JP2017200105A - Information distribution device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an information distribution device capable of improving a transmission processing speed executed by a communication device.SOLUTION: A connection information processing part converts first information by a first communication protocol to second information by a second communication protocol, and converts third information by the second communication protocol to fourth information by the first communication protocol when performing a first connection processing for connecting a connected body with a wide area network through one communication line. A connection part performs a second connection processing for connecting one or more other communication line with the wide area network after start of the first connection processing. A distribution processing part distributes transmission information transmitted after the first connection processing and the second connection processing into two or more communication lines of one communication line and the other communication line.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

  The present invention relates to connection of a communication device to a network.

  In order for the communication apparatus to perform normal communication with a WAN (Wide Area Network), connection processing is performed. In the connection process, protocol conversion for converting information based on the communication device side protocol, which is a communication protocol in the communication line on the communication device side, into information based on the WAN side protocol, which is a communication protocol on the WAN side communication line, is performed. I need it. In the connection process, protocol conversion for converting information based on the WAN side protocol into information based on the communication side protocol is necessary.

  For example, Patent Literature 1 and Patent Literature 2 disclose a protocol processing device that performs the conversion processing of the above protocol.

Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2003-23495 JP 2012-222542 A

  However, when the protocol processing devices of Patent Document 1 and Patent Document 2 are used, the communication device can only be assigned an address when using one communication line. can not connect. Therefore, in the first place, communication processing for the WAN side network can be performed only through one communication line. Therefore, there is a problem that the communication processing speed cannot be improved by simultaneously using a plurality of communication lines. Further, when a sufficient communication capacity cannot be secured by the communication line, there is a problem that a delay time in the communication line increases. This problem is particularly noticeable when the communication line is a line such as a mobile line that tends to cause further increase in delay time due to retransmission of information due to increase in delay time.

  An object of the present invention is to provide an information distribution device that can improve the speed of transmission processing performed by a communication device.

  The information distribution apparatus of the present invention includes a connection information processing unit, a connection unit, and a distribution processing unit. The connection information processing unit performs the following process when performing a first connection process, which is a process for a connected body to connect to a wide area network through one communication line. That is, the connection information processing unit sends the first information based on the first communication protocol sent from the connected body to the wide area network as second information based on the second communication protocol. Further, the connection information processing unit sends the third information based on the second communication protocol sent from the wide area network as fourth information based on the first communication protocol and sends the third information to the connected body. The connection unit performs a second connection process that is a process for connecting to the wide area network through one or more other communication lines after the start of the first connection process. The distribution processing unit sends transmission information sent after the first connection processing and the second connection processing to two or more communication lines of the one communication line and the other communication line, Assign to each.

  The information distribution device of the present invention can improve the speed of transmission processing performed by the communication device.

It is a conceptual diagram showing the structural example of the information distribution apparatus of 1st embodiment. It is a conceptual diagram showing the sequence chart example of a connection process. It is an image figure showing the packet transmission operation | movement to the WAN side network (the 1). It is an image figure showing the packet reception operation | movement from a WAN side network. It is a conceptual diagram showing the structural example of the information distribution apparatus of 2nd embodiment. It is a conceptual diagram showing the example of reference information. It is an image figure showing the packet transmission operation | movement to a WAN side network (the 2). It is a conceptual diagram showing the example of a structure of the information distribution apparatus of 3rd embodiment. It is an image figure showing the packet transmission operation | movement to a WAN side network (the 3). It is an image figure showing the packet reception operation | movement from a WAN side network (the 2). It is a conceptual diagram showing the minimum structure of the information distribution apparatus of this invention.

<First embodiment>
The first embodiment is an embodiment of an information distribution apparatus capable of transmitting packets through a plurality of WAN side lines at the same time for packets sent by a CPE as a communication apparatus. Here, CPE is an abbreviation for Customer Premises Equipment.
[Configuration and operation]
FIG. 1 is a conceptual diagram illustrating a configuration of an information distribution device 1 that is an example of the information distribution device according to the first embodiment. FIG. 1 also shows a network configuration example using the information distribution apparatus 1.

  The information distribution apparatus 1 includes a CPE-side IF unit 101, a connection information processing unit 102, a WAN-side line connection unit 104, WAN-side IF units 105 and 106, and a distribution processing unit 107. Here, IF is an abbreviation for Interface.

  The WAN side network 5 is, for example, the Internet. As a protocol for communication performed on the WAN side lines 3 and 4, PPP or DHCP is assumed. Here, PPP is an abbreviation for Point-Point-Protocol. For example, Patent Document 1 describes PPP. DHCP is an abbreviation for Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol. About DHCP, patent document 2 has description, for example.

  The CPE 2 is typically an access router having a PPPoE client function or a DHCP client function, or a personal computer having a PPPoE client function or a DHCP client function. Here, PPPoE is an abbreviation for Point-Point-Protocol-over-Ethernet. PPPoE is described in Patent Document 1.

  The CPE side line 6 may be a line that forms a LAN (Local Area Network), or may simply be a communication line that connects the CPE 2 and the information distribution apparatus 1. When the CPE-side line 6 is a line that forms a LAN, typically, technology of the Ethernet (registered trademark) standard is used as a line that forms a LAN.

  The CPE-side IF unit 101 is connected to the CPE 2 via the CPE-side line 6.

  The CPE-side IF unit 101 performs the following processing when the CPE 2 connects to the WAN-side network 5 via the WAN-side line 3 (referred to as “first connection”).

  That is, the CPE-side IF unit 101 sends information sent from the CPE 2 via the CPE-side line 6 to the connection information processing unit 102 as it is. The CPE-side IF unit 101 sends the information sent from the connection information processing unit 102 to the CPE 2 as it is via the CPE-side line 6.

  On the other hand, the processing performed by the CPE-side IF unit 101 after the connection between the connection via the WAN-side line 3 of the CPE 2 and the connection via the WAN-side line 4 of the WAN-side line connection unit 104 is completed. It is as follows.

  That is, the CPE-side IF unit 101 converts a packet sent from the CPE 2 through the CPE-side line 6 into an IP packet. A specific example of converting a packet sent from the CPE 2 via the CPE side line 6 into an IP packet will be described later. Then, the CPE-side IF unit 101 sends the IP packet to the distribution processing unit 107. The CPE-side IF unit 101 does not send information to the connection information processing unit 102.

  The processing performed by the connection information processing unit 102 at the time of the first connection is as follows.

  That is, the connection information processing unit 102 converts the information based on the CPE side protocol sent from the CPE side IF unit 101 into information based on the WAN side protocol corresponding to the information based on the CPE side protocol. Then, information based on the WAN side protocol is sent to the WAN side IF unit 105. In addition, the connection information processing unit 102 converts the information based on the WAN side protocol sent from the WAN side IF unit 105 into information based on the CPE side protocol corresponding to the information based on the WAN side protocol. Then, the connection information processing unit 102 sends information based on the CPE side protocol to the CPE side IF unit 101. Further, the connection processing unit 102 sends a notification to the WAN side line connection unit 104 at the time of the first connection.

  Information is not sent to the connection information processing unit 102 after the connection process is completed.

  Upon receiving the notification from the connection information processing unit 102, the WAN side line connection unit 104 performs a connection process to the WAN side network 5 through the WAN side IF unit 106 and the WAN side line 4. An example of connection processing to the WAN side network 5 performed by the WAN side line connection unit 104 will be described later.

  The distribution processing unit 107 distributes the packet that the CPE 2 sends via the CPE side line 6 and the CPE side IF unit 101 to the WAN side IF unit 105 and the WAN side IF unit 106 after the connection processing is completed. In addition, the distribution processing unit 107 sends the packet sent from the WAN side IF unit 105 or the WAN side IF unit 106 to the CPE side IF unit 101 after the completion of the connection process.

  The WAN side IF unit 105 is connected to the WAN side network 5 through the WAN side line 3.

  The WAN side IF unit 105 performs the following processing at the time of the first connection.

  That is, the WAN side IF unit 105 sends the information sent from the connection information processing unit 102 to the WAN side network 5 via the WAN side line 3 as it is. The WAN side IF unit 105 sends the information sent from the WAN side network 5 through the WAN side line 3 to the connection information processing unit 102 as it is. During the first connection, the WAN-side IF unit 105 does not receive information from the distribution processing unit 107.

  On the other hand, the WAN side IF unit 105 performs the following processing after the CPE 2 completes the connection with the WAN side network 5 via the WAN side line 3.

  In other words, the WAN side IF unit 105 converts the IP packet sent from the distribution processing unit 107 into a transmission packet, and transmits the packet to the WAN side network 5 via the WAN side line 3. An example of processing for converting an IP packet into a transmission packet will be described later. In addition, the WAN side IF unit 105 performs reception processing described later on a packet (sent packet) sent from the WAN side network 5 via the WAN side line 3 to make a received packet. Then, the WAN IF unit 105 sends the received packet to the distribution processing unit 107. After the CPE 2 completes the connection with the WAN side network 5 via the WAN side line 3, information cannot be sent from the connection information processing unit 102 to the WAN side IF portion 105.

  The WAN side IF unit 106 is connected to the WAN side network 5 through the WAN side line 4.

  The WAN-side IF unit 106 performs the following processing when the WAN-side line connection unit 104 connects to the WAN-side network 5 via the WAN-side line 4 (referred to as “second connection”). .

  That is, the WAN-side IF unit 106 sends the information sent from the WAN-side line connection unit 104 to the WAN-side network 5 via the WAN-side line 4 as it is. Further, the WAN side IF unit 106 sends the information sent from the WAN side network 5 via the WAN side line 4 to the WAN side line connection unit 104 as it is. At the time of the first connection, the WAN IF unit 106 does not send information from the distribution processing unit 107.

  On the other hand, the WAN-side IF unit 106 performs the following processing after the WAN-side line connection unit 104 completes connection with the WAN-side network 5 via the WAN-side line 4.

  In other words, the WAN side IF unit 106 converts the IP packet sent from the distribution processing unit 107 into a transmission packet, and transmits the packet to the WAN side network 5 via the WAN side line 4. An example of processing for converting an IP packet into a transmission packet will be described later. In addition, the WAN side IF unit 105 performs reception processing described later on a packet (sent packet) sent from the WAN side network 5 via the WAN side line 4 to make a received packet. Then, the WAN IF unit 106 sends the received packet to the distribution processing unit 107. After the WAN side line connection unit 104 completes the connection with the WAN side network 5 via the WAN side line 4, information cannot be sent from the connection information processing unit 103 to the WAN side IF part 105.

  FIG. 2 is a conceptual diagram showing a sequence chart of connection processing when PPP is used for the WAN side lines 3 and 4.

  When it is determined that communication with the WAN side network 5 is necessary, the CPE 2 first performs PPPoE session connection processing via the information distribution device 1 (S201 to S204).

  First, the CPE 2 sends a PPPoE connection request to the information distribution apparatus 1 via the CPE side line 6 as the processing of S201. The PPPoE connection request is a request based on the CPE side protocol.

  Next, although not shown, the connection information processing unit 102 sets the PPPoE connection request sent by the CPE 2 in the process of S201 as a first WAN side line connection request that is a connection request based on the WAN side protocol. The first WAN side line connection request is information for requesting connection to the WAN side network 5 via the WAN side line 3.

  Then, the connection information processing unit 102 sends a first WAN side line connection request to the WAN side network 5 (management apparatus) via the WAN side IF unit 105 and the WAN side line 3 as processing of S202.

  The connection information processing unit 102 also notifies the WAN side line connection unit 104 as processing of S201a.

  Here, it is assumed that the WAN-side network 5 (its management device) recognizes the first WAN-side line connection request sent in the process of S202. Then, the WAN-side network 5 (the management device) sends a first WAN-side line connection completion notification to the connection information processing unit 102 via the WAN-side line 3 and the WAN-side IF unit 105 as processing of S203. The first WAN side line connection completion notification is information based on the WAN side protocol.

  Then, although not shown, the connection information processing unit 102 changes the first WAN side line connection completion notification by the WAN side protocol sent by the processing of S203 to a PPPoE connection completion notification which is a completion notification by the CPE side protocol.

  Then, the connection information processing unit 102 sends a PPPoE connection completion notification to the CPE 2 via the CPE-side IF unit 101 and the CPE-side line 6 as processing of S204.

  When the CPE 2 receives the PPPoE connection completion notification, the session connection process with the WAN side network 5 through the WAN side line 3 via the information distribution apparatus 1 by the CPE 2 is completed.

  Next, the CPE 2 performs LCP processing with the WAN side network 5 (the management apparatus) via the information distribution apparatus 1 (S205 to S208). Here, LCP is a Link Control Protocol in PPP. LCP is described in Patent Document 1.

  First, as a process of S205, the CPE 2 sends an LCP request, which is information according to the CPE side protocol, to the connection information processing unit 102 via the CPE side line 6 and the CPE side IF unit 101.

  Then, although not shown, the connection information processing unit 102 converts the LCP request sent by the CPE 2 in the process of S205 into the first WAN side line LCP request according to the WAN side protocol.

  In step S206, the connection information processing unit 102 sends a first WAN side line LCP request to the WAN side network 5 (its management apparatus) through the WAN side IF unit 105 and the WAN side line 3.

  It is assumed that the first WAN-side line LCP request sent by the process of S206 is recognized by the WAN-side network 5 (management apparatus). Then, the WAN-side network 5 (the management device) sends a first WAN-side LCP completion notification to the connection information processing unit 102 via the WAN-side line 3 and the WAN-side IF unit 105 as processing of S207. The first WAN side LCP completion notification is information based on the WAN side protocol.

  Although not shown, the connection information processing unit 102 changes the first WAN-side LCP completion notification based on the WAN-side protocol to an LCP completion notification based on the CPE-side protocol.

  In step S208, the connection information processing unit 102 sends an LCP completion notification based on the CPE side protocol to the CPE 2 via the CPE side IF unit 101 and the CPE side line 6.

  As described above, the LCP process with the WAN side network 5 through the WAN side line 3 via the information distribution apparatus 1 by the CPE 2 is completed.

  Next, the CPE 2 performs processing for acquiring an IP address with the WAN side network 5 (its management device) via the information distribution device 1. Here, IP is an abbreviation for Internet Protocol. The address acquisition process is performed using PPP NCP (Network Control Protocol).

  First, as a process of S209, the CPE 2 sends an address request for requesting an IP address for the WAN side line 3 to the connection information processing unit 102 via the CPE side line 6 and the CPE side IF unit 101.

  Then, in step S210, the connection information processing unit 102 requests an IP address for the WAN side line 3 from the WAN side network 5 (its management device) via the WAN side IF unit 105 and the WAN side line 3. The first WAN side line address request is sent.

  It is assumed that the WAN side network 5 recognizes the first WAN side line address request sent by the process of S210. Then, the WAN side network 5 sends a first WAN side line address notification to the connection information processing unit 102 via the WAN side line 3 and the WAN side IF unit 105 as processing of S211. The first WAN side line address notification is an IP address notification for the WAN side line 3.

  Then, the connection information processing unit 102 sends the first WAN side line address notification sent by the processing of S211 to the CPE 2 via the CPE side IF unit 101 and the CPE side line 6.

  When the CPE 2 receives this address notification, the connection with the WAN side network 5 through the WAN side line 3 through the information distribution apparatus 1 by the CPE 2 is completed.

  As described above, the connection information processing unit 102 sends a notification to the WAN side line connection unit 104 by the process of S201a. The WAN side line connection unit 104 that has received the notification performs the processing described below. The process described below is a connection process with the WAN-side network 5 via the WAN-side line 4 that the WAN-side line connection unit 104 performs independently of the operation of the CPE. The WAN side line connection unit 104 may perform the connection processing immediately after the notification or after the time has elapsed.

  After the process of S201a, the WAN side line connection unit 104 performs the second WAN side line to the WAN side network 5 (the management apparatus) via the WAN side IF unit 106 and the WAN side line 4 as the process of S202a. Send connection request. The second WAN side line connection request is a connection request to the WAN side network 5 through the WAN side line 4.

  It is assumed that the WAN side network 5 (the management apparatus thereof) recognizes the second WAN side line connection request sent by the process of S202a. Then, the WAN-side network 5 (the management apparatus) sends a second WAN-side line connection completion notification to the WAN-side line connection unit 104 via the WAN-side line 4 and the WAN-side IF unit as processing of S203a. .

  Next, as a process of S206a, the WAN side line connection unit 104 sends a second WAN side line LCP request to the WAN side network 5 (the management apparatus) via the WAN side IF unit 106 and the WAN side line 4. send.

  It is assumed that the WAN side network 5 (its management device) recognizes the second WAN side line LCP request sent by the process of S206a. Then, the WAN side network 5 (its management device) sends a second WAN side line LCP completion notification to the WAN side line connection unit 104 as processing of S207a.

  Next, the WAN side line connection unit 104 sends a second WAN side line address request to the WAN side network (its management apparatus) via the WAN side IF unit 106 and the WAN side line 4 as processing of S210a. . The second WAN side line address request is an address request for an IP address used when communicating with the WAN side network 5 through the WAN side line 4.

  Then, it is assumed that the WAN side network 5 (the management apparatus thereof) recognizes the second WAN side line address request sent by the process of S210a. Then, the WAN side network 5 (the management apparatus) sends a second WAN side line address notification to the WAN side line connection unit 104 via the WAN side IF unit 106 and the WAN side line 4 as processing of S211a. . Here, the second WAN side line address notification is a notification of an IP address used in communication with the WAN side network 5 through the WAN side line 4. The WAN side line connection unit 104 holds the IP address sent by the processing of S211a as the IP address of the WAN side line connection unit 104.

  The WAN side line connection unit 104 receives the second WAN side line address notification from the WAN side network 5 (management device thereof), whereby the WAN side line 4 between the WAN side line connection unit 104 and the WAN side network 5 is obtained. The connection through is completed.

  As described above, the connection via the WAN side line 3 between the CPE 2 and the WAN side network 5 and the connection via the WAN side line 4 between the WAN side line connection unit 104 and the WAN side network 5 are completed. It will be in the state.

  Thereby, both the connection through the WAN side line 3 between the WAN side IF unit 105 and the WAN side network 5 and the connection through the WAN side line 4 between the WAN side IF unit 106 and the WAN side network 5 are made. It is secured.

  Next, a communication operation performed by the CPE 2 with the WAN side network 5 via the information distribution apparatus 1 after the connection process will be described.

  FIG. 3 is an image diagram showing a packet transmission operation to the WAN side network 5 performed by the CPE 2 via the information distribution apparatus 1.

  FIG. 3 assumes a case where the CPE 2 transmits each packet of the packet group 301 including the first packet to the N + 1th packet (N is an odd number) to the WAN side network 5.

  In the following description, each packet, each IP packet, each transmission packet, each packet to be sent, and each received packet is a description consisting of a combination of “number” and a number added to the beginning of each packet. It is. This description does not represent the order of sending or receiving unless otherwise specified.

  The CPE 2 sends each packet in the packet group 301 to the CPE-side IF unit 101 via the CPE-side line 6.

  The CPE-side IF unit 101 releases the PPPoE and PPP capsules for each packet in the packet group 301 sent from the CPE 2 via the CPE-side line 6 to make each packet in the IP packet group 301a. The CPE-side IF unit 101 sends each IP packet of the IP packet group 301 a to the distribution processing unit 107.

  The distribution processing unit 107 sends an odd numbered IP packet (IP packet of the IP packet group 301aa) among the IP packets of the IP packet group 301a to the WAN side IF unit 105. Also, the distribution processing unit 107 sends an IP packet with an even number (IP packet of the IP packet group 301ab) among the IP packets of the IP packet group 301a to the WAN side IF unit 106.

  The WAN-side IF unit 105 performs PPP encapsulation on each IP packet of the IP packet group 301aa sent from the distribution processing unit 107, and generates each transmission packet of the transmission packet group 301ba. Then, the WAN-side IF unit 105 sends each transmission packet of the transmission packet group 301ba to the WAN-side network 5 via the WAN-side line 3.

  The WAN-side IF unit 106 performs PPP encapsulation on each IP packet of the IP packet group 301ab sent from the distribution processing unit 107, and generates each transmission packet of the transmission packet group 301bb. Then, the WAN-side IF unit 106 sends each transmission packet of the transmission packet group 301bb to the WAN-side network 5 via the WAN-side line 4.

  As described above, each packet in the packet group 301 is transmitted to the WAN side line 3 and the WAN side line 4 evenly.

  FIG. 4 is an image diagram showing a packet reception operation from the WAN side network 5 performed by the CPE 2 via the information distribution apparatus 1 after the connection processing.

  FIG. 4 shows a case where the first to third and fifth four sent packets of the sent packet group 601ba are sent from the WAN side network 5 to the WAN side IF unit 105 through the WAN side line 3. FIG. 4 shows a case where the fourth sent packet of the sent packet group 601bb is sent from the WAN side network 5 to the WAN side IF unit 106 through the WAN side line 4 in addition to the above.

  Each sent packet of the sent packet group 601ba sent to the WAN side IF unit 105 is received by the WAN side IF unit 105 and becomes a received packet of the received packet group 601aa with the PPP decapsulated. Each received packet of the received packet group 601aa is sent to the CPE-side IF unit 101 via the distribution processing unit 107.

  The fourth sent packet of the sent packet group 601bb sent to the WAN-side IF unit 106 is received by the WAN-side IF unit 106 and becomes the fourth received packet of the received packet group 601ab that has been decapsulated from PPP. . The fourth received packet is sent to the CPE-side IF unit 101 via the distribution processing unit 107.

  The CPE-side IF unit 101 performs PPPoE and PPP encapsulation on each received packet of the received packet group 601a sent via the distribution processing unit 107, and makes each packet of the packet group 601. Then, the CPE-side IF unit 101 sends each packet of the packet group 601 to the CPE 2 via the CPE-side line 6.

  In FIG. 4, the received packet is normally received by the WAN side IF unit 105 instead of the WAN side IF unit 106. In each transmission packet of the transmission packet group 301ba and each transmission packet of the transmission packet group 301bb shown in FIG. 3, the transmission source IP address is an IP address acquired and held by the CPE 2 via the WAN side line 3. Therefore, the destination IP address of the response packet (sent packet) for each transmission packet is an IP address that uses the WAN side line 3 held by the CPE 2.

  However, when the sender of the sent packet sends the sent packet to an IP address that the WAN side line connection unit 104 acquires and holds through the WAN side line 4, the sent packet is sent to the WAN side IF unit. The received packet is received at 106. Then, the WAN side IF unit 106 sends the received packet to the WAN side line connection unit 104. In that case, the WAN side line connection unit 104 transfers the received packet sent to the CPE 2. The transfer is performed in this order by the WAN IF unit 106, the WAN side line 4, the WAN side network 5, the WAN side line 3, the WAN side IF unit 105, the distribution processing unit 107, the CPE side IF unit 101, and the CPE side line 6. Done via.

  In the above description, an example has been described in which, when the information distribution apparatus 1 transmits a packet sent by the CPE 2, the packet is alternately allocated to two WAN side lines. In that case, the packets are allocated to the two WAN side lines substantially evenly. However, the ratio of packets that the information distribution apparatus allocates to the WAN side line may not be substantially equal.

  In the above description, the number of WAN side lines is two as an example. However, the number of WAN side lines may be three or more. In that case, the number of WAN side line connections may be increased in accordance with the increase in the number of WAN side lines.

  Further, when connection processing is performed between three or more WAN side lines, the information distribution device does not have to distribute packets to all WAN side lines for which connection processing has been performed. In this case, the information distribution apparatus distributes the packet to two or more WAN side lines among the three or more WAN side lines that have undergone connection processing. In this case, the information distribution device does not have to distribute the packet to the WAN side line to which the CPE has performed connection processing via the information distribution device.

  In the above description, the case where the communication on the WAN side line is based on PPP has been described as an example. However, the communication on the WAN side line may be based on other protocols such as DHCP. In the case of DHCP, packet encapsulation and decapsulation processing during transmission / reception through the WAN side line is DHCP processing.

  In the above description, PPPoE is used as the CPE side protocol. However, the CPE side protocol may be another protocol such as DHCP. When DHCP is used for the CPE side protocol, CPE side transmission / reception processing in the CPE side IF unit 101 is performed based on DHCP.

  The information distribution apparatus 1 enables the connected CPE 2 to simultaneously transmit a packet to each of the WAN side line 3 and the WAN side line 4. Therefore, the information distribution device 1 can improve the speed of transmission processing performed by the CPE 2.

  One reason is that the information distribution apparatus 1 uses two WAN-side lines for transmission at the same time. If the packet transmission speed on the WAN side line is constant, the transmission processing speed when the packet is distributed to the two WAN side lines is almost doubled. This effect is remarkable when the WAN side line is a line with a low communication speed such as a mobile line. This is because the user can feel the improvement in the transmission speed more remarkably when the communication speed is slower.

This is because the information distribution apparatus 1 can suppress an increase in delay time that occurs in the WAN side line during packet transmission. The increase in the delay time can be suppressed because the information distribution apparatus 1 can reduce the load on each WAN-side wiring by dividing and transmitting packets to a plurality of WAN-side lines. This effect is also remarkable in the case of a mobile line. In the case of a mobile line, if the delay time increases to some extent, the delay time may further increase due to packet retransmission. By reducing the load on the WAN side line, the information distribution apparatus 1 can improve the probability that a significant increase in delay time due to packet retransmission can be suppressed.
[effect]
The information distribution device according to the first embodiment enables a connected communication device (CPE) to simultaneously transmit a packet to each of a plurality of WAN side lines. Therefore, the information distribution apparatus of the first embodiment can improve the speed of transmission processing performed by the communication apparatus (CPE).

  This is because, in part, the information distribution apparatus of the first embodiment uses two WAN-side lines for transmission at the same time. If the transmission speed of the packet on the WAN side line is constant, the transmission processing speed when the packet is distributed to the plurality of WAN side lines is almost the multiple. This effect is remarkable when the WAN side line is a line with a low communication speed such as a mobile line. This is because the user can feel the improvement in the transmission speed more remarkably when the communication speed is slower.

This is because the information distribution apparatus of the first embodiment can suppress an increase in delay time generated in the WAN side line during packet transmission. The increase in delay time can be suppressed because the information distribution apparatus of the first embodiment can reduce the load on each WAN side wiring by dividing and transmitting packets to a plurality of WAN side lines. This effect is also remarkable in the case of a mobile line. In the case of a mobile line, if the delay time increases to some extent, the delay time may further increase due to packet retransmission. The information distribution apparatus according to the first embodiment can improve the probability that a significant increase in delay time due to packet retransmission can be suppressed by reducing the load on the WAN side line.
<Second embodiment>
The second embodiment is an embodiment relating to an information distribution apparatus that distributes transmission packets to a plurality of lines according to the contents of reference information after connection processing.

[Constitution]
FIG. 5 is a conceptual diagram showing a configuration of an information distribution device 1a that is an example of the information distribution device of the second embodiment.

  The information distribution device 1a is obtained by adding a reference information holding unit 108 connected to a distribution processing unit 107 to the information distribution device 1 shown in FIG. The description of the information distribution device 1a other than the above and the following is the same as the description of the information distribution device 1 shown in FIG. Hereinafter, differences from the information distribution apparatus 1 will be described. However, when the following description and the above-mentioned description about the information distribution apparatus 1 shown in FIG. 1 conflict, the following description has priority.

  The distribution processing unit 107 determines whether the distribution destination of the transmitted packet is the WAN IF unit 105 (WAN side line 3) or the WAN side IF unit 106 (WAN side line 4). Determined by reference information to be held.

  FIG. 6 is a conceptual diagram illustrating a further example of reference information 501 that is an example of reference information.

  The reference information 501 is a set of a set of a protocol type, a destination IP address, a destination port number, a WAN-side IF unit type, and an entry holding time. In the following, these sets or a part of these sets including at least the protocol type, the destination IP address and the destination port number will be referred to as “entry”. Further, the above protocol is a protocol higher than the IP protocol such as TCP (Transmission Control Protocol) and UDP (User Datagram Protocol). The destination IP address is the IP address of the transmission destination of the transmission packet. The destination port number is a destination port number used in TCP or UDP. Further, the WAN side IF unit type is different from the WAN side IF unit 105 and the WAN side IF unit 106 shown in FIG. The entry holding time is a time for holding an entry that is combined with the entry holding time in the reference information 501. The unit of the entry holding time shown in FIG. 6 is second. As will be described later, when the elapsed time exceeds the entry holding time, the entry combined with the entry holding time is deleted from the reference information 501.

  Immediately after the first operation of the information distribution apparatus 1a, the information distribution apparatus 1a holds empty reference information 501 in which no entry corresponding to the above item is recorded.

  When the distribution processing unit 107 sends an IP packet to the WAN-side IF unit 105 or the WAN-side IF unit 106, the distribution processing unit 107 determines whether the reference information 501 has the same entry as the entry held by the IP packet. The entry is an entry including a protocol type, a destination IP address, and a destination port number.

  If the distribution processing unit 107 determines that the same entry exists in the reference information 501, the distribution processing unit 107 distributes the IP packet to the WAN side IF unit of the WAN side IF unit type section of the reference information 501.

  On the other hand, if the distribution processing unit 107 does not determine that the same entry exists in the reference information 501, the distribution processing unit 107 distributes the IP packet to the WAN side IF unit that is not the WAN side IF unit that has been previously distributed. . At that time, the distribution processing unit 107 newly registers entries of the protocol type, the destination IP address, the destination port number, and the WAN side IF unit type in the reference information 501. The distribution processing unit 107 further determines and registers an entry holding time which is a time for holding the entry in the reference information 501.

  Then, the reference information holding unit 108 measures the elapsed time from the determination of the entry holding time for the entry. When the elapsed time exceeds the entry holding time, the reference information holding unit 108 deletes the entry related to the entry holding time from the reference information 501.

  The entry holding time may be changed depending on the protocol type. For example, 180 seconds when the protocol type is TCP, and 30 seconds when the protocol type is UDP.

  The reference information holding unit 108 sends the elapsed time every time the WAN IF unit transmits a transmission packet corresponding to the IP packet (or the distribution processing unit 107 sends a packet that matches the entry to the WAN IF unit. To zero). Then, the reference information holding unit 108 measures the elapsed time for the same entry again from that time point. The reference information holding unit 108 measures the elapsed time for all the held entries, determines whether the elapsed time exceeds the entry holding time, and deletes the entry when it exceeds.

  When the information distribution apparatus 1a receives a packet matching the entry of the reference information 501 from the CPE 2 within a predetermined time, the packet is transmitted to the WAN side network 5. The transmission is transmission through the WAN side line corresponding to the WAN side IF part type item of the entry. The predetermined time is the time from the time when a certain transmission packet is transmitted to the WAN side network 5 until the entry holding time of the entry of the reference information 501 that is the same as the entry held by the packet elapses. .

  Next, a specific example of the transmission operation of the information distribution device 1a when the reference information 501 shown in FIG. 6 is used will be described with reference to FIG.

  FIG. 7 is an image diagram showing a packet transmission operation to the WAN-side network 5 performed by the CPE 2 via the information distribution device 1a.

  Assume that the CPE 2 sends each packet of the packet group 401 and each packet of the packet group 402 shown in FIG. 7 to the CPE-side IF unit 101 of the information distribution apparatus 1a. Here, it is assumed that each packet in the packet group 401 is a TCP packet having a destination IP address of 100.100.100.1 and a destination port number of 80. Each packet in the packet group 402 is a UDP packet having a destination IP address of 200.200.200.1 and a destination port number of 100.

  The packets in the packet groups 401 and 402 are converted into the IP packets in the IP packet groups 401 a and 402 a by the CPE-side IF unit 101 and sent to the distribution processing unit 107.

  The distribution processing unit 107 acquires an entry held by the first IP packet from the first IP packet that is the first IP packet that has arrived first in the transmitted IP packet group 401a. The entry (referred to as “first entry”) is an entry having a protocol type of TCP, a destination IP address of 100.100.100.1, and a destination port number of 80.

  Then, the distribution processing unit 107 determines whether the first entry is in the reference information 501.

  Here, as described above, the reference information 501 is empty in the initial state, and the first entry is not in the reference information 501.

  Therefore, the distribution processing unit 107 sends the first IP packet to the WAN side IF unit 105, for example. Then, the distribution processing unit 107 combines the reference information 501 with the first IF combined with the WAN IF unit 105 of the WAN side IF and the entry holding time 60 (referred to as “first a entry”). Register. Then, the distribution processing unit 107 starts measuring the elapsed time and determining whether the elapsed time exceeds the entry holding time for the first a entry.

  The WAN-side IF unit 105 transmits the sent first IP packet to the WAN-side network 5 through the WAN-side line 3 as a first transmission packet.

  Then, the second IP packet and the third IP packet of the IP packet group 401a are allocated to the distribution processing unit 107 before the entry holding time 60 elapses after the measurement of the elapsed time for the first a entry (or remeasurement by reset) is started. Suppose you arrive.

  In that case, the first entry held by the second and third IP packets is in the reference information 501. Therefore, the distribution processing unit 107 distributes the second and third IP packets to the WAN side IF unit 105. Each time the distribution processing unit 107 sends an IP packet to the WAN-side IF unit 105, the elapsed time related to the first a entry is set to zero, the elapsed time related to the first a entry is re-measured, and the measured elapsed time is stored in the entry. Judge whether the time has been exceeded.

  On the other hand, it is assumed that the fourth IP packet of the IP packet group 402 a has arrived at the distribution processing unit 107 following the arrival of the third IP packet at the distribution processing unit 107. Assume that the reference information 501 does not have the same entry as the entry held by the fourth IP packet (referred to as “second entry”). The second entry is an entry whose protocol type is UDP, the destination IP address is 200.200.200.1, and the destination port number is 100.

  In this case, the distribution processing unit 107 distributes the third IP packet that arrived immediately before to the WAN IF unit 105, and distributes the fourth IP packet that arrived this time to the WAN IF unit 105. Then, the distribution processing unit 107 refers to an entry in which the WAN side IF unit associates the WAN side IF unit 106 and the entry holding time 50 with the second entry (referred to as “second a entry”) as reference information 501. Register with. The distribution processing unit 107 measures the elapsed time for the second a entry and determines whether the measured elapsed time exceeds the entry holding time of the second a entry. The distribution processor 107 resets the elapsed time to zero each time an IP packet is sent to one of the WAN side IF units 105 and 106, re-measures the elapsed time, and the measured elapsed time exceeds the entry holding time. Judgment is made.

  The fifth and sixth IP packets of the IP packet group 401a arrive at the distribution processing unit 107 before the entry holding time of 50 seconds elapses after the measurement (or re-measurement) of the elapsed time for the second a entry is started. Suppose that In this case, the second entry held by the fifth and sixth IP packets is in the reference information 501. Therefore, the distribution processing unit 107 distributes the fifth and sixth IP packets to the WAN side IF unit 106. Then, every time an IP packet is sent to the WAN-side IF unit 105, the distribution processing unit 107 sets the elapsed time for the second a entry to zero, re-measures the elapsed time, and whether the measured elapsed time exceeds the entry holding time. Make a decision.

  Thereafter, it is assumed that no IP packet arrives at the distribution processing unit 107 for 51 seconds after the distribution processing unit 107 distributes the most recently arrived IP packet. Then, the distribution processing unit 107 determines that the elapsed time exceeds the entry holding time for the second a entry. Then, the reference information holding unit 108 deletes the second a entry from the reference information 501.

  Thereafter, it is assumed that the seventh packet (not shown in FIG. 7) holding the second entry has arrived at the distribution processing unit 107. Then, since the entry held by the seventh packet is not included in the reference information 501, the distribution processing unit 107 distributes the seventh packet to a WAN side IF unit that is different from the WAN side IF that distributed the previous packet. Then, the distribution processing unit 107 registers the second a entry in the reference information 501. This entry has the same content as the second a entry that the distribution processing unit 107 has previously registered and once deleted.

  In the example of the reference information 501 shown in FIG. 6, the distribution processing unit 107 distributes the three types of IP packets shown in FIG. 6 that respectively hold the three types of protocol type, destination IP address, and destination port number entries. This is an example of the reference information 501 assuming immediately after. However, it is assumed that these IP packets arrive at the distribution processing unit 107 and are distributed by the distribution processing unit 107 before the elapsed time related to the entry held by each IP packet exceeds the entry holding time.

  Note that the processing and receiving operation for connecting the WAN side IF unit and the WAN side line performed by the information distribution device 1a is the same as the above-described processing performed by the information distribution device 1a shown in FIG.

  The information distribution device 1a is less affected by communication due to the difference in delay time during transmission that occurs in each of the WAN side line 3 and the WAN side line 4. The reason will be described below. When the distribution processing unit 107 alternately distributes the WAN side line for sending the arrived IP packet between the WAN side line 3 and the WAN side line 4, the following case may occur. In this case, due to the difference in delay time generated in each of the WAN side lines 3 and 4, the arrival order of the transmission packets at the transmission destination is changed from the order of sending the transmission packets. If the difference in the number of occurrences of replacement and the delay time is within a certain range, the receiving side can also correct the arrival order. However, when the number of switching occurrences or the difference in delay time exceeds a certain range, packet retransmission may occur, and the communication speed may further decrease due to the retransmission.

  On the other hand, the distribution processing unit 107 selects a WAN side line for each entry registered in the reference information 501 for the arriving IP packet. The distribution processing unit 107 transmits a series of packets processed with reference to the same entry through the same WAN side line. For this reason, when the information distribution device 1a is used, the probability of packet replacement is low. Therefore, the information distribution device 1a can suppress a decrease in communication speed due to delay due to retransmission.

In addition to the above, the following two methods can be assumed as the IP packet distribution method performed by the distribution processing unit 107. One is a method of monitoring the traffic volume (number of bytes) transmitted to a plurality of WAN side lines and making the traffic volume uniform. The second is a method of measuring the load and delay time of each of a plurality of WAN-side lines and transmitting them preferentially to the WAN-side lines having a light load and delay.
[effect]
Since the information distribution device of the second embodiment has the same configuration as the information distribution device of the first embodiment, first, the same effect as the information distribution device of the first embodiment is obtained.

  The information distribution apparatus of the second embodiment is based on the difference in delay time at the time of transmission generated in each of the WAN side lines, compared to the case where the distribution packet is alternately distributed to the plurality of WAN side IF units. There is little influence on communication. The reason is as follows.

In the case of alternately allocating WAN-side lines that send IP packets arrived by the distribution processing unit, the arrival order of transmission packets at the transmission destination is often different from the order of dispatch due to the difference in delay time in each WAN-side line. . If the number of switching occurrences and the difference in delay time are within a certain range, it is possible to correct the arrival order on the receiving side, but if these exceed a certain range, retransmission occurs and the communication speed due to retransmission is reduced. A decrease occurs. On the other hand, the information distribution apparatus of the second embodiment selects the WAN side line based on the entry registered in the reference information, and a series of packets processed by referring to the same entry are transmitted via the same WAN side line. To do. Therefore, the information distribution apparatus according to the second embodiment can suppress the replacement of packets, and accordingly can suppress a decrease in communication speed due to retransmission.
<Third embodiment>
The third embodiment is an embodiment relating to an information distribution apparatus to which processing by NAPT (Network Address / Port Translation) conversion is applied.
[Configuration and operation]
FIG. 8 is a conceptual diagram showing a configuration of an information distribution device 1b that is an example of the information distribution device of the third embodiment.

  The information distribution device 1b is obtained by adding an address conversion unit 109 between the distribution processing unit 107 and the WAN IF unit 106 to the configuration of the information distribution device 1a shown in FIG.

  Except for this point and the following, the description of the information distribution device 1b is the same as the above description of the information distribution device 1a shown in FIG. However, if the above description of the information distribution device 1a conflicts with the following description, the following description has priority.

  The WAN side line connection unit 104 sends an address used for communication through the WAN side line 4 that the WAN side network 5 sends via the WAN side line 4 and the WAN side IF unit 106 during the connection process. The address of the unit 104 is not used. Then, the WAN side line connection unit 104 sends the address sent from the WAN side network 5 to the address conversion unit 109.

  The address conversion unit 109 uses the address sent from the WAN side line connection unit 104 as the address of the address conversion unit 109.

  Then, after the connection process, the address conversion unit 109 converts the source address of the IP packet transmitted from the CPE 2 through the distribution processing unit 107 from the address of the CPE 2 to the address of the address conversion unit 109.

  The address conversion unit 109 also converts the destination address of the received packet sent from the WAN side network 5 from the address of the address conversion unit 109 to the address of the CPE 2 after the connection processing. Then, the address conversion unit 109 sends the received packet to the CPE 2 via the distribution processing unit 107, the CPE side IF unit 101, and the CPE side line 6.

  The distribution processing unit 107 sends the IP packet sent from the CPE-side IF unit 101 to the WAN-side IF unit 105 and the address according to the reference information held by the reference information holding unit 108 by the method described in the description of the second embodiment. Sort to the conversion unit 109.

  Also, the distribution processing unit 107 sends the received packet sent from the WAN side IF unit 105 and the address translation unit 109 to the CPE side IF unit 101.

  FIG. 9 is an image diagram showing an operation of packet transmission performed by the CPE 2 to the WAN side network 5 via the information distribution device 1b.

  The distribution processing unit 107 distributes each packet of the arrived IP packet group 401 a to the WAN IF unit 105 and each packet of the arrived IP packet group 402 a to the address conversion unit 109.

  The address conversion unit 109 acquires from the WAN side line connection unit 104 the IP address (second IP address) acquired by the WAN side line connection unit 104 through the processing of S211a in FIG. Yes. Then, the address conversion unit 109 performs NAPT conversion on each packet of the arrived IP packet group 402a by converting the source IP address from the IP address of the CPE 2 to the second IP address. The NAPT conversion operation at this time is the same as the NAPT conversion operation in a general access router. An IP packet including the IP packet after the NAPT conversion is an IP packet group 402an. The address translation unit 109 sends each packet of the IP packet group 402an to the WAN side IF unit 106.

  The WAN side IF 106 unit converts each packet of the sent IP packet group 402an into each packet of the transmission packet group 402bn and transmits it to the WAN side network 5 through the WAN side line 4.

  FIG. 10 is an image diagram showing an operation in which the CPE 2 receives a packet sent from the WAN side network 5 via the information distribution device 1b.

  The WAN side IF unit 106 converts each packet of the sent packet group 601bb that has arrived via the WAN side line 4 into each received packet of the received packet group 601ab, and sends it to the address conversion unit 109.

  The address conversion unit 109 performs NAPT conversion for converting the destination IP address from the IP address (second IP address) of the address conversion unit 109 to the IP address of the CPE 2 for each received packet in the received packet group 601ab. Do. The NAPT conversion operation at this time is the same as the NAPT conversion operation in a general access router. Then, the address conversion unit 109 sends each received packet after the NAPT conversion to the CPE-side IF unit 101 via the distribution processing unit 107.

  The CPE-side IF unit 101 turns each packet of the received reception packet group 601an into each packet of the packet group 601n that is a packet for transmission to the CPE2. Each packet of the received packet group 601an includes each received packet after NAPT conversion sent from the address conversion unit 109 via the distribution processing unit 107. Each packet of the received packet group 601an further includes each received packet sent from the WAN side IF unit 105 and not subjected to NAPT conversion. The CPE-side IF unit 101 sends each packet of the packet group 601n to the CPE2 via the CPE-side line 6.

  A response from the WAN side network 5 to the packet sent from the information distribution apparatus 1 b to the WAN side network 5 through the WAN side IF unit 105 and the WAN side line 3 is received by the WAN side IF unit 105 through the WAN side line 3. Further, a response packet from the WAN side network 5 to the packet sent from the information distribution apparatus 1b to the WAN side network 5 through the WAN side IF unit 106 and the WAN side line 4 is received by the WAN side IF unit 106 through the WAN side line 4. The That is, the response packet from the WAN side network 5 to the transmission packet transmitted from the information distribution apparatus 1b to the WAN side network 5 is distributed to the WAN side line 3 and the WAN side line 4. Therefore, the information distribution apparatus 1b can suppress an increase in delay in the same direction due to load concentration in the direction toward the information distribution apparatus 1b on the WAN side line due to load distribution in the direction toward the information distribution apparatus 1b on the WAN side line. .

When the information distribution device 1b is used, the packet source IP address and source port number are rewritten by NAPT. Therefore, when using an application in which the packet source IP address and the source port number are included in the payload portion of the IP packet, a mechanism called ALG (Application Layer Gateway) is required. ALG is a mechanism widely used in ordinary access routers that use NAPT.
[effect]
Response packets from the WAN side network to packets sent to the WAN side network by the information distribution apparatus of the third embodiment are distributed to a plurality of WAN side lines and sent to the information distribution apparatus. Therefore, the information distribution apparatus according to the third embodiment can suppress an increase in delay in the same direction due to load concentration in the direction toward the information distribution apparatus on the WAN side line by load distribution in the direction toward the information distribution apparatus. .

  In communication performed by the CPE with the WAN side network after connecting to the WAN side network, the communication protocol of information flowing through the CPE side line may be the same as the communication protocol of information flowing through the WAN side line. In that case, all or part of the information inside the information distribution apparatus after the CPE is connected to the WAN side network may be information based on the same communication protocol as the communication protocol of the information flowing through the CPE side line and the WAN side line. Absent.

  FIG. 11 is a conceptual diagram showing an information distribution device 1x which is the minimum configuration of the information distribution device of the present invention.

  The information distribution device 1x includes a connection information processing unit 102x, a connection unit 104x, and a distribution processing unit 107x.

  The connection information processing unit 102x performs the following process when the first connection process, which is a process for connecting a not-shown connected object to a wide-area network (not shown) through a single communication line (not shown). In other words, the connection information processing unit 102x sends the first information based on the first communication protocol sent from the connected body to the wide area network as second information based on the second communication protocol. In addition, the connection information processing unit 102x sends the third information based on the second communication protocol sent from the wide area network as fourth information based on the first communication protocol and sends it to the connected body.

  After the start of the first connection process, the connection unit 104x performs a second connection process that is a process for connecting to the wide area network through one or more other communication lines.

  The distribution processing unit 107x sends the sending information sent after the first connection process and the second connection process to two or more communication lines of the one communication line and the other communication line. Assign to each.

  The information distribution device 1x is connected to the wide area network through one or more other communication lines after the start of the first connection process that is a process for connecting to the wide area network through the one communication line. The second connection process is performed. Then, the information distribution device 1x distributes the information sent after the first connection process and the second connection process to each communication line of the one communication line and the other communication line. Therefore, the information distribution device 1x can send the input information to the wide area network by using the one communication line and each of the other communication lines at the same time. Furthermore, the information distribution device 1x can distribute the transmission information to two communication lines to distribute the load on the communication line and suppress an increase in delay time generated in the communication line.

  As described above, the information distribution device 1x achieves the effects described in the section “Effects of the Invention” with the above configuration.

  The present invention has been described above with reference to preferred embodiments. However, the present invention is not necessarily limited to the above embodiments, and various modifications can be made within the scope of the technical idea.

  Moreover, although a part or all of said embodiment can be described also as the following additional remarks, it is not restricted to the following.

(Appendix 1)
When the first connection process, which is a process for connecting the connected body to the wide area network through one communication line, is performed, the first information by the first communication protocol sent from the connected body is set to the second information. The second information by the communication protocol is sent to the wide area network, the third information by the second communication protocol sent from the wide area network is made the fourth information by the first communication protocol, and the connected object A connection information processing unit to be sent to
After the start of the first connection process, a connection unit that performs a second connection process that is a process for connecting to the wide area network through one or more other communication lines;
A distribution process in which sending information sent after the first connection process and the second connection process is distributed to each of two or more communication lines of the one communication line and the other communication line. And
An information distribution device comprising:

(Appendix 2)
The information distribution device according to attachment 1, wherein the connected body is a communication device capable of communicating with a wide area network by the first connection processing.

(Appendix 3)
The information distribution device according to appendix 2, wherein the first protocol is a protocol for communication performed with the communication device during the first connection processing.

(Appendix 4)
The information distribution device according to appendix 2 or appendix 3, wherein the first protocol is a protocol of communication performed with the wide area network during the first connection processing.

(Appendix 5)
The information distribution device according to any one of supplementary notes 2 to 4, wherein the sending information is information sent by the communication device.

(Appendix 6)
The information distribution device according to any one of appendices 2 to 5, wherein the second connection process is performed in response to connection request information sent from the communication device to the wide area network.

(Appendix 7)
The information distribution device according to any one of supplementary notes 2 to 6, wherein communication performed with the communication device and communication performed with the wide area network are communication using packets.

(Appendix 8)
The information distribution device according to any one of appendix 1 to appendix 7, wherein at least one of the two or more communication lines is a communication line including a wireless communication line.

(Appendix 9)
The information distribution device according to any one of supplementary notes 1 to 8, wherein the sending information is a plurality of packets.

(Appendix 10)
The information distribution device according to any one of Supplementary Note 1 to Supplementary Note 9, wherein the distribution processing unit distributes the packet to the one communication line and the other communication line substantially equally. Information distribution device described in 1.

(Appendix 11)
The information distribution apparatus according to appendix 5 or appendix 6, wherein the distribution processing unit distributes the packet alternately to the one communication line and the other communication line.

(Appendix 12)
The information distribution device according to any one of Supplementary Note 9 to Supplementary Note 11, wherein the distribution processing unit distributes the packet according to reference information.

(Appendix 13)
The information distribution device according to attachment 12, wherein the reference information includes information related to a destination of the packet.

(Appendix 14)
The information distribution device according to attachment 13, wherein the information regarding the destination includes an Internet protocol address of the destination.

(Appendix 15)
The information distribution device according to appendix 13 or appendix 14, wherein the information regarding the destination includes a port number of the destination.

(Appendix 16)
The information distribution device according to any one of Supplementary Note 12 to Supplementary Note 15, wherein the reference information includes information related to a type of an upper protocol of the Internet protocol of the packet.

(Appendix 17)
The information distribution apparatus according to appendix 16, including whether the type is TCP or UDP.

(Appendix 18)
The communication device acquires a first address by the first connection processing, and the connection unit acquires a second address for the information distribution device by the second connection processing. The information distribution apparatus described in any one of them.

(Appendix 19)
The information distribution apparatus according to appendix 18, wherein the first address and the second address are Internet protocol addresses.

(Appendix 20)
An address conversion unit that performs a process of converting a source address from the first address to the second address with respect to the packet distributed to one of the other communication lines by the distribution processing unit; The information distribution device according to any one of supplementary notes 1 to 19, further comprising:

(Appendix 21)
The information distribution apparatus according to appendix 20, wherein the process of converting to the second address is a process by Network Address / Port Translation conversion.

(Appendix 22)
The address conversion unit performs a process of converting a destination address of a packet arriving through the one of the other communication lines from the second address to the first address. 21. The information distribution device described in 21.

(Appendix 23)
The information distribution apparatus according to appendix 22, wherein the process of converting to the first address is a process by Network Address / Port Translation conversion.

(Appendix A1)
When the first connection process, which is a process for connecting the connected body to the wide area network through one communication line, is performed, the first information by the first communication protocol sent from the connected body is set to the second information. The second information by the communication protocol is sent to the wide area network, the third information by the second communication protocol sent from the wide area network is made the fourth information by the first communication protocol, and the connected object To
After the start of the first connection process, perform a second connection process that is a process for connecting to the wide area network through one or more other communication lines,
Sending information sent after the first connection process and the second connection process is distributed to each of two or more communication lines of the one communication line and the other communication line,
Information distribution method.

(Appendix B1)
When the first connection process, which is a process for connecting the connected body to the wide area network through one communication line, is performed, the first information by the first communication protocol sent from the connected body is set to the second information. The second information by the communication protocol is sent to the wide area network, the third information by the second communication protocol sent from the wide area network is made the fourth information by the first communication protocol, and the connected object Send to, processing and
After the start of the first connection process, performing a second connection process that is a process for connecting to the wide area network through one or more other communication lines;
A process of distributing sending information sent after the first connection process and the second connection process to each of two or more communication lines of the one communication line and the other communication line; and ,
Distribution program that causes a computer to execute

1, 1a, 1b, 1x Information distribution device 2 CPE
3, 4 WAN side line 5 WAN side network 6 CPE side line 101 CPE side IF unit 102, 102x Connection information processing unit 104 WAN side line connection unit 104x connection unit 105 WAN side IF unit 106 WAN side IF unit 107, 107x distribution processing Unit 108 reference information holding unit 109 address conversion unit 301, 401, 402, 601, 601n packet group 301a, 301aa, 301ab, 401a, 402a, 402an IP packet group 301ba, 301bb, 401b, 402b, 402bn transmission packet group 501 reference information 601ba, 601bb Sended packet group 601aa, 601ab, 601abn, 601an, 601a, 601ba, 601bb Received packet group

Claims (10)

When the first connection process, which is a process for connecting the connected body to the wide area network through one communication line, is performed, the first information by the first communication protocol sent from the connected body is set to the second information. The second information by the communication protocol is sent to the wide area network, the third information by the second communication protocol sent from the wide area network is made the fourth information by the first communication protocol, and the connected object A connection information processing unit to be sent to
After the start of the first connection process, a connection unit that performs a second connection process that is a process for connecting to the wide area network through one or more other communication lines;
A distribution process in which sending information sent after the first connection process and the second connection process is distributed to each of two or more communication lines of the one communication line and the other communication line. And
An information distribution device comprising:   The information distribution device according to claim 1, wherein the connected body is a communication device capable of communicating with a wide area network by the first connection processing.   The information distribution apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the first protocol is a protocol of communication performed with the communication apparatus during the first connection process.   The information distribution device according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the first protocol is a protocol for communication performed with the wide area network in the first connection process.   The information distribution device according to any one of claims 2 to 4, wherein the information to be sent is information sent by the communication device.   The information distribution device according to claim 2, wherein the second connection process is performed in response to connection request information sent from the communication device to the wide area network.   The information distribution apparatus according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the two or more communication lines is a communication line including a wireless communication line.   The information distribution device according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the distribution processing unit distributes the information to be sent based on reference information.   The communication device acquires a first address by the first connection process, and the connection unit acquires a second address for the information distribution apparatus by the second connection process. 8. An information distribution device according to any one of 8.   The distribution processing unit performs a process of converting a source address from the first address to the second address with respect to the packet distributed to one of the other communication lines. The address conversion unit for performing a process of converting a destination address of a packet arriving through the one of the communication lines from the second address to the first address. 9. The information distribution device according to any one of 9.

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