet and the third octet of the transmission destination address in “Identification” of the diagnostic packet. The header processing unit 12 may set the fourth octet of the transmission destination address in “Protocol” of the diagnostic packet.

  A dummy address is set as the destination of the diagnostic packet. Therefore, the packet allocation unit 13 does not allocate the diagnostic packet to each probe unit 11.

  The transfer side packet distribution unit 14 refers to the first transfer table 15 and distributes the diagnosis packet to the communication interface 7 according to the destination of the diagnosis packet. The diagnostic packet distributed to the communication interface 7 is transferred to the communication interface 8 of the distribution device 5 (step S3).

  The communication interface 8 of the distribution device 5 receives the diagnostic packet (step S4). The packet determination unit 23 determines whether the destination is a dummy address in the header of the diagnostic packet (step S5).

  When it is determined that the destination is a dummy address (YES in step S5), the destination setting unit 24 extracts the transmission destination address from fields other than the destination (for example, the three fields described above) in the header of the diagnostic packet. (Step S6).

  The header processing unit 12 sets the extracted transmission destination address as the destination in the header of the diagnostic packet (step S7). As a result, the original destination address is set as the destination in the header of the diagnostic packet. If NO in step S5, the processes in steps S6 and S7 are omitted.

  The distribution-side packet distribution unit 25 refers to the second transfer table 21 and distributes the diagnostic packet to the communication interface 9 corresponding to the transmission source address of the diagnostic packet among the plurality of communication interfaces 9 provided in the distribution device 5. (Step S8).

  The communication interface 9 to which the diagnostic packet is distributed transfers the diagnostic packet to the network NW by transferring it to the router R connected to the communication interface 9 (step S9).

<Example of flowchart of reception processing>
Next, an example of processing performed when the aggregation probe 2 receives a diagnostic packet from the network NW will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. The diagnostic packet transferred to the network NW is transferred by a plurality of routers R.

  The diagnostic packet transferred through the network NW is received by any one of the plurality of communication interfaces 9 provided in the distribution device 5 according to the destination (step S11).

  The distribution-side packet distribution unit 25 refers to the third transfer table 22. Since “Interface” in the third transfer table 22 all indicates the communication interface 8, the distribution side packet distribution unit 25 distributes the received diagnostic packet to the communication interface 8. Thereby, the communication interface 8 transfers the received diagnostic packet to the transfer control device 4 (step S12).

  The communication interface 7 of the transfer control device 4 receives the diagnostic packet (step S13). The packet allocation unit 13 allocates the diagnostic packet to the probe unit 11 corresponding to the destination of the received diagnostic packet (step S14).

  Each probe unit 11 is assigned a different IP address. The packet allocation unit 13 allocates the diagnostic packet to the probe unit 11 to which the IP address indicated by the destination of the received diagnostic packet is assigned.

  The probe unit 11 sets the destination IP address of the received diagnostic packet as the IP address of the diagnostic device 3. In addition, the probe unit 11 includes, for example, information on the round trip delay time of the diagnostic packet in the diagnostic packet.

  The probe unit 11 performs control to transmit a diagnostic packet to the diagnostic device 3 (step S15). The transfer side packet distribution unit 14 refers to the first transfer table 15 and distributes the diagnosis packet to the communication interface 6 corresponding to the IP address of the diagnosis device 3 that is the destination of the diagnosis packet.

  Thereby, the diagnostic packet is transmitted from the communication interface 6 to the diagnostic device 3 (step S16).

<Example of fluctuation processing>
Next, an example of the fluctuation process performed by the calculation unit 33 of the diagnostic apparatus 3 will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. The communication quality diagnostic unit 35 determines whether the fluctuation time for a predetermined period is stored in the diagnostic device storage unit 36 (step S21).

  The predetermined period is the above-described fluctuation accumulation period (for example, 7 days). For example, when the fluctuation time for 7 days is not stored in the diagnostic device storage unit 36 (NO in step S21), the number of samples to be subjected to statistical processing is insufficient. For this reason, the buffer size is used as a consideration value when the calculation unit 33 calculates the use band (step S22).

  In the case of YES in step S21, the communication quality diagnostic unit 35 determines whether the communication quality information stored in the diagnostic device storage unit 36 has a fluctuation time that exceeds the fluctuation determination threshold (step S23).

  If the fluctuation time exceeding the fluctuation determination threshold exists (YES in step S23), it is not suitable for statistical processing, and therefore the buffer size is used as the fluctuation consideration value when the calculation unit 33 calculates the use band (step S23). ).

  If NO in step S22, statistical processing is performed. In this case, the communication quality diagnosis unit 35 determines whether or not there is fluctuation in fluctuation time exceeding the fluctuation determination threshold in the communication quality information stored in the diagnostic device storage unit 36 (step S24).

  If YES in step S24, statistical fluctuation based on a value obtained by multiplying the standard deviation α by the first coefficient is used as the fluctuation consideration value when the calculation unit 33 calculates the use band (step S25). In this case, for example, if the first coefficient is “2”, the value of the standard deviation σ × 2 is added to the average value of the fluctuation time for the statistical fluctuation. The added value becomes statistical fluctuation.

  If NO in step S24, statistical fluctuation based on the value obtained by multiplying the standard deviation α by the second coefficient is used as the fluctuation consideration value when the calculation unit 33 calculates the use band (step S26). In this case, for example, if the second coefficient is “3”, the value of the standard deviation σ × 2 is added to the average value of the fluctuation time for the statistical fluctuation. The added value becomes statistical fluctuation.

<Example of diagnosis condition distribution processing>
Next, an example of diagnostic condition distribution processing will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. The diagnostic condition management unit 31 sets a fluctuation consideration value to be used in step S22, S25, or S26 (step S31).

  The set fluctuation consideration value may be a buffer size, may be a statistical fluctuation based on a value obtained by multiplying the standard deviation α by the second coefficient, and is based on a value obtained by multiplying the standard deviation α by the first coefficient. There may be statistical fluctuations.

  Next, the diagnostic condition management unit 31 determines whether there is a change in the diagnostic conditions (step S32). For example, an operator who operates the diagnostic device 3 may perform an operation of changing diagnostic conditions such as the packet size of the diagnostic packet, the number of transmission packets, the number of transmission destinations, the transfer interval, and the buffer size using the input unit.

  The diagnostic device 3 receives an operation for changing the diagnostic condition. In this case, since the diagnosis condition changes, the diagnosis condition management unit 31 determines that the diagnosis condition has changed. On the other hand, the diagnosis condition may not be changed. If there is no change in the diagnostic conditions (NO in step S32), the process ends.

  When there is a change in the diagnosis condition (YES in step S32), the diagnosis condition management unit 31 determines whether the number of transmission destinations (the number of probes at the transmission destination) has changed. For example, when a probe is added to the aggregate probe 2, the number of transmission destinations changes.

  When there is a change in the number of transmission destinations (YES in step S33), the diagnostic condition management unit 31 changes the probe aggregation degree of each aggregation probe 2 (step S34). For example, when one transmission destination probe unit 11 is added, the number of transmission destinations changes.

  The diagnostic condition management unit 31 performs a change to increase the maximum number of aggregation levels of each aggregated probe 2 in the probe aggregated information in the diagnostic device storage unit 36 by one. If there is no change in the number of transmission destinations (NO in step S33), the process in step S34 is not performed.

  As described above, the calculation unit 33 calculates the use band based on the transfer band, the reception band, the band increase amount, and the number of probe units 11 aggregated in the aggregation probe 2 (step S35). Then, the diagnosis condition management unit 31 determines whether the calculated use band exceeds the safe band (step S36).

  If the use band exceeds the safe band (YES in step S36), the transfer interval control unit 32 changes the transfer interval (step S37). For example, the transfer interval control unit 32 increases the transfer interval by 1 ms. Then, the process returns to step S35.

  In step S35, the computing unit 33 recalculates the used bandwidth at the changed transfer interval. In the case described above, the calculation unit 33 recalculates the used bandwidth based on a transfer interval that is 1 ms longer than the previous transfer interval. The recalculated used bandwidth is lower than the previously calculated used bandwidth.

  While the use band exceeds the safe band, the processes of step S37 and step S35 are repeated. When the use band is equal to or less than the safe band (NO in step S36), the transfer interval control unit 32 determines the transfer interval (step S38).

  When the process of step S37 is performed once, the transfer interval control unit 32 generates a transfer interval instruction. The transfer interval instruction is included in the diagnosis condition. The diagnostic condition management unit 31 performs control to distribute diagnostic conditions to each aggregate probe 2. The diagnostic device communication unit 39 distributes diagnostic conditions to each aggregation probe 2 (step S39).

<Example of transfer interval change processing>
The diagnostic conditions distributed to the aggregation probe 2 are transferred from the transfer control device 4 to the distribution device 5. The transfer interval setting unit 26 of the distribution device 5 determines whether or not a transfer interval change instruction is included in the diagnosis condition (step S41).

  When the diagnosis condition includes a transfer interval change instruction (YES in step S41), the transfer interval setting unit 26 changes the transfer interval of the diagnostic packet transferred from each communication interface 9 based on the transfer interval change instruction. (Step S42).

  After the processing of step S42 is performed, each communication interface 9 transfers the diagnostic packet to the router R at the changed transfer interval. When the transfer condition change instruction is not included in the diagnosis condition (NO in step S41), the transfer interval is not changed.

<Example of hardware configuration of diagnostic device>
An example of the hardware configuration of the diagnostic device 3 will be described with reference to the example of FIG. As illustrated in the example of FIG. 18, a processor 111, a random access memory (RAM) 112, a read only memory (ROM) 113, an auxiliary storage device 114, a medium connection unit 115, a communication interface 116, and an input / output with respect to the bus 110. The interface 117 is connected.

  The processor 111 is an arbitrary processing circuit. The processor 111 executes a program expanded in the RAM 112. As a program to be executed, a program for realizing each process performed by the diagnostic device 3 may be applied. The ROM 113 is a non-volatile storage device that stores programs developed in the RAM 112.

  The auxiliary storage device 114 is a storage device that stores various types of information. For example, a hard disk drive or a semiconductor memory may be applied to the auxiliary storage device 114. The medium connection unit 115 is provided so as to be connectable to the portable recording medium 119. The communication interface 116 is an interface that communicates with the transfer control device 4 of the aggregation probe 2.

  As the portable recording medium 119, a portable memory or an optical disc (for example, Compact Disc (CD), Digital Versatile Disc (DVD), etc.) may be applied. The portable recording medium 119 may store a program that realizes processing performed by the diagnostic apparatus 3.

  The input / output interface 117 is an interface for inputting / outputting data to / from external devices (for example, the screen unit 37 and the screen unit 38).

  Of the diagnosis apparatus 3, the diagnosis condition management unit 31, the transfer interval control unit 32, the calculation unit 33, the probe number control unit 34, and the communication quality management unit 35 are realized by the processor 111 executing a given program. May be.

  The diagnostic device storage unit 36 may be realized by the RAM 112 or the auxiliary storage device 114. The diagnostic device communication unit 39 may be realized by the communication interface 116.

  The RAM 112, the ROM 113, the auxiliary storage device 114, and the portable recording medium 119 are all examples of a tangible storage medium that can be read by a computer. These tangible storage media are not temporary media such as signal carriers.

<Example of hardware configuration of transfer control device>
An example of the hardware configuration of the transfer control device 4 will be described with reference to the example of FIG. As illustrated in the example of FIG. 19, a processor 211, a RAM 212, a ROM 213, an auxiliary storage device 214, and a medium connection unit 215 are connected to the bus 200. Further, the communication interface 6 and the communication interface 7 described above are connected to the bus 200.

  The processor 211 is an arbitrary processing circuit. The processor 211 executes the program expanded in the RAM 212. As a program to be executed, a program for realizing each process performed by the transfer control device 4 may be applied. The ROM 213 is a non-volatile storage device that stores programs developed in the RAM 212.

  The auxiliary storage device 214 is a storage device that stores various types of information. For example, a hard disk drive, a semiconductor memory, or the like may be applied to the auxiliary storage device 214. The medium connection unit 215 is provided so as to be connectable to the portable recording medium 219.

  As the portable recording medium 219, a portable memory or an optical disk (for example, a CD or a DVD) may be applied. A program that realizes processing performed by the transfer control device 4 may be recorded in the portable recording medium 119.

  Of the transfer control device 4, each probe unit 11, header processing unit 12, packet allocating unit 13, and transfer-side packet sorting unit 14 of the probe aggregation unit 10 are realized by the processor 211 executing a given program. May be. The first transfer table 15 may be realized by the RAM 212 or the auxiliary storage device 214.

  The RAM 212, the ROM 213, the auxiliary storage device 214, and the portable recording medium 219 are all examples of a tangible storage medium that can be read by a computer. These tangible storage media are not temporary media such as signal carriers.

<Example of hardware configuration of distribution device>
An example of the hardware configuration of the distribution device 5 will be described with reference to the example of FIG. As illustrated in the example of FIG. 20, a processor 311, a RAM 312, a ROM 313, an auxiliary storage device 314, and a medium connection unit 315 are connected to the bus 300.

  Further, the above-described communication interface 8 and a plurality of communication interfaces 9A, 9B,... Are connected to the bus 300.

  The processor 311 is an arbitrary processing circuit. The processor 311 executes the program expanded in the RAM 212. As a program to be executed, a program for realizing each process performed by the distribution device 5 may be applied. The ROM 313 is a non-volatile storage device that stores programs developed in the RAM 312.

  The auxiliary storage device 314 is a storage device that stores various types of information. For example, a hard disk drive, a semiconductor memory, or the like may be applied to the auxiliary storage device 314. The medium connection unit 315 is provided so as to be connectable to the portable recording medium 219.

  As the portable recording medium 219, a portable memory or an optical disk (for example, a CD or a DVD) may be applied. A program for realizing the processing performed by the distribution device 5 may be recorded on the portable recording medium 119.

  In the distribution device 5, the distribution control unit 20 may be realized by the processor 311 executing a given program. The second transfer table 21 and the third table 22 may be realized by the RAM 312 or the auxiliary storage device 314.

  The RAM 312, the ROM 313, the auxiliary storage device 314, and the portable recording medium 319 are all examples of a tangible storage medium that can be read by a computer. These tangible storage media are not temporary media such as signal carriers.

<Others>
The present embodiment is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various configurations or embodiments can be taken without departing from the gist of the present embodiment.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Network diagnostic system 2 Aggregation probe 3 Diagnosis apparatus 4 Transfer control apparatus 5 Distribution apparatus 6-9 Communication interface 10 Probe aggregation part 11 Probe part 12 Header processing part 13 Packet allocation part 14 Transfer side packet distribution part 15 1st transfer table 20 Distribution control unit 21 Second transfer table 22 Third transfer table 23 Packet determination unit 24 Destination setting unit 25 Distribution side packet distribution unit 26 Transfer interval setting unit 31 Diagnostic condition management unit 32 Transfer interval control unit 33 Calculation unit 34 Probe number control Unit 35 communication quality diagnostic unit 36 diagnostic device storage unit 37 screen unit 38 input unit 39 diagnostic device communication unit 111, 211, 213 processor 112, 212, 312 RAM
113, 312, 313 ROM
R router NW network

Claims (10)

A transfer control device for performing transfer control of a diagnostic packet for diagnosing the communication quality of the network;
A distribution device connected to the transfer control device;
With
The transfer control device includes:
A plurality of diagnostic packet controllers that generate the diagnostic packet and are assigned different addresses;
A header processing unit that sets a destination address in an area other than the destination in the header of the diagnostic packet generated by the diagnostic packet control unit;
A first communication unit that transfers the diagnostic packet processed by the header processing unit to the distribution device;
With
The distributor is
A second communication unit connected to each of a plurality of communication devices in the network;
A destination setting unit that extracts the destination address from the header of the diagnostic packet received from the first communication unit, and sets the extracted destination address as a destination of the diagnostic packet;
A distribution unit that distributes the diagnostic packet to any one of the second communication units based on a source address of the diagnostic packet;
A network diagnostic system comprising: The transmission destination address set by the header processing unit is any one of the plurality of diagnostic packet control units of the transfer control device,
The network diagnosis system according to claim 1. The header processing unit sets an address not assigned to any of the plurality of diagnostic packet control units to the destination of the diagnostic packet;
The network diagnostic system according to claim 1 or 2, wherein The distribution device transfers all diagnostic packets received from the network to the transfer control device,
The transfer control device allocates a diagnostic packet received from the distribution device to a diagnostic packet control unit according to a transmission destination address of the diagnostic packet.
The network diagnostic system according to claim 1, wherein the network diagnostic system is any one of claims 1 to 3. A diagnostic device connected to the transfer control device and diagnosing communication quality of the network based on the diagnostic packet received from the transfer control device;
The diagnostic device comprises:
An arithmetic unit that calculates a bandwidth based on the diagnostic packet transferred between the transfer control device and the distribution device based on the diagnostic packet;
A transfer interval control unit that controls a transfer interval of a diagnostic packet transferred from the distribution device to the network based on communication quality of the network diagnosed based on the diagnostic packet and a bandwidth calculated by the calculation unit When,
The network diagnosis system according to claim 1, further comprising: The computing unit calculates the bandwidth based on a buffer size of the communication device;
The network diagnosis system according to claim 5. The calculation unit calculates the bandwidth based on a variation in delay of each diagnostic packet received by the distribution device.
The network diagnosis system according to claim 5. The transfer interval control unit, when it is determined that the bandwidth calculated by the arithmetic unit exceeds a predetermined bandwidth, the transfer interval is increased by a predetermined time;
The network diagnosis system according to claim 5, wherein the network diagnosis system is a network diagnosis system. The arithmetic unit recalculates the bandwidth when the diagnostic packet control unit is added to the transfer control device,
The transfer interval control unit controls the transfer interval based on communication quality of the network and the recalculated band.
9. The network diagnostic system according to claim 5, wherein the network diagnostic system is any one of claims 5 to 8. A transfer control device that performs transfer control of diagnostic packets for diagnosing network communication quality sets a destination address in an area other than the destination in the header of a diagnostic packet generated by a function corresponding to each different address. ,
The transfer control device transfers the diagnostic packet in which the transmission destination address is set to a distribution device connected to the transfer control device,
The distribution device extracts the destination address from the received header of the diagnostic packet, sets the extracted destination address as the destination of the packet,
The distribution device distributes the diagnostic packet to any one of the communication interfaces connected to a plurality of communication devices in the network based on a transmission source address of the diagnostic packet;
A network diagnosis method characterized by the above.

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