JPH04196640A - Communication system management method - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To negotiate a management right in the management system independently of the negotiation of the management right by a transmitter at a communication system side by interconnecting management equipment group with a communication line different from a communication line being a component of the communication system. CONSTITUTION:The communication system 112 consists of plural stations (transmitters) 101 and a transmission line 102 interconnecting them in a loop and some of the plural stations 101 act like master stations 105,106 able to attain special processing such as collection/distribution of management information in the communication system 112. On the other hand, the management system 111 consists of plural management equipments 103, and a transmission line 104 interconnecting the management equipment 103 and the master stations 105,106 at the communication system 112 in a loop. Thus, the management equipment implementing the management of the communication system is decided independently of the communication system being an object of management.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [Field of Industrial Application] The present invention relates to communication system management technology, and particularly to a technology that can be effectively applied to the management of large-scale networks.

[Conventional technology]

For example, the scale of communication systems that perform data communication continues to expand, as typified by online connections between multiple computers via data communication networks, and demands for improved reliability and performance continue to grow. It's getting bigger and bigger.

By the way, as a technology for ensuring reliability in such a communication system, conventionally, as disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 63-248249, a non-volatile memory that stores attribute data of a terminal device, etc. a primary node station in a loop network having
It is known to construct a monitoring device with a general-purpose computer directly connected to this main node station.

That is, conventionally, information processing devices that monitor a communication system are often directly connected to transmission devices (nodes) that perform centralized control of the communication system, and the relationship between them is fixed. Therefore, the reliability of the information processing equipment that performs management is low, and it is necessary to take measures such as storing the data essential for starting the communication system in the nonvolatile memory of the transmission equipment in case the information processing equipment fails. Ta.

Furthermore, even if an information processing device is installed that manages the communication system by being directly connected to a backup transmission device that performs centralized control, the connection relationship between the transmission device and a group of multiple information processing devices will be affected as described above. There is no flexibility in communication systems, and negotiation of the right to manage the information processing equipment that manages the communication system is left to the transmission equipment directly connected to the information processing equipment.

[Problem to be solved by the invention]

Therefore, in the above-mentioned conventional technology, there is a problem that interference from a transmission device that performs centralized control of the communication system occurs when negotiating management rights for a group of information processing devices that manage the communication system.

An object of the present invention is to provide a communication system management technique that allows a group of information processing devices of a management system to negotiate management rights, regardless of negotiation of management rights of a group of transmission devices of a communication system. be.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a communication system management technique that allows a transmission device of a communication system and a group of information processing devices of a management system to communicate without being aware of each other's individual addresses.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide a communication system management technique that allows a group of information processing devices in a management system to negotiate management rights without being aware of each other's individual addresses.

[Means to solve the problem]

A brief overview of typical inventions disclosed in this application is as follows.

That is, the communication system management method of the present invention includes a communication system formed by connecting a plurality of transmission devices in a loop via a first communication path, and a specific communication system having means for distributing/collecting management information of the communication system. □There are multiple specific transmission devices and multiple information processing devices, and a specific transmission device group and information processing device group. are connected to each other via a second communication path.

Further, in the communication system management method according to the present invention, the communication system side determines the right to distribute/collect management information to only one unit of a specific transmission device group, and the management system side determines the right to distribute/collect management information to only one unit of a specific transmission device group, and the management system side A means for determining the right to issue a request for distribution/collection of management information to only one device, and then starting communication of management information between the one information processing device having the right and the transmission device. It has been established.

Further, the communication system management method of the present invention serves as a means for communicating management information between the information processing device on the management system side and the transmission device on the communication system side, in order to simultaneously establish a unique communication path. On the management system side and the communication system side, a group address is set for only one information processing device and one transmission device each.

Further, in the communication system management method of the present invention, on the management system side, a group address is set for a group of standby information processing devices other than the currently used information processing devices that have the right to issue requests for distribution/collection of management information, and The information processing equipment in the backup information processing equipment group periodically polls the backup information processing equipment group, and through the polling, the backup information processing equipment group monitors the operating status of the current information processing equipment. .

[Effect]

According to the communication system management method of the present invention described above, the information processing device group on the management system side is interconnected by the second communication path different from the first communication path that constitutes the communication system. Negotiation of management rights in the management system can be performed without regard to negotiation of management rights in the transmission device on the communication system side. In addition, the transmission device of the communication system uses the polling source for its own station as the communication partner, so that there is no problem in sending and receiving management information.

In addition, a group address must be set for each of the transmission equipment group of the communication system and the information processing equipment group of the management system to indicate that it has the "right to send and receive management information", that is, that it is currently in use. This allows management information to be exchanged between the communication system and the management system without being aware of changes in the physical configuration of the management system, such as increases or decreases in the number of information processing devices, or changes in individual addresses. can do.

In addition, a failure of the current information processing device is detected as a result of the interruption of polling from the current information processing device to the group address set for a group of information processing devices other than the current information processing device, and this triggers a failure of the current information processing device. Negotiations will begin to make a group of information processing devices other than the one currently in use. As a result, the information processing device with a high priority is determined to be the current one, and it is possible to smoothly carry out the retreat process of the information processing device.

[Embodiment 1] Hereinafter, a communication system management method that is an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram schematically showing an example of the configuration of a network system to which the communication system management method of this embodiment is applied.

The network system 110 of this embodiment includes a communication system 112 and a management system 111 that manages the communication system 112.

The communication system 112 is composed of a plurality of stations 101 and a transmission line 102 that connects them in a loop. A terminal device 107 is connected.

Further, some of the plurality of stations 101 may, as necessary,
a master station 105 capable of performing special processing such as collection/distribution of management information in the communication system 112;
It is designed to function as a master station 106.

On the other hand, the management system 111 includes a plurality of management devices 103 (108° 109) consisting of general-purpose computers, etc.
A transmission line 1 that connects the management device 103 and mask stations 105 and 106 on the side of the communication system 112 in a loop.
04.

For example, a frame 201 having a configuration as shown in FIG. 106, and further between multiple management devices 103 and mask station 1.
05, 106 is carried out.

As shown in the figure, the frame 20 in this embodiment
1 is, for example, ANS I (America Na
tional 5 standard
) FDD I (Fiber Distribution
Compliant with ed Data [interface) standards, preamble PA, starting delimiter SD
, frame control section FC, destination address section DA
(Dλ field 202), source address part SA
(SA field 203), information section INFO, frame check sequence FC3, end delimiter ED, frame status FS, etc.

A part of the DA field 202 includes an I10 field 2
04 is provided, and when the 1/G field 204 is 0'', the data in the DA field 202 functions as an individual address 204A, as described later, and when it is "1", it functions as a group address 204B. It is supposed to be done.

An example of the operation of the communication system management method of this embodiment will be described below with reference to the flowchart of FIG. 3 and the like.

In addition, in the case of this embodiment, the management device 103 that can be currently used
(108), the management device 103 (109) is given (OOOA)l@ and (OOOB)+4 as unique individual addresses 204A, respectively, and the station 101 (mask station 105) and the station 101 that can become mask stations
(Mask station 106) each has an individual address 204.
Assume that (0001)+s and (0002)+s are assigned as A. (XXXX), @ indicates a hexadecimal address.

Furthermore, regarding the negotiation method for mask station determination among the plurality of stations 101 in the communication system 112 to be managed,
For example, it is based on a conventional system such as the above-mentioned ANSI FDDI standard, and will not be particularly described in this embodiment.

The management device 103 manages the communication system 112 by collecting management information from the station 101 and instructing the station 101 to operate.

Management information collection/operation instructions are performed using the frame 201.

That is, in the management system 111, one current management device 108 (10
9) is determined, and one current mask station 105 (106) is determined in the communication system l12, and then the current management device 108 (109) and the current mask station 105 (106) are determined.
106), the current management device 108(
109) to the current mask station 105 (106).

For example, if the current working mask station has an individual address (0
Assume that the second mask station 105 (001) and the backup mask station are the master station 106 with the individual address (0002)z.

If the polling from the current management device 108 is normally received by the current mask station 105 within a certain period of time,
In the DA field 202 of the response frame 201 (OOO
A) The current management device 1 that was initially set after setting I@
Respond to 08.

On the other hand, if polling from the current management device 108 is interrupted for a certain period of time or more for some reason, the DA field 202 of the response frame 201 indicates the backup management device 108.
9 individual addresses (000B)1. Set and respond. That is, at this point, the backup management device 109 is automatically switched to the current one.

As a result, both when the current management device 108 is functioning normally and when an abnormality occurs in the current management device 1081 and the backup management device 109 is made to function, the current management device 108 (109), management information collection/operation instructions with the mask station 105 (106) can be smoothly performed.

FIG. 3 shows the process of the above-mentioned series of processes.

As described above, according to the communication system management method of this embodiment, the current mask station 10 on the side of the communication system 112
5 (106), change the current management device on the management system 111 side from the management device 108 to 1
It is possible to smoothly change to 09 without delay. In other words, it becomes possible to determine communication rights for sending and receiving management information in each of the management systems 111 in the communication system 112 without interfering with each other, and the control logic for operating the communication system 112 and the management system 111 becomes possible. simplification can be realized.

[Embodiment 2] Next, a case will be described in which the logical group address 204B is used for communication between the current management device 108 (109) and the current mask station 105 (106).

First, set (800A)+s as the group address 204B of the current management device 108 (109), and set the group address 204 of the current mask station 105 (106).
Set (8001)+s as B (.

From the current management device 108 (109) to the current mask station 1
The operation instruction to 05 (106) is from DA of frame 201.
In the field 202, the individual address 204A (0001
)+5((0002)+*), but set the group address 204B((8001)+*).

If the mask station 105 (0001) + * is “currently used”, the current management device 10g (OOOA)th (109 (OO
OB)+s) frame 201 is received. If it is not “currently used”, the mask station 106 (0002) +* determines the group address 204B and
Import 01. This procedure is shown in FIG.

Next, collection (sending) of management information from the current mask station 105 (106) to the current management device 10B (109) is as follows:
The individual address 204A (000A) + 4 ((oooB) of the management device 108 (109) is entered in the DA field 202.
+1) without setting the group address 204B (8
00A) Set 1g.

If the management device 108 (OOOA)+s is currently in use, then the current mask station 105 (0001)+*((10
6) Receive frame 201 of (0002)+*).

If it is not “currently used”, the management device 109 (OOOB)
A determination is made at @ and frame 201 is captured. This procedure is shown in FIG.

In this way, in the case of the second embodiment, the communication system 112
mask station 105 (106) and management system 11
It is possible to set up a communication path with one management device 10B (109) without being aware of each other's individual addresses 204A.

That is, when operating the communication system, the communication system 112 and the management system 111 do not need to be aware of changes in each other's configurations, and can flexibly respond to changes in the system configuration.

[Embodiment 3] Next, with reference to FIGS. 6 and 7, an example of a method for monitoring the presence or absence of an abnormality among a plurality of management devices 103 of the management system 111 and replacing them will be described.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of the network system of this embodiment, in which the plurality of management devices 103 are
Active management device group 604 consisting of any one management device 601 (group address 204 B=cs 0
0A) +1) and another management device 602 that monitors it.
．． Reserve management device group 606 consisting of management devices 603
(Group address 204B=(800B)I.), which are logically separated by the group address 204B.

In addition, on the communication system 112 side, the station 101 functioning as a current mask station is assigned a logical group address 204B as a current mask station group 605.
(8001) Eyes are assigned.

Furthermore, in the case of this embodiment, the management devices 601, 602.6
03 is the individual address 204A, respectively (OOO
D) 1m, has (OOOE)l+ (000F)+*.

Spare management device 6 belonging to backup management device group 606
Monitoring of the current management device 601 by 02,603 is carried out periodically from the current management device 601 to the DA field 202.
The frame 201 that is sent with the group address 204B (800B) +* set to
, 803, depending on whether or not it can be periodically received.

That is, the frame 201 that should be sent periodically from the active management device 601 as the group address 204B (800B)+* is sent to the backup management devices 602, 6.
When it is no longer detected in 03 (absence detected), the management device go2, 603 belonging to the backup management device group 606
each has a group address 2 in the DA field 202.
04B (800B)+s is set (broadcast frame) to each other for a certain period of time, and "absence notification of the active management device 601" is performed.

When each of the backup management devices 602 and 603 receives the frame 201 transmitted from within the backup management device group 606 to which it belongs, the SA field 203 (individual address of the source) of the frame 201 and its own Compare individual addresses. Then, if a frame 201 with an address value smaller in the SA field 203 than its own individual address is received, the “current management device 60
The operation of transmitting the above-mentioned frame 201 indicating "absence notification" is stopped.

In the case of this embodiment, since the standby management device 602 belonging to the standby management device group 606 has a smaller individual address 204A than the standby management device 603, only the standby management device 602 is the “active” Management device 601
The above-mentioned frame 201 indicating "absence notification" will be sent.

The backup management device 602, which has stopped receiving the above-mentioned frame 201 indicating the “absence notification of the active management device 601” sent from a device other than itself for a certain period of time, uses the backup management device 602 that has a smaller individual address value than itself. It is determined that there is no device, and its own group address 204B is changed to the group address (800B) of the backup management device group 606.
From +- to group address (8
00A) Change to 16.

As a result, the backup management device 602 replaces the current management device 601 and replaces the current management device 601.
It becomes 02. The series of steps described above is shown in FIG.

As a result, the negotiation of management rights (the right to collect/distribute management information for the communication system 112, etc.) between the plurality of management devices 103 (601 to 603) in the management system 111 takes into account each other's individual addresses 204A. You will be able to accomplish it without having to do it.

That is, even if a management device joins or leaves the backup management device group 606 during operation, the control operation of the communication system 112 by the current management device 601 and the monitoring operation by the backup management devices 602 and 603 are interrupted. It becomes possible to smoothly switch between the current and standby management devices without having to do so.

Although the invention made by the present inventor has been specifically explained above based on Examples, it goes without saying that the present invention is not limited to the Examples and can be modified in various ways without departing from the gist thereof. Nor.

For example, the configuration of communication and management systems
The present invention is not limited to those exemplified in the above-mentioned embodiments.

〔Effect of the invention〕

A brief overview of typical inventions disclosed in this application is as follows.

That is, according to the communication system management method of the present invention, it is possible to determine a management device that manages a communication system, regardless of the communication system to be managed. As a result, the communication rights acquisition algorithm can be closed on the communication system side and the management system side, respectively, so that the effect of simplifying the control logic can be obtained.

In addition, by using group addresses for communication between the current management device of the management system and the mask station of the communication system,
The management device of the management system and the mask station of the communication system can exchange management rights without being aware of each other's existence. Therefore, when operating the system, there is no need for the management device to be aware of changes in the configuration of the communication system under its control, and for the mask station to be aware of changes in the configuration of the upper management system.

In addition, a group address is assigned to a group of backup management devices other than the current management device in the management system, and this group address is periodically polled from the current management device. By performing monitoring, even if a new management device joins or leaves the management system, other management devices do not need to be aware of this, and the management device that is currently managing the communication system does not have to be aware of this. without any hindrance to
The advantage is that the configuration of the management system can be changed at any time.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram schematically showing an example of the configuration of a network system to which a communication system management method according to an embodiment of the present invention is applied, and FIG. 2 is a block diagram schematically showing an example of the configuration of a frame used therein. FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing an example of its operation; FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of a communication system management method according to another embodiment of the present invention; FIG. Similarly, FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of a communication system management method according to still another embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 7 is a flow chart showing an example of the action. It is. 101... Station (transmission device), 102... Transmission path (first communication path), 103 (108, 109)... Management device, 104... Transmission path (second communication path), 105.
106...Master station, 107...Terminal device, 110
...Network system, 111...Management system, 112...Communication system, 201...Frame, 202...DA field, 203...SA field, 204...I10 field, 204A...
・Individual address, 204B...Group address, 6
01,602,603...Management device, 604...Working management device group, 605...Working mask station group, 606...Backup management device group, PA...Preamble, SD...Star ting delimiter, FC
... Frame control section, DA... Destination address section, SA... Source address section, INFO... Information section, FC3... Two-way sequence, ED.
...End limiter, FS...Frame status. Agent Patent Attorney Daiwa Tsutsui Figure 1, 110, 511 2m Figure 3

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. A communication system formed by connecting a plurality of transmission devices in a loop via a first communication path, and a specific communication system having means for distributing/collecting management information of the communication system. a management system having an information processing device that manages the communication system via a transmission device, a plurality of the specific transmission device and the information processing device each exist, and a specific group of the transmission devices and the information processing device. A communication system management method characterized in that a group of devices is connected to each other via a second communication path. 2. The communication system side determines the right to distribute/collect the management information to only one unit of the specific transmission equipment group, and the management system side determines the right to distribute/collect the management information to only one unit of the information processing equipment group. , means for determining the right to issue a request for distributing/collecting the management information, and then starting communication of the management information between one of the information processing devices having the right and the transmission device; 2. A communication system management method according to claim 1, further comprising: a communication system management method. 3. As the means for communicating the management information between the information processing device on the management system side and the transmission device on the communication system side, the management system 3. The communication system management method according to claim 1, wherein a group address is set for only one information processing device and one transmission device on each of the communication system side and the communication system side. 4. On the management system side, set a group address to the backup information processing device group excluding the current information processing device that has the right to issue the management information distribution/collection request, and 2. The information processing apparatus group that is on standby is periodically polled, and the standby information processing apparatus monitors the operating state of the information processing apparatus that is in use depending on the presence or absence of the polling. The communication system management method according to 1, 2 or 3.