JP6387603B2 - Redundant communication apparatus and system switching method thereof - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a redundant communication device and a system switching method thereof. For example, the present invention is applied to system switching in an IP switching device having a dual redundant configuration (active system (ACT system) / standby system (SBY system)) IP switch. To get.

  FIG. 8 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a communication system including an IP switching apparatus having an active system and a standby system IP switch (for example, IP-PBX).

  In FIG. 8, an IP switching apparatus 2 that accommodates an IP communication terminal 1 using a metal UNI (User Network Interface) includes an active IP switch 2A and a standby IP switch 2S. The active IP switch 2A and the standby IP switch 2S regularly transfer the data in the standby IP switch 2S to the active IP switch 2A even during normal operation so that system switching can be performed in a short time. Data exchange for data synchronization to match the data in is performed by direct communication (hereinafter referred to as inter-system communication) between the active IP exchange 2A and the standby IP exchange 2S.

  The active IP exchange 2A communicates with other IP communication apparatuses via the IP network and provides an IP communication service in cooperation with each other. Other IP communication devices are provided as an opposing IP exchange 3, a call agent (hereinafter abbreviated as CA) 4 that functions as a soft switch that controls call connection, and an operation system (OpS) that monitors and controls the network. Element management system (hereinafter abbreviated as EMS) 5 and the like, and in the following description, other IP communication apparatuses are assumed to be of these three types.

  The active IP switch 2A and the standby IP switch 2S have the same configuration. Both the active IP switch 2A and the standby IP switch 2S have a counter IP switch communication port PA, a CA communication port PB, and an EMS communication port PC.

  As shown in FIG. 8A, when the active IP exchange 2A communicates with other IP communication devices 3, 4, and 5, some other IP communication device (an example of EMS 5 in the case of FIG. 8). When a failure occurs in the communication path to the network, the system switching is executed, and as shown in FIG. 8B, the IP switch 2S switched from the standby system to the active system is replaced with all other IP communication apparatuses. Transition to a state of communicating with 3, 4, and 5.

  That is, even if the communication between the active IP exchange 2A and the counter IP exchange 3 is normal and the communication between the active IP exchange 2A and the CA 4 is normal, a failure occurs only in the communication between the active IP exchange 2A and the EMS 5. Then, the standby IP exchange 2S and the counter IP exchange 3, the standby IP exchanges 2S and CA4, and the standby IP exchanges 2S and EMS5 are switched to a communication state.

  A redundant configuration having an active IP system and a standby IP communication apparatus is described in Patent Document 1. However, in the technology described in Patent Document 1, there is only one other IP communication device that is the opposite IP communication device, which is different from the premise configuration shown in FIG. 8 described above.

Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2007-189321

  The conventional IP exchange apparatus described with reference to FIG. 8 is an operational IP exchange when a failure occurs in communication with any other IP communication apparatus during communication with a plurality of other IP communication apparatuses. Since switching from 2A to the standby IP exchange 2S, there is a risk of inconvenience due to switching in communication with another IP communication apparatus in which normal communication is performed (for example, occurrence of packet loss due to switching).

  In addition, since switching of the system from the active IP switch 2A to the standby IP switch 2S is executed for communication with all other IP communication apparatuses, it takes a long time to switch. For example, a call control signal such as a SIP (Session Initiation Protocol) signal has a smaller number of exchanges than a media signal, so that it is less affected even when switching takes a long time. be able to. On the other hand, in the case of a media signal that requires real-time properties, such as an RTP (Real-time Transport Protocol) signal, if the switching takes a long time, it may be lost for that time and the communication service may be greatly affected. There is.

  Therefore, a redundant communication device that can perform system switching in a short time without adversely affecting communication with other communication devices in normal communication when a failure occurs in communication with a certain other communication device and the system is switched. A system switching method is desired.

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a redundant communication device having at least one active communication device and one standby communication device each communicating with a plurality of other communication devices via a network. A route failure monitoring means for monitoring a failure of a communication path between each of the other communication devices; and (2) when a failure occurs in a communication route between the active communication device and each of the other communication devices. An alternative communication path is set between the standby communication apparatus and each of the other communication apparatuses in which a failure has occurred in the communication path, and communication up to now with each of the other communication apparatuses in which no failure has occurred in the communication path An alternative communication path individual setting means for continuing the path; and (3) a communication processing unit of the active communication apparatus, an inter-system communication path between the active communication apparatus and the standby communication apparatus, and the internal of the standby communication apparatus And via the above alternative communication path And (4) the operation communication device and the standby communication device are IP exchanges, and a plurality of the other communication devices are connected to each other communication device in which a failure has occurred in the communication path. as an apparatus, the opposing IP switching, see contains the call agent and element management systems, (5) the connection control means, after the alternate communication path is set, by the path failure monitoring means, and the operation system communication device When recovery of a failure in the communication path between each of the other communication devices in which a failure has occurred in the communication path is detected, the communication processing unit of the active communication device is connected to the communication path in which the failure recovery is detected. It is characterized in that it is connected to each of the other communication devices via a network .

The second of the present invention, communicates via another communication device and each network multiple, the communication device being connected to the communication path in the operational system communication devices and standby redundant communication apparatus having a communication device by at least one In the system switching method of the redundant communication apparatus to be switched, (1) the path fault monitoring means monitors a fault of the communication path between the active communication apparatus and each of the other communication apparatuses, and (2) an alternative communication path individual setting When a failure occurs in the communication path between the active communication device and each other communication device , the means is between the standby communication device and each other communication device in which the communication route has failed. An alternative communication path is set and the communication path up to now with each other communication apparatus in which no failure has occurred in the communication path is continued. (3) The connection control means is a communication processing unit of the operational communication apparatus. The above operational communication device Inter-system communication path between the fine said standby communication device, via the standby communication device inside and the alternate communication path, to be connected to each other communication device failure occurs in the communication path, (4) above the active system The communication device and the standby communication device are IP exchanges, and include a plurality of other communication devices as opposed IP exchanges, call agents, and element management systems. (5) The connection control means includes the alternative communication path After the setting, when the path fault monitoring unit detects recovery of a fault on the communication path between the active communication apparatus and each of the other communication apparatuses in which a fault has occurred in the communication path, The communication processing unit of the system communication device is connected to each of the other communication devices via a communication path in which failure recovery is detected .

  According to the present invention, when a failure occurs in communication with a certain other communication device and the system is switched, the normal communication does not adversely affect the communication with the other communication device, and the system switching can be performed in a short time. A communication device and a system switching method thereof can be provided.

It is a block diagram which shows one functional internal structure of the two IP exchanges which comprise the IP switching apparatus of embodiment. It is explanatory drawing of the continuity confirmation kind which the IP exchange apparatus of embodiment performs. It is explanatory drawing of the IP address which the IP exchange apparatus of embodiment uses in a redundant structure. It is explanatory drawing of the communication path | route which confirms whether a conduction | electrical_connection state is normal when the IP switching apparatus of embodiment switches an IP switch. It is a flowchart which shows operation | movement of the IP switching apparatus of embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the detail of the switching process of step 103 in FIG. It is explanatory drawing which shows the mode of the switching of the separate communication path | route with the other IP communication apparatus in the IP exchange apparatus of embodiment. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the communication system containing the conventional IP switching apparatus which has an active system and a standby system IP switch.

(A) Main Embodiment Hereinafter, an embodiment of a redundant communication device and a system switching method thereof according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

  Here, the redundant communication device of the embodiment is an IP switching device including two IP switches having a redundant configuration. In addition, the IP exchange apparatus according to the embodiment communicates with the opposite IP exchange, CA, and EMS. Hereinafter, as in FIG. 8 described above, 3, 4, and 5 are used as reference numerals for the opposite IP exchange, CA, and EMS. Use.

(A-1) Configuration of Embodiment FIG. 1 shows one functional internal configuration of two IP exchanges constituting the IP exchange apparatus of the embodiment. Each of the two IP exchanges 10-A and 10-S has the configuration shown in FIG. In the case of this embodiment, as will be described later, the IP exchange having the communication port to be applied may be different for each of the other IP communication apparatuses (communication paths with) as communication partners. (When no failure has occurred), the communication port of the IP exchange 10-A is applied to communication with all other IP communication apparatuses. Therefore, the IP exchange 10-A is hereinafter referred to as an active IP exchange. The IP exchange 10-S is referred to as a standby IP exchange. Note that in the following description, “active system” and “active side”, “standby system” and “standby side” are used separately.

  In FIG. 1, an IP switch 10 (10-A or 10-S) includes an opposite switch layer 1 and 2 termination unit 11, a CA layer 1 and 2 termination unit 12, an EMS layer 1 and 2 termination unit 13, and a network. Side media transfer unit 14, network side call setting unit 15, network monitoring / control correspondence unit 16, terminal layer 1/2 termination unit 17, terminal side call setting / media transfer unit 18, switch unit 19, intersystem communication unit 20 , A switching control unit 21 and a main control unit 22 are provided. The opposite switch layer 1 and 2 termination unit 11, the CA layer 1 and 2 termination unit 12, the EMS layer 1 and 2 termination unit 13, the network side media transfer unit 14, the network side call setting unit 15, and the network monitoring / The following basic function description of the control corresponding unit 16 is described as a function when the active system is in the operating state.

  The facing switch layer 1 and 2 termination unit 11 is a part that performs termination processing of layer 1 and layer 2 in communication with the facing IP switch 3. Originally, the layer 1 processing unit and the layer 2 processing unit are separate, but for the sake of space, in FIG. 1, they are described in one block (the blocks of other layer 1 and 2 termination units are also described). The same). The opposite exchange layer 1 and 2 termination unit 11 includes the opposite IP exchange communication port as described above (see FIG. 7 described later), and a unique MAC address is assigned to the opposite IP exchange communication port. The opposite switch layer 1 and 2 termination unit 11 holds this MAC address.

  In addition, as will be described later, a media signal packet given by inter-system communication from another IP exchange may be given directly from the main control unit 22 to the opposing switching layer 1 or 2 termination unit 11. The opposite switch layer 1 and 2 termination unit 11 sends the media signal packet from the opposite IP switch communication port to the IP network. Conversely, the opposite switch layer 1 and 2 termination unit 11 is used for the opposite IP switch communication. The media signal packet from the IP network given to the port is given to the main control unit 22 and transferred to another IP exchange by inter-system communication.

  In the case where the IP switch 10 is an IP-PBX and there are a plurality of other bases, there may be a plurality of counter IP switches 3, and in this case, a plurality of counter switch layer 1 and 2 termination units 11 are also provided. May be.

  The CA layer 1 and 2 termination unit 12 is a part that performs layer 1 and layer 2 termination processing in communication with the CA 4. The CA layer 1 and 2 termination unit 12 includes a CA communication port as described above (see FIG. 7 described later), and a unique MAC address is assigned to the CA communication port. -The 2 termination | terminus part 12 hold | maintains this MAC address.

  As will be described later, a call control signal packet given by inter-system communication from another IP exchange may be given directly from the main control unit 22 to the CA layer 1 and 2 termination unit 12, in this case. The CA layer 1 and 2 termination unit 12 sends the call control signal packet from the CA communication port to the IP network. Conversely, the CA layer 1 and 2 termination unit 12 is given to the CA communication port. The call control signal packet from the IP network is given to the main control unit 22 and transferred to the other IP exchange by inter-system communication.

  The EMS layer 1 and 2 termination unit 13 is a part that performs termination processing of layer 1 and layer 2 in communication with the EMS 5. The EMS layer 1 and 2 termination unit 13 includes an EMS communication port as described above (see FIG. 7 described later), and a unique MAC address is assigned to the EMS communication port. -The 2 termination | terminus part 12 hold | maintains this MAC address.

  As will be described later, the network monitoring / control signal packet given by the intersystem communication from the other IP exchange may be given directly from the main control unit 22 to the EMS layer 1-2 termination unit 13, In this case, the EMS layer 1 and 2 termination unit 13 sends the network monitoring / control signal packet from the EMS communication port to the IP network, and conversely, the EMS layer 1 and 2 termination unit 13 is for EMS communication. A network monitoring / control signal packet from the IP network given to the port is given to the main control unit 22 and transferred to another IP exchange by inter-system communication.

  The network-side media transfer unit 14 is located between the opposite switch layer 1 and 2 termination unit 11 and the switch unit 19 and performs a transfer process of media signals (packets) with the opposite IP switch 3. .

  The network side call setting unit 15 is located between the opposing switch layer 1 and 2 termination unit 11 and the main control unit 22, and is connected to the IP communication terminal accommodated in the IP switch 10 and the facing IP switch 3. Communication for setting a call with the accommodated IP communication terminal is executed with the CA 4 via the opposite switching layer 1 and 2 termination unit 11.

  The network monitoring / control responding unit 16 is located between the EMS layer 1/2 termination unit 13 and the main control unit 22 and receives information obtained by receiving a network monitoring / control signal from the EMS 5 as the main control unit 22. Or the information from the main control unit 22 to the EMS 5 is transmitted from the EMS layer 1 and 2 termination unit 13.

  The terminal layer 1 and 2 termination units 17 are provided, for example, as many as the number of IP communication terminals that can be accommodated by the IP switch 10, and perform a layer 1 or layer 2 termination process in communication with the IP communication terminals. It is.

  The terminal-side call setting / media transfer unit 18 exchanges call setting signals and transfers media signals with the IP communication terminal accommodated in the IP exchange 10.

  The switch unit 19 exchanges media signals exchanged between the IP communication terminal accommodated in the IP exchange 10 and the IP communication terminal accommodated in the opposite IP exchange 3 according to the destination and the like. To do.

  The inter-system communication unit 20 is under the control of the switching control unit 21 and is an IP switch of another system that is a constituent element of the same IP switching device (for example, the IP switch 10-A in which the local IP switch is the active system). If this is the case, the standby IP exchange 10-S is the other IP exchange).

  The switching control unit 21 cooperates with the main control unit 22 to execute various controls related to switching between the operation side and the standby side.

  The main control unit 22 is responsible for overall control of the IP exchange 10, and performs switching control between the operation side and the standby side in cooperation with the switching control unit 21.

  The switching control unit 21 and the main control unit 22 are realized, for example, as software performed by the same CPU, but are illustrated functionally separately in FIG.

  Here, in the case of this embodiment, the IP exchange 10 is characterized in that it can perform switching (system switching) of an IP exchange having a communication port to be applied for each other IP communication apparatus. That is, a communication path with the facing IP exchange 3 (hereinafter referred to as a counter communication path), a communication path with the CA 4 (hereinafter referred to as a CA communication path), and a communication path with the EMS 5 (hereinafter referred to as an EMS communication path). Each time, the IP exchange on the operation side (IP exchange to which its own communication port is applied) and the standby side (IP exchange to which its own communication port is not applied) can be switched. For example, regarding the opposite communication path and the EMS communication path, the active IP exchange 10-A is the operation side and the standby IP exchange 10-S is the standby side, and only the CA communication path is switched to the standby system IP The exchange 10-S may become the operation side.

  The switching control unit 21 performs data synchronization control for matching the data of the active IP switch 10-A and the standby IP switch 10-S. The switching control unit 21 of the active IP exchange 10-A extracts the data managed by the main control unit 22 at a predetermined cycle (or extracts when a predetermined type of data is changed). Transmission is performed from the inter-system communication unit 20 to the standby IP exchange 10-S. Further, the switching control unit 21 of the standby IP exchange 10-S receives the synchronization data from the active IP exchange 10-A via the inter-system communication unit 20 and receives the synchronization data from the main control unit 22. Give and manage.

  The switching control unit 21 manages whether the IP exchange 10 (own IP exchange) is the operation side or the standby side for each of the opposite communication path, the EMS communication path, and the CA communication path.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the switching control unit 21 includes an opposite communication path, an EMS communication path, a CA communication path, an inter-system communication unit 20 of the IP switch 10 (local IP switch), and an IP switch of another system. When the communication path (hereinafter referred to as the inter-system communication path) with the inter-system communication unit is checked for a conduction state (whether or not a failure has occurred) at a predetermined period (when other predetermined conditions are satisfied instead of the predetermined period) The confirmation result is held inside, and when the inter-system communication path is normal, it is also given to the other system IP exchange via the inter-system communication path.

  Note that the switching control unit 21 may control the confirmation of the continuity state (hereinafter sometimes abbreviated as continuity confirmation) in order to confirm the recovery from the failure for each communication path.

  The switching control unit 21 applies six different IP addresses for each communication path managed by the main control unit 22 as shown in FIG. 3 in the continuity confirmation regarding the opposite communication path, the EMS communication path, and the CA communication path. The main control unit 22 sets the CA operation side IP address, the CA standby side IP address, the counter exchange operation side IP address, the counter exchange standby side IP address, the EMS operation side IP address, and the EMS standby side IP address. I manage. Regardless of whether the IP switch 10 is an active IP switch 10-A or a standby IP switch 10-S, the switching control unit 21 does not operate for a communication path on which the IP switch 10 operates as an operation side. The continuity confirmation is performed by applying the operation side IP address, and the continuity confirmation is performed by applying the standby side IP address to the communication path on which the IP exchange 10 is waiting as the standby side.

  The confirmation of the continuity of the communication path with another IP communication apparatus performed by the IP exchange 10 as the operation side is performed using, for example, a general signal as a confirmation signal. On the other hand, the continuity confirmation of the communication path with another IP communication apparatus performed by the IP exchange 10 as a standby side is performed according to a continuity confirmation protocol such as ping.

  The continuity confirmation of the inter-system communication path is performed by confirming whether the switching control unit 21 side of the active IP exchange 10-A has taken the initiative and has exchanged data through the inter-system communication path.

  When the switching control unit 21 recognizes that a failure has occurred in the communication path with the other IP communication device on the operation side by confirming the continuity, the switching control unit 21 cooperates with the switching control unit of the other-system IP exchange, and FIG. As shown in Fig. 4, after confirming that the continuity of the path to be applied after switching to the operation side is normal, switch or switch the other IP switch to the operation side for the failed communication path. return.

  As described above, the main control unit 22 cooperates with the switching control unit 21 to realize a data synchronization function and a conduction confirmation function.

  Further, the main control unit 22 relates to each of the opposite communication path, the EMS communication path, and the CA communication path based on the management information of the switching control unit 21 as to whether the IP exchange 10 is the operation side or the standby side. Control the state of each part. The control of the main control unit 22 differs depending on whether the IP switch 10 is an active IP switch 10-A or a standby IP switch 10-S.

  The main control unit 22 of the active IP exchange 10-A, for example, for each of the opposing communication path, the EMS communication path, and the CA communication path, depending on whether the IP exchange 10 is an operation side or a standby side. Control as follows.

  For example, with respect to the opposite communication path, if the active IP exchange 10-A is on the operation side, the opposite exchange layer 1 and 2 termination unit 11, the network side media transfer unit 14 and the switch unit 19 are effectively operated so as to face each other. If the media signal packet is exchanged with the IP network side via the communication port in the switch layer 1 and 2 termination unit 11 and the active IP switch 10-A is the standby side, the opposite switch layer 1 and 2 termination unit 11 Then, the network side media transfer unit 14 and the switch unit 19 are effectively operated so that the media signal packet is exchanged with the IP network side via the communication port in the layer 1 and 2 termination unit for the opposite exchange of the standby IP exchange 10-S. In addition, media signal packets are exchanged with the standby IP exchange 10 -S via the switching control unit 21 and the inter-system communication unit 20. That is, when the active IP exchange 10-A is on the standby side with respect to the opposite communication path, the accommodated IP communication terminal is opposed to the standby IP exchange 10-S via the active IP exchange 10-A. The media signal is exchanged with the IP exchange 3 to be performed.

  Further, for example, regarding the CA communication path, if the active IP exchange 10-A is the operation side, the CA layer 1 and 2 termination unit 12 and the network side call setting unit 15 are effectively operated, and the own CA layer 1 If the call control signal packet is exchanged with the IP network side via the communication port in the two termination unit 12 and the active IP exchange 10-A is the standby side, the CA layer 1 and 2 termination unit 12 and the network side call setting The switching control unit 21 and the intersystem are operated so that the unit 15 is operated effectively and the call control signal packet is exchanged with the IP network side via the communication port in the CA layer 1 and 2 termination unit of the standby IP exchange 10-S. A call control signal packet is exchanged with the standby IP exchange 10-S via the communication unit 20. That is, when the active IP switch 10-A is on the standby side with respect to the CA communication path, the main control unit 22 of the active IP switch 10-A communicates with the CA 4 and the call control signal via the standby IP switch 10-S. Give and receive.

  Further, for example, regarding the EMS communication path, if the active IP exchange 10-A is on the operation side, the EMS layer 1 and 2 termination unit 13 and the network monitoring / control correspondence unit 16 are effectively operated, and the own EMS layer 1 If the network monitoring / control signal packet is exchanged with the IP network side via the communication port in the 2 termination unit 13 and the active IP exchange 10-A is the standby side, the EMS layer 1 and 2 termination unit 13 and the network The monitoring / control responding unit 16 is operated effectively and switched so that the network monitoring / control signal packet is exchanged with the IP network side via the communication port in the EMS layer 1-2 termination unit of the standby IP exchange 10-S. The network monitoring / control signal packet is exchanged with the standby IP exchange 10-S through the control unit 21 and the inter-system communication unit 20. In other words, when the active IP switch 10-A is on the standby side with respect to the EMS communication path, the main control unit 22 of the active IP switch 10-A performs network monitoring and monitoring with the EMS 5 via the standby IP switch 10-S. Send and receive control signals.

  The control of each unit performed by the main control unit 22 of the standby IP exchange 10-S according to the operation side or the standby side can be understood from the above description of the operation IP switch 10-A, and thus the description thereof is omitted.

  When the main control unit 22 performs switching from the standby side to the operation side (including both switching due to failure occurrence and switching back due to failure recovery), the standby side layer 1 and 2 termination unit up to that point The MAC address table of the latest network device (L2 switch, L3 switch, etc.) can be obtained by transmitting a GARP (Gratuitive ARP) packet from the communication port of 11, 12, or 13 with the IP address on the operation side. Switch to the MAC address associated with the corresponding port of the standby IP exchange. This is because communication packets with other IP communication devices are connected to the normal communication path of the standby side IP exchange from the communication port connected to the communication path where the failure occurred in the operation side IP exchange. This is a measure for forwarding to the communication port.

  Here, the standby IP exchange 10-S includes all the components shown in FIG. 1 when the standby IP exchange 10-S is separated from the active IP exchange 10-A for maintenance inspection. This is because it operates as an operation side for all communication paths and accommodation terminals. Note that when all communication paths related to the active IP switch 10-A fail or when a failure occurs in the active IP switch 10-A itself, the standby IP switch 10-S is not Operates as an operation side for communication paths and accommodation terminals.

  However, in addition to the inter-system communication path between the active IP switch 10-A and the standby IP switch 10-S, failure information such as a failure due to power failure of the active IP switch 10-A is displayed as the standby IP switch 10-. An inter-system failure information communication path for notification to S is provided, and when a failure occurs in the active IP exchange 10-A, a fault occurs in the active IP switch 10-A via the inter-system failure information communication path. When the standby IP exchange 10-S can detect that the occurrence of the occurrence of the occurrence of the problem, the system switching between the active IP exchange 10-A and the standby IP exchange 10-S as in the prior art may be executed. good.

(A-2) Operation of the Embodiment Next, the operation of the IP exchange apparatus of the embodiment having the active IP exchange 10-A and the standby IP exchange 10-S having the above-described internal configuration, in particular, the communication path An operation related to switching at the time of occurrence of a failure will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. However, in the initial state, it is assumed that the active IP exchange 10-A is the operation side for all of the opposing communication path, the EMS communication path, and the CA communication path. Further, it is assumed that the data synchronization operation is normally performed in a predetermined cycle.

  The active IP exchange 10-A and standby IP exchange 10-S wait for the continuity confirmation timing (step 100), and when the continuity confirmation timing is reached, the continuity confirmation is performed for the communication path shown in FIG. Step 101). Then, it is determined whether or not there is a communication path in which a new failure has occurred (step 102).

  In the active IP exchange 10-A, if there is a communication path in which a failure has newly occurred, a process of switching the operation side to the other (standby) IP exchange for each communication path that has occurred (step 103). Run.

  This switching process is composed of four processes (steps 150 to 153) as shown in detail in FIG.

  First, according to FIG. 4, it is confirmed that normal communication can be performed on the communication path after switching, in other words, switching of the communication path is possible (step 150). For example, when a failure occurs in the CA communication path from the active IP exchange 10-A, it is confirmed that the CA communication path and the inter-system communication path from the standby IP exchange 10-S can execute normal communication. If the communication path cannot be switched, processing such as error notification is performed.

  If the communication path can be switched, the GARP packet to which the operation side IP address is applied is transmitted from the corresponding communication port of the standby side IP exchange 10-S, and the MAC address table of the nearest network device is stored in the standby IP exchange 10-. Switch to the MAC address of the corresponding port of S (step 151).

  Thereafter, in the active IP exchange 10-A, the communication packet transmitted / received from the communication port connected to the communication path in which the failure has occurred is changed to be transmitted / received from the inter-system communication port to the standby IP exchange 10-S. At the same time (step 152), the standby IP switch 10-S transfers the communication packet from the inter-system communication port to the communication port switched from the communication port so far, and the communication packet from the communication port is inter-system communication. Transfer is performed from the port to the active IP exchange 10-A (step 153).

  When there is no communication path in which a failure has newly occurred or when there is a communication path in which a failure has newly occurred and the communication port to be used is switched, the active IP switch 10-A and the standby IP switch 10 -S determines whether or not a failure has occurred in the communication path from the active IP exchange 10-A to another IP communication route, but the failure has been recovered (step 104).

  If there is no communication path in which the failure has been recovered (including the case where there is no communication path in which the failure has occurred), the active IP switch 10-A and the standby IP switch 10-S return to step 100 to perform the next conduction. Wait for the confirmation timing.

  On the other hand, if there is a communication path in which the failure has been recovered, a process (step 105) for switching the operating side back to the other (active) IP exchange is executed for each recovered communication path. It returns to step 100 and waits for the next conduction confirmation timing.

  The process of switching back in step 105 is as follows although the flowchart is omitted.

  The GARP packet to which the operation side IP address is applied is transmitted from the communication port related to the switchback of the active IP exchange 10-A, and the MAC address table of the nearest network device is stored in the MAC of the corresponding port of the active IP switch 10-A. After switching to the address, the operation system IP exchange 10-A is changed to transmit and receive communication packets from the switched communication port, and the standby system IP switch 10-S is returned to the standby state.

  For the restored communication path, for the process of switching the operation side back to the other (active) IP switch (step 105), the active IP switch 10-A and the standby IP switch 10-S It may be switched back automatically, or manually switched by transmitting a command for switching back from the maintenance terminal to the active IP switch 10-A and the standby IP switch 10-S at the discretion of the maintenance person. You may do it. When manually switching back at the discretion of the maintenance person, it is not always necessary to execute the switching back process even if there is a communication path that has recovered from the failure.

  FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram illustrating all communication paths before and after switching according to the embodiment when a failure occurs in the EMS communication path.

  As shown in FIG. 7A, when a failure occurs in the EMS communication path in a state where all of the opposing communication path, the CA communication path, and the EMS communication path are normal, in this embodiment, as shown in FIG. As described above, the active IP exchange 10-A communicates with the opposite IP exchange 3 and CA4 through the same opposite communication path and CA communication path as before, while the active IP exchange 10 with the EMS5. -A performs communication via the inter-system communication path and the EMS communication path to which the communication port of the standby IP exchange 10-S is applied.

(A-3) Effect of the embodiment According to the above embodiment, when a failure occurs in any one of the opposing communication route, the EMS communication route, and the CA communication route, only the communication route in which the failure has occurred. Since switching to the communication path connected to the communication port of the standby IP exchange and applying the normal communication path without any failure as it is, in other words, avoid switching the normal communication path Therefore, the influence of any communication path failure on the communication service can be minimized, and the switching time can be shortened.

  If the normal communication path is also switched, the possibility of packet loss is very high. However, according to the above embodiment, such inconvenience can be avoided. For example, even if a failure occurs in the EMS communication path, switching of the opposite communication path that communicates a media signal packet (RTP packet) that has a high real-time requirement is not executed. Also, for example, even if a failure occurs in the opposite communication path and switching to the opposite communication path connected to the communication port of the standby IP exchange, not all communication paths are switched, so the time required for switching is very short. Therefore, almost no packet loss occurs.

(B) Other Embodiments The present invention is not limited to the above embodiment. The following modified embodiments can be given.

  In the above embodiment, when switching to a communication path from the standby IP exchange, the communication packet is simply transferred in the standby IP exchange. However, transfer processing such as assembly of the communication packet from the data or disassembly of the communication packet is shown. Other processes may be performed by the standby IP exchange instead of the active IP exchange.

  In the above-described embodiment, the other IP communication apparatuses have three cases of the opposite IP exchange, CA, and EMS. However, the types of other IP communication apparatuses are not limited to the opposite IP exchange, CA, and EMS. If the number of IP communication devices is two or more, the technical idea of the present invention can be applied.

  In the above-described embodiment, the redundant communication device in which the active system and the standby system have a one-to-one relationship is shown. However, the ratio between the active system and the standby system is not limited to one-to-one. good. For example, the technical idea of the present invention can be applied to a redundant communication device having one standby system common to a plurality of operating systems.

  In the above embodiment, the redundant communication device is an IP switching device. However, the redundant communication device of the present invention is not limited to the IP switching device. The technical idea of the present invention can be applied to any communication device that has a plurality of other devices that communicate via a network and that employs a redundant configuration having different communication ports for each other device.

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10, 10-A, 10-S ... IP switch, 11 ... Layer 1-2 termination part for opposite exchange, 12 ... CA layer 1-2 termination part, 13 ... EMS layer 1-2 termination part, 14 ... Network Side media transfer unit, 15... Network side call setting unit, 16... Network monitoring / control correspondence unit, 17... Terminal layer 1 and 2 termination unit, 18. ... inter-system communication unit, 21 ... switching control unit, 22 ... main control unit.

Claims (2)

In a redundant communication device having at least one active communication device and one standby communication device each communicating with a plurality of other communication devices via a network,
A path failure monitoring means for monitoring a communication path failure between the active communication device and each of the other communication devices;
An alternative communication path between the standby communication apparatus and each of the other communication apparatuses in which a failure has occurred in the communication path when a failure occurs in the communication path between the active communication apparatus and each of the other communication apparatuses Alternative communication path individual setting means for continuing the communication path so far between each of the other communication devices in which no failure has occurred in the communication path,
The communication processing unit of the active communication device causes a communication path failure through the inter-system communication path between the active communication device and the standby communication device, the internal of the standby communication device, and the alternative communication route. Connection control means for connecting to each of the other communication devices,
The operational system communication device and the standby system communication device is an IP switch, a plurality of the other communication apparatus, the opposing IP exchange, the call agent and the element management system seen including,
After the alternative communication path is set, the connection control means is configured to detect a failure in a communication path between the active communication apparatus and each of the other communication apparatuses in which a failure has occurred in the communication path. A redundant communication device , wherein when a recovery is detected, the communication processing unit of the active communication device is connected to each of the other communication devices via a communication path in which a failure recovery is detected . Redundant communication device system switching method for switching a communication device connected to a communication path in a redundant communication device having at least one active communication device and one standby communication device each communicating with a plurality of other communication devices via a network In
The route failure monitoring means monitors a failure in the communication route between the active communication device and each other communication device,
The alternative communication path individual setting means, when a failure occurs in the communication path between the active communication device and each other communication device, each other communication in which a failure occurs in the standby communication device and the communication path. Set an alternative communication path with the device, continue the communication path so far with each of the other communication devices in which no failure has occurred in the communication path,
The connection control means communicates the communication processing unit of the active communication device via the inter-system communication path between the active communication device and the standby communication device, inside the standby communication device, and via the alternative communication path. Connect to each other communication device that has a failure in the route,
The operational system communication device and the standby system communication device is an IP switch, a plurality of the other communication apparatus, the opposing IP exchange, the call agent and the element management system seen including,
After the alternative communication path is set, the connection control means is configured to detect a failure in a communication path between the active communication apparatus and each of the other communication apparatuses in which a failure has occurred in the communication path. When a recovery is detected, a communication processing unit of the active communication device is connected to each of the other communication devices via a communication path in which a failure recovery is detected . System switching method.

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