JP3513007B2 - Communication system and communication device - Google Patents

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a communication system for managing one or more communication devices by one or more network management devices and a communication device used in this system, and more particularly to a software program in the communication device ( Hereinafter, it will be referred to as a program), and a technique for enabling the version upgrade and updating the program online.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, in this type of communication system, a memory device for storing a program for controlling a communication protocol etc. is incorporated in each communication device. A non-volatile memory is used for this memory device. However, in the non-volatile memory, it is impossible to replace the programs without stopping the operation, and the version upgrade of the programs must be performed by each communication device. In addition, it is not possible to collectively replace programs for each communication device online from a remote location (network management device).

As a means for solving such a problem, conventionally, an external storage device is added to each communication device. However, with such a means, the old software disappears after the software is replaced. The new software does not have a track record in actual machines and cannot guarantee the stability of the system. Therefore, if there is a bug in the new software and a problem occurs, it is impossible to restore the previous software.

[0004]

As described above, in the conventional communication system, since the programs are stored in the non-volatile memory, the programs can be replaced without stopping the operation, or the programs before the update can be automatically updated. It was impossible to return to.

Therefore, the present invention solves the above problems,
It is an object of the present invention to provide a communication system in which a program can be upgraded safely without stopping operation, and further, each communication device can update the program online from a network management device.

[0006]

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides a plurality of communication devices mutually connected by a communication line and a network management device for managing the processing of each communication device on the communication line. In the communication system, the communication device includes a line interface unit that inputs and outputs information signals to and from the communication line, and a plurality of processing units that process information signals that are input and output through the line interface unit according to purposes. An information processing unit, and a plurality of individual control units that individually control the line interface unit and the plurality of information processing units as controlled units by executing operation programs,
And a general control unit that collectively controls the plurality of individual control units, wherein the network management device grasps an operation program of the individual control unit mounted on the communication device, and the operation program is set to an arbitrary communication device. Update program sending means for sending the update program of, the overall control unit comprises update program delivery means for delivering the update program sent from the network management device to the corresponding individual control unit,
The individual control unit, a processor for controlling internal processing,
Read only memory managed by the processor,
A rewritable non-volatile memory and a volatile memory are provided, the operation program of the controlled unit is stored in the non-volatile memory, and the basic processing program of the processor is stored in the read-only memory. Execution of the basic processing program loads the operation program from the non-volatile memory to the volatile memory at the start of operation and shifts to the execution of the operation program, and loads the update program to the volatile memory when the update program is delivered. Then, the update program is executed, and after the test operation is performed for a certain period of time by this update program, it is determined whether or not a failure has occurred. If there is no failure, the update program stored in the volatile memory is stored in the nonvolatile memory. Stored as an operation program, In this case, the restart routine is executed to reload the operation program from the non-volatile memory to the volatile memory, and the operation program is executed.

That is, in the present invention, the operation program of the controlled circuit is stored in the non-volatile memory, and the program for loading the operation program from the non-volatile memory is stored in the read-only memory. The operation program is downloaded from the nonvolatile memory to the volatile memory when the apparatus is started up, and after the download is completed, the process is transferred from the program in the nonvolatile memory to the program in the volatile memory. At the time of updating the program, the processing is transferred from the volatile memory to the non-volatile memory, and the new program is downloaded from the network management device onto the volatile memory. After the download is completed, the process is returned to the volatile memory.

After confirming the operation for a certain time or longer, the program on the volatile memory is written to the non-volatile memory. By waiting for a certain period of time, it is possible to confirm the reliability of the program, safely confirm the reliability of the program, and safely update the program. If the device goes down due to a program failure within a certain time,
The process is transferred to the restart routine by itself, and starts from the start-up of the device. As a result, the download from the non-volatile memory to the volatile memory is started again, and the operation can be continued with the program before the download from the network management device.

[0009]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Embodiments of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 shows the overall configuration of a communication system according to the present invention. Here, it is assumed that one network management device A manages four optical communication devices B0 to B3 optically connected in a ring shape. The communication line B0 is typically connected to the network management device A through a LAN line. The optical communication devices B0 to B3 are capable of mutually optically communicating with adjacent optical communication devices, but the optical communication path has a service system and a protection system, and each system transmits information in opposite directions. It has a working line and a protection line for transmission.

FIG. 2 shows the internal configuration of the optical communication devices B0 to B3. Reference numeral 11 is a main CPU, 12 is a sub CPU, and these are connected to a bus 13. In addition, ADM is connected to the bus 13 via MPUs 14 to 18, respectively.
It is connected to an (add / drop module) 20 and I / Fs (input / output interfaces) 21 to 24.

Here, the I / F 21 takes in the information from the working line and inputs it to the ADM 20, and the I / F 22 receives the AMD.
The information output from 20 is taken in and sent to the working line. The I / F 23 takes in the information from the protection line and inputs it to the ADM 20, and the I / F 24 takes in the information output from the AMD 20 and sends it to the protection line.

The ADM 20 and I / Fs 21 to 24 are
It is managed by the MPUs 14 to 18 provided correspondingly (may be formed on the same substrate). These MPUs 14 to 18 are main CPs that control the center of the optical communication device.
It is managed by the U 11 or the sub CPU 12.

Further, only the optical communication device B0 is connected to the bus 1
3, an I / F 25 for fetching information from the network management device A through the LAN line via the MPU 19 is connected. FIG. 3 shows MPUs 14 to 14 used in the optical communication device.
19 shows a specific configuration of the internal bus 31 and CP.
The U32, the ROM 33, the DRAM (volatile memory) 34, the flash memory (nonvolatile memory) 35, and the input / output interface (I / O) 36 are connected to the internal bus 3
One end of 1 is connected to the bus 13, and the other end is connected to a controlled circuit such as the ADM 20. Further, an external storage device 37 is connected to the internal bus 31.

At this time, only the program for downloading the program from the flash memory 35 and the network management device A is stored in the ROM 33, and the flash memory 3 is stored.
An operation program having a function other than the download program is written in 5 (to the external storage device 37 as necessary).

In the above-mentioned configuration, referring to FIGS. 4 and 5, the following is a process for updating the program in each optical communication device and updating the operating program for each optical communication device online from the network management device. The operation will be described. 4. FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing the startup sequence, and FIG. 5 is a state transition diagram showing the state transition.

First, the power is turned on and the main CPU 11
When a download instruction is given from the MPUs 14 to 19 (ST1), each of the MPUs 14 to 19 executes the download program stored in the ROM 33 and the DRAM is executed.
The operation program is downloaded from the flash memory 35 to the flash memory 34 (ST2), and after the download is completed, the process is transferred to the DRAM 34 (ST3) and the operation is started (ST).
4) The presence or absence of a download request is monitored (ST5).

In this state, when the network management device A sends a HALT (stop) message to itself through the LAN line and the optical communication path, the main CPU 11 sends each MP to each MP.
A download request is issued to U14-19. Each MPU
14 to 19 are ROM 33 according to this download request
The processing is moved to the down program in the inside (ST6), the download program is executed to request the network management apparatus A to transfer the operation program, and the transferred operation program is downloaded to the DRAM 34 (ST7). Then, the process is transferred to the DRAM 34 (ST8), and the downloaded operation program is executed on a test basis (ST
9).

The operation of the operation program is performed for a certain period of time and the presence or absence of a failure is monitored to confirm the normal operation and stability of the operation program (ST10). If this check gives a good result,
This is notified to the network management device A (ST11). Upon receiving the test completion notification from the designated optical communication device, the network management device A transmits a backup message to the optical communication device to be downloaded. Each of the MPUs 14 to 19 in the optical communication device determines the presence / absence of a backup request from the backup message (ST1).
2). If there is no backup request, the operation returns to the test mode of step ST9 to continue the operation. If a backup request is made, the operation program on the DRAM 34 is written to the flash memory 35 via the internal bus (ST13). ), And returns to step ST4 to start operation.

Further, in step ST10, if the device goes down due to a defect of a new program within a certain time, the process itself shifts to a restart routine to restart the load program. As a result, the operation program is again downloaded from the flash memory 35 to the DRAM 34, and the processing is transferred to the DRAM 35. As a result, it becomes possible to continue the operation with the operation program before the download.

The operation program downloaded to the flash memory 35 is stored in the external storage device 37 as needed.
It is desirable to back up. According to the above configuration, the program can be replaced by remote operation from the network management device A without stopping the operation and without touching the device. After the replacement of the program, the system is down due to the influence of the program. When occurs, you can automatically return to the original program and continue operation.

Therefore, when updating the program, it is possible to easily cope with the version upgrade of the program without requiring the work or stoppage of the operation at the site.
In the above embodiment, the flash memory is used as the non-volatile memory, but the present invention is not limited to this, and it goes without saying that a storage medium such as a hard disk may be used. Further, in the case of having a redundant system as in the above embodiment, by using this, the program can be updated without stopping the operation.

Further, the network management device can be implemented not only in one unit but also in a plurality of units. Further, the external storage device does not need to be provided separately for each MPU, and the bus 1
3 may be connected and shared.

[0023]

As described above, according to the present invention, it is possible to safely upgrade a program without stopping the operation, and update each communication device online from the network management device. It is possible to provide a communication system capable of performing the above.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an overall configuration of a communication system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an internal configuration of the optical communication device of FIG.

3 is a block diagram showing a specific configuration in the MPU of FIG.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing a startup sequence in the MPU of FIG.

5 is a diagram showing the state transition of the MPU in the startup sequence of FIG.

[Explanation of symbols]

A: Network management device B0 to B3 ... Optical communication device 11 ... Main CPU 12 ... Sub CPU 13 ... Bus 14-19 ... MPU 20 ... ADM 21-25 ... I / F 31 ... Internal bus 32 ... CPU 33 ... ROM 34 ... DRAM (volatile memory) 35 ... Flash memory (non-volatile memory) 36 ... Input / output interface 37 ... External storage device

─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of the front page (72) Inventor Kazuhiro Kobashi 1-chome, Asaigaoka 3-chome, Hino-shi, Tokyo Inside Toshiba Hino Plant (56) References JP-A-9-73437 (JP, A) JP-A 2-201565 (JP, A) JP 5-158703 (JP, A) JP 10-63498 (JP, A) JP 3-283993 (JP, A) (58) Fields investigated (Int. Cl. ⁷ , DB name) H04L 29/06 H04L 29/14 G06F 13/00

Claims (8)

(57) [Claims] 1. A communication system comprising a plurality of communication devices mutually connected by a communication line, and a network management device managing the processing of each communication device on the communication line, wherein the communication device is the communication line. And a plurality of information processing units for processing information signals input / output through the line interface unit according to the purpose, a line interface unit and the plurality of information processing units A plurality of individual control units that individually control the plurality of units as controlled units by executing an operation program, and a general control unit that collectively controls the plurality of individual control units, wherein the network management device is the communication device. Update program sender that grasps the operation program of the individual control unit installed in the computer and sends the update program of the operation program to any communication device. Wherein the overall control unit includes an update distribution means for distributing the individual control unit to the appropriate updates to be sent from the network management apparatus, the individual control unit includes a processor for controlling the internal processing,
Read only memory managed by the processor,
A rewritable non-volatile memory and a volatile memory are provided, the operation program of the controlled unit is stored in the non-volatile memory, and the basic processing program of the processor is stored in the read-only memory. Execution of the basic processing program loads the operation program from the non-volatile memory to the volatile memory at the start of operation and shifts to the execution of the operation program, and loads the update program to the volatile memory when the update program is delivered. Then, it shifts to the execution of the update program, and after performing a test operation for a certain period of time with this update program, it is judged whether there is a defect,
If there is no failure, the update program stored in the volatile memory is stored in the nonvolatile memory as an operation program, and if a failure occurs, a restart routine is executed to transfer the update program from the nonvolatile memory to the volatile memory. A communication system characterized by reloading an operation program and shifting to execution of the operation program. 2. The communication system according to claim 1, wherein the general control unit of the communication device notifies the network management device of a determination result of the test operation of the individual control unit. 3. The network management device causes the communication device to notify the determination result of the test operation, and when there is no defect in the determination result, instructs the communication device to back up the update program, The general control unit delivers the backup instruction to the individual control unit, and the processor of the individual control unit, in accordance with the backup instruction, updates the update program stored in the volatile memory to the non-volatile memory as an operation program. The communication system according to claim 1, wherein the communication system is stored. 4. The communication system according to claim 1, wherein the communication device further comprises backup means for backing up an operation program written in a non-volatile memory of the individual control unit. 5. A communication device interconnected with another communication device by a communication line, wherein the processing content is managed by a network management device, and a line interface section for inputting and outputting information signals to and from the communication line. A plurality of information processing units that process information signals input and output through the line interface unit according to purposes, and individually control the line interface unit and the plurality of information processing units as controlled units by executing operation programs. A plurality of individual control units, and a general control unit that collectively controls the plurality of individual control units, wherein the general control unit receives an update program of an operation program in the individual control unit from the network management device. An update program distribution unit that distributes to the corresponding individual control unit is provided, and the individual control unit includes a processor that controls internal processing.
Read only memory managed by the processor,
A rewritable non-volatile memory and a volatile memory are provided, the operation program of the controlled unit is stored in the non-volatile memory, and the basic processing program of the processor is stored in the read-only memory. Execution of the basic processing program loads the operation program from the non-volatile memory to the volatile memory at the start of operation and shifts to the execution of the operation program, and loads the update program to the volatile memory when the update program is delivered. Then, it shifts to the execution of the update program, and after performing a test operation for a certain period of time with this update program, it is judged whether there is a defect,
If there is no failure, the update program stored in the volatile memory is stored in the nonvolatile memory as an operation program, and if a failure occurs, a restart routine is executed to transfer the update program from the nonvolatile memory to the volatile memory. A communication device characterized by reloading an operation program and shifting to execution of the operation program. 6. The communication device according to claim 5, wherein the general control unit notifies the network management device of a determination result of test operation of the individual control unit. 7. The overall control unit notifies the network management apparatus of the judgment result of the test operation of the individual control unit, and the update program sent from the network management apparatus when there is no defect in the judgment result. A backup instruction is distributed to the individual control unit, and a processor of the individual control unit stores the update program stored in the volatile memory as an operation program in the non-volatile memory according to the backup instruction. The communication device according to claim 5. 8. The communication device according to claim 5, further comprising backup means for backing up the operation program written in the non-volatile memory of the individual control unit.