JP3364188B2 - Method and apparatus for checking available bandwidth of user - Google Patents

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention is one of methods for evaluating communication network performance. In a downlink going from a node accommodated in a communication network to a user apparatus via a connection link, a usable bandwidth of a user is a predetermined value. The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for confirming an available bandwidth of a user for confirming whether or not B or more is secured.

In particular, in the present invention, when the communication network provider and the user have a contract for a band guarantee, if the predetermined value B is the guaranteed band based on the contract, the band that is actually used by the user is exactly as contracted. It is used for confirmation of bandwidth guarantee, which is confirmed by the communication network provider as to whether or not the bandwidth is guaranteed.

Further, according to the present invention, when a predetermined value B is used as a management reference band when the communication network is operated while managing the band based on the management reference band preset by the communication network manager, the use by the user It is used for confirmation of the management reference bandwidth by the communication network manager to confirm whether or not the management reference bandwidth is secured as the possible bandwidth.

[0004]

2. Description of the Related Art A communication network is provided when a communication network provider and a user contract a bandwidth guarantee for a packet passing through a specific route, a packet assigned a specific transmission / reception address, or a packet of a specific application. The person guarantees the bandwidth according to the contract for the packet whose path, transmission / reception address, and application designating part match the contracted bandwidth guarantee. Also,
When the communication network provider and the user contract for bandwidth guarantee for packets of a specific priority class, the communication network provider
If the bit string of the part that specifies the priority class of the packet header is the priority class for which the bandwidth is to be guaranteed, the bandwidth is guaranteed according to the contract.

Therefore, in the case where the communication network provider and the user have a contract for bandwidth guarantee for each of the above packets, the communication network provider determines whether or not the bandwidth guarantee as actually contracted is made. We need a way to confirm.

Further, when the communication network administrator operates the communication network while performing bandwidth management based on the preset management reference bandwidth, the management target packet or the management target priority class packet is managed. It will be managed according to the reference band. Therefore, the communication network manager needs a method of confirming whether or not the management reference band is secured as the usable band of the user.

As a method for confirming the bandwidth guarantee (management reference bandwidth) in the prior art, a test packet is sent to the path for which the bandwidth is guaranteed (path for which bandwidth is managed) while gradually increasing the rate, and the sending packet rate is guaranteed. In some cases, the judgment is made based on whether or not the band (management reference band) can be exceeded. This transmission packet rate is measured by, for example, IP
(Internet Protocol) FTP (File Transfer Pro)
tocol) is available.

As a related technique, there is a method of measuring a band currently used by a user. For example, in the configuration in which the counter counts the packets from the node accommodated in the communication network to the user apparatus via the connection link, the difference between the counter values at two different times is the amount of packets flowing through the connection link within this time. Since this is equivalent, the bandwidth used by the user can be obtained by dividing this by the measurement time. IP
In a network, an IP router corresponding to a node has a management information base (MIB) and holds a counter value indicating a passing packet amount, and a management information transfer protocol (SNMP: Simple Network Managemen).
t Protocol), it is possible to remotely obtain the counter value and calculate the bandwidth used by the user.

[0009]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In the above-mentioned conventional method for confirming bandwidth (management reference bandwidth), the test packet is transmitted, and the transmission packet rate is equal to or higher than a predetermined guaranteed bandwidth (management reference bandwidth). It was a method to confirm whether or not it was possible. However, the test packet has a problem that it puts a heavy load on the connection link of the communication network and the user device and deprives the user of resources more than necessary.

Further, this prior art does not take into consideration the band currently used by the user, and depending on the usage condition of the user, confirmation of band guarantee or the like may not be possible. For example, as shown in FIG. 6, in a situation where the bandwidth used by the user is small and new packets for the guaranteed bandwidth (management reference bandwidth) can be flowed, the transmission packet rate can be made higher than the guaranteed bandwidth (management reference bandwidth). Whether or not the bandwidth can be guaranteed can be confirmed. However, as shown in FIG. 7, in a situation where it is not possible to newly pass the guaranteed bandwidth (management reference bandwidth) (the available bandwidth is small), the transmission packet rate is smaller than the guaranteed bandwidth (management reference bandwidth). Therefore, even if the bandwidth used by the user has already exceeded the guaranteed bandwidth (management reference bandwidth), it is not possible to confirm the bandwidth guarantee.

On the other hand, the method of monitoring the bandwidth used by the user in the downstream direction only knows the bandwidth actually used by the user. That is, if the bandwidth used by the user has already exceeded the guaranteed bandwidth (management reference bandwidth), the confirmation is possible, and it cannot be used as a general confirmation method of bandwidth guarantee or the like. For example, as shown in FIG. 7, if the bandwidth used by the user has already exceeded the guaranteed bandwidth (management reference bandwidth), it can be confirmed. However, as shown in FIG. 6, if the bandwidth used by the user is below the guaranteed bandwidth (management reference bandwidth), the bandwidth guarantee and the like cannot be confirmed.

According to the present invention, a user can confirm whether or not the available bandwidth of the user is equal to or more than a predetermined value B even when the bandwidth of the user already exists (traffic of the user is flowing). It is an object of the present invention to provide an available bandwidth confirmation method and device.

In the present invention, when the predetermined value B is the guaranteed bandwidth based on the contract between the communication network provider and the user,
It will be confirmed whether or not the bandwidth is guaranteed. Further, when the predetermined value B is the management reference band managed by the communication network manager as the available band for the user, it is confirmed whether or not the management reference band is secured.

[0014]

According to a method for confirming a usable band of a user of claim 1 , first, a used band of the user is measured,
It is confirmed whether the usable bandwidth of the user is equal to or more than the predetermined value B. When the bandwidth used by the user is less than the predetermined value B, the load traffic is transmitted to the user device,
The bandwidth used by the user including the load traffic is measured, and it is confirmed whether or not the bandwidth available for the user is equal to or more than a predetermined value B.

As a result, regardless of the used band (free band) of the user, whether the usable band of the user is equal to or more than the predetermined value B, whether the band is guaranteed, or whether the management reference band is secured. Can be confirmed.
In particular, as shown in FIG. 7, the bandwidth used by the user is the predetermined value B.
If the (guaranteed bandwidth, management reference bandwidth) is already exceeded, the usable bandwidth of the user can be confirmed without giving load traffic.

Further , when the load traffic having a rate corresponding to the shortage of the bandwidth used by the user with respect to the predetermined value B is transmitted and the bandwidth used by the user still does not reach the predetermined value B, the rate B
Load traffic is transmitted, and the rate of load traffic can be suppressed to a necessary minimum.

Further, the available bandwidth confirmation method according to claim 1 considers that the used bandwidth of the user measured before transmitting the load traffic is varied, measures the used bandwidth of the user a plurality of times, and measures the measured value. Determine the rate of load traffic using the statistics obtained from.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a bandwidth information acquisition unit for acquiring, via the communication network, a bandwidth information acquisition unit for acquiring information on the usage bandwidth of the user measured a plurality of times by the node. The bandwidth used by the user is compared with the predetermined value B, and if it is equal to or larger than the predetermined value B, the confirmation is successful, and if it is less than the predetermined value B, the confirmation is unsuccessful or load traffic is given to the user device. , A determination unit for determining re-measurement of the bandwidth used by the user including the load traffic, and statistics obtained by performing predetermined statistical processing on a plurality of measurement values.
A transmission load calculation unit that determines the load traffic rate using a value, a schedule unit that manages the timing of transmission of load traffic and measurement or remeasurement of the bandwidth used by the user, and a transmission load calculation unit that is controlled by the schedule unit. The load traffic transmitting unit that transmits the load traffic having the rate calculated in step 1 to the user apparatus from outside the communication network via the communication network and the node.

[0019]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS FIG. 1 shows the relationship between a user available bandwidth confirmation device and a target communication network according to the present invention. In the figure, a communication network 1 accommodates nodes 2-1 and 2-2, an available bandwidth confirmation device 3 for confirming an available bandwidth of a user is connected to the node 2-1, and a connection is made to the node 2-2. The user device 5 is connected via the link 4. The node 2-2 is provided with a band measuring unit 6 that measures a band in the downlink direction (direction from the network side to the user device 5) and notifies the available band confirmation device 3.

FIG. 2 shows a first embodiment of the user usable bandwidth confirmation method of the present invention. This embodiment claims
1 shows a basic procedure corresponding to the method described in 1 . In the figure, first, the band Bs currently used by the user is measured (S1). Next, the measured bandwidth B of the user
s is compared with the predetermined value B (S2), and if Bs ≧ B, it is confirmed that the usable bandwidth of the user is the predetermined value B or more (S3). When Bs <B, the rate Ba (= B) of the shortage of the bandwidth Bs used by the user with respect to the predetermined value B
-Bs) load traffic to the user equipment (S
4) Re-measure the bandwidth Bt used by the user (S5). Next, the measured user bandwidth Bt is compared with the predetermined value B (S6), and if Bt ≧ B, it is confirmed that the user usable bandwidth is equal to or larger than the predetermined value B (S3).

If Bt <B, the load traffic of rate B is transmitted to the user equipment (S7), and the bandwidth Bu used by the user is measured again (S8). Next, the bandwidth B u used by the user is compared with the predetermined value B (S9), and if Bu ≧ B, it is confirmed that the usable bandwidth of the user is the predetermined value B or more (S3). If Bu <B, it is confirmed that the usable bandwidth of the user is less than the predetermined value B (S10).

As described above, if the bandwidth Bs currently used by the user is equal to or larger than the predetermined value B, it is possible to confirm that the usable bandwidth of the user is equal to or larger than the predetermined value B without transmitting the load traffic to the user device. You can check. That is, it is possible to confirm the usable band of the user without imposing an unnecessary load on the connection link of the communication network and the user device.

On the other hand, the bandwidth Bs currently used by the user
Is less than the predetermined value B, the shortage rate B
send a (= B−Bs) load traffic to the user equipment,
It is confirmed whether the bandwidth used by the user is equal to or more than the predetermined value B. If the bandwidth used by the user is still less than the predetermined value B, the load traffic at the rate B is transmitted to the user apparatus, and it is confirmed whether the bandwidth used by the user becomes the predetermined value B or more. In this way, it is possible to confirm the usable bandwidth of the user while applying the minimum required load.

FIG. 3 shows a second embodiment of the user usable bandwidth confirmation method of the present invention. This embodiment claims
It corresponds to the method described in No. 1, and is characterized in that the measurement of the bandwidth used by the user before transmitting the load traffic is repeated a plurality of times.

The measurement of the bandwidth Bs used by the user is repeated a plurality of times n, and the respective measured values are Bsx (x = 1, 2, ...,
n) (S11-13). Here, each measured value Bsx is compared with the predetermined value B (S13), and if Bsx ≧ B, it is confirmed that the usable bandwidth of the user is the predetermined value B or more (S13).
3).

When the measurement of the bandwidth Bs used by the user is repeated a plurality of times n times and the predetermined value B is not exceeded, the measured value Bs1
~ Bsn to statistical value (eg mean or median) B
b is calculated (S14). Next, the load traffic of the rate Ba (= B-Bb) corresponding to the shortage of the statistical value Bb with respect to the predetermined value B is transmitted to the user apparatus (S15), and the bandwidth Bt used by the user is transmitted.
Is measured again (S5). The following is the same as in the first embodiment.

Here, in S3 and S10, the confirmation as to whether or not the usable bandwidth of the user is equal to or more than the predetermined value B is used in the following cases, for example. Predetermined value B
However, if the guaranteed bandwidth is based on the contract between the communication network provider and the user, it is confirmed whether or not the bandwidth is guaranteed. Further, when the predetermined value B is the management reference band managed by the communication network manager as the available band for the user, it is confirmed whether or not the management reference band is secured.

FIG. 4 shows an operation example of the processing program of the method of the present invention. The feature of the present invention is to measure phase I (corresponding to S1 and S2 of FIG. 2 and S12 and S13 of FIG. 3) of measuring the bandwidth used by the user without applying a load and the bandwidth used by the user with a predetermined load. The measurement is divided into Phase II (corresponding to S4 and later in FIG. 2 and S14 and later in FIG. 3).

In phase I, the used bandwidth information acquisition process 11 runs as a parent process and measures the used bandwidth of the user without imposing a load. For example, node 2 in FIG.
The bandwidth measurement unit 6 of -2 obtains the value (used bandwidth information) of the MIB counter of the interface accommodating the connection link 4 twice. The difference between the values of the two MIB counters acquired after a predetermined measurement time corresponds to the amount of data flowing through the connection link 4 within this measurement time. Therefore, dividing this by the measurement time gives the bandwidth used by the user. Is obtained.

Here, the bandwidth Bs used by the user is the predetermined value B.
If it does not satisfy the condition, the phase II is entered, the load traffic rate Ba is calculated as shown in S4 of FIG. 2 or S14 and S15 of FIG. 3, and the load traffic transmission process 12 is started as a child process. The load traffic transmission process 12 transmits load traffic at the calculated rate Ba. The used bandwidth information acquisition process 11 issues the SNMP polling twice after confirming that the appropriate load has started to be applied, acquires the value of the MIB counter twice, and measures the used bandwidth of the user. The load traffic transmission process 12 is stopped by a signal from the used bandwidth information acquisition process 11 of the parent process.

FIG. 5 shows an example of the configuration of the user usable bandwidth confirmation apparatus of the present invention. The available bandwidth confirmation device is configured to operate based on the flowcharts shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 and the processing program shown in FIG. 4, and the bandwidth information acquisition unit 31, the determination unit 32, the transmission load calculation unit 33, and the scheduling unit 34. , Load traffic transmission unit 35.
A measurement target determining unit that specifies the measurement target information (packet type or priority class) is added to this, and the specified packet type or priority class (transmission / reception address in packet, service number indicating application, priority) The usable bandwidth of the user may be confirmed for each identification) such as a bit string indicating the degree.

The band information acquisition unit 31 acquires the user band information from the band measurement unit 6 of the node 2-2 (S1, S5, S8, S12 in FIGS. 2 and 3). Here, for example, the counter value of the packet from the node to the user apparatus is acquired at two different times, and the difference is divided by the measurement time to obtain the bandwidth used by the user. The determination unit 32 compares the measured bandwidths Bs, Bt, Bu of the user with the predetermined value B, and if it is equal to or larger than the predetermined value B, the confirmation is successful. Judge as success. Alternatively, when the bandwidth used by the user is less than the predetermined value B,
It is determined that the load traffic is transmitted to the user apparatus and the bandwidth used by the user including the load traffic is re-measured (S2, S6, S9, S13 in FIGS. 2 and 3).

The transmission load calculation unit 33 calculates the amount of load (load traffic rates Ba to B) in phase II in which the bandwidth used by the user is measured by applying a predetermined load, and passes it to the schedule unit 34 (see FIG. A few S4, S7,
S15), the measurement of the bandwidth Bs used by the user is repeated a plurality of times n to calculate the statistical value Bb (S14 in FIG. 3). The schedule unit 34 determines the activation timing of each processing program as shown in FIG. Load traffic transmitter 35
Is controlled by the scheduling unit 34, and the transmission load calculation unit 3
The load traffic is transmitted at the rate calculated in 3.

[0034]

As described above, the method and apparatus for confirming the usable bandwidth of the user of the present invention measures the used bandwidth in which the bandwidth actually used by the user and the load traffic are measured. It is possible to confirm whether or not the usable bandwidth of the user is equal to or more than the predetermined value B without limitation and regardless of the usage situation of the user. In other words, if the communication network provider and the user have a contract for bandwidth guarantee, whether or not the bandwidth is guaranteed is checked. It is possible to surely confirm whether or not is secured.

If the bandwidth used by the user has already exceeded the predetermined value B (guaranteed bandwidth, management reference bandwidth), the bandwidth available for the user can be confirmed without giving load traffic. Further, even when the bandwidth used by the user is less than the predetermined value B, the minimum required load traffic can be provided, so that the user's resources are required more than necessary as in the conventional bandwidth guarantee (management reference bandwidth) confirmation method. It won't take away.

Further, if load traffic that applies a load only to the downstream direction is used, is it not limited to the upstream band, and does the downstream band satisfy a predetermined value B (guaranteed band, management reference band)? Whether or not it can be surely confirmed.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a relationship between a user usable bandwidth confirmation device of the present invention and a target communication network.

FIG. 2 is a first method of confirming a usable band of a user according to the present invention.
2 is a flowchart showing an embodiment of

FIG. 3 is a second method of confirming a usable band of a user according to the present invention.
2 is a flowchart showing an embodiment of

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an operation example of a processing program of the method of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of a user usable bandwidth confirmation device of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a diagram for explaining problem 1 of the conventional bandwidth guarantee confirmation method.

FIG. 7 is a diagram for explaining problem 2 of the conventional bandwidth guarantee confirmation method.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 communication network 2 nodes 3 Available bandwidth confirmation device 4 connection links 5 User equipment 6 Band measurement section 11 Used bandwidth information acquisition process 12 Load traffic transmission process 31 Bandwidth information acquisition unit 32 Judgment section 33 Sending load calculator 34 Schedule Department 35 Load Traffic Transmitter

Front page continued (58) Fields surveyed (Int.Cl. ⁷ , DB name) H04L 12/56 200 H04L 12/56 400

Claims (2)

(57) [Claims] 1. A downlink from a node of a communication network having an IP router as a node to a user apparatus via a connection link, determines whether or not a usable band of a user is secured at a predetermined value B or more outside the communication network. In the method for confirming the usable bandwidth of the user, the plurality of bandwidths currently used by the user in the node are confirmed.
Measured twice, and if the measured value is above the specified value B
If the confirmation is successful and each measured value is less than the specified value B,
In the case of
The statistic value of the
From the usable bandwidth confirmation device of the communication section
To the predetermined value B toward the user device via a card.
To the user for the rate of the shortage of the bandwidth used by the user.
Traffic is sent and the load traffic is
And re-measures the bandwidth used by the user, and the re-measured bandwidth used by the user is greater than or equal to the predetermined value B.
If it is, the confirmation is successful and the value is less than the predetermined value B.
In this case, the method for checking the usable bandwidth of the user is characterized in that the confirmation fails . 2. In a downlink from a node of a communication network having an IP router as a node to a user apparatus via a connection link, it is determined whether or not a usable band of a user is secured at a predetermined value B or more outside the communication network. From the user's available bandwidth confirmation device to confirm from, the bandwidth information acquisition unit that acquires, through the communication network, information on the usage bandwidth of the user measured multiple times by the node, and the bandwidth information acquisition unit acquired The bandwidth used by the user is compared with the predetermined value B, and if the predetermined value B or more, the confirmation is successful, and if it is less than the predetermined value B, the confirmation is unsuccessful or toward the user device. A determination unit that applies load traffic and determines that the bandwidth used by the user including the load traffic is to be re-measured, and a statistical value obtained by performing predetermined statistical processing on the plurality of measured values
Using a transmission load calculation unit for determining the rate of the load traffic, a schedule unit for managing the timing of the transmission of the load traffic and the measurement or remeasurement of the bandwidth used by the user, and the schedule unit under the control of the schedule unit. And a load traffic transmission unit for transmitting the load traffic at the rate calculated by the transmission load calculation unit from the outside of the communication network toward the user device via the communication network and the node. Bandwidth confirmation device for the user.