JP4846382B2 - Resource management device - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a resource management apparatus that performs resource management and log file management of a communication network.

  When providing content such as audio and video using communication networks, especially IP (Internet Protocol) networks, if congestion occurs due to usage requests that exceed the capacity of the communication path, communication quality deteriorates due to packet loss, etc. Resulting in. Conventionally, resource management in a network layer by a resource management device (resource management server) has been studied for the purpose of preventing such deterioration of communication quality.

  The resource management by the resource management device manages the transmission capacity between nodes (links) constituting the communication network and the use status thereof by a server (resource management device) independent of the router constituting the communication network, and also the user terminal Appropriate resources are paid out in response to a resource securing request from the.

  As an example of such resource management, the following method is disclosed. First, before starting the operation of the communication network, the route through which the packet passes is calculated based on the link information (connection information) in the communication network and the routing information including the resource capacity of each link, and this is stored in the “route table”. And the resource capacity of each link is stored in the “resource management table”. The total resource capacity in the communication network and the resource capacity in use or the remaining resource capacity that can be used can be managed by the resource management table thus obtained.

  After the communication network starts operation, when the resource management server accepts a communication service use request (resource securing request), it becomes necessary for the communication from the route table based on the arrival / departure IP address of the requested communication. By specifying the link and referring to the resource management table, it is checked whether or not the transmission capacity (resource) necessary for the communication is available for each of these links.

  When sufficient resources are available, a permission response is made to the communication service use request, and the resource amount allocated to the communication is added to the resource capacity being used in the resource management table and stored. On the other hand, when necessary resources cannot be secured, the use request is not permitted (see Patent Document 1 and Non-Patent Document 1). In this method, resources reserved for communication are released immediately when the use of the resources is completed.

JP 2003-258855 A Yaguchi et al., "A Proposal and Specific Example of Resource Management Method Using Management Server in Large IP Network", IEICE General Conference, B-6-31 (2002)

  In the conventional technology described above, resources are secured in a certain unit such as an IP address or VLAN such as for each user or each user group. For this reason, the conventional technology has a problem that it is impossible to secure resources according to the type of requested communication service and to adjust the resource reservation in terms of time. For example, conventionally, the priority of traffic that can be used in a low-priority communication service that has already been secured is lowered, and resources are secured preferentially for requests for communication services that have been accepted later. I couldn't.

  The present invention has been made to solve the above problems, and an object of the present invention is to make it possible to control traffic in a reserved resource in accordance with a requested state of resource reservation.

Resource management apparatus according to the present invention, there is provided a resource management device provided in each of the plurality of communication network formed of a plurality of nodes and the terminal to manage the resources of its own communication network, the communication from the terminal Receives a resource securing request including at least the amount of resources to be secured in the communication from the application server that received the request , determines that the terminal is within its own management range, and determines the packet priority setting. in addition, the average control band, to determine the control value of the node containing the burst size, and a resource management means for securing the necessary resources, the resources secured in response to the state of the securing of the resource that the resource management means secured And node control means for changing the setting of the included node (for example, router). Than is.

In the resource management device, includes a device information storage unit that control information including the control value is stored that is set for node control and the control performed by included in the communication network, the node control unit, the setting The control information of the node to be changed may be extracted from the device information storage unit, and the setting of the node to be changed may be changed based on the extracted control information.

  As described above, according to the present invention, since the setting of the node included in the secured resource is changed corresponding to the secured resource secured state, according to the requested resource secured state, The excellent effect that the traffic in the reserved resources can be controlled is obtained.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram illustrating a configuration example of a resource management system using a resource management device according to an embodiment of the present invention. The resource management system shown in FIG. 1 includes a resource management server 101 that manages resources for each management range network 201 constituting the communication network 200. Each resource management server (resource management apparatus) 101 manages resources of the management range network 201 to be managed. The communication network 200 to be managed is a communication network based on a so-called Internet protocol (IP). Although FIG. 1 shows two sets of resource management servers and management range networks, the present invention is not limited to this, and the same applies when there are three or more sets of resource management servers and management range networks.

  The management range network 201 includes, for example, a plurality of routers 202a, 202b, 202c and terminals (T) 203a, 203b, 203c, 203d, 203e, 203f that are connected (linked) to each other. The terminals 203b and 203c are concentrated on a switching hub (SW) 204a connected to the router 202a, and the terminals 203d, 203e, and 203f are concentrated on a switching hub 204b connected to the router 202a. The terminals 203e and 203f are concentrated on the switching hub 204b via a gateway device (GW) 205. For example, the terminal 203e and the terminal 203f are arranged in the same house and are connected to a gateway device 205 provided in the house.

  The terminal 203a is connected to the router 202a via an access line 231, the terminal 203b is connected to the switching hub 204a via an access line 232, and the terminal 203c is connected to the switching hub 204a via an access line 233. The terminal 203d is connected to the switching hub 204b via an access line 234, and the gateway device 205 is connected to the switching hub 204b via an access line 235. The switching hub 204a is connected to the router 202a by an access line converging 241 and the switching hub 204b is connected to the router 202a by an access line converging 242. The router 202 a is connected to the router 202 b via the inter-router connection 221, and the router 202 b is connected to the router 202 c via the inter-router connection 222.

  Resources in the management range network 201 configured in this way are, for example, the access lines 231 to 235, the access line convergence 241 and 242, and the inter-router connections 221 and 222. The configuration of each node such as a terminal, a switching hub, a gateway device, and a router and the configuration of each link described above are examples, and the same applies to other management range networks. They are connected to each other by links.

  As described above, in the resource management system shown in FIG. 1, the communication network 200 is divided into a plurality of management range networks 201, and the resource management server 101 is provided for each of these management ranges. Each resource management server 101 is connected to be communicable with each other.

  Further, the application server (AS) 301 receives a communication request from one of the terminals 203 and transmits a request message to the resource management server 101 that manages the resources of the management range network 201 to which the requesting terminals 203a to 203f belong. To do. This request message includes at least the identifiers of the terminals 203a to 203f in the requested communication and the amount of resources to be secured. In the system shown in FIG. 1, the IP addresses of the terminals 203a to 203f are used as the identifiers. Used.

  Each resource management server 101 is a computer having a communication function, and includes a transmission / reception unit 102, a control unit 103, a main storage unit 104, a log management unit 105, a log storage unit 106, and a log display unit 107. In addition, each resource management server 101 includes a router control unit (node control unit) 108, a router information acquisition unit 109, and a device information storage unit 110. These functions are installed in this computer and computer hardware resources such as a central processing unit (CPU) and storage devices (including internal memories such as ROM and RAM, as well as external storage devices such as fixed disk devices). This can be realized by cooperation with a computer program (software).

  In the communication network 200 configured as described above, the application server 301 can provide services such as content provision. For example, when one of the application servers 301 receives a request for content transmission from one of the terminals 203a to 203f, the application server 301 transmits the requested content to, for example, the requesting terminal 203b. In the management range network 201, for example, the router 202c, the inter-router connection 222, the router 202b, the inter-router connection 221, the router 202a, the access line converging 241, the switching hub 204a, and the access line 232 are distributed in the management range network 201. Is done via. In distribution of such contents, the resource management server 101 manages the inter-router connection 222, the inter-router connection 221, the access line converging 241 and the access line 232 which are necessary resources.

  In the above-described case, the application server 301 that has received the content transmission request sends a resource request message for sending the content to the resource management server 101 that manages the management range network 201 to which the terminal 203b as the request source belongs. Send. This request message includes at least the identifier of the requesting terminal 203b in the requested communication and the resource amount to be secured. As the identifier of the terminal 203b, for example, the IP address of the terminal 203b can be used.

  In the resource management server 101, the transmission / reception unit 102 includes a communication interface, and transmits and receives various messages. The transmission / reception unit 102 receives a request message transmitted from the application server 301 or another resource management server 101. The transmission / reception unit 102 transmits the request message to another adjacent resource management server 101. The transmission / reception unit 102 transmits / receives a response message between the resource management servers 101.

  The control unit 103 performs processing according to the request message received by the resource management server 101 (transmission / reception unit 102). The control unit 103 analyzes each received message and identifies, for example, the IP address of the request source terminal 203b included in the received message. Further, the control unit 103 determines with reference to the database that the terminal 203b corresponding to the identified IP address is within the confidence management range.

  In addition, the control unit 103 refers to the route information and resource management table prepared in the main storage unit 104 and secures necessary resources. The state of the resource secured by the control unit 103 is managed by a resource management table in the main storage unit 104. At this time, when the control unit 103 receives the above-described resource reservation request, the control unit 103 generates a message indicating that the request has been received. The generated message is sent out on the communication network 200.

  More specifically, the control unit 103 that has received a request message (resource reservation request) first determines whether or not a resource reservation request is possible by checking the status of parameters set in the received request. To do. If it is determined in these determinations that the request cannot be accepted, the control unit 103 responds that the request is not possible. Next, the control unit 103 determines whether the transmission source of the received request is a terminal accommodated in the management range network managed by the control unit 103. When the transmission source of the request is in the management range network, the control unit 103 starts a resource securing process. However, if the resource securing process does not end within a predetermined time after the resource securing process is started, the control unit 103 determines that the resource securing has failed, and responds that the request cannot be made.

  As described above, when a resource securing request is accepted, the control unit 103 starts a resource securing process for the accepted request. In this resource securing process, the control unit 103, for example, confirms the service status currently being implemented, confirms data used in the service that uses the requested resource, and conflicts in the service that uses the requested resource. Check the status. In addition, the control unit 103 generates resources necessary for the received request.

  At this time, the control unit 103 sets (specifies) a route for securing the resource, and secures the resource using the set route. For example, the control unit 103 sets the routes of the router 202c, the inter-router connection 222, the router 202b, the inter-router connection 221, the router 202a, the access line convergence 241, the switching hub 204a, and the access line 232. Further, the control unit 103 generates resources for the inter-router connection 222, the inter-router connection 221, the access line converging 241, and the access line 232 through the above-described path.

Further, the control unit 103 determines the control value of the node including the average control bandwidth and the burst size in addition to the bandwidth condition based on the request for each generated resource and the priority setting of the packet for each generated resource. When the resource (route) is generated in this way, the control unit 103 responds that the resource is secured in the requesting application server 301, and terminates the generated resource designated by the received request. Set as a target to be used until time.

  The control unit 103 secures resources to other resource management servers with adjacent management ranges as necessary, such as when the transmission source of the received request is not accommodated in the management range network managed by the control unit 103. Send the request message. The other resource management server that has received this message also reserves resources within its management range, and transmits a resource reservation request message to the other resource management server as necessary. For example, based on the identifier included in the received request message, for example, when the content distribution destination terminal 203 determines that the content is out of the management range, and the requested resource includes a portion exceeding the management range itself. In this case, the control unit 103 generates a request message for securing resources to the resource management server 101 that manages the adjacent management range network 201.

  Next, the log management unit 105 collects the event occurrence message received by the resource management server 102 (transmission / reception unit 102) and the event occurrence message in the resource management server 102, and stores the newly generated message in the log storage unit 106. Add to and update the stored log file. The log display unit 107 displays a message in the log file stored in the log storage unit 106 in a state that is visible to the maintenance manager.

  While resources are secured as described above, the router control unit 108 confirms the policy (resource reservation state) set by the control unit 103 and confirms the necessity of changing the router settings. Further, the router control unit 108 inquires of the router information acquisition unit 109 about a router that needs to be set. The router information acquisition unit 109 acquires the control information of the router (node) that has received the inquiry from the device information storage unit 110 and notifies the router control unit 108 of the acquired control information. The router control unit 108 notified of the control information controls the target router based on the notified control information in accordance with the policy set in the resource generation.

  For example, the routers 202a, 202b, and 202c are set with respective control values as shown below, and perform each control with the set control values. First, the routers 202a, 202b, and 202c correspond to the DSCP value included (defined) in the received packet based on the set priority control value, and the processing priority of the packet To decide. Also, the routers 202a, 202b, and 202c control the bandwidth that is allowed within a predetermined time based on the set average control bandwidth control value.

  Further, the routers 202a, 202b, and 202c control the bandwidth that is allowed in the unit time based on the set burst size control value. Further, the routers 202a, 202b, and 202c monitor the state of conformity to the set condition of the received packet based on the set non-conforming packet discard control value, and control the flow. For example, if the received packet matches, it is passed, and if it does not match, it is discarded. The routers 202a, 202b, and 202c control packet discarding based on the queue length based on the set queue length control value.

  The device information storage unit 110 stores control information related to control values set in order to perform control and control performed by each router described above. The router control unit 108 notified of the control information controls the router by sending a predetermined control value to the target router based on the notified control information. For example, the router control unit 108 checks the control value set in the router 202a based on the notified control information, generates a control value that conforms to the determined policy, and sends it.

  By controlling in this way, for example, for a newly generated resource reservation request, the priority of the traffic in the already reserved resource is lowered, and a higher priority is given to the new reservation request. It is possible to control traffic in the reserved resources such as setting, and to perform flexible resource management.

  Hereinafter, an operation example of the resource management apparatus shown in FIG. 1 will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. In FIG. 2, the operation example of the router control unit 108 and the router information acquisition unit 109 will be mainly described. First, when a request for securing a resource is received by the control unit 103 (step S201), the policy generated by the router control unit 108 and the control unit 103 is confirmed, and the necessity of a router setting change is determined (step S202). . For example, the router control unit 108 checks the requested bandwidth, the type of target service, and the flow control behavior according to the policy set by the control unit 103, and determines that the current setting is excessive or insufficient. It is determined that the setting needs to be changed.

  Next, when it is determined that a setting change is necessary, the router control unit 108 identifies a router that needs to be set based on the generated resource information (step S203). Next, the router control unit 108 inquires the router information acquisition unit 109 about the control information of the specified router. The router information acquisition unit 109 acquires the control information of the router that has received the inquiry from the device information storage unit 110 and notifies the router control unit 108 of the acquired control information. As a result, the router control unit 108 acquires information on the router to be controlled (step S204).

Next, the router control unit 108 checks the control value set in the target router based on the acquired control information, generates a control value that conforms to the determined policy, and sends this ( Step S205). As a result, in the target router, for example, the “IP precedence” value indicating the priority, the “IP DSCP” value defining the provided class, the average control bandwidth, the burst size, and the discard rate are defined. A minimum discard threshold, a maximum discard threshold of a packet for which a discard rate is defined, and the like are set. Finally, when the control setting of the target router by the router control unit 108 is completed, the control unit 103 determines whether to secure resources (step S206).

  Next, another operation example of the resource management apparatus shown in FIG. 1 will be described using the flowchart of FIG. First, when the control unit 103 detects an abnormality in step S301, in step S302, the control unit 103 confirms the resource state, and in step S303, the control unit 103 selects a resource that needs to be changed such as release. Check the range and determine if the change will affect all routers in the management range. If the change extends to all routers, in step S304, the control unit 103 releases resources in which all routers are accommodated in a batch, and in step S305, the router control unit 108 initializes the settings of all routers. Turn into.

  On the other hand, if it is determined in step S303 that the change extends to some routers within the management range, in step S306, the control unit 103 changes the policy of the resource to be released to change the resource reservation state. change. In step S307, the router control unit 108 inquires the router information acquisition unit 109 about the control information of the router included in the identified resource to be changed. The router information acquisition unit 109 acquires the control information of the router that has received the inquiry from the device information storage unit 110 and notifies the router control unit 108 of the acquired control information. As a result, the router control unit 108 acquires information on the router to be controlled. Next, the router control unit 108 checks the control value set in the target router based on the acquired control information, generates a control value that conforms to the changed policy, and sends it out. Thus, the setting of the target router is changed (step S308).

  As described above, according to the resource management device shown in FIG. 1, setting change to a node such as a router constituting the network is performed according to the difference in resource priority. For example, for the resource that should be prioritized, the quality of the resource to be secured is guaranteed by rewriting (marking up) the header of the packet that actually passes through the node and increasing the priority. . When the use of resources is stopped due to a failure or the like while the router setting change control is performed as described above, the router setting described above needs to be returned to the original (initial) state.

  In particular, when the application server that requested the resource reservation is stopped due to a failure, the reserved resources are forcibly released collectively. At this time, if the setting of a node such as a router in the reserved resource route is changed, an unnecessary high priority is set for other resource reservation requests. In such a case, resources are released, and appropriate resource management can be performed by returning the settings changed for the necessary nodes to the original state. Further, since control information can be stored in association with each resource, generation management of node setting information according to the resource reservation start time is possible.

  In the above description, the case of controlling the router has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this. You may make it control other nodes, such as a switching hub contained in the secured resource (path | route). In addition, when a plurality of physical links such as ring aggregation and ECMP are handled as logical virtual links, the total amount of resources may be controlled by changing the number bundled with respect to the switching hub. Further, regarding the VLAN between the switching hub and the router, a plurality of VLANs can be combined into one VLAN. Further, the restriction on the burst amount that allows the restriction on the average bandwidth may be changed according to the division amount of the resource. In this way, for example, a state where an organization of about 100 people can use the same resource of 100 Mbps (a state where one person can use up to 100 Mbps if available) can be used by 100 people only by 1 Mbps. You can also.

It is a block diagram which shows the structural example of the resource management system using the resource management apparatus in embodiment of this invention. 3 is a flowchart for explaining an operation example of the resource management apparatus shown in FIG. 1. 6 is a flowchart for explaining another example of the operation of the resource management device shown in FIG. 1.

Explanation of symbols

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 101 ... Resource management server 102 ... Transmission / reception part 103 ... Control part 104 ... Main memory part 105 ... Log management part 106 ... Log storage part 107 ... Monitoring part 108 ... Log display part 200 ... Communication network, DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 201 ... Management range network, 202a, 202b, 202c ... Router, 203a-203f ... Terminal (T), 204a, 204a ... Switching hub (SW), 205 ... Gateway apparatus (GW), 301 ... Application server (AS), 221 222, connection between routers, 231 to 235, access line, 241, 242, access line convergence.

Claims (2)

A resource management device provided in each of the plurality of communication network formed with multiple nodes and the terminal to manage the resources of its own communication network,
A resource securing request including at least a resource amount to be secured in the communication is received from the application server that has received the communication request from the terminal , and it is determined by referring to the database that the terminal is within its own management range, and the packet in addition to the priority settings, the average control band, to determine the control value of the node containing the burst size, and a resource management means for securing the necessary resources,
Resource management apparatus characterized in that it comprises a node controller for changing the settings of the nodes included in the resource previous SL resource management means secured to correspond to the state of the reservation of resources reserved In the resource management device according to claim 1,
A device information storage unit storing control information including a control performed by a node included in the communication network and the control value set to perform the control;
The node control means extracts control information of a node whose setting is to be changed from the device information storage unit, and changes the setting of the node whose setting is to be changed based on the extracted control information. Resource management device.

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