JP6610907B2 - Communications system - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a communication system.

  For example, in a communication carrier network controlled by EPC (Evolved Packet Core), movement management of a terminal device (UE: User Equipment) is performed (see, for example, Non-Patent Document 1). In the future, with the spread of M2M (Machine to Machine) communication and IoT (Internet of Things) communication, it is expected that the EPC network will enter an era of accommodating 100 million devices. In addition, in EPC, it is expected that a communication carrier will gradually move to a virtual EPC platform using virtualization technology in order to improve accommodation efficiency and reduce capital investment costs.

In the related art, a P-GW (Packet data network Gate) connected to an EPC is used to transfer communication for a mobile service used by a terminal device to a dedicated service providing server and to use the mobile service by the terminal device. (Way) to construct an individual network configuration. In different P-GWs, different IP (Internet Protocol) addresses are assigned to the same terminal device.
Examples of mobile services include WEB filtering, communication stop, CPA (Closed Packet Access), and virus check.
Here, a network connected from the P-GW to the Internet is referred to as a rear network (rear NW).

In such a conventional technique, when the traffic transmitted from the P-GW reaches the rear NW, it is unclear which service is used by the user (terminal device).
For this reason, a network is constructed so that traffic leaving a certain P-GW reaches a specific service. When the user connects to the P-GW, information on the service used by the user is acquired, and the user is accommodated in the P-GW that forwards traffic to the service.

3GPP TS 23.401 (V12.0.0), “General Packet Radio Service (GPRS) enhancements for evolved Universal Terrestrial Radio Access Network (E-UTRAN)” N. McKeown, T.W. Anderson, H.C. Balakrishnan, G.M. Parulkar, L.M. Peterson, J. et al. Rexford, S.M. Shenker and J.M. Turner, “OpenFlow: Enabling Innovation in Campus Networks”, ACM SIGCOMM Computer Communication Review, Vol. 38, no. 2, pp 69-74, 2008

In the rear NW, a dedicated P-GW facility and an individual network (service-specific network) to an individual service providing server are required. For this reason, for example, since a dedicated P-GW facility is also installed in a mobile service with a small number of users, an excessive capital investment occurs and a P-GW division loss occurs. Also, in the rear NW, in order to change the service used by the user and reflect the change to access another service, the connection with the network is once disconnected (communication cut) and then reconnected. Is required.
Even if a virtual EPC platform is introduced, there are insufficient points regarding improvement in accommodation efficiency and reduction in capital investment costs.

  The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and provides a communication system capable of realizing providing a plurality of different services to a terminal device via a common gateway (for example, P-GW). The issue is to provide.

In order to solve the above problems, a communication system according to the present invention includes a management device and a route setting device, and the management device is such that a terminal device that is a mobile terminal device attaches to a predetermined network. An attachment detection unit that detects the transmission, and a transmission control unit that controls information related to a transmission destination of the packet from the terminal device to be transmitted to a predetermined device in response to detection of the attachment by the attachment detection unit. The route setting device includes a reception control unit that controls reception of information transmitted from the management device or information based on the information via the predetermined device, and control by the reception control unit. A route setting unit configured to set a transmission destination route of a packet from the terminal device based on the received information.

  The present invention may be configured such that, in the communication system, the route setting device includes a route control unit that controls to transmit the packet in accordance with the route set by the route setting unit.

In the communication system according to the present invention, a transmission destination of the packet is determined for each service corresponding to a source address included in the packet, and the transmission control unit provided in the management device is configured to receive a packet from the terminal device. When the information regarding the transmission destination is not transmitted, the information may be controlled to be transmitted to the predetermined device .

  According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a plurality of different services to a terminal device via a common gateway (for example, P-GW).

1 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of a communication system according to an embodiment (first embodiment) of the present invention. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of a route setting device according to an embodiment (first embodiment) of the present invention. FIG. It is a figure which shows an example of the service information which concerns on one Embodiment (1st Embodiment) of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows the schematic structure of the communication system which concerns on one Embodiment (2nd Embodiment) of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows the schematic structure of the management apparatus which concerns on one Embodiment (2nd Embodiment) of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows schematic structure of the route setting apparatus which concerns on one Embodiment (2nd Embodiment) of this invention. It is a figure which shows an example of the procedure of the process which changes option contract information in the communication system which concerns on one Embodiment (3rd Embodiment) of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows the schematic structure of the communication system of the rear NW which concerns on an example.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

[First Embodiment]
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of a communication system A1 according to an embodiment (first embodiment) of the present invention.
The communication system A1 according to the present embodiment includes a terminal device 1, an EPC unit 2, a route setting device 3, a control device 4, a network 21, and N (N is an integer representing a plurality) service units 22- 1 to 22-N.
The EPC unit 2 includes a P-GW 11 and a PCRF (Policy and Charging).
It includes a management device 12 that is a Rules Function (HSR) or HSS (Home Subscriber Server). In the present embodiment, the management device 12 is either PCRF or HSS, but may have both functions.

Here, the terminal device 1 is, for example, a smartphone, and various devices may be used as other configuration examples.
The P-GW 11, PCRF, HSS, and the EPC unit 2 including these, for example, have functions similar to those of the prior art except for the portions described in the present embodiment.

In this embodiment, the P-GW 11 is common to a plurality of different services.
In this embodiment, the P-GW 11 assigns a different IP address to the terminal device 1 for each of a plurality of different services.
In the present embodiment, the route setting device 3 is an SDN (Software Defined Network) router, and various other configuration examples may be used.
In the present embodiment, the control device 4 is an SDN controller, and various other configuration examples may be used.

Here, the SDN technique is known as a technique for executing flexible path control (see, for example, Non-Patent Document 2). In the SDN technology, a controller (SDN controller) that performs route determination and a router (SDN router) that performs traffic forwarding are arranged.
When a traffic that does not have route information arrives, the SDN router inquires the route information of the traffic to the SDN controller to transfer the traffic. By using the SDN technology, for example, it is possible to execute flexible route control not only according to the destination address of the packet but also using various information of the packet. For example, it is considered that the route of traffic from the user can be controlled in units of flows using the SDN technology.

In the present embodiment, the network 21 is the Internet, and various other configurations may be used.
In the present embodiment, each service unit 22-1 to 22-N is a device (or device group) including a server device that provides services such as WEB filtering, communication stop, video codec conversion, CPA, and virus check. However, various other configuration examples may be used.

In the present embodiment, a path setting device 3 (in this embodiment, an SDN router) and a control device 4 (in this embodiment, an SDN controller) are installed in the rear NW.
In the communication system A1 according to the present embodiment, communication is started after a user (in the present embodiment, the terminal device 1) is connected to a network (the EPC unit 2 or the like side), and packets from the terminal device 1 are routed to 3 (when packet-in), the route setting device 3 communicates with the control device 4 to inquire the management device 12 from the control device 4, thereby setting the route for the packet. To do. Here, the route setting process for making an inquiry to the management device 12 is omitted for the second and subsequent times for the same route, for example.
In addition, each component (For example, each apparatus 1-4, 11-12, 22-1-22-N) of communication system A1 which concerns on this embodiment is comprised using a computer, for example.
In addition, the communication system A1 according to the present embodiment may include a plurality of terminal devices 1, for example.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of the route setting device 3 according to one embodiment (first embodiment) of the present invention.
The path setting device 3 according to the present embodiment includes a communication unit 101, a storage unit 102, and a control unit 103.
The control unit 103 includes a packet reception detection unit 121, an inquiry unit 122, a service information reception control unit 123, a route setting unit 124, and a route control unit 125.

The communication unit 101 communicates with an external device. As the communication, for example, wired communication may be used, or wireless communication may be used.
The storage unit 102 is configured using a memory, for example, and stores various types of information.
The control unit 103 is configured using, for example, a CPU (Central Processing Unit) that executes a predetermined program stored in the storage unit 102, and performs various controls.

The packet reception detection unit 121 detects that the packet transmitted from the terminal device 1 has been received by the communication unit 101.
The inquiry unit 122 makes an inquiry about the packet whose reception is detected by the packet reception detection unit 121.
The service information reception control unit 123 controls the communication unit 101 to receive information related to services provided from the management device 12 to the control device 4. Note that the storage unit 102 may store the received service information.
The route setting unit 124 sets the route (transmission destination) of the packet based on the information regarding the service provided from the management device 12 to the control device 4.
The route control unit 125 performs control so as to transmit (transfer) the packet according to the route set by the route setting unit 124.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of the service information 201 according to an embodiment (first embodiment) of the present invention.
The service information 201 according to the present embodiment includes information that associates the IP address (terminal address) of the terminal device 1 with a service (for example, service 1, service 2,...).
The service information 201 is held in the form of a table (for example, a flow table), for example.
In the present embodiment, the service information 201 is stored in the memory of the control device 4.

With reference to FIG. 1, (Operation Example 1-1) to (Operation Example 1-5) are shown as an example of an operation procedure performed in the communication system A1 according to the present embodiment.
In this embodiment, one or both of the PCRF or HSS of the EPC unit 2 stores information including information on services used by each user (in this embodiment, option contract information (SO)) in a database or the like. Hold. In the present embodiment, option contract information is stored in a database of the management apparatus 12 (PCRF or HSS) based on a prior contract between the user of the terminal device 1 and a service provider (for example, a company).
In this embodiment, the P-GW 11 of the EPC unit 2 sets an IP address for each service for the terminal device 1 that has accessed. This IP address is notified to the terminal device 1 and stored in the memory of the terminal device 1. When the terminal device 1 requests provision of a service to which an IP address has already been assigned, the terminal device 1 includes the assigned IP address in a packet to be transmitted.
The option contract information stored in the management device 12 includes service information as shown in FIG. 3 based on the status of IP address assignment performed by the P-GW 11.

(Operation example 1-1)
The user operates the terminal device 1 to start using an application (application) that provides a desired service. This application may be installed in the terminal device 1 in advance, or may be newly installed in the terminal device 1, for example.
Then, the terminal device 1 activates the application and wirelessly transmits a packet of signals related thereto. This packet includes the IP address given to the terminal device 1 for the desired service as the source address (source address).

(Operation example 1-2)
The packet transmitted from the terminal device 1 is received by, for example, a base station device or an access point (not shown in FIG. 1), and the route setting device of the rear NW is passed through the P-GW 11 of the EPC unit 2. Reach 3
The route setting device 3 receives the arrived packet by the communication unit 101 and detects it by the packet reception detection unit 121.

(Operation example 1-3)
The route setting device 3 transmits an inquiry signal including the source address (terminal address) included in the received packet to the control device 4 by the inquiry unit 122.
The control device 4 determines whether or not the information regarding the terminal address included in the inquiry signal received from the route setting device 3 is included in the service information 201 stored in the memory.
As a result of this determination, if the control device 4 determines that the information related to the terminal address included in the received inquiry signal is not included in the service information 201 stored in the memory, the control device 4 receives the information from the route setting device 3. An inquiry signal corresponding to the inquiry signal (inquiry signal regarding the corresponding terminal address) is transmitted (transferred) to the management apparatus 12.

  As a result of this determination, if the control device 4 determines that the information related to the terminal address included in the received inquiry signal is included in the service information 201 stored in the memory, the control device 4 corresponds to the terminal address. Information for identifying (specifying) a service unit (any one of the service units 22-1 to 22-N) that provides the service to be transmitted is transmitted to the route setting device 3 and notified. When this information is received by the service information reception control unit 123 and the communication unit 101, the route setting device 3 sets the route so as to transmit (transfer) a packet (inquiry packet) corresponding to the notified service unit. The route is set by the unit 124, and the packet is transmitted (transferred) by the route control unit 125 according to the set route.

(Operation example 1-4)
When the management device 12 receives the inquiry signal transmitted from the control device 4, the management device 12 is given the IP address (the source address and the terminal address) included in the inquiry signal, and uses the option of the terminal device 1. The contract information is searched, and information on the search result (optional contract information) is transmitted to the control device 4 and notified.
Based on the option contract information received from the management device 12, the control device 4 adds the correspondence information between the terminal address that made the inquiry and the service to the service information 201 stored in the memory. Update. Further, the control device 4 transmits information identifying a service unit (any one of the service units 22-1 to 22-N) that provides a service corresponding to the inquired terminal address to the route setting device 3. To notify.

(Operation Example 1-5)
When the path setting device 3 receives information identifying the service unit (information specifying the transfer destination) from the control device 4 by the service information reception control unit 123 and the communication unit 101, the route setting device 3 is notified of the service unit (for example, 1 ≦ j A route is set and set by the route setting unit 124 so as to transmit (transfer) a packet (inquiry packet) corresponding to service j of service j) using j that takes a value of ≦ N. According to the route, the route control unit 125 transmits (transfers) the packet.

  Thereby, when a packet requesting provision of a desired service is transmitted from the terminal device 1, the packet is received by the route setting unit 124 via the P-GW 11, and even if the traffic is viewed in the rear NW, the packet Even when the transfer destination is unknown, the packet is transmitted (transferred) by the route setting unit 124 to the service unit that provides the desired service.

  Here, in the present embodiment, the route setting device 3 inquires the control device 4 about the source address (terminal address) of the packet for which the corresponding service (transfer destination service) is unknown, and the control device 4 responds accordingly. However, the EPC unit 2 (in this embodiment, the management device 12) is inquired to acquire information on the service, and based on the information, information on the transmission destination (transfer destination) (in this embodiment, the service unit is Identification information) is determined, and the determined information is notified to the route setting device 3.

(Modification of the first embodiment)
In the above-described embodiment, the case where the route setting device 3 is an SDN router has been described. However, as a modification, the route setting device 3 may have both functions of an SDN router and an SDN controller. That is, it can be understood that the route setting device 3 includes the function of the control device 4.
This modification will be described. In the communication system A1 according to this modification, instead of the above (Operation 1-3) to (Operation 1-5), (Operation 1-3 according to Modification) to (Operation according to Modification) 1-5).
For convenience of explanation, the same reference numerals as those described above are used as the reference numerals assigned to the respective components.

(Operation example 1-3 according to modification)
Service information 201 similar to that shown in FIG. 3 is stored in the storage unit 102 of the route setting device 3.
The route setting device 3 determines whether or not the information regarding the source address (terminal address) included in the received packet is included in the service information 201 stored in the storage unit 102.
As a result of this determination, if the route setting device 3 determines that the information regarding the source address (terminal address) included in the received packet is not included in the service information 201 stored in the storage unit 102, the reception is received. The inquiry unit 122 transmits (transfers) an inquiry signal including the source address (terminal address) included in the received packet to the management device 12.

  As a result of this determination, when the path setting device 3 determines that the information regarding the source address (terminal address) included in the received packet is included in the service information 201 stored in the storage unit 102, The route setting unit 124 routes the packet so as to transmit (transfer) the packet to a service unit (one of the service units 22-1 to 22-N) that provides a service corresponding to the source address (terminal address). And the packet is transmitted (transferred) by the route control unit 125 according to the set route.

(Operation Example 1-4 according to Modification)
When the management device 12 receives the inquiry signal transmitted from the route setting device 3, the management device 12 is given the IP address (the source address and the terminal address) included in the inquiry signal and uses the terminal device 1 The option contract information is searched, and information of the search result (option contract information) is transmitted to the route setting device 3 and notified.

(Operation Example 1-5 according to Modification)
Based on the option contract information received from the management device 12, the route setting device 3 adds the correspondence information between the terminal address that made the inquiry and the service to the service information 201 stored in the storage unit 102. Service information 201 is updated. The route setting device 3 also corresponds to a service unit (any one of the service units 22-1 to 22-N) that provides a service corresponding to the inquired terminal address (inquiry packet). Is set by the route setting unit 124, and the route control unit 125 transmits (transfers) the packet according to the set route.

  Thereby, when a packet requesting provision of a desired service is transmitted from the terminal device 1, the packet is received by the route setting unit 124 via the P-GW 11, and the packet is seen even if the traffic is seen in the rear NW. Even when the transfer destination is unknown, the packet is transmitted (transferred) by the route setting unit 124 to the service unit that provides the desired service.

  Here, in this modification, the route setting device 3 uses the EPC unit 2 (the management device 12 in the present embodiment) for the source address (terminal address) of a packet whose corresponding service (transfer destination service) is unknown. The information of the service is acquired, and the information of the transmission destination (transfer destination) (in this embodiment, information for identifying the service unit) is determined based on the information.

(Summary of the first embodiment)
As described above, in the communication system A1 according to the present embodiment, when a packet from a user (terminal device 1 in the present embodiment) arrives at the SDN router (route setting device 3 in the present embodiment), an option Set the route based on the contract.
In the communication system A1 according to the present embodiment, for example, even if the service changes, the P-GW 11 does not change, so that the IP address does not change and other services disappear.
Further, in the communication system A1 according to the present embodiment, when setting a route to a corresponding service based on option contract information, for example, a user is accommodated in a common P-GW 11 regardless of the type of option contract. Thus, the division loss of the P-GW 11 can be eliminated.

As one configuration example, a packet reception detection unit (packet reception detection unit 121 in the example of FIG. 2) that detects that a packet transmitted from the terminal device (terminal device 1 in the example of FIG. 1) is received; In response to detection of the reception by the packet reception detection unit, an inquiry unit (inquiry unit 122 in the example of FIG. 2) that makes an inquiry about a destination of the received packet, and a response to the inquiry Based on the reception control unit (service information reception control unit 123 in the example of FIG. 2) that controls reception and the response received by the control by the reception control unit, the route of the transmission destination of the packet is set And a route setting unit (route setting unit 124 in the example of FIG. 2).
As an example of the configuration, the route setting device includes a route control unit (in the example of FIG. 2, a route control unit 125) that controls to transmit the packet according to the route set by the route setting unit.
As one configuration example, in the route setting device, the transmission destination of the packet is determined for each service corresponding to the source address included in the packet, and the inquiry unit has not set the route of the transmission destination of the packet. If this is the case (if it is not set), the destination is inquired.
As one configuration example, a packet reception detection unit detects that a packet transmitted from a terminal device has been received, and an inquiry unit receives the reception in response to detection of the reception by the packet reception detection unit. For the received packet, the reception control unit controls reception of a response to the inquiry, and the route setting unit is based on the response received by the control by the reception control unit, A route setting method for setting a route of a transmission destination of the packet.
As one configuration example, the packet reception detection unit detects that the packet transmitted from the terminal device has been received, and the inquiry unit detects that the reception is detected by the packet reception detection unit. A step of inquiring a destination of the received packet, a step of controlling a reception control unit to receive a response to the inquiry, and a path setting unit received by control of the reception control unit A route setting program for causing a computer to execute a step of setting a route of a transmission destination of the packet based on the response.

[Second Embodiment]
FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of a communication system A2 according to an embodiment (second embodiment) of the present invention.
The communication system A2 according to the present embodiment includes a terminal device 301, an EPC unit 302, a route setting device 303, a control device 304, a network 321, and N (N is an integer representing a plurality) service units 322. 1-322-N.
The EPC unit 2 includes a P-GW 311 and a management device 312 that is a PCRF or HSS. In the present embodiment, the management device 312 is assumed to be either PCRF or HSS, but may have both functions.

Here, the terminal device 301 is, for example, a smartphone, and various devices may be used as other configuration examples.
The P-GW 311, the PCRF, the HSS, and the EPC unit 302 including these have the same functions as those of the prior art, for example, except for the parts described in this embodiment.

In this embodiment, the P-GW 311 is common to a plurality of different services. In this embodiment, the P-GW 311 assigns a different IP address to the terminal device 301 for each of a plurality of different services.
In the present embodiment, the route setting device 303 is an SDN router, and various other configuration examples may be used.
In the present embodiment, the control device 304 is an SDN controller, and various other configuration examples may be used.
In this embodiment, the network 321 is the Internet, and various other configurations may be used.
In the present embodiment, each of the service units 322-1 to 322-N may be a device (or a device group) including a server device that provides services such as WEB filtering, communication stop, CPA, and virus check. Various configurations may be used as other configuration examples.

In the present embodiment, a path setting device 303 (in this embodiment, an SDN router) and a control device 304 (in this embodiment, an SDN controller) are installed in the rear NW.
In the communication system A2 according to the present embodiment, when a user (in the present embodiment, the terminal device 301) is connected to a network (in the present embodiment, the EPC unit 302) (when attached), the management device 312 communicates with the control device 304, thereby setting a route for the user. Here, the route setting process using the information from the management device 312 is omitted for the second and subsequent times for the same route, for example.
In addition, each component (For example, each apparatus 301-304, 311-312, 322-1-322-N) of communication system A2 which concerns on this embodiment is comprised using a computer, for example.
The communication system A2 according to the present embodiment may include a plurality of terminal devices 301, for example.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of the management apparatus 312 according to one embodiment (second embodiment) of the present invention.
The management apparatus 312 according to the present embodiment includes a communication unit 401, a storage unit 402, and a control unit 403.
The control unit 103 includes an attach detection unit 421 and a service information transmission control unit 422.

The communication unit 401 communicates with an external device. As the communication, for example, wired communication may be used, or wireless communication may be used.
The storage unit 402 is configured using a memory, for example, and stores various types of information.
The control unit 403 is configured using, for example, a CPU that executes a predetermined program stored in the storage unit 402, and performs various controls.

The attach detection unit 421 detects that the terminal device 301 has attached.
The service information transmission control unit 422 controls the communication unit 401 to transmit information related to the service to the control device 304 in response to the attachment detection unit 421 detecting the attachment of the terminal device 301. Note that the service information transmission control unit 422 may perform control so as not to transmit information related to a service when there is no need, for example, the same information has already been transmitted.

Here, in the present embodiment, the control device 304 displays the same service information 201 (shown with the same reference numerals as those in FIG. 3) similar to that shown in FIG. 3 according to the first embodiment. Store in the memory.
The service information 201 according to the present embodiment includes information that associates the IP address (terminal address) of the terminal device 301 with a service (for example, service 1, service 2,...). The service information 201 is held in the form of a table (for example, a flow table), for example.
In addition, the control device 304 transmits information related to the service received from the management device 312 to the route setting device 303 and notifies it.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of the route setting device 303 according to one embodiment (second embodiment) of the present invention.
The path setting device 303 according to the present embodiment includes a communication unit 501, a storage unit 502, and a control unit 503.
The control unit 503 includes a service information reception control unit 521, a route setting unit 522, and a route control unit 523.

The communication unit 501 communicates with an external device. As the communication, for example, wired communication may be used, or wireless communication may be used.
The storage unit 502 is configured using a memory, for example, and stores various types of information.
The control unit 503 is configured using, for example, a CPU that executes a predetermined program stored in the storage unit 502, and performs various controls.

The service information reception control unit 521 controls reception of service information provided from the management device 312 via the control device 304 by the communication unit 501. Note that the storage unit 502 may store the received service information.
The route setting unit 522 sets a packet route (transmission destination) based on service information provided from the management device 312 via the control device 304.
The route control unit 523 performs control so that the packet is transmitted (transferred) according to the route set by the route setting unit 522.

Here, in the present embodiment, when the control device 304 receives information about a service from the management device 312, a configuration is shown in which the information about the service is transmitted to the route setting device 303 and notified.
As another configuration example, a configuration in which the control device 304 transmits information related to a service to the route setting device 303 in response to an inquiry from the route setting device 303 may be used. In this case, for example, the route setting device 303 has the same configuration as that shown in FIG. 2 according to the first embodiment. For example, in addition to the configuration shown in FIG. 6, the packet reception detection shown in FIG. A function similar to that of the unit 121 and a function similar to that of the inquiry unit 122 shown in FIG.

With reference to FIG. 4, (Operation Example 2-1) to (Operation Example 2-4) are shown as an example of the procedure of the operation performed in the communication system A2 according to the present embodiment.
In this embodiment, in one or both of the PCRF and HSS of the EPC unit 302, information including information on services used by each user (in this embodiment, option contract information) is stored and held in a database or the like. ing. In the present embodiment, option contract information is stored in a database of the management apparatus 312 (PCRF or HSS) based on a prior contract between the user of the terminal device 301 and a service provider (for example, a company).
In this embodiment, the P-GW 311 of the EPC unit 302 sets an IP address for each service for the terminal device 301 that has accessed. This IP address is notified to the terminal device 301 and stored in the memory of the terminal device 301. When the terminal device 301 requests to provide a service to which an IP address has already been assigned, the terminal device 301 includes the assigned IP address in a packet to be transmitted.
The option contract information stored in the management apparatus 312 includes service information similar to that shown in FIG. 3 according to the first embodiment based on the status of IP address assignment performed by the P-GW 311.

(Operation example 2-1)
The user operates the terminal device 301 to execute an attach process in order to connect to a network (in this embodiment, the EPC unit 302). The terminal device 301 wirelessly transmits a predetermined packet related to the attach process. This packet includes an IP address given to the terminal device 301 as a source address (transmission source address).

(Operation example 2-2)
When the management device 312 (PCRF or HSS in this embodiment) detects a terminal device 301 newly connected to the network by executing an attach process by the attach detection unit 421, the packet received from the terminal device 301 is received. For the source address (IP address, terminal address) included in the IP address, the option contract information of the terminal device 301 to which the IP address is assigned and used is searched, and the search result information (option contract information) is transmitted as service information. The control unit 422 and the communication unit 401 transmit and notify the control device 304.

(Operation example 2-3)
Based on the option contract information received from the management device 312, the control device 304 updates the service information 201 so as to add the correspondence information between the terminal address and the service to the service information 201 stored in the memory. The control device 304 also provides a service unit (any one of the service units 22-1 to 22-N) that provides a service corresponding to the terminal address related to the option contract information notified from the management device 312. ) Is transmitted to the path setting device 303 for notification.
When the service information reception control unit 521 and the communication unit 501 receive information identifying the terminal address and the corresponding service unit (information specifying the transfer destination) from the control device 304, the route setting device 303 receives the notified service unit ( For example, the path setting unit 522 transmits (transfers) a packet (packet including the corresponding IP address) corresponding to the service j of the service j using j having a value of 1 ≦ j ≦ N. Set the route.

(Operation example 2-4)
When the route setting is completed, the route setting device 303 sends a signal (setting completion notification signal) indicating the fact to the control device 304 to notify it.
Upon receiving the setting completion notification signal from the path setting device 303, the control device 304 transmits a signal indicating that fact (setting completion notification signal) to the management device 312 (PCRF or HSS in this embodiment) for notification. To do.
After the route setting is completed, the route setting device 303 transmits (transfers) the corresponding packet by the route control unit 523 according to the set route.

For example, the user operates the terminal device 301 to start using an application (application) that provides a desired service. For example, this application may be installed in the terminal device 301 in advance, or may be newly installed in the terminal device 301.
Then, the terminal device 301 activates the application and wirelessly transmits a signal packet related thereto. This packet includes the IP address given to the terminal device 301 for the desired service as the source address (source address).
The packet transmitted from the terminal device 301 is received by, for example, a base station device or an access point (not shown in FIG. 4), and the route setting device of the rear NW is passed through the P-GW 311 of the EPC unit 302. 303 is reached.
When the communication unit 501 receives the arrived packet, the route setting device 303 transmits the packet by the route control unit 523 according to the set route for the source address (IP address, terminal address) included in the packet. (Forward.

  Accordingly, when a packet requesting provision of a desired service is transmitted from the terminal device 301, the packet is received by the route setting unit 522 via the P-GW 311. Even if the traffic is viewed in the rear NW, the packet Even when the transfer destination is unknown, the packet is transmitted (transferred) by the route setting unit 522 to the service unit that provides the desired service.

  In this embodiment, when the control device 304 receives and acquires the option contract information from the EPC unit 302 (in this embodiment, the management device 312), the transmission destination (for the corresponding terminal address based on the information) (Transfer destination) information (in this embodiment, information for identifying the service unit) is determined, and the determined information is notified to the route setting device 303.

(Modification of the second embodiment)
In the above-described embodiment, the case where the route setting device 303 is an SDN router has been described. However, as a modification, the route setting device 303 may have both functions of an SDN router and an SDN controller. That is, it can be understood that the route setting device 303 includes the function of the control device 304.
This modification will be described. In the communication system A2 according to this modification, instead of the above (Operation Example 2-2) to (Operation Example 2-4), (Operation Example 2-2 according to Modification) to (Operation Example according to Modification) 2-4) is performed.
For convenience of explanation, the same reference numerals as those described above are used as the reference numerals assigned to the respective components.

(Operation example 2-2 according to modification)
When the management device 312 (PCRF or HSS in this embodiment) detects a terminal device 301 newly connected to the network by executing an attach process by the attach detection unit 421, the packet received from the terminal device 301 is received. For the source address (IP address, terminal address) included in the IP address, the option contract information of the terminal device 301 to which the IP address is assigned and used is searched, and the search result information (option contract information) is transmitted as service information. The control unit 422 and the communication unit 401 transmit and notify the route setting device 303.

(Operation example 2-3 according to modification)
Service information 201 similar to that shown in FIG. 3 is stored in the storage unit 502 of the route setting device 303.
The path setting device 303 adds the service information 201 to the service information 201 stored in the storage unit 502 based on the option contract information received from the management device 312 so as to add the correspondence information between the terminal address and the service. Update.
Then, the path setting device 303, for the terminal address related to the option contract information notified from the management device 312, any one of the service units (service units 22-1 to 22-N) that provides a service corresponding to the terminal address. ) Based on the information (information specifying the transfer destination), the packet corresponding to the corresponding service part (for example, the service part of service j using j taking the value of 1 ≦ j ≦ N) ( The route is set by the route setting unit 522 so that the packet including the corresponding IP address is transmitted (transferred).

(Operation example 2-4 according to modification)
When the route setting is completed, the route setting device 303 notifies the management device 312 (PCRF or HSS in this embodiment) by sending a signal indicating that fact (setting completion notification signal).
After the route setting is completed, the route setting device 303 transmits (transfers) the corresponding packet by the route control unit 523 according to the set route.

  Accordingly, when a packet requesting provision of a desired service is transmitted from the terminal device 301, the packet is received by the route setting unit 522 via the P-GW 311. Even if the traffic is viewed in the rear NW, the packet Even when the transfer destination is unknown, the packet is transmitted (transferred) by the route setting unit 522 to the service unit that provides the desired service.

  Here, in this modification, when the route setting device 303 receives and acquires the option contract information from the EPC unit 302 (in this embodiment, the management device 312), the transmission destination for the corresponding terminal address based on the information is obtained. Information on (transfer destination) (in this embodiment, information for identifying the service unit) is determined, and a route is set based on the determined information.

(Summary of the second embodiment)
As described above, in the communication system A2 according to the present embodiment, when a user (terminal device 301 in the present embodiment) attaches, an option contract is made by the SDN router (route setting device 303 in the present embodiment). Set a route based on.
In the communication system A2 according to the present embodiment, for example, even if the service changes, the P-GW 311 does not change, so that the IP address does not change and other services disappear.
Further, in the communication system A2 according to the present embodiment, when setting the route to the corresponding service based on the option contract information, for example, the user is accommodated in the common P-GW 311 regardless of the type of the option contract. Thus, the division loss of the P-GW 311 can be eliminated.

One configuration example includes a management device (management device 312 in the example of FIG. 4) and a route setting device (route setting device 303 in the example of FIG. 4), and the management device is a terminal device (example of FIG. 4). Then, an attachment detection unit (attachment detection unit 421 in the example of FIG. 5) that detects that the terminal device 301) has attached to a predetermined network (in the example of FIG. 4, the network of the EPC unit 302), A transmission control unit (in the example of FIG. 5, a service information transmission control unit 422) that controls to transmit information on a transmission destination of a packet from the terminal device in response to the attachment being detected by the attach detection unit. ), And the route setting device controls reception of information transmitted from the management device (or information based on the information) (in the example of FIG. An information reception control unit 521) and a route setting unit (in the example of FIG. 6, a route setting unit) that sets a transmission destination route of a packet from the terminal device based on information received by control by the reception control unit 522) and a communication system (communication system A2 in the example of FIG. 4).
As a configuration example, in the communication system, the route setting device controls the route control unit to transmit the packet according to the route set by the route setting unit (in the example of FIG. 6, the route control unit 523). ).
As a configuration example, in the communication system, the transmission destination of the packet is determined for each service corresponding to the source address included in the packet, and the transmission control unit provided in the management device is When the information regarding the transmission destination of the packet is not transmitted (when not transmitted), control is performed so that the information is transmitted.

[Third Embodiment]
In the communication system according to the above-described embodiments (first embodiment to second embodiment), for example, the option contract information (SO) may be changed depending on the intention of the user.
FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating an example of a procedure of processing for changing option contract information in a communication system according to an embodiment (third embodiment) of the present invention.
In this embodiment, a terminal device, a management device (PCRF or HSS in this embodiment), a path setting device (in this embodiment, an SDN router), a control device (in this embodiment, an SDN) in the communication system. Controller) will be described as a terminal device 601, a management device 602, a route setting device 603, and a control device 604, respectively.
Each of the devices 601 to 604 corresponds to a device having the same name in each of the above-described embodiments (first embodiment to second embodiment).
In the communication system according to the present embodiment, (Processing T1001) to (Processing T1006) are performed.

(Processing T1001)
For example, the option contract information (SO) is changed in the terminal device 601 by a user operation or the like.

(Processing T1002)
The terminal device 601 transmits the corresponding user address and the option contract information to be changed (for example, information including the changed content) to the management device 602 for notification. As a protocol for performing this notification, for example, a unique protocol may be used. As the user address, any address that can identify the user (or terminal device 601) may be used. For example, an address unique to the user (or terminal device 601) is used. Alternatively, an IP address assigned by the P-GW may be used.
The management device 602 changes the stored content of the database so that the changed content of the option contract information notified from the terminal device 601 is reflected in the database storing the option contract information.

(Processing T1003)
For example, when the change of the option contract information is notified, the management apparatus 602 transmits information to the control apparatus 604 for notification including the change of the user address and the corresponding option contract information.
Here, as another configuration example, the management device 602 may collectively change the option contract information for each predetermined time (fixed time), and simultaneously change the database or notify the control device 604. . In this case, for example, the number of signaling can be reduced.

(Processing T1004)
When receiving information from the management apparatus 602, the control apparatus 604 transmits a signal (response signal) indicating that to the management apparatus 602 and notifies it.

(Processing T1005)
The control device 604, for example, triggered by the notification of the change of the option contract information (trigger), includes information including the change of the user address and the corresponding option contract information (for example, information for notifying the change of the route). Is transmitted to the route setting device 603 and notified.
Here, as another configuration example, the control device 604 may collectively summarize the change of the option contract information every predetermined time (fixed time) and notify the route setting device 603 at the same time. In this case, for example, the number of signaling can be reduced. Various times may be used as the predetermined time, for example, 1 minute may be used.

(Processing T1006)
When the route setting device 603 receives the information related to the change of the option contract information (for example, the information for notifying the change of the route) from the control device 604, the route setting device 603 reflects the change content of the route based on the received information. Change the route settings. Thereby, the route managed by the router in the rear NW is changed.

  As described above, in the communication system according to the present embodiment, for example, the route in the route setting device 603 is quickly changed without changing the P-GW to which the user (the terminal device 601 in the present embodiment) is connected. be able to. Here, the P-GW allocates an IP address to the user, and it can be ensured that the IP address allocated to the user does not change by not changing the P-GW that the user uses and connects. Can be prevented from being disconnected.

In the communication system according to this embodiment, when the user (terminal device 601 in this embodiment) changes the option contract information, the PCRF or HSS (management device 602 in this embodiment) sends the SDN controller (this embodiment). Then, the change is notified to the control device 604). In the communication system according to the present embodiment, the SDN controller notifies the SDN router (the route setting device 603 in this embodiment) of the change of the route based on the change of the option contract information.
In the communication system according to the present embodiment, for example, when a route change is notified from the SDN controller to the SDN router, the number of signaling generated can be determined by notifying at regular time intervals (for example, every minute). It is possible to reduce.
Further, in the communication system according to the present embodiment, for example, when the user changes the service while connected to the network, the communication disconnection does not occur, thereby enabling the option contract information to be changed without interruption. .

[Application examples of the above embodiments]
FIG. 8 is a block diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of a communication system A11 of a rear NW according to an example.
The communication system according to the above embodiment (first embodiment to third embodiment) can be applied to a communication system A11 as shown in FIG. 8 as an example.

The communication system A11 includes a plurality of terminal devices 1001 to 1003, a plurality of base station devices 1011 to 1012, an EPC unit 1021, a rear NW 1022, the Internet 1031, a WEB filter server device 1032 and a virus check service unit 1033. Prepare.
The EPC unit 1021 includes P-GWs 1101 to 1103 for each service for a plurality of different services.
The rear NW 1022 includes routers 1111 to 1113 for each of a plurality of different services.

For example, the terminal device 1001 that receives the provision of the Internet connection service accesses the P-GW 1101 dedicated to the Internet connection service, whereby the router 1111 dedicated to the Internet connection service sets a route.
In addition, the terminal device 1002 that receives the provision of the WEB filter service (for example, the youth filter service) accesses the P-GW 1102 dedicated to the WEB filter service, whereby the router 1112 dedicated to the WEB filter service takes a route. Set.
In addition, the terminal device 1003 that receives provision of a virus check service (for example, a filter service for corporate users) accesses the P-GW 1103 dedicated to the virus check service, whereby the router 1113 dedicated to the virus check service is routed. Set.

  In the communication system A11 as shown in FIG. 8, for example, a dedicated P-GW facility is installed (for example, added) for a service with a small number of users, which may result in excessive facility investment. Further, in the communication system A11 as shown in FIG. 8, for example, dedicated P-GWs 1101 to 1103 and routers 1111 to 1113 are used for each service.

  For example, in the communication system A11 as shown in FIG. 8, dedicated hardware (HW) and dedicated software (SW) are prepared to transfer traffic to the service unit used by the user, and are different for each service. It is accommodated in P-GW1101-1103. For this reason, the expense concerning exclusive HW and exclusive SW was large.

On the other hand, for example, by applying a virtualization technique, it is possible to activate the functions of a plurality of P-GWs within one HW. In this case, the number of HWs can be reduced. However, since it is necessary to prepare a virtual P-GW for each service, the cost for SW (for example, for three services, the cost of SW for three nodes) increases.
As described above, even if a plurality of virtual P-GWs can be constructed in one physical HW by the virtualization technology, the function of individual P-GWs for each service is not changed. . In a virtualized system, the cost of HW is reduced by using a general-purpose server, but the cost of SW required for EPC is the same as or higher than that of the conventional system. For this reason, if a virtual P-GW is prepared for each individual service, it may be expensive.
Furthermore, since a setting specific to the mobile service is required for the network for each dedicated P-GW service, significant man-hours may be required for the setting work when adding.

  Further, in a system in which a different P-GW is installed for each service, if the service used by the user is changed, the P-GW is changed, and communication disconnection occurs. For example, in a smart phone or the like, various processes are activated to perform communication, and the communication of various processes may be disconnected due to the influence of a user changing the usage content of a service.

On the other hand, when the communication system according to the above embodiments (the first to third embodiments) is applied, it is possible to solve such a problem.
For example, even in the case of a virtual P-GW, in a configuration that accommodates users who use a plurality of services, it is possible to control so as to concentrate on one server device in one HW.
By accommodating users who use different services in the virtual P-GW in one unit, it is possible to reduce the cost of the required SW. For example, the cost of the SW for one node is sufficient.
In such a configuration, when the user changes the option contract, the EPC PCRF or HSS notifies the user that the option contract has been changed. This eliminates the need to change the P-GW used by the user. For this reason, since the user's IP address is not changed and communication is not interrupted, the service used by the user can be changed efficiently.

[Summary of the above embodiments]
As mentioned above, although embodiment of this invention was explained in full detail with reference to drawings, the concrete structure is not restricted to this embodiment, The design change etc. of the range which does not deviate from the summary of this invention are included.

  Further, a program for realizing the function of each device (for example, path setting device, control device, management device, etc.) according to the above-described embodiment is recorded on a computer-readable recording medium, and the recording medium is recorded on this recording medium. Processing may be performed by reading the recorded program into a computer system and executing it.

The “computer system” herein may include hardware such as an operating system (OS) and peripheral devices.
The “computer-readable recording medium” means a flexible disk, a magneto-optical disk, a ROM (Read Only Memory), a writable non-volatile memory such as a flash memory, a portable medium such as a DVD (Digital Versatile Disk), A storage device such as a hard disk built in a computer system.

Further, the “computer-readable recording medium” refers to a volatile memory (for example, DRAM (DRAM) inside a computer system that becomes a server or a client when a program is transmitted through a network such as the Internet or a communication line such as a telephone line. Dynamic
Random Access Memory)) that holds a program for a certain period of time is also included.
The program may be transmitted from a computer system storing the program in a storage device or the like to another computer system via a transmission medium or by a transmission wave in the transmission medium. Here, the “transmission medium” for transmitting the program refers to a medium having a function of transmitting information, such as a network (communication network) such as the Internet or a communication line (communication line) such as a telephone line.
Further, the above program may be for realizing a part of the functions described above. Further, the above program may be a so-called difference file (difference program) that can realize the above-described functions in combination with a program already recorded in the computer system.

A1, A2, A11 ... communication system, 1, 301, 601, 1001 to 1003 ... terminal device, 2, 302, 1021 ... EPC section, 3, 303, 603 ... route setting device, 4, 304
, 604 ... Control device, 11, 311, 1101 to 1103 ... P-GW, 12, 312, 6
02: management device, 21, 321 ... network, 222-1 to 22-N, 322-1 to 32
2-N: Service unit, 101, 401, 501 ... Communication unit, 102, 402, 502 ... Storage unit, 103, 403, 503 ... Control unit, 121 ... Packet reception detection unit, 122 ... Inquiry unit, 123, 521 ... Service information reception control unit, 124, 522, route setting unit, 125
523: Route control unit, 201: Service information, 421 ... Attach detection unit, 422 ... Service information transmission control unit, 1011 to 1012 ... Base station apparatus, 1022 ... Rear NW, 1111
1113 ... Router, 1031 ... Internet, 1032 ... WEB filter server device, 1033 ... Virus check service section

Claims (3)

Including a management device and a route setting device,
The management device
An attachment detection unit for detecting that a terminal device which is a mobile terminal device has attached to a predetermined network; and
Wherein in response to the attach is detected by the attachment detection unit, and a transmission control section for controlling to transmit the information about the destination of the packet from the terminal device to a predetermined device,
The route setting device includes:
A reception control unit that controls reception of information transmitted from the management device or information based on the information via the predetermined device ;
A route setting unit configured to set a transmission destination route of a packet from the terminal device based on information received by the control by the reception control unit;
Communications system. The route setting device includes:
A path control unit that controls to transmit the packet according to the path set by the path setting unit;
The communication system according to claim 1. The transmission destination of the packet is determined for each service corresponding to the source address included in the packet,
The transmission control unit provided in the management device controls to transmit the information to the predetermined device when the information regarding the transmission destination of the packet from the terminal device is not transmitted.
The communication system according to any one of claims 1 and 2.

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