JPH06188915A - Trace information collecting system - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To collect trace information without damaging the processing capability and the profitability of a switching network by providing an exchange with a trace information transfer means and a trace information output means and transferring information to another exchange and requesting return to it. CONSTITUTION:When the storage area becomes to be no room during the collection of trace information, a trace information transfer means 101 of each switchboard transfers collected trace information to another switchboard having a space in the storage area. When the switchboard has a room in the storage area, trace information transferred from another switchboard is stored in a trace information storage means 102. Return of stored trace information is requested to another switchboard 100 from a trace information output means 103, and returned trace information is outputted. A trace information returning means 104 extracts and returns stored trace information whose return is requested from another switchboard. Thus, the storage area of the storage means 102 is minimized, and trace information is collected without damaging the processing capability and the profitability of a switching network.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a trace information collecting system in a switching network. A so-called trace that collects and analyzes various types of information (hereinafter referred to as trace information) transmitted and received through an abnormality communication line in order to analyze an abnormal state that has occurred in a switching network composed of multiple exchanges. However, the collection range of trace information tends to be expanded and the collection period of trace information tends to be expanded for early analysis of abnormal conditions and preventive maintenance. Taking a step.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a conventional packet switch. In FIG. 10, a packet switch (1) is shown as an example of a switch having a trace information collecting function.
It is shown.

The packet switch (1) comprises a plurality of line parts (11), a processing part (12), a storage part (13) and an output part (14), and each line part (11) is illustrated. A communication line (2) connected to a terminal device or another packet switch, and a processing unit (12) controls overall call setting processing via the packet switch (1).
The storage unit (13) is composed of, for example, a secondary storage device such as a disk, and stores various information necessary for the call setting process and various information (frames, packets, data, etc.) transferred by the set call. Then, the output unit (14) outputs, for example, various information to be displayed to the maintenance person.

The processing section (12) is provided with a trace section (121) for realizing a trace function, and the storage section (13) stores trace information storage for storing collected trace information. A region (131) is provided.

In FIG. 10, when the maintenance person collects the trace information for which a desired trace condition [for example, required communication line (2) or communication type (protocol type)] is collected for a predetermined period, the required trace condition When a trace command including "" is input to the processing unit (12), the processing unit (12)
Analyzes the entered command and identifies it as a trace command that instructs execution of the trace.
1) Start up.

The activated trace unit (121) collects the trace information according to the condition specified by the trace command and stores it in the trace information storage area (131). When the maintenance person inputs an output command for printing out the trace information already stored in the trace information storage area (131) to the processing unit (12) after the predetermined trace period has ended, the processing unit (12) stores the storage unit ( The trace information stored in 13) is extracted and output by the output unit (14).

[0007]

As is clear from the above description, in the conventional packet switch, all the trace information collected by the trace section (121) is provided in the storage section (13). Trace information storage area (1
31), the trace information storage area (1
31) needs to secure a storage capacity capable of storing all the trace information collected under the trace condition specified by the trace command. However, the amount of trace information collected depends on the packet switch (1 ) Of the trace information and the specified trace conditions, the trace information storage area (131) must be secured with sufficient storage capacity to store part of the collected trace information. In some cases, the analysis result may not be obtained, and if the storage capacity of the trace information storage area (131) is ensured so as to satisfy all the traces, not only the efficiency of use of the trace information storage area (131) will decrease. However, there is a problem that the storage area to be used for the packet switching processing, which is the original purpose of the storage unit (13), is pressed, and the packet switching processing capacity is further reduced. If the storage capacity of the storage unit (13) is expanded in order to secure the trace information storage area (131) that satisfies all the traces without doing so, there is a problem that the economical efficiency of the packet switch (1) is impaired. there were.

It is an object of the present invention to collect desired trace information without overwhelming the processing capacity of the switching network and without impairing the economical efficiency.

[0009]

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the principle of the present invention. In FIG. 1, reference numeral 100 denotes a plurality of exchanges constituting a switching network which is a target of the present invention, and has a trace function for collecting trace information designated in advance over a designated period and storing it in a predetermined storage area. .

101 is an exchange (100) according to the present invention.
Is a trace information transfer means provided in the. 102 is
The trace information storage means is provided in the exchange (100) according to the present invention.

103 is an exchange (100) according to the present invention.
Is a trace information output means provided in. 104 is
It is a trace information returning means provided in the exchange (100) according to the present invention.

[0012]

When the trace information transfer means (101) detects that the storage area in the own exchange (100) has run out while collecting the trace information, the trace information transfer means (101) stores it in another exchange (100). An inquiry is made as to whether or not there is room in the area, and the collected trace information is transferred to another exchange (100) that answers that there is room.

The trace information storage means (102) stores in its own exchange (100) when it receives an inquiry from the trace information transfer means (101) of another exchange (100) as to whether or not there is room in the storage area. Examine whether there is a margin in the area, and if there is a margin, another exchange (100)
The trace information transferred from the trace information transfer means (101) is stored in the storage area in the own exchange (100).

The trace information output means (103), when outputting the trace information stored in the trace information storage means (102) of the other exchange (100), stores the trace information stored in the other exchange (100). Of the trace information returned from the other exchange (100) is output.

The trace information return means (104) traces when the trace information output means (103) of another exchange (100) requests the return of the trace information stored in the trace information storage means (102). The trace information stored in the information storage means (102) is extracted and returned to the other exchange (100).

The trace information transfer means (101) is
When transferring trace information to another exchange (100),
When the erasing time of the trace information is designated, and when the erasing time is designated in the trace information transferred from another exchange (100), the trace information storing means (102) reaches the erasing time. It is considered to automatically delete the trace information stored in.

The trace information output means (103) is
When requesting the return of the stored trace information to the other exchange (100), the trace information return means (104) stores the trace information stored in the other exchange (100) by designating whether or not the trace information can be deleted after the return of the trace information. When it is requested to return the completed trace information, if the trace information is allowed to be deleted after being returned, it is considered to delete the trace information after being returned.

Further, the trace information output means (103) is
Trace information transfer means (10) of another exchange (100)
When it is requested to output the trace information transferred from the trace information storing means (102) from the trace information storing means (102), the other exchange (1) which is the transfer source of the trace information to be output.
00) requests the transfer of the collected trace information, and the collected trace information transferred from the trace information transfer means (101) of another exchange (100) is being stored in the trace information storage means (102). It is considered to output together with the trace information.

Therefore, the storage area for the trace information is limited to the minimum necessary storage capacity for storing the trace information collected in the normal trace, and the amount of trace information collected should exceed the storage area for the trace information. In this case, it is possible to transfer the data to another exchange that has a sufficient trace information storage area, request the storage, and send it back at the time of output, which puts pressure on the exchange processing capacity and economy of the exchange network. The desired trace information can be collected without fail, and the reliability and maintainability of the switching network are improved.

[0020]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. 2 is a diagram showing a packet switching network according to an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of a packet switching device (trace information collection) in FIG. 2, and FIG. 4 is a transfer destination ranking table in FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of the trace information storage area in FIG. 3, FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of the packet switch (trace information transfer destination) in FIG. 2, and FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of the erasure time designation table in FIG. 6, FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an example of the trace information transfer process in FIG. 2, and FIG. 9 is a packet switching network according to another embodiment of the present invention. It is a figure.
The same reference numerals denote the same objects throughout the drawings.

The packet switching network shown in FIG. 2 has three sets of packet switching systems (1) corresponding to the switching system (100) in FIG. 1 (individual packet switching systems are referred to as (1 ₁ ) to (1 ₃ ). Similarly, each packet switch (1) accommodates a terminal device (DT) (3) via a communication line (2) and is connected to each other via a communication line (2).

Each of the packet switches (1) has the same trace function, but in FIG. 2, the explanation will be made focusing on the collection of the trace information executed by the packet switch (1 ₁ ). To do.

Therefore, the packet switch (1 ₁ ) shown in FIG. 3 shows only the means necessary for collecting the trace information, and the packet switch (1 ₂ ) shown in FIG.
Although only means necessary as a trace information transfer destination are shown in (1 ₃ ) and (1 ₃ ), actually, any of the packet switches (1 ₁ ) to (1 ₃ ) are also shown in FIGS. 3 and 6. It has all the means.

Further, in the packet switch (1 ₁ ) shown in FIG. 3, as the trace information transfer means (101) in FIG. 1, a shortage detection section (1211), an information transfer section (122) and an erasure designation section (1221). ) Is provided in the processing unit (12), and the transfer destination ranking table (132) is provided in the storage unit (13), and the transfer request unit (12) is provided as the trace information output means (103) in FIG.
3), a deletion designation section (1231) and an edit output section (12
4) is provided in the processing unit (12).

In the packet switches (1 ₂ ) and (1 ₃ ) shown in FIG. 6, the information receiving section (12) is used as the trace information storing means (102) in FIG.
5) and the information erasing unit (1251) are provided in the processing unit (12), the erasing time designation table (133) is provided in the storage unit (13), and as the trace information returning means (104) in FIG. An erasure time designation table (133) is provided in the storage unit (13).

The transfer request unit (123), the deletion designation unit (1231) and the edit output unit (124) are also shown in the packet switches (1 ₂ ) and (1 ₃ ). Figure 2
In FIG. 8, the packet switch (1 ₁ ) has trace conditions (for example, all packets transferred via the communication line (2 ₁ ) accommodating the terminal device (DT) (3) are targeted). And a trace command (1) from the processing section (1)
It is assumed that the trace information (d) that has been input to 2) is collected by the trace unit (121) and stored in the trace information storage area (131) in the storage unit (13).

The trace collected by the trace unit (121)
The collection time (t _T) Is added
Assuming that the collection time (t_T) Is added to the tray
Information (d_tT).

If the packet switch (1 ₁ ) starts tracing at 8:00, the initial trace information storage area (1
31), trace information (d ₈ ), ..., (d ₉ ), ..., (d ₁₀ ) are stored in the order of collection, as shown in FIG.

On the other hand, the shortage detection unit (1) in the processing unit (12)
211) monitors (the storage capacity of) the free area of the trace information storage area (131), and when the free area falls below a predetermined threshold value, the trace information storage area (13)
It is judged that there is no room in 1), and the information transfer unit (1
22) is started.

In FIG. 5A, the trace section (12
When 1) stores the trace information (d ₁₂ ) in the trace information storage area (131), the shortage detection unit (1211)
Determines that the trace information storage area (131) is out of space.

The activated information transfer unit (122) stores the storage unit in order to find another packet switch (1 ₂ ) or the like capable of transferring the trace information (d) already stored in the trace information storage area (131). Transfer destination ranking table in (13) (132)
Refer to.

The transfer destination ranking table (132) has a packet switch (1 ₂ ) as a transfer destination of the trace information (d) when the trace information storage area (131) is full.
The exchange identification information (i ₂ ) and (i ₃ ) of (1 ₃ ) and (1 ₃ ) are stored in advance in order of priority.

In FIG. 4, the packet switch (1 ₂ )
The exchange identification information (i ₂ ) is stored as the first priority (P1), and the exchange identification information (i ₃ ) of the packet switch (1 ₃ ) is stored as the second priority (P2).

When the information transfer unit (122) recognizes that the exchange identification information (i ₂ ) is stored as the first priority (P ₁ ) in the transfer destination ranking table (132), the packet transfer unit (1) ₁ ) Trace information storage area (131)
There is no margin, create packet switch to (1 ₂₎ question align alarm signal the presence or absence of a margin in the trace information storage area (131) of the (S ₁ [i _1]), a communication line leading to the packet switch (1 ₂₎ Transfer to the packet switch (1 ₂ ) via (2 ₂ ).

Packet Switch (1₂) In the process
Part (12) is a packet switch (1 ₁) From the communication line
(2₂) Alarm signal (S
₁[I₁]) Is received, the shortage detection unit (1211)
Start up, own packet switch (1₂) Trace information case
The presence or absence of a margin in the storage area (131) is monitored,
Packet switch (1₂), Trace information storage area
The trace information (d) has already been stored in the area (131),
Packet switch (1₁) Trace information transferred from
If it is determined that there is no room to store (d), transfer is not possible.
Intelligent signal (S₂[I₂]) And create a packet switch (1
₁) Communication line (2₂) Via packet switch
(1₁) To.

In the packet switch (1 ₁ ), the information transfer section (122) transfers the transfer disable notification signal (S ₂ [i ₂ ) from the packet switch (1 ₂ ) via the communication line (2 ₂ ). ]) Is received again, the transfer destination ranking table (1
32), when it is recognized that the exchange identification information (i ₃ ) is stored as the second priority (P2), the same alarm signal (S ₁ [i ₁ ]) as described above is created, and the packet via a communication line leading to the exchange (1 ₃₎ (2 ₃₎ transferred to the packet switch (1 _3).

Packet Switch (1₃) In the process
Part (12) is a packet switch (1 ₁) From the communication line
(2₃) Alarm signal (S
₁[I₁]) Is received, the packet switch (1₂) To
In the same way as in the case of opening, activate the shortage detection unit (1211)
Packet switch (1₃) Inside trace information storage area (1
31) The presence or absence of a margin in
(1₃) In the trace information storage area (131)
Packet switch (1₁) Trace information transferred from
If it is determined that there is room to store (d), packet exchange
Exchange (1₁) Allows transfer of trace information (d)
Transfer instruction signal (S₃[I₃]) Create a packet
Switch (1₁) Communication line (2₃) Via Pake
Switch (1₁) To.

Packet switch (1₁), In the information
The transfer unit (122) uses a packet switch (1₃) Communication from
Line (2₃) Transfer instruction signal (S₃
[I ₃]) Is received, the trace information storage area (13
Trace information (d) [= (d₈) Or
(D₁₂)] Is extracted and shared with the extracted trace information (d).
At the earliest collection time (t_O= 8), latest collection time (t_N=
12) and erasure time (t_C) Including a transfer response signal (S
_Four[I₁, T_O(= 8), t_N(= 12), t_C,
d]) and create a packet switch (1₃) Communication times
Line (2₃) Via the packet switch (1₃) To
It

The earliest collection time (t _O ) is the collection time (t _T = 8) of the oldest collected trace information (d ₈ ) in the trace information (d) and the latest collection time (t _N ) is the collection time (t _T = 12) of the latest trace information (d ₁₂ ) collected in the trace information (d).
And the erasure time (t _C ) is the erasure designation unit (1221)
Trace information (d) transferred by the information specified by
Is a time (for example, 24:00 two days later) at which it may be deleted.

The information transfer unit (122) stores only the earliest collection time (t _O = 8) and latest collection time (t _N = 12) of the transferred trace information (d), and stores it in the trace information storage area (t _N = 12). 131) Trace information (d) [=
(D ₈₎ to extend the free space by deleting (d _11)].

Therefore, the trace unit (121) continues to collect trace information (d ₁₂₊ ) after the collection time (t _T = 12 +) [where 12+ indicates the next collection time (t _T ) after _12:00 ].
, (D ₁₃ ), ..., (d ₁₄ ), ... (d ₁₅ ) are sequentially collected and stored in the expanded free area in the trace information storage area (131) as shown in FIG. 5 (b). To do.

Packet Switch (1₃) In the process
Part (12) is a packet switch (1 ₁) From the communication line
(2₃) Transfer response signal (S_Four[I
₁, T _O(= 8), t_N(= 12), t_C, D])
When receiving the information, the information receiving unit (125) and the information erasing unit (1
251) is started.

The activated information receiving unit (125) transfers the transfer response signals (S ₄ [i ₁ , t _O (= 8), t _N (= 1)
2), t _C , d]) included in the trace information (d) [=
(D ₈ ) to (d ₁₂ )] are stored in the trace information storage area (1
31) In the empty area in 31), corresponding to the exchange identification information (i ₁ ), they are stored in the order of collection time (t _T ).

The information erasing unit (1251) that has been activated
Is a transfer response signal (S ₄ [i ₁ , t _O (= 8), t
_The erasure time (t _C ) included in _N (= 12), t _C , d]) is extracted and stored in the erasure time specification table (133) in the storage unit (13).

[0045] Peripheral time specification table (133), as shown in FIG. 7, the transfer response signal (S _{4 [i 1, t O (= 8} ), t
_The erasure time (t _C ) extracted from _N (= 12), t _C , d]) and the storage addresses (a _{d8 to} a a) in the trace information storage area (131) of the corresponding trace information (d).
_d11 ) and are stored in order of deletion time.

Thereafter, the information erasing section (1251) periodically
Refer to the deletion time specification table (133) and match the current time
Erase time (t_C) Is detected, it is stored correspondingly.
Storage address (a_d8) To (a_d11) And
The storage address (a in the source information storage area 131)_d8)
Through (a_d11) Trace information (d)₈)
Through (d₁₁) Is deleted and the trace information storage area (13
1) Trace information (d ₈) To (d₁₁) Storage area
Make it an empty area.

In the packet switch (1 ₁ ), when the trace information (d ₁₅ ) is collected at the collection time (t _T = 15) and the current trace is completed, (t _T = 8) to (t _T = 15) until collection period (= seven hours) collected trace information in the (d) [= (d ₈₎ to (d _15)] among the trace information (d ₈ collected in the first four hours ) To (d ₁₂ ) are transferred and stored in the trace information storage area (131) of the packet switch (1 ₃ ), and the trace information (d) [= (d ₁₂₊ ) to (d ₁₅ ) collected within the remaining three hours is stored. )
Are stored in the trace information storage area (131) of the packet switch (1 ₁ ).

After the end of tracing, the packet switch (1 ₁ )
Processes an output command that specifies output from the output unit (14) of all trace information (d) collected within the entire trace period [that is, collection time (t _T = 8) to (t _T = 15)] When it is put into the unit (12), the processing unit (12)
Analyzes the input command and, when discriminating it from the command instructing the output of the collected trace information, activates the edit output unit (124).

The activated edit output unit (124) refers to the trace information (d) already stored in the trace information storage area (131), and collects data (t _T = 12 +) to (t _T ).
= 15), it is identified that only the trace information (d ₁₂₊ ) to (d ₁₅ ) corresponding to the stored trace information (d ₁₂₊ ) to (d ₁₅ ) is extracted, Traces corresponding to the collection times (t _T = 8) to (t _T = 12) with reference to the oldest collection time (t _O ) and latest collection time (t _N ) managed by the information transfer unit (122) When recognizing that the information (d ₈ ) to (d ₁₂ ) is stored in the packet switch (1 ₃ ), the transfer request unit (123) is activated.

The activated transfer request unit (123) transfers the trace information (d) being transferred / stored in the packet switch (1 ₃ ).
₈ ) to (d ₁₂ ) requesting return, information deletion designation (e
= “1”) and the transfer instruction signal (S ₃ [i ₁ , e (= “1”), t _P (=) including the output start time (t _P = 8).
8)]) is created and transferred to the packet switch (1 ₃ ) via the communication line (2 ₃ ).

The information deletion designation (e) is information set by the deletion designation unit (1231), and after the packet switch (1 ₃ ) returns the requested trace information (d), the trace information storage area (131) ) Indicates whether or not the information can be deleted. If the information deletion designation (e) is set to logical "0", the deletion is prohibited and the information deletion designation (e)
Is set to logic "1", deletion is allowed.

The output start time (t_P= 8) is output
Oldest trace information (d₈) Collection
Time (t_T) Is specified. Packet switch (1₃)
In addition, the processing unit (12) causes the packet switch (1 ₁)
Communication line (2₃) Transfer instruction signal transferred via
(S₃[I₁, E (= “1”), t_P(= 8)])
When receiving the information, the information returning unit (126) is activated.

The activated information returning section (126)
The packet switch (1₁)
Trace information (d₈) Or
(D₁₂) From the output start time (t_P= 8) specified by
Collection time (t_T= 8) Trace information (d
₈) All trace information after (d₈) To (d₁₂)
Extract and trace information (d) [= (d₈) Or
(D₁₂)] To the packet switch (1 ₁)
Answer signal (S_Four[I₃, T_O(= 8), t_N(= 12),
d]) and create a communication line (2₃Packet via
Switch (1₁) To.

The earliest collection time (t _O = 8) is the collection time (t ₈ ) of the oldest trace information (d ₈ ) in the returned trace information (d) [= (d ₈ ) to (d ₁₂ )]. _T ) [= output start time (t _P ) = (8)], and the latest collection time (t _N = 12) is trace information (d) [=
(D ₈₎ to the latest trace information (d ₁₂₎ of (d _12)] in
Indicates the collection time (t _T ) [= (12)] of.

The information returning unit (126) receives the transfer instruction signal (S ₃ [i ₁ , e (= "1")), t _P (=
8)]) and recognizes that the information deletion designation (e) is set to the logical "1", the information deletion unit (126)
1) Start up.

The activated information deletion unit (1261) transfers the transfer response signals (S ₄ [i ₃ , t _O (= 8), t _N (= 1)
2), d]), the trace information (d) [=
(D ₈ ) to (d ₁₂ )] in the trace information storage area (13
Delete from 1) and extend the free space.

Packet switch (1₁) In the transfer
The request unit (123) sends the packet switch (1₃) Communication from
Line (2₃) Transfer response signal (S_Four
[I ₃, T_O(= 8), t_N(= 12), d]) received
Then, the transfer response signal (S_Four[I₃, T_O(= 8), t
_N(= 12), d]) included in the trace information (d)
[= (D₈) To (d₁₂)], The edit output unit (124)
Communicate to.

The edit output unit (124) has a transfer request unit (1
23) Edit the trace information (d ₈ ) to (d ₁₂ ) transmitted from 23) and the extracted trace information (d ₁₂₊ ) to (d ₁₅ ) from the trace information storage area (131),
All trace information (d) [= (d ₈ ) to (d ₁₅ ) collected within the entire trace period specified by the output command [ie, collection time (t _T = 8) to (t _T = 15)] )] Is output from the output unit (14).

The collected trace information (d) is
The output is not limited to that output by the packet switch (1 ₁ ) that executes the trace, and output of the trace information by the transferred packet switch (1 ₃ ) is also considered.

In such a case, the packet switch (1 ₃ ) is within the entire trace period of the trace by the packet switch (1 ₁ ) [that is, the collection time (t _T = 8) to (t _T = 15)].
When an output command for designating output of all the trace information (d) [= (d ₈ ) to (d ₁₅ )] collected in the processing section (14) is input to the processing section (12), Department (1
2) activates the edit output unit (124) as described above.

The started edit output unit (124) refers to the trace information (d) stored in the trace information storage area (131), and collects the time (t _T = t _T ) corresponding to the packet switch (1 ₁ ). If it is identified that only the trace information (d ₈ ) to (d ₁₂ ) corresponding to 8) to (t _T = 12) is stored, the stored trace information (d ₈ )
After extracting (d ₁₂ ) to (d ₁₂ ), the remaining collection time (t _T = 12
+) To (t _T = 15) corresponding trace information (d
₁₂₊₎ to (d ₁₅₎ is determined to be stored in the trace information gathering source of the packet switch (1 _1), to start the transfer request unit (123).

The activated transfer request unit (123) receives the trace information (d ₁₂₊ ) stored in the packet switch (1 ₁ ).
To request a return of (d _15), the output start time (t _P =
Transfer instruction signal (S ₃ [i ₃ , t _P (= 1
2+)]) is created and transferred to the packet switch (1 ₁ ) via the communication line (2 ₃ ).

Packet switch (1₁) In the process
Part (12) is a packet switch (1 ₃) From the communication line
(2₃) Transfer instruction signal (S₃[I
₃, T _P(= 12 +)]), the information transfer unit
(122) is activated.

The activated information transfer unit (122)
Trace stored in the source information storage area (131)
Information (d₁₂₊) To (d₁₅) From the output start time (t_P
= 12 +) collection time (t_T= 12 +)
Trace information (d ₁₂₊) All subsequent trays
Information (d₁₂₊) To (d₁₅) Extract and trace information
(D) [= (d₁₂₊) To (d₁₅)] The packet switch
(1₃) Transfer response signal (S_Four[I₁, T
_O(= 12 +), t_N(= 15), d])
Line (2₃) Via the packet switch (1₃)
To send.

Packet switch (1₃) In the transfer
The request unit (123) sends the packet switch (1₁) Communication from
Line (2₃) Transfer response signal (S_Four
[I ₁, T_O(= 12 +), t_N(= 15), d])
When received, transfer response signal (S_Four[I₁, T_O(= 12
+), T_NTrace information included in (= 15), d])
(D) [= (d₁₂₊) To (d₁₅)], Edit output section
It is transmitted to (124).

The edit output section (124) has a transfer request section (1
23) trace information (d ₁₂₊ ) to (d ₁₂₊ ) transmitted from
₁₅ ) and the trace information (d ₈ ) to (d ₁₂ ) that have been extracted from the trace information storage area (131) are edited, and within the entire trace period specified by the output command [that is, collection time (t _T = 8). ) To (t _T = 15)], all trace information (d) [= (d ₈ ) to (d ₁₅ )] is output from the output unit (14).

As is clear from the above description, according to the present embodiment, the packet switch (1 ₁ ) is set to trace information (d).
If the trace information storage area (131) runs out of space while collecting data, ask other packet switches (1 ₂ ) and (1 ₃ ) whether there is enough space in the trace information storage area (131). , Trace information (d ₈ ) to (d ₁₂ ) already stored in the trace information storage area (131) is transferred to and stored in the packet switch (1 ₃ ) which has answered that there is room to store the trace information storage area (131). The trace information (d ₁₂₊ ) to (d ₁₅ ) to be continuously collected can be stored in the trace information storage area (131) by expanding the free area to the maximum, so that the storage capacity of the trace information storage area (131) is maximized. Trace information (d ₈ ) that exceeds the storage capacity of the trace information storage area (131) without being expanded to
It is also possible to collect and store (d ₁₅ ) to (d ₁₅ ).

When the collected trace information (d ₈ ) to (d ₁₅ ) is output to the packet switch (1 ₁ ), the trace information (d) already transferred and stored from the packet switch (1 ₃ ) of the transfer destination is output. ₈ ) to (d ₁₂ ) are returned and edited and output together with the trace information (d ₁₂₊ ) to (d ₁₅ ) stored in the packet switch (1 ₁ ). 1 ₃₎ does not occur at all affected dispersed stored.

[0069] Furthermore collected trace information (d ₈₎ to (d ₁₅₎ is the collection source packet switch (1 ₁₎ rather than being limited to being output only, the destination packet switch (1 ₃ ) Receives the transfer of the trace information (d ₁₂₊ ) to (d ₁₅ ) from the packet switch (1 ₁ ) of the collection source, and edits and outputs it together with the transferred / stored trace information (d ₈ ) to (d ₁₂ ). It also becomes possible to increase the flexibility of maintenance.

It is to be noted that FIGS. 2 to 8 are merely examples of the present invention, and the trace information (d) is limited to that which is transferred and stored only between the packet switches (1) in the narrow sense. However, as shown in FIG. 9, the network monitoring device (4) provided in common in each switching device (1) in the switching network may be regarded as a kind of packet information transfer destination packet switching device. Be considered.

In FIG. 9, the network monitoring device (4) is connected to each packet switch (1) by a communication line (2),
Packet switches (1 ₂ ) and (1 ₃ ) shown in FIG.
It has the same configuration as the above.

As a result, the arbitrary packet switch (1) sets the identification information (i ₄ ) of the network monitoring device (4) as the first priority (P1) in the transfer destination order table (132), and trace information ( d) When the trace information storage area (131) in the own packet switch (1) runs out of space during collection, trace information (d) already collected and stored in the network monitoring device (4) Of the trace information storage area (1) provided in the storage unit (13) of the network monitoring device (4).
It is possible to store it in 31). In the switching network shown in FIG. 9, an arbitrary packet switch (1)
The trace information (d) collected in 1. is the network monitoring device (4).
It seems that there is a high possibility that the data will be collectively output by the network monitoring device (4) even in such a case, in the same process as in the case of editing and outputting by the packet switch (1 ₃ ) of the transfer destination in FIG. It becomes possible to do.

Further, the exchange (100) to which the present invention is applied
It goes without saying that the switching network is not limited to the illustrated packet switch (1) and packet switching network.

[0074]

As described above, according to the present invention, in the above switching network, the storage area for the trace information is limited to the minimum necessary storage capacity capable of storing the trace information collected in the normal trace. If the amount of collected trace information exceeds the trace information storage area, it is possible to transfer it to another exchange that has enough space in the trace information storage area, request storage, and return it when outputting. Without putting pressure on the exchange processing capacity and economic efficiency of the exchange network,
Desired trace information can be reliably collected, and the reliability and maintainability of the switching network are improved.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the principle of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a packet switching network according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of a packet switch (trace information collection) in FIG.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of a transfer destination ranking table in FIG.

5 is a diagram showing an example of a trace information storage area in FIG.

6 is a diagram showing an example of a packet switch (trace information transfer destination) in FIG.

7 is a diagram showing an example of a deletion time designation table in FIG.

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an example of a trace information transfer process in FIG.

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a packet switching network according to another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a conventional packet switch.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1 packet switch 2 communication line 3 terminal device (DT) 4 network monitoring device 11 line unit 12 processing unit 13 storage unit 14 output unit 100 switch 101 trace information transfer unit 102 trace information storage unit 103 trace information output unit 104 trace information return unit 121 Trace part 122 Information transfer part 123 Transfer request part 124 Edit output part 125 Information receiving part 126 Information return part 131 Trace information storage area 132 Transfer destination ranking table 133 Erasure time specification table 1211 Shortage detection part 1221 Erasure specification part 1231 Deletion specification part 1251 information erasing unit 1261 information deleting unit

Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. A switching network comprising a plurality of exchanges (100) having a trace function for collecting trace information under a preset trace condition and trace period and storing the trace information in a preset storage area. , When each of the exchanges (100) detects that the storage area in the own exchange (100) has run out while collecting the trace information, the other exchanges (1
00) inquires whether there is a margin in the storage area,
Trace information transfer means (101) for transferring the collected trace information to the other exchange (100) that answers that there is a margin, and the storage from the trace information transfer means (101) of the other exchange (100). When the inquiry about the presence / absence of a margin in the area is received, the presence / absence of a margin in the storage area in the own exchange (100) is inspected, and if there is a margin, the trace information transfer means () of the other exchange (100). 1
01) from the trace information transferred from the local exchange (10
0), the trace information storage means (102) to be stored in the storage area, and the trace information storage means (1) of the other exchange (100).
02) request output of the stored trace information to the other exchange (100) and output the trace information returned from the other exchange (100) when outputting the stored trace information to the other exchange (100). Trace information output means (1
03) and the trace information output means (1) of the other exchange (100).
03) requests the return of the trace information stored in the trace information storage means (102), the trace information stored in the trace information storage means (102) is extracted and the other exchange (100). ), And a trace information returning means (104) for returning the trace information to the above). 2. The trace information transfer means (101)
Specifies the erasing time of the trace information when the trace information is transferred to the other exchange (100), and the trace information storage means (102) is transferred from the other exchange (100). 2. The trace information collecting method according to claim 1, wherein when the deletion time is specified in the trace information, the trace information being stored is automatically deleted when the deletion time is reached. 3. The trace information output means (103)
When requesting the other exchange (100) to return the stored trace information, the trace information returning means (104) specifies whether or not to delete the trace information after returning the trace information.
When the other exchange (100) requests the return of the stored trace information and the deletion of the trace information is permitted after the return, the trace information is deleted after the return. The trace information collecting method according to claim 1, which is characterized in that. 4. The trace information output means (103)
Is transferred from the trace information transfer means (101) of the other exchange (100), and is requested to output the trace information stored in the trace information storage means (102), the trace to be output target The other exchange (100), which is the information transfer source, requests the transfer of the collected trace information, and the collected trace information is transferred from the trace information transfer means (101) of the other exchange (100). Is output together with the trace information stored in the trace information storage means (102).