JP6003509B2 - Master station communication device, master station control program, and network system - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a master station communication device, a master station control program, and a network system, and can be applied to an optical communication network system such as a PON (Passive Optical Network) system.

  In recent years, an access network called FTTH (Fiber To The Home) using an optical fiber as a transmission path has been widespread for the purpose of providing high-speed and broadband broadband services to general private homes. The PON system is widely used.

  The PON system basically includes one optical line terminator (OLT) corresponding to the master station communication device and a plurality of subscriber optical fiber terminators corresponding to the slave station communication devices. (ONU; Optical Network Unit) is a one-to-many network system connected via an optical splitter (optical coupler). In the PON system, it is possible to provide an FTTH service economically by sharing an optical fiber, an OLT, and the like with a plurality of subscribers (in other words, an ONU).

  Here, as shown in FIG. 9, one OLT 2 can be shared as the OLT of the plurality of PON systems 1-1 to 1-M. In such a case, the OLT 2 includes PON interface units (PON-IF) 5-1 to 5-M that interface with the PON systems 1-1 to 1-M.

  The OLT 2 includes an OLT control unit 6 that controls the OLT. The OLT control unit 6 can exchange control information with the control network 8 side through a control network interface (CNI). Further, the OLT 2 can exchange a main signal with a higher-level device (not shown) side by each service node interface (SNI; Service-Node Interface).

  In the PON system, generally, wavelength division multiplexing (WDM) using different wavelengths is used for communication from the OLT (PON interface unit in the case of the system configuration of FIG. 9) to the ONU and communication from the ONU to the OLT. ; Wavelength Division Multiplexing) method is used. In addition, the OLT connects one optical fiber (for example, 7-1 in FIG. 9) to a plurality of ONUs (for example, 4-11 to 4- in FIG. 9) via an optical splitter (for example, 3-1 in FIG. 9). 1N), the communication from the ONU to the OLT uses a time division multiple access (TDMA) system to avoid signal collision from each ONU.

  As an access network using a PON system, there is a network called GE-PON (Gigabit Ethernet PON; Ethernet is a registered trademark) that has been standardized in IEEE Std 802.3ah (Non-patent Document 1). GE-PON defines a control function called MPCP (Multi-Point Control Protocol) for access control by TDMA, and PON control is performed by transmitting and receiving a control frame called MPCP frame between the OLT and ONU. Realized.

  In MPCP, prior to communication between the OLT and the ONU, a communication path between the OLT and the ONU is established by a procedure called a discovery process. In the discovery process, a communication path between the OLT and the ONU is established by transmitting and receiving an MPCP frame for discovery processing between the OLT and the ONU. For the TDMA control from the ONU to the OLT, the time synchronization of the OLT and all the ONUs is performed in the discovery process.

  After the communication path is established, the ONU notifies the OLT of the amount of data to be transmitted (transmission request amount) using a REPORT frame that is one of MPCP frames. Then, the OLT determines the data amount (transmission permission amount) that permits transmission of each ONU and the transmission start time from the transmission request amount of each ONU notified by the REPORT frame, and sets the GATE frame that is one of the MPCP frames. To notify the ONU. The ONU transmits the main signal frame to the OLT based on the transmission permission amount notified by the GATE frame and the transmission start time.

  IEEE Std 802.3ah defines functions related to OLT-ONU operation, management, and maintenance (OAM: Operation Administration and Maintenance), and is a slow protocol frame (hereinafter also referred to as an extended OAM frame). OAM information is communicated between the OLT and the ONU using a control frame called "." Regarding communication of OAM information between OLT and ONU, after a communication path by MPCP is established, a communication path for OAM information is established by a mechanism of OAM discovery. After the establishment of the OAM information communication path, the normality of the OAM information communication path is confirmed by monitoring periodic exchange of OAM information.

  The above-described MPCP discovery process, control information exchange using the GATE frame and REPORT frame after establishment of the communication path, and operation / management / maintenance functions are performed by software processing by the CPU in the communication device constituting the PON system. Generally realized.

  By the way, software installed in the OLT and ONU is expected to be frequently updated for reasons such as function expansion, and in such a case, it is common to restart the communication apparatus. For this reason, during the restart of the communication device due to software update, the function of transferring control information by the GATE frame and the REPORT frame after the establishment of the communication path is stopped, and the GATE frame and the REPORT frame between the OLT and the ONU are stopped. There is a problem that transmission / reception of the main signal frame becomes impossible. In addition, during the restart due to software update, the operation / management / maintenance function stops, making it impossible to maintain the communication path for OAM information. In the communication device, communication for operation / management / maintenance is performed. Since the operation of disconnecting the main signal when the path is disconnected is generally performed, there is a problem that the main signal frame cannot be connected. As a conventional technique for solving the above problems, there is a technique described in Patent Document 1.

  The technique described in Patent Document 1 suppresses the occurrence of restart during ONU communication by appropriately controlling the timing of restarting the ONU in the OLT.

  Patent Document 2 describes that when firmware is upgraded, it is not updated from the current version to the upgraded version at once, but through an intermediate version whose operation is guaranteed. ing.

JP 2009-066555 A JP 2010-198332 A

IEEE Std 802.3ah

  It is conceivable to apply the technology described in Patent Document 2 when updating software installed in the OLT and ONU. However, if there is no intermediate version between the current version and the version to be upgraded, the Patent Document The description technique of 2 cannot be applied. Updating the software installed in the OLT and ONU is not performed by the user, but is performed by the communication service provider, so there may be no intermediate version between the current version and the upgraded version. Is almost.

Further, in the technology described in Patent Literature 1, ONU and OLT system setting information (service order) at the timing of restarting the ONU after software update is not taken into consideration, and therefore the system that should be originally set corresponding to the updated software There is a risk that the setting state (the latest system setting state) has not been restarted.
The present invention has been made to cope with the above situation, and at the time of software update, a master station communication device, a master station control program, and a master station control program that can be restarted after updating the system setting state that should have been the latest It aims to provide a network system.

  The first aspect of the present invention is a master station communication device that accommodates a plurality of slave station communication devices. (1) Device software to be installed in each slave station communication device and communication with the slave station communication device. Preferably, device software update state information holding means for holding information on the update state of at least one of the device software to be installed in the master station communication device, and (2) system settings to be set in each of the slave station communication devices (3) system setting information holding means for holding information and at least one update state information of the system setting information to be set in the master station communication device to execute communication with the slave station communication device; Update instruction receiving means for receiving an instruction to update device software from an external device or an instruction to update system setting information from an external device; and (4) the device software update state information. Update the device software and update the system setting information so that the updated device software becomes valid after updating the system setting information according to the combination of the holding information of the holding device and the system setting information holding unit. Of these, priority processing determining means for determining which to perform priority processing is included.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, in a network system having a plurality of slave station communication devices and a master station communication device that accommodates the plurality of slave station communication devices, the parent station communication device is the parent of the first invention. A station communication device is applied.

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided a master station control program comprising: (1) device software to be installed in each slave station communication device; and a computer installed in a master station communication device that accommodates a plurality of slave station communication devices; Device software update state information holding means for holding at least one update state information of device software to be installed in the parent station communication device in order to execute communication with the slave station communication device; The system setting information to be set in the slave station communication device and the update state information of at least one of the system setting information to be set in the master station communication device to perform communication with the slave station communication device are held. System setting information holding means, (3) update instruction receiving means for receiving an instruction to update device software from an external device, and an instruction to update system setting information from an external device; 4) Update the device software so that the updated device software becomes valid after updating the system setting information according to the combination of the information held by the device software update state information holding unit and the system setting information holding unit. It is characterized by functioning as a priority processing decision means for deciding which of the updates and system setting information is to be prioritized.

  According to the present invention, at the time of updating the apparatus software, it is possible to perform restart after updating the system setting state that should originally be present.

It is a block diagram which shows the functional schematic structure of OLT of embodiment. It is a block diagram which shows the detailed structure of the PON interface part in OLT of embodiment. It is a block diagram which shows the detailed structure of ONU of embodiment. It is a sequence diagram showing a general MPCP control operation in the network system of the embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows operation | movement in the 1st OLT control part in OLT of embodiment when the service order which should be set to any PON interface part or ONU comes. It is explanatory drawing which shows the structural example of the service order management table of embodiment. It is explanatory drawing which shows the structural example of the apparatus software management table of embodiment. It is explanatory drawing which shows the conditions and process content of prioritizing which of software update and service order update in embodiment. It is a block diagram which shows the network system to which what is common as OLT of a some PON system is applied.

(A) Main Embodiment Hereinafter, an embodiment of a master station communication device, a master station control program, and a network system according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. Here, the master station communication device of the embodiment is an OLT, the slave station communication device of the embodiment is an ONU, and the network system of the embodiment has the overall configuration shown in FIG. 9 described above.

(A-1) Configuration of Embodiment FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a functional schematic configuration of the OLT of the embodiment, and the same reference numerals are given to the same and corresponding parts as in FIG. 9 described above. Yes. FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a detailed configuration of the PON interface unit 5-1 in the OLT according to the embodiment.

  As described above, the OLT 2 of the embodiment includes a plurality (M) of PON interface units (PON-IF) 5-1 to 5-M that interface with the corresponding PON system (see FIG. 9), An OLT control unit 6 that accommodates these PON interface units 5-1 to 5-M and performs control as an OLT is provided.

  In this embodiment, the OLT control unit 6 is different from the conventional one. The OLT control unit 6 according to the embodiment includes a first OLT control unit 10 and a second OLT control unit 20.

  The first OLT control unit 10 is responsible for the OLT device monitoring control function 11. The OLT device monitoring control function 11 is mainly executed by a CPU 12 (to be described later) executing software for the OLT device monitoring control function. Realized. In terms of hardware, the OLT device monitoring control function 11 includes a program storage memory, a working memory, and a CPU 12 described later.

  The OLT device monitoring control function 11 of the embodiment includes a service order reception / proxy response processing unit 11a, a service order / device software comparison processing unit 11b, a device software management processing unit 11c, and the like.

  The service order reception / proxy response processing unit 11a receives one of the PON interface units 5 (5-1 to 5-M) from the service order management database 9a of the PON system management server 9 via the control network interface (CNI). Alternatively, it accepts a service order (system setting information for ONU or OLT as described above) to any ONU 4 (4-1 to 4-MN), performs a proxy response to acceptance, and the corresponding device (PON) The service order setting to the interface unit 5 or ONU) is controlled. In addition, the service order reception / proxy response processing unit 11a manages the update state of the service order (see FIG. 6 described later).

  The service order / apparatus software comparison unit 11b compares (checks) the received service order with the software update processing state in the apparatus (OLT or ONU) known by the OLT 2.

  The device software management processing unit 11c manages the software (version) being applied for each device (OLT or ONU) and controls software update processing.

  The first OLT control unit 10 includes a device monitoring control function CPU 12 and an OLT device management interface unit (indicated as ADM-IF in FIG. 2) 13.

  The device monitoring control function CPU 12 executes software processing for realizing the OLT device monitoring control function 11.

  The OLT device management interface unit 13 is used for monitoring, control, maintenance, etc. between the first OLT control unit 10 (in other words, the device monitoring control function CPU 12) and the PON interface units 5-1 to 5-M. It functions as an interface that transmits and receives necessary information, and is configured around a parallel bus to which the CPU 12 is connected via a driver or a receiver, for example.

  The second OLT control unit 20 basically executes an MPCP control function, an operation / management / maintenance function, and the like. As for the second OLT control unit 20, in relation to the software update, the PON interface unit 5 (5-1 to 5 -M) or the ONU 4 (4-11 to 4 -MN) restarts due to the software update. When executed, control is performed so as to reduce the influence of the restart on the conduction of various frames.

  The MPCP control function, operation / management / maintenance function, and the like that the second OLT control unit 20 plays are realized mainly by the CPU 22 described later executing software for these functions. In terms of hardware, the second OLT control unit 20 includes a program storage memory, a working memory, a CPU 22 described later, and the like. Note that the CPU 12 in the first OLT control unit 10 and the CPU 22 in the second OLT control unit 20 may be the same or different, but FIG. 1 shows a different case. Examples of functions that the second OLT control unit 20 has include an OAM master function 21a, an MPCP master function 21b, and a multipoint communication control master function 21c. In order to realize these functions, a discovery protocol processing unit 21d, The transmission permission amount calculation processing unit 21e, the OAM protocol processing unit 21f, and the like are included.

  The OAM master function 21a executes processing on the master side when the operation / management / maintenance function is executed in cooperation with the second OLT control unit 20, the PON interface unit 5 and the ONU 4. Note that the PON interface unit 5 and the ONU 4 execute processing on the client side.

  The MPCP master function 21b executes processing on the master side when executing MPCP control in cooperation with the second OLT control unit 20, the PON interface unit 5 and the ONU 4. Note that the PON interface unit 5 and the ONU 4 execute processing on the client side. The MPCP master function 21b controls a rough flow of processes (stages) such as an establishment stage (discovery stage) of a communication path between the OLT 2 and the ONU 4 and an intermittent calculation stage of a transmission permission amount after establishment.

  The multipoint communication control master function 21c performs communication control (multicast transmission, unit cast transmission, etc.) of which ONU in the PON system 1 (1-1 to 1-M) and MPCP frames are exchanged. The process is executed. The PON interface unit 5 executes client-side processing.

  The discovery protocol processing unit 21d executes a discovery process (establishing a communication path between the OLT and the ONU) during MPCP control.

  The transmission permission amount calculation processing unit 21e determines the data amount (transmission permission amount) permitted to be transmitted to each ONU and the transmission start time based on the REPORT frame from each ONU in cooperation with the PON interface unit 5. is there.

  The OAM protocol processing unit 21f executes processing according to the OAM protocol, such as exchange of an extended OAM frame.

  The second OLT control unit 20 includes an MPCP control / OAM CPU 22 and a communication control interface unit (indicated as CC-IF in FIG. 2) 23.

  The MPCP control / OAM CPU 22 executes software related to the various functions 21a to 21c and the processing units 21d to 21f described above.

  The communication control interface unit 23 is an interface for transferring communication control information in the PON interface unit 5 to and from the PON interface unit 5, and is, for example, a high-speed transfer bus to which the CPU 22 is connected via a driver or a receiver. is there.

  In the case of this embodiment, the second OLT control unit 20 is controlled from the first OLT control unit 10 to stop, restart, or restart the operation, or the software is updated.

  FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the internal configuration of the PON interface unit 5-1, as described above, and the other PON interface units 5-2 to 5-M have the same internal configuration. In FIG. 2, the branch number “−1” is omitted, and in the following description, the branch number is omitted.

  The PON interface unit 5-1 includes an E / O conversion unit 30, a MAC unit 31, a plurality of MPCP frame processing units 32-1 to 32-N, an OAM frame processing unit 33, and a MAC client unit 34. The PON interface unit 5-1 includes an MPCP client unit 40, a multipoint transmission control unit 41, an OAM client unit 42, and a PON-IF monitoring control interface unit 43.

  The E / O conversion unit 30 converts an electrical signal to the PON system 1-1 accommodated in the PON interface unit 5-1 into an optical signal having a predetermined wavelength, or a predetermined wavelength from the PON system 1-1. The optical signal is converted into an electric signal.

  The MAC unit (media access control unit) 31 performs functions (frame transmission / reception, error detection, etc.) related to the lower sublayer of the data link layer (second layer) of the OSI reference model.

  The MPCP frame processing units 32-1 to 32-N are provided as many as the maximum number (N) of ONUs that can be elements of the PON system 1-1, and each of the ONUs 4-11 to 4-1N is provided. Corresponding. The received electrical signal from the PON system 1-1 output from the MAC unit 31 is given to all the MPCP frame processing units 32-1 to 32-N, and one of the MPCP frame processing units 32-1 to 32-2. A transmission electric signal output from N to the PON system 1-1 is provided to the MAC unit 31.

  The MPCP frame processing units 32-1 to 32-N have the same internal configuration, and FIG. 2 representatively shows the internal configuration of the MPCP frame processing unit 32-1 corresponding to the ONU 4-11. In FIG. 2, the assignment of branch numbers is also omitted for the components of the MPCP frame processing unit 32-1.

  The MPCP frame processing unit 32-1 performs processing to exchange MPCP frames (GATE frame, REPORT frame, discovery frame, etc.) with the ONU 4-11. The MPCP frame processing unit 32-1 includes an MPCP frame identification unit 32a, an MPCP frame multiplexing unit 32b, a discovery processing unit 32c, a REPORT processing unit 32d, a GATE processing unit 32e, and a transmission permission amount setting memory 32f.

  The MPCP frame identification unit 32a extracts the MPCP frame from the frames given from the MAC unit 31, gives the extracted MPCP frame to the discovery processing unit 32c or the REPORT processing unit 32d, and receives the frame given from the MAC unit 31. Is passed if it is not an MPCP frame. If the extracted MPCP frame is an MPCP frame related to discovery processing, the MPCP frame identification unit 32a gives it to the discovery processing unit 32c, and if the extracted MPCP frame is a REPORT frame, gives it to the REPORT processing unit 32d.

  The MPCP frame multiplexing unit 32b multiplexes the MPCP frame supplied from each of the discovery processing unit 32c and the GATE processing unit 32d into the frame sequence given from the OAM frame processing unit 33 side, and outputs the result to the MAC unit 31. . When the MPCP frame to be multiplexed is not supplied from the discovery processing unit 32c and the GATE processing unit 32d, the MPCP frame multiplexing unit 32b passes the frame given from the OAM frame processing unit 33 side.

  The discovery processing unit 32c receives the MPCP frame related to the discovery processing extracted by the MPCP frame identification unit 32a, notifies the MPCP client unit 40 of information on the frame, and performs the discovery processing instructed by the MPCP client unit 40. This MPCP frame is generated and given to the MPCP frame multiplexing unit 32b.

  The REPORT processing unit 32d receives the REPORT frame extracted by the MPCP frame identifying unit 32a, and notifies the MPCP client unit 40 of information (transmission request amount, etc.) included in the REPORT frame. In addition, the REPORT processing unit 32d transmits the information included in the received REPORT frame to the MPCP client unit 40 and the communication control interface unit (CC-IF) 23 at the time of software update processing of the PON interface unit 5-1. It is assumed that the second OLT control unit 20 is supplied via. Note that the above-described two supply destinations to which the REPORT processing unit 32d supplies the REPORT information can be changed according to control from the second OLT control unit 20.

  The GATE processing unit 32e generates a GATE frame including information on the transmission permission amount and the transmission start time stored in the transmission permission amount setting memory 32f, and outputs the GATE frame to the MPCP frame multiplexing unit 32b. In addition, the GATE processing unit 32e generates a GATE frame including information from the MPCP client unit 40 and outputs the generated GATE frame to the MPCP frame multiplexing unit 32b at the time of software update processing of the PON interface unit 5-1. . Note that the two acquisition sources described above from which the GATE processing unit 32e acquires information to be inserted into the GATE frame can be changed according to control from the second OLT control unit 20.

  The transmission permission amount setting memory 32f stores the transmission permission amount and the transmission start time given from the MPCP client unit 40, and periodically notifies the GATE processing unit 32e.

  The MPCP client unit 40 performs MPCP control on the MPCP frame processing units 32-1 to 32-N in cooperation with the MPCP master function 21b of the second OLT control unit 20 described above. The MPCP client unit 40, together with the OAM client unit 42, implements a corresponding function by executing software by the CPU.

  The MPCP client unit 40 includes a discovery protocol processing unit 40a and a transmission permission amount calculation processing unit 40b.

  The discovery protocol processing unit 40a performs the discovery process processing based on the information of the MPCP frame for discovery processing notified from the discovery processing unit 32c of any MPCP frame processing unit 32-n (n is 1 to N). The MPCP frame information to be responded is notified to the discovery processing unit 32c of the corresponding MPCP frame processing unit 32-n.

  The transmission permission amount calculation processing unit 40b transmits a frame for each ONU based on the insertion information (transmission request amount, etc.) of the REPORT frame notified from the REPORT processing unit 32d of the MPCP frame processing units 32-1 to 32-N. The start time and the transmission permission amount are calculated. Further, the transmission permission amount calculation processing unit 40b stores the calculated frame transmission start time and the transmission permission amount in the transmission permission amount setting memory 32f of the MPCP frame processing units 32-1 to 32-N as information to be inserted into the GATE frame. It is something to be made. Further, the permitted transmission amount calculation processing unit 40b gives the calculated frame transmission start time and the permitted transmission amount to the GATE processing unit 32e when the software is updated.

  The multipoint transmission control unit 41 arbitrates transmission requests from the MPCP frame processing units 32-1 to 32-N and grants transmission permission to the MPCP frame multiplexing unit 32b of any MPCP frame processing unit 32-n. It is. The multipoint transmission control unit 41 gives a transmission permission to the MPCP frame multiplexing unit 32b of the MPCP frame processing unit 32-n instructed by the second OLT control unit 20 at the time of software update or the like.

  The OAM frame processing unit 33 performs processing for exchanging slow protocol frames (extended OAM frames) with the ONUs 4-11 to 4-1N belonging to the PON system 1-1 related to the PON interface unit 5-1. The OAM frame processing unit 33 includes an OAM frame identification unit 33a, an OAM frame multiplexing unit 33b, an OAM processing unit 33c, and an OAM transmission setting memory 33d.

  The OAM frame identification unit 33a extracts a slow protocol frame from the frames output from the MPCP frame processing units 32-1 to 32-N, outputs the extracted frame to the OAM processing unit 33c, and other frames (for example, Main signal frame) is transferred to the MAC client unit 34.

  The OAM frame multiplexing unit 33b multiplexes the frame from the MAC client unit 34 and the slow protocol frame from the OAM processing unit 33c and outputs them to the MPCP frame processing units 32-1 to 32-N.

  The OAM processing unit 33c receives the slow protocol frame extracted by the OAM frame identification unit 33a and notifies the OAM client unit 42 of the content. Further, the OAM processing unit 33c generates a slow protocol frame based on the OAM information notified from the OAM client unit 42 and outputs it to the OAM frame multiplexing unit 33b, or is set in the OAM transmission setting memory 33d. It has a function of generating a slow protocol frame based on the OAM information and outputting it to the OAM frame multiplexing unit 33b. The generation and multiplexing operation of these slow protocol frames can be performed according to the setting by the OAM client unit 42. Selected.

  The OAM transmission setting memory 33d stores the OAM information notified from the OAM client unit 42. The OAM transmission setting memory 33d periodically notifies the stored OAM information to the OAM processing unit 33c.

  The OAM client unit 42 performs control related to collection and exchange of OAM information in cooperation with the OAM master function 21a of the second OLT control unit 20. The OAM client unit 42 has an OAM protocol processing unit 42 a, and the OAM protocol processing unit 42 a controls the OAM frame processing unit 33. As described above, the OAM client unit 42 realizes a corresponding function by executing software by the CPU.

  Here, the software related to the MPCP client unit 40 and the software related to the OAM client unit 42 are executed by the same CPU, for example. Although not shown, the hardware configuration for executing the software includes a CPU, a working memory, and a program storage memory. Software (programs) corresponding to the MPCP client unit 40 and the OAM client unit 42 are included in the software storage memory. And fixed data, etc.) are stored, and the CPU appropriately executes the program in the program storage memory.

  The MAC client unit 34 has an interface function with the host device side, and performs, for example, a bridge process.

  The MPCP client unit 40 and the OAM client unit 42 are connected to the device monitoring control function CPU 12 of the first OLT control unit 10 via the PON-IF monitoring control interface unit 43 and the OLT device management interface unit 13 to monitor the device. Under the control of the control function CPU 12, software update processing related to the MPCP client unit 40 and the OAM client unit 42 is processed in software.

  The PON-IF monitoring control interface unit 43 has an interface function that enables the device monitoring control function CPU 12 to exchange information with the MPCP client unit 40 and the OAM client unit 42.

  Also, the MPCP client unit 40, the multipoint transmission control unit 41, and the OAM client unit 42 are connected to the MPCP control / OAM CPU 22 of the second OLT control unit 20 via the communication control interface unit 23, and are used for MPCP control / OAM. Information can be exchanged with the CPU 22.

  Next, a detailed configuration of the ONU 4 (4-11 to 4-MN) will be described with reference to FIG.

  The ONU 4 includes an E / O conversion unit 50, a MAC unit 51, an MPCP frame processing unit 52, an OAM frame processing unit 53, a MAC client unit 54, an MPCP client unit 55, and an OAM client unit 56.

  The E / O conversion unit 50, the MAC unit 51, and the MAC client unit 54 perform the same processing as the corresponding elements in the PON interface units 5-1 to 5-M, and a description thereof will be omitted. However, the E / O conversion unit 50 faces the OLT 2, and the MAC client unit 54 faces the subscriber terminal.

  The MPCP frame processing unit 52 performs processing for exchanging MPCP frames with the OLT 2, and the MPCP client unit 55 performs MPCP control under the control of the OLT 2 side.

  The MPCP frame processing unit 52 includes an MPCP frame identification unit 52a, an MPCP frame multiplexing unit 52b, a GATE information analysis processing unit 52c, a GATE processing unit 52d, a REPORT processing unit 52e, and a discovery processing unit 52f.

  The MPCP frame identification unit 52a extracts the MPCP frame from the frame received from the OLT, gives it to the GATE processing unit 52d or the discovery processing unit 52f, and allows other frames to pass.

  The GATE processing unit 52d performs processing on the received GATE frame, and extracts GATE information (transmission permission amount, transmission start time, etc.) from the received GATE frame and supplies the GATE information to the GATE information analysis processing unit 52c. Is to do.

  The GATE information analysis processing unit 52c performs transmission control of the main signal frame from the ONU 4 based on the supplied GATE information. The GATE information analysis processing unit 52c generates REPORT information (transmission request amount, etc.) to be set in the REPORT frame to the OLT 2 based on the GATE information and the storage amount in the main signal buffer (not shown), and the REPORT processing unit It supplies to 52e.

  The REPORT processing unit 52e generates a REPORT frame in which the REPORT information supplied from the GATE information analysis processing unit 52c is set, and gives it to the MPCP frame multiplexing unit 52b.

  The discovery processing unit 52f executes a discovery process by transmitting and receiving MPCP frames related to discovery processing to and from the OLT 2. The discovery processing unit 52 f requests the MPCP client unit 55 to generate discovery information when transmitting the MPCP frame related to the discovery processing to the OLT 2. And the discovery process part 52f produces | generates the MPCP frame which concerns on the discovery process which set the produced | generated discovery information, and supplies it to the MPCP frame multiplexing part 52b.

  The MPCP frame multiplexing unit 52b multiplexes an MPCP frame (REPORT frame or MPCP frame related to discovery processing) on a frame sequence transmitted to the PON system (OLT2 side).

  The MPCP client unit 55 cooperates with the MPCP master function 21b in the second OLT control unit 20 of the OLT 2 to execute MPCP control (e.g. exchange of MPCP frames for discovery) for the MPCP frame processing unit 52. is there. The MPCP client unit 55 includes, for example, a discovery protocol processing unit 55a, and performs processing for generating discovery information to be set in an MPCP frame related to discovery processing. The MPCP client unit 55 realizes a corresponding function by executing software by the CPU.

  The OAM frame processing unit 53 exchanges a slow protocol frame (extended OAM frame) with the OLT 2, and the OAM client unit 56 uses the OAM protocol to the OAM frame processing unit 53 under the control of the OLT 2. The control is performed according to the above.

  The OAM frame processing unit 53 includes an OAM frame identification unit 53a, an OAM processing unit 53b, and an OAM frame multiplexing unit 53c.

  The OAM frame identification unit 53a extracts a slow protocol frame (extended OAM frame) from the frame received from the OLT 2 and gives it to the OAM processing unit 53b to pass frames other than the slow protocol frame.

  The OAM processing unit 53b performs processing related to operation, management, and maintenance under the control of the OLT 2 by exchanging a slow protocol frame with the OLT 2. Based on the OAM information included in the slow protocol frame received from the OLT 2, the OAM processing unit 53b performs operation / management / maintenance processing related to the ONU 4. The OAM processing unit 53b requests the OAM client unit 56 to generate OAM information to be set in the slow protocol frame to the OLT 2, and supplies the slow protocol frame in which the generated OAM information is set to the OAM frame multiplexing unit 53c. .

  The OAM frame multiplexing unit 53c multiplexes the slow protocol frame with the frame sequence transmitted to the PON system (OLT 2 side).

  The OAM client unit 56 performs control related to the OAM frame processing unit 53 by software. The OAM client unit 56 includes an OAM protocol processing unit 56a, and performs, for example, processing for generating OAM information to be set in a slow protocol frame transmitted by the OAM protocol processing unit 56a. The OAM client unit 56 realizes a corresponding function by executing software by the CPU.

  Here, the software related to the MPCPC client unit 55 and the software related to the OAM client unit 56 are executed by the same CPU, for example. Although not shown, the hardware configuration for executing the software includes a CPU, a working memory, and a program storage memory, and the software (program) corresponding to the MPCP client unit 55 and the OAM client unit 56 is stored in the software storage memory. And fixed data etc.) are stored, and the CPU appropriately executes the program in the software storage memory.

(A-2) Operation of Embodiment Next, a general MPCP control operation in the network system of the embodiment having the above configuration will be described with reference to the sequence diagram of FIG. Hereinafter, an MPCP operation performed between the OLT 2 (the PON interface unit 5-1) and the ONU 4-11 will be described.

  For example, when the ONU 4-11 is activated, the PON interface unit 5-1 detects that the ONU 4-11 is connected to the PON system 1-1 by the discovery process (discovery sequence), and the PON interface is detected by this discovery process. A communication path between the unit 5-1 and the ONU 4-11 is established (S101). Since the discovery process here has no features of this embodiment, a detailed description of the discovery process is omitted.

  When the MPCP frame is transmitted from the OLT 2 (specifically, the PON interface unit 5-1) to the PON system 1-1 including the ONU 4-11 after the above communication path is established, the MPCP frame processing unit 32-1 For the transmission request, the multipoint transmission control unit 41 arbitrates, and the MPCP frame processing unit 32-1 is allowed to transmit as appropriate.

  Immediately after the communication path between the PON interface unit 5-1 and the ONU 4-11 is established, the GATE processing unit 32e of the MPCP frame processing unit 32-1 in the PON interface unit 5-1 causes the GATE to the ONU 4-11. GATE information to be inserted into the frame is acquired from the MPCP client unit 40 (transmission permission amount calculation processing 40b) (S102), and a GATE frame including the GATE information is generated and transmitted to the ONU 4-11 (S103). . Since there is no transmission request from the ONU 4-11 side in the first GATE frame after establishment of this communication path, a transmission permission amount that can transmit the REPORT frame is set.

  This GATE frame is received by the GATE processing unit 52d of the ONU 4-11, and in response to this reception, REPORT information is generated by the GATE information analysis processing unit 52c (S104), and the REPORT information is inserted by the REPORT processing unit 52e. A REPORT frame is generated and transmitted to the OLT 2 (PON-interface unit 5-1) (S105).

  The REPORT frame is received by the REPORT processing unit 32d in the PON interface unit 5-1, and the inserted REPORT information (transmission request amount) is notified to the transmission permission amount calculation processing unit 40b (S106). The transmission permission amount calculation processing unit 40b calculates the frame transmission start time and the transmission permission amount for each ONU based on the REPORT information from the plurality of ONUs including the notified REPORT information, and the calculation result for the ONU 4-11 (GATE information) is set in the transmission permission amount setting memory 32f of the MPCP frame processing unit 32-1 (S107), and the GATE processing unit 32e takes in the GATE information, generates a GATE frame, and sends it to the ONU 4-11. Send out (S108).

  This GATE frame is received by the GATE processing unit 52d of the ONU 4-11, the inserted GATE information is notified to the GATE information analysis processing unit 52c, and the GATE information analysis processing unit 52c based on the notified GATE information. Then, the transmission start time and transmission permission amount of the next frame are recognized (S109). Although omitted in FIG. 4, the PORT information analysis processing unit 52c generates REPORT information (see S104 described above), and the REPORT processing unit 52e generates a REPORT frame in which the REPORT information is inserted (described above). S105). Then, the MPCP frame multiplexing unit 331 of the ONU 4-11 multiplexes the REPORT frame generated in the main signal frame from the terminal side at the acquired transmission start time (for example, multiplexes the REPORT frame on the head side). , The REPORT frame and the main signal frame are combined and the data corresponding to the transmission permission amount is output to the MAC unit 51, and is transmitted to the OLT 2 (PON interface unit 5-1) (S110).

  In OLT 2, although not shown in FIG. 4, the above-described steps S106 to S108 are executed for the reception of the REPORT frame, and the transfer processing to the host device (not shown) is executed for the reception of the main signal frame. (S111).

  Thereafter, the same operation is repeated.

  Next, although illustration of the sequence is omitted, an OAM information transmission / reception operation appropriately performed between the OLT 2 and the ONU (4-11 here) will be briefly described.

  After the communication path is established between the PON interface unit 5-1 and the ONU 4-11, the OAM client unit 42 (OAM protocol processing unit 42a) of the PON interface unit 5-1 and the OAM client unit 56 (OAM) of the ONU 4-11. The OAM discovery process is executed by exchanging OAM information with the protocol processing unit 56a) using a slow protocol frame (OAM frame), and the OAM is performed between the PON interface unit 5-1 and the ONU 4-11. An information communication path is established.

  After this establishment, OAM information can be appropriately exchanged between the PON interface unit 5-1 and the ONU 4-11, and the ONU 4-11 (or OLT 2) can be operated, managed, and maintained. Further, the PON interface unit 5-1 (OAM client unit 42) periodically exchanges OAM information with the ONU 4-11 using the established OAM information communication channel, and the OAM information communication channel is normal. Check sex.

  Next, an operation when updating the software of the PON interface unit 5 (software in the MPCP client unit 40 and the OAM client unit 42) or the software of the ONU 4 (software in the MPCP client unit 55 and the OAM client unit 56) will be described.

  Here, the updated software is mostly different from the system setting state (service order) in which the software operates. The operator instructs the PON system management server 9 to update software or service order. The operator may instruct the software update prior to the service order update, or the service order may be instructed prior to the software update.

  FIG. 5A is a flowchart showing the operation of the first OLT control unit 10 when a service order to be set in any PON interface unit 5 or ONU 4 arrives.

  In the first OLT control unit 10, the service order acceptance / proxy response is performed before the update of software related to the ONU 4 (software set in the PON interface unit 5 of the PON system to which the ONU 4 belongs or software set in the ONU 4). The service unit to be set in the PON interface unit 5 or ONU 4 of the OLT 2 from the PON system management server 9 is processed by the processing unit 11a via the control network interface (CNI). In addition to accepting (S201), the service order management table TBL1 including presence / absence of service order update and a flag indicating the service order proxy response status is created, edited, and held (S202).

  FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram showing a configuration example of the service order management table TBL1. In the example of the service order management table TBL1 shown in FIG. 6, the service order update presence / absence flag (SO update presence / absence) for the PON interface unit 5-1 and the service order update presence / absence flag for the ONU 4-12 are ON (updated). The other service order update flags are OFF (no update). In the example of the service order management table TBL1 shown in FIG. 6, the service order proxy response status flag (SO response status) for the ONU 4-12 is set to ON (proxy status), and other service order proxy response status flags. Is OFF (responded).

  The device monitoring control function CPU 12 periodically executes the software of the device software management processing unit 11c, and as shown in FIG. 5B, the operating state of the PON interface unit 5 and ONU 4 to be updated. (The number of ONUs connected to the PON interface unit 5, the communication state, and the software download state) are collected (S301; collected by, for example, exchange of OAM frames), and the device software management processing unit 11c determines whether or not software update is necessary. Information such as the software update state is stored in a table configuration (S302).

  FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram showing a configuration example of the device software management table TBL2 held in the service order / device software comparison processing unit 11b. In the example of the device software management table TBL2 shown in FIG. 7, the software update necessity flag (software update necessity flag) for the PON interface unit 5-1 and the software update necessity flag for the ONU 4-12 are ON ( The other software update necessity flag is OFF (update not necessary; no update required). In the example of the apparatus software management table TBL2 shown in FIG. 7, the software update status flag (software update status) for the ONU 4-12 is ON (updating), and the other software update status flags are OFF (non-updated). Update).

  The device monitoring control function CPU 12 confirms the flag state of one of the PON interface units 5-1 to 5-M and ONUs 4-11 to 4-MN every predetermined period (for example, 100 ms). . The object of this confirmation is configured to change cyclically (polling) at predetermined intervals for the PON interface units 5-1 to 5-M and ONUs 4-11 to 4-MN.

  When a certain member in the PON interface units 5-1 to 5-M and ONUs 4-11 to 4-MN is a confirmation target, the device monitoring control function CPU 12 sends a service order / device software comparison processing unit 11b to the service order / device software comparison processing unit 11b. By executing such software, as shown in FIG. 5C, a service order update presence / absence flag and a service order proxy response status flag in the service order management table TBL1, a software update necessity flag in the device software management table TBL2, and A combination of ON / OFF states of the software update state flag is confirmed (S401), and priority processing of service orders corresponding to the combination is executed (S402).

  FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram showing correspondence between combinations of four types of flags and priority processing to be executed.

  If all of the service order update presence / absence flag, service order proxy response status flag, software update necessity flag, and software update status flag are OFF (“0”), the priority process updates the service order (in this case, a new one) Does not perform any software updates.

  If the service order update flag is ON (“1”) and the service order proxy response status flag, software update necessity flag, and software update status flag are OFF, the service order update takes precedence over the software update. Run. In this case, since both the software update necessity flag and the software update status flag are OFF, the software update is not executed.

  When the service order update presence / absence flag and the service order proxy response status flag are ON and the software update necessity flag and the software update status flag are OFF, the service order update is executed with priority over the software update. In this case, since both the software update necessity flag and the software update status flag are OFF, the software update is not executed. Further, the service order reception / proxy response processing unit 11a continuously performs the proxy response to the PON system management server 9 until the service order reception process is completed.

  When the software update necessity flag is ON and the service order update presence / absence flag, the service order proxy response status flag, and the software update status flag are OFF, the software update is executed with priority over the service order update. In this case, since both the service order update presence / absence flag and the service order proxy response status flag are OFF, the service order is not updated. Further, when there is a request for service order update during the software update that has been started without prioritizing such service order update, the control network is processed by the service order reception / proxy response processing unit 11a. By returning a necessary response to the PON system management server 9 via the interface (CNI), the processing on the PON system management server 9 side can proceed without delay.

  When the service order update presence / absence flag and the software update necessity flag are ON and the service order proxy response status flag and the software update status flag are OFF, the service order update is executed with priority over the software update. In this case, since the software update necessity flag is ON, when the priority service order is updated, the software is updated.

  When the service order update presence / absence flag, the service order proxy response status flag, and the software update necessity flag are ON and the software update status flag is OFF, the service order update is executed with priority over the software update. In this case, since the software update necessity flag is ON, when the priority service order is updated, the software is updated. Further, the service order reception / proxy response processing unit 11a continuously performs the proxy response to the PON system management server 9 until the service order reception process is completed.

  When the software update necessity flag and the software update status flag are ON, and the service order update presence / absence flag and the service order proxy response status flag are OFF, the software update is executed with priority over the service order update. In this case, since both the service order update presence / absence flag and the service order proxy response status flag are OFF, the service order is not updated even when the priority software update is completed. Further, when there is a request for service order update during the software update that has been started without prioritizing such service order update, the control network is processed by the service order reception / proxy response processing unit 11a. By returning a necessary response to the PON system management server 9 via the interface (CNI), the processing on the PON system management server 9 side can proceed without delay.

  When the service order update presence / absence flag, the software update necessity flag and the software update status flag are ON and the service order proxy response status flag is OFF, the software update has already started, so the update has started. Update software prior to service order update. In this case, the service order is updated immediately after the software update is completed.

  If all of the service order update flag, service order proxy response status flag, software update necessity flag, and software update status flag are ON, the software update that has been started is stopped, and the service order that has started Only update is executed. Then, immediately after the service order update is completed, the software update is resumed. Further, the service order reception / proxy response processing unit 11a continuously performs the proxy response to the PON system management server 9 until the service order reception process is completed.

  As described above, the update of the service order and the update of the software are executed with priority, and after the execution, the OLT 2 and the ONU 4 are restarted automatically or in accordance with an instruction from the system administrator, The update becomes valid.

  For combinations other than the nine combinations of the four types of flags described above, the service order reception / proxy response processing unit 11a executes processing when a failure occurs.

  In the above description, regarding OLT 2, the service order update and the software update are described only for the PON interface unit 5. However, the service order update and the software update for the OLT 2 other than the PON interface unit also perform ONU4. May be handled in the same manner as the service order update and the software update described above.

  Although not described in detail above, a specific processing method for service order update or software update can be an existing update method using remote control, and the description thereof is omitted.

(A-3) Effect of Embodiment As described above, according to the above embodiment, the service order (new service order) for the OLT and the ONU is received in real time, and the priority determination with respect to the update of the device software of the OLT and the ONU is performed. The service order that was accepted was set (since the service order was updated), so that the system setting state of the OLT and ONU that should be originally updated was updated and the device software was updated. A reboot can be performed.

(B) Other Embodiments In the above embodiment, one OLT also serves as the OLT of a plurality of PON systems, but one OLT performs only the function of the OLT in one PON system. It may be.

  The present invention is applicable to various PON systems such as a GE-PON system and 10G-EPON. Further, the present invention is not limited to the PON system, but is also applied to a network system having a transmission apparatus that performs similar communication control between two apparatuses and has a plurality of line termination units corresponding to the above-described OLT on the station side. The technical idea can be applied.

  1-1 to 1-M ... PON system, 2 ... OLT, 4-11 to 4-MN ... ONU, 5, 5-1 to 5-M ... PON interface unit, 6 ... OLT control unit, 10 ... first 1 OLT control unit, 11... OLT device monitoring control function, 11a... Service order reception / proxy response processing unit, 11b... Service order / device software comparison processing unit, 11c.

Claims (4)

In a master station communication device that accommodates a plurality of slave station communication devices,
It holds information about the update status of at least one of the device software to be installed in each slave station communication device and the device software to be installed in the master station communication device in order to execute communication with the slave station communication device. Device software update state information holding means,
Holds information on the update status of at least one of the system setting information to be set in each of the slave station communication devices and the system setting information to be set in the master station communication device to execute communication with the slave station communication device System setting information holding means,
An update instruction receiving means for receiving an instruction to update device software from an external device and an instruction to update system setting information from an external device;
In accordance with the combination of the information held by the device software update state information holding unit and the system setting information holding unit, the system software update is performed so that the updated device software becomes valid after updating the system setting information. A master station communication device comprising: priority processing determining means for determining which of the system setting information is to be subjected to priority processing.   The update instruction accepting unit is configured to cause the external device to proceed with the process of the external device when the update instruction of the system setting information is received during the update of the device software and the device software is continuously updated. 2. The master station communication device according to claim 1, wherein a proxy response is made to make it appear that an update instruction for system setting information is immediately received. In a network system having a plurality of slave station communication devices and a master station communication device that accommodates the plurality of slave station communication devices,
A network system, wherein the master station communication device according to claim 1 or 2 is applied as the master station communication device. A computer installed in a master station communication device that accommodates a plurality of slave station communication devices,
It holds information about the update status of at least one of the device software to be installed in each slave station communication device and the device software to be installed in the master station communication device in order to execute communication with the slave station communication device. Device software update state information holding means,
Holds information on the update status of at least one of the system setting information to be set in each of the slave station communication devices and the system setting information to be set in the master station communication device to execute communication with the slave station communication device System setting information holding means,
An update instruction receiving means for receiving an instruction to update device software from an external device and an instruction to update system setting information from an external device;
In accordance with the combination of the information held by the device software update state information holding unit and the system setting information holding unit, the system software update is performed so that the updated device software becomes valid after updating the system setting information. A master station control program that functions as a priority processing determination unit that determines which of the system setting information is to be prioritized.

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