Communication control device, system, method, storage medium and computer program product

Abstract

A communication control device, a storage medium, a communication control system and a communication control method, wherein the communication control device includes a processor, and the processor performs the following control: obtaining communication information representing connection information of a first network slice from a control device that controls the first network slice, wherein the first network slice is allocated as a connection destination for a terminal used by a user in a wireless communication line provided by each communication operator; and switching the network slice when a notification of a decrease in communication quality of the first network slice is received through the communication information, so as to allocate a second network slice different from the first network slice to the terminal.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a communication control device, a storage medium, a communication control system and a communication control method. Background Art

[0002] Patent document 1 discloses a network node that transmits data and is connected to a management device that manages the network node. The network node has logic for notifying the management device of the detection of a specified event when the event is detected, identifies a virtual network for the communication volume of the transmitted data, determines the logic set in the identified virtual network, and executes the determined logic on the communication volume of the virtual network.

[0003] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2017-46129

[0004] In the fifth generation mobile communication system called "5G", it is considered that, for example, it is possible to connect to a wireless access network other than NG-RAN (Next Generation-Radio Access Network) such as WiFi (registered trademark). Therefore, on a terminal using 5G, a wireless communication line used may be selected from a plurality of wireless communication lines of different structures such as 3GPP and non-3GPP for communication depending on the purpose or communication environment.

[0005] In a terminal that can connect to such a plurality of wireless communication lines, when a user determines that the line quality is lower than a predetermined line quality by referring to jitter of the connected wireless communication line, for example, the user may switch to another wireless communication line.

[0006] However, the information that users can use to determine whether to switch wireless communication lines is only information that indirectly indicates the status of the wireless communication line obtained by the terminal through communication. Therefore, users cannot determine whether the wireless equipment of the communication operator providing the wireless communication line is actually faulty, which sometimes causes the terminal to continue to be connected to the faulty wireless communication line. Summary of the invention

[0007] An object of the present invention is to provide a communication control device, a storage medium, a communication control system and a communication control method, which are capable of suppressing a terminal that can be connected to a wireless communication line provided by each communication operator from continuing to be connected to a failed wireless communication line, compared to a case where the wireless communication line of the connection destination is switched only based on information obtained through the terminal.

[0008] The communication control device involved in the first scheme includes a processor, which performs the following control: obtaining communication information representing connection information of the first network slice from a control device that controls the first network slice, wherein the first network slice is allocated as a connection destination of a terminal used by a user in a wireless communication line provided by each communication operator; and switching the network slice when receiving a notification of a decrease in communication quality of the first network slice through the communication information, so as to allocate a second network slice different from the first network slice to the terminal.

[0009] The communication control device involved in the second scheme is the communication control device involved in the first scheme, wherein the processor performs the following control: cooperates with a subscription manager that manages a profile of an eSIM assigned to the terminal to switch the profile of the terminal, thereby switching the network slice assigned to the terminal.

[0010] The communication control device involved in the third scheme is the communication control device involved in the second scheme, wherein the processor refers to management information for managing information related to each network slice allocated to the terminal and sets a priority network slice that is preferentially allocated to the terminal in the management information, and cooperates with the subscription manager to switch the profile of the terminal so that the network slice allocated to the terminal becomes the priority network slice as long as no notification of a communication failure with the terminal in the priority network slice is received.

[0011] The communication control device involved in the fourth scheme is a communication control device involved in the third scheme. When the priority network slice for the terminal is not set in the management information, the processor maintains allocating the current network slice to the terminal even when a notification is received through the communication information that the communication quality of the first network slice has been repaired.

[0012] The communication control device involved in the fifth scheme is, in the communication control device involved in the second scheme, when receiving a notification that the communication quality of the first network slice has been repaired through the communication information, the processor cooperates with the subscription manager to switch the profile of the terminal to reallocate the first network slice to the terminal.

[0013] The communication control device involved in the sixth aspect is the communication control device involved in any one of the second to fifth aspects, wherein the processor specifies the communication method of the instruction telegram so as to notify the terminal of the instruction telegram instructing the switching of the profile of the terminal with priority over other telegrams.

[0014] A communication control device according to a seventh aspect is the communication control device according to the sixth aspect, wherein the processor specifies short message service or HTTPS as a communication method of the instruction electronic message.

[0015] The communication control device involved in the 8th scheme is a communication control device involved in any one of the 1st scheme to the 7th scheme, wherein the processor performs the following control: switching the network slice allocated to the terminal in such a manner that the 1st network slice and the 2nd network slice become network slices of different communication operators.

[0016] The communication control device involved in the 9th scheme is a communication control device involved in any one of the 1st scheme to the 7th scheme, wherein the processor performs the following control: switching the network slice allocated to the terminal in such a way that the 1st network slice and the 2nd network slice become network slices of the same communication operator.

[0017] The communication control device according to the tenth aspect is the communication control device according to the eighth aspect or the ninth aspect, wherein the processor specifies the network slice that is the connection destination of the terminal using identification information for identifying each network slice assigned to each communication operator.

[0018] The storage medium involved in the 11th scheme stores a communication control program for causing a computer to execute the following control: obtaining communication information representing connection information of the first network slice from a control device that controls the first network slice, wherein the first network slice is allocated as a connection destination of a terminal used by a user in a wireless communication line provided by each communication operator; and switching the network slice when a notification of a decrease in communication quality of the first network slice is received through the communication information, so as to allocate a second network slice different from the first network slice to the terminal.

[0019] The communication control system involved in the 12th scheme includes a communication control device and a WAN control device, and the communication control device performs the following control: obtaining communication information representing the connection information of the first network slice from the control device that controls the first network slice, and the first network slice is allocated as the connection destination of the terminal used by the user in the wireless communication line provided by each communication operator; and switching the network slice when receiving a notification of the decline in communication quality of the first network slice through the communication information, so as to allocate a second network slice different from the first network slice to the terminal, and the WAN control device switches the profile of the terminal indicated as the switching object in the indication telegram under the control of the subscription manager that receives the indication telegram indicating the switching of the network slice from the communication control device through the wide area line, and the wide area line performs communication control according to the policy defined by software.

[0020] The communication control method involved in the 13th scheme includes the following steps: acquiring communication information representing the connection information of the first network slice from a control device that controls the first network slice, wherein the first network slice is allocated as a connection destination of a terminal used by a user in a wireless communication line provided by each communication operator; and switching the network slice when a notification of a decrease in the communication quality of the first network slice is received through the communication information, so as to allocate a second network slice different from the first network slice to the terminal.

[0021] Effects of the Invention

[0022] According to the first, eleventh, twelfth and thirteenth schemes, the following effect is achieved: compared with the case where the wireless communication line of the connection destination is switched only based on information obtained through the terminal, it is possible to prevent a terminal that can be connected to the wireless communication line provided by each communication operator from continuing to be connected to a failed wireless communication line.

[0023] According to the second scheme, the following effect is achieved: the network slice that becomes the connection destination of the terminal can be switched through remote operation.

[0024] According to the third scheme, the following effect is achieved: the connection destination of the terminal can be switched to a priority network slice with higher priority than other network slices.

[0025] According to the fourth scheme, the following effect is achieved: it is possible to suppress the situation where the network is forcibly switched even if there is no problem with the communication quality of the connected network slice.

[0026] According to the fifth scheme, the following effect is achieved: the original network slice connected before switching the network slice can be utilized.

[0027] According to the sixth scheme, the following effect is achieved: even when the communication volume increases to the extent that message delay occurs, the switching of network slices can be performed with priority.

[0028] According to the seventh scheme, the following effect is achieved: compared with the case where an instruction telegram indicating the switching of the network slice is sent to the terminal using a communication method other than the short message service, the instruction telegram can be notified to the terminal more quickly.

[0029] According to the 8th scheme, the following effect is achieved: the network slice connected to the terminal can be switched between different communication operators.

[0030] According to the 9th scheme, the following effect is achieved: the network slices connected to the terminal can be limited to network slices provided by the same communication operator.

[0031] According to the tenth scheme, the following effect is achieved: the wireless communication line connected to the terminal can be specified in network slice units. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0032] Embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the following drawings.

[0033] Figure 1 is a diagram showing an example of a system configuration of a communication control system;

[0034] Figure 2 is a diagram showing an example of a management information table;

[0035] Figure 3 is a diagram showing a configuration example of a 5G network;

[0036] Figure 4 is a diagram showing a configuration example of a main part of an electrical system in a scheduler;

[0037] Figure 5 is a flowchart showing an example of a network slice switching process performed when a network slice allocated to a UE fails;

[0038] Figure 6 This is a flowchart showing an example of network slice switching processing performed when a failure in the original network slice assigned to the UE is repaired.

[0039] Explanation of symbols

[0040] 1-communication control system, 2-UE, 4-DU, 6-CU, 8-RAN, 10-CN, 12-external collaboration unit, 14-C-Plane, 16-U-Plane, 18-DN, 20-orchestrator, 22-monitoring API collaboration unit, 24-SDWAN management unit, 26-SSM collaboration unit, 28-management information table, 30-SSM, 32-profile management unit, 40-SDWAN, 42-eSIM unit, 44-IF management unit, 50-computer, 51-CPU, 52-ROM, 53-RAM, 54-non-volatile memory, 55-I / O, 56-bus, 57-communication unit, 58-input unit, 59-display unit. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0041] Hereinafter, the present embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings. In all the drawings, the same components and the same processes are denoted by the same reference numerals, and repeated descriptions are omitted.

[0042] Figure 1A diagram showing an example of a system structure of a communication control system 1 according to the present embodiment. The communication control system 1 includes a CN (Core Network) 10 of a fifth generation mobile communication system (hereinafter referred to as a "5G system"); an orchestrator 20 connected to the CN 10 via an external data network (e.g., the Internet) different from a network provided by the 5G system (hereinafter referred to as a "5G network"); an SSM (Subscription Manager) 30 connected to the orchestrator 20 via an external data network; and an SDWAN (Software Defined WAN) 40, which is an example of a wide area line connected to the orchestrator 20, the SSM 30, and the CN 10 via an external data network.

[0043] CN10 is a network including a control device responsible for communication control in the 5G system, for example, it is composed of various switches or subscriber information management devices for providing 5G services. The terminal used by the user (hereinafter referred to as "UE2") and CN10 are connected through a wireless communication line provided by the 5G system, and CN10 provides 5G services to UE2.

[0044] CN10 is designed for each communication operator that provides 5G services. Figure 1 In the example of the communication control system 1 shown, three communication operators, namely operator A, operator B and operator C, have respectively constructed CN 10. An eUICC (Embedded Universal Integrated Circuit Card) corresponding to an eSIM (Embedded Subscriber Identity Module) is pre-installed in UE2, and by writing the configuration file of the communication operator on the contract side into the eUICC, the 5G service provided by the communication operator that has written the configuration file into the eUICC can be utilized on UE2.

[0045] The configuration file written into the eUICC includes, for example, the line information required to connect to the 5G network, such as the MSISDN (Mobile Station International Subscriber Directory Number) assigned to UE2 or the access point information that becomes the connection destination of UE2. In addition, MSISDN is the mobile phone number assigned to UE2. Although it is considered that the user of UE2 has signed a 5G service utilization contract with at least one communication operator, there is only one 5G network that can be connected at the same time, and UE2 is connected to the 5G network provided by the communication operator corresponding to the configuration file written into the eUICC. The communication operator is also referred to as an "operator". In addition, the configuration file written into the eUICC is also referred to as the configuration file of the eSIM.

[0046] Each CN 10 includes an external coordination unit 12, which functions as an interface for providing various information related to the 5G system to an external device such as an orchestrator 20 connected to an external data network different from the 5G network.

[0047] The orchestrator 20 is a communication control device that controls the switching of the wireless communication line used by the UE2, and includes functional units of the monitoring API coordination unit 22, the SDWAN management unit 24 and the SSM coordination unit 26, and a management information table 28.

[0048] The monitoring API collaboration unit 22 obtains the communication information of the wireless communication line used by UE2 through a pre-prepared API (Application Programming Interface). Specifically, if the MSISDN of UE2 is specified in the API prepared for obtaining the communication information, the monitoring API collaboration unit 22 obtains the communication information of the wireless communication line used by UE2 that is associated with the specified MSISDN.

[0049] The communication information includes operator identification information for determining the operator used by UE2, network slice identification information for identifying the wireless communication line used by UE2, and the network slice and allocation status of UE2 represented by the network slice identification information as an example of the wireless communication line allocated to UE2.

[0050] Network slicing is a technology that virtually divides resources such as the processing power of devices such as servers or routers used to provide 5G services or the bandwidth of the network, and combines the divided virtual resources to build a virtual network (slice) on the 5G network between UE2 and CN10.

[0051] The situation where the network slice is not allocated to UE2 indicates that UE2 and CN10 are disconnected, so the allocation status of UE2 and the network slice is used as connection information indicating the connection status of UE2 and CN10.

[0052] The connection information includes "Loss of connectivity" or "UEreachability". "Loss of connectivity" indicates that the allocation of UE2 and the network slice is released for some reason, resulting in a state in which data transmission cannot be performed between UE2 and CN10. "UEreachability" indicates a state in which the network slice is reallocated to the temporarily deallocated UE2, and data transmission can be performed between UE2 and CN10. When the orchestrator 20 is notified of "Loss of connectivity" through communication information, it recognizes that some kind of failure has occurred in the network slice allocated to UE2. When "UE reachability" is notified, it recognizes that the failure in the network slice has been repaired. Whether there is a failure in the network slice allocated to UE2 is an example of an attribute representing the communication quality of the network slice.

[0053] The monitoring API collaboration unit 22 notifies the SDWAN management unit 24 of the status of the acquired network slice.

[0054] The SDWAN management unit 24 specifies UE2 as the monitoring target of the network slice to the monitoring API cooperation unit 22, and switches the network slice allocated to UE2 according to the allocation status of the network slice received from the monitoring API cooperation unit 22.

[0055] When designating UE2 as a monitoring target of a network slice and switching the network slice, the SDWAN management unit 24 refers to the management information table 28 storing management information related to UE2 and the network slice.

[0056] Figure 2 2 is a diagram showing an example of the management information table 28. The management information table 28 includes a UE column, a contract line column, a backup presence column, and a default line column.

[0057] Identification information for uniquely identifying UE2 managed by orchestrator 20 is set in the UE column, such as "UE-1", "UE-2", ... As identification information for uniquely identifying UE2, for example, MSISDN of UE2 is used, but serial number (IMEI) of UE2 may also be used. When identification information other than MSISDN is set in the UE column of management information table 28, it is considered that orchestrator 20 has separately associated information that can obtain MSISDN from identification information of UE2.

[0058] The contract line column is set with all line information related to 5G services that can be used on UE2. Therefore, UE2 that can connect to each 5G network provided by multiple operators has line information of lines contracted with each operator set in the contract line column. Specifically, in addition to the operator identification information of the operator that can be used on UE2, the contract line column is also set with line information including the network slice identification information assigned to UE2 by the operator.

[0059] The network slice allocated to UE2 is given network slice identification information, which is an example of identification information for identifying a network slice for each communication operator. Therefore, the orchestrator 20 specifies the network slice using the network slice identification information.

[0060] The backup information is set in the backup column, which indicates whether there are other allocable network slices (backup lines) when a failure occurs in the network slice allocated to UE2. If "yes" is set in the backup column, it means that there are other allocable network slices, and if "no" is set, it means that there are no allocable network slices except the failed network slice.

[0061] The default line column is set with line information of a network slice that is preferentially allocated to UE2 among the network slices that can be allocated to UE2. The default line column can be set with line information of any network slice among the network slices that can be allocated to UE2, but the default line column is set with line information of a network slice that is most cost-effective for the user, such as a network slice with the cheapest communication fee or a network slice in which the available data capacity is set to unlimited.

[0062] Hereinafter, the network slice represented by the line information set in the default line column of the management information table 28 is referred to as a "priority network slice". The priority network slice is specified by the user of each UE 2. In addition, the management information table 28 does not necessarily have to be stored in the orchestrator 20, and may also be stored in an external device that can be referenced by the orchestrator 20.

[0063] When switching the network slice assigned to UE2 according to the occurrence and repair of a fault in the network slice, the SDWAN management unit 24 selects a network slice to be switched, referring to the management information table 28. The SDWAN management unit 24 notifies the SSM collaboration unit 26 of the MSISDN of UE2 to be the switching target of the network slice and the line information of the network slice to be switched.

[0064] For convenience of explanation, the network slice allocated to UE2 before switching the network slice is sometimes referred to as an "original line", the network slice that will become the switching target is referred to as a "switching target line", and the network slice set in the default line column is referred to as a "default line". The original line is an example of the first network slice involved in this embodiment, and the switching target line is an example of the second network slice involved in this embodiment.

[0065] The SSM coordination unit 26 obtains the identification information of the eUICC in the UE2 associated with the MSISDN received from the SDWAN management unit 24, that is, the EID. The orchestrator 20 obtains the EID corresponding to the MSISDN by referring to the EID table that manages the association between the MSISDN and the EID, for example. The EID table may be managed by the orchestrator 20 or by an external device other than the orchestrator 20. When the EID table is managed by the orchestrator 20, the EID table and the management information table 28 may be managed together.

[0066] The SSM coordination unit 26 cooperates with the SSM 30 to control the following: rewriting the configuration file written in the eUICC of the UE2 that is the switching target of the network slice into a configuration file corresponding to the line information of the switching target line. Therefore, the SSM coordination unit 26 notifies the SSM 30 of the line designation message including the EID of the eUICC that is the switching target of the configuration file and the line information of the switching target line.

[0067] The SSM 30 is a server for managing the configuration files of the eSIM, and includes a configuration file management unit 32. The configuration file management unit 32 downloads a configuration file corresponding to the line information of the switching target line to the eUICC corresponding to the EID included in the line designation message received from the SSM coordination unit 26 of the orchestrator 20, and notifies the SDWAN 40 of an instruction message instructing to validate the downloaded configuration file and switch the configuration file.

[0068] SDWAN40 refers to a WAN (Wide Area Network) that can be centrally managed by software and control the lines between sites for each user according to a predetermined user policy to control the communication volume. In SDWAN40, a virtual network is built on the physical network by setting up routers, etc. according to user policies to achieve secure communication between sites.

[0069] The WAN control device that controls the SDWAN 40 includes an eSIM unit 42 and an IF management unit 44 .

[0070] When receiving the instruction message from the SSM 30 , the eSIM unit 42 transmits the configuration file specified in the instruction message to the eUICC specified in the instruction message via the CN 10 , and rewrites the configuration file of the UE 2 with the configuration file of the switching target line.

[0071] When the rewriting of the configuration file is completed by the eSIM unit 42, the IF management unit 44 notifies the SDWAN management unit 24 of the orchestrator 20 of the completion notification. Thereby, the orchestrator 20 will know the current network slice allocated to the UE2.

[0072] In addition, a functional unit corresponding to the eSIM unit 42 and the IF management unit 44 may be provided in the UE2 instead of the SDWAN 40. In this case, the SSM 30 sends an instruction message to the UE2 associated with the EID via the SDWAN 40. The UE2 receiving the instruction message downloads the configuration file of the designated switching target line from the SSM 30, and rewrites the current configuration file into the configuration file of the switching target line. Then, the UE2 notifies the SDWAN management unit 24 of the orchestrator 20 of the completion notification notifying that the rewriting of the configuration file has been completed.

[0073] Next, the 5G network including CN10 is described in detail.

[0074] Figure 3 5G network is a diagram showing a configuration example of a 5G network. The 5G network is configured to include a RAN (Radio Access Network) 8 and a CN 10.

[0075] RAN8 is a base station network connected to UE2 via wireless, which is divided into DU (Distributed Unit) 4 that provides wireless antenna functions and CU (Centralized Unit) 6 that provides base station functions. CU6 is connected to at least one DU4. Since the communication between it and EU2 is carried out via DU4, DU4 is sometimes called a distributed node and CU6 is called a centralized node. A 5G network may include multiple RAN8s.

[0076] On the other hand, CN 10 is configured to include C-Plane 14 and U-Plane 16 , and C-Plane 14 and U-Plane 16 are connected to CU 6 of each RAN 8 .

[0077] C-Plane 14 is a functional unit responsible for communication control of the 5G network, which establishes or cuts off communication with EU2. U-Plane 16 is a functional unit responsible for data transmission, which performs data transmission according to the control of C-Plane 14. Data transmission is not limited to the 5G network, but can also be performed between an external network DN18 different from the 5G network. DN18 includes, for example, the Internet and SDWAN40.

[0078] Next, a configuration example of a main part of the electrical system in the organizer 20 will be described.

[0079] Figure 4 1 is a diagram showing a configuration example of a main part of an electric system in the organizer 20. The organizer 20 is configured using a computer 50, for example.

[0080] The computer 50 is responsible for Figure 1 The illustrated diagram includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 51 for processing each functional unit of the organizer 20, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 52 for storing a communication control program for causing the computer 50 to function as the organizer 20, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 53 used as a temporary work area of ​​the CPU 51, a nonvolatile memory 54, and an input / output interface (I / O) 55. The CPU 51, ROM 52, RAM 53, nonvolatile memory 54, and I / O 55 are connected to each other via a bus 56.

[0081] The nonvolatile memory 54 is an example of a storage device that can maintain stored information even if the power supplied to the nonvolatile memory 54 is cut off, and is used for example in a semiconductor memory, but can also be used in a hard disk. Information that needs to be stored even if the power supply of the organizer 20 is cut off, such as the management information table 28, is stored in the nonvolatile memory 54.

[0082] The nonvolatile memory 54 does not necessarily need to be built in the computer 50 , and may be, for example, a portable storage device that can be attached to and detached from the computer 50 .

[0083] For example, a communication unit 57 , an input unit 58 , and a display unit 59 are connected to the I / O 55 .

[0084] The communication unit 57 is connected to DN18 and has a communication protocol for performing data communication between it and various devices or networks including CN10, SSM30 and SDWAN40.

[0085] The input unit 58 is a device for receiving instructions from the user and notifying the CPU 51 , and may be, for example, a button, a touch panel, a keyboard, a mouse, etc. When receiving instructions by voice, a microphone may be used as the input unit 58 .

[0086] The display unit 59 is an example of a device that visually displays information processed by the CPU 51 , and for example, a liquid crystal display or an organic EL (Electro Luminescence) display can be used.

[0087] The various units connected to the I / O 55 are only examples, and different units may be connected as needed. Figure 4 The units shown are connected to the I / O 55, such as an image forming unit that forms an image on a recording medium such as paper. In addition, when the organizer 20 is set in an unmanned data center, the input unit 58 and the display unit 59 are not necessarily required. In this case, the organizer 20 can accept the user's instructions through the communication unit 57, and send the information that the organizer 20 wants to display on the display unit 59 to other devices through the communication unit 57.

[0088] Next, the switching process of the network slice in the orchestrator 20 is explained.

[0089] Figure 5 This is a flowchart showing an example of network slice switching processing performed by CPU 51 of orchestrator 20 when a failure in the network slice allocated to UE2 is notified to CN 10.

[0090] The communication control program that specifies the switching process of the network slice is stored in advance in, for example, the ROM 52 of the orchestrator 20. The CPU 51 of the orchestrator 20 reads the communication control program stored in the ROM 52 to execute the switching process of the network slice. Figure 5 In the description of the switching process, UE2 to which the network slice to which the failure notification is assigned is referred to as "UE2".

[0091] When receiving a notification of a network slice failure from CN 10 through communication information, in step S10 , CPU 51 refers to the backup presence column of management information table 28 to determine whether UE 2 has a backup line.

[0092] If there is no backup line in UE2, the network slice cannot be switched, so the process ends. Figure 5 The switching process of the network slice shown is performed, and the fault of the network slice assigned to UE2 is repaired.

[0093] On the other hand, when a backup line exists in UE2, the process proceeds to step S20.

[0094] In step S20, CPU 51 refers to management information table 28 to select a new switching target line assigned to UE 2. Specifically, CPU 51 refers to the default line column of management information table 28, and selects the default line as the switching target line if a default line is set in the default line column and no notification of failure of the default line is received.

[0095] When the default line is not set in UE2 or when the default line is notified of failure, the CPU 51 selects any network slice that has not been notified of failure from the network slices whose line information is set in the contract line column as the switching target line. When there are multiple candidates for the switching target line, the switching target line can be selected according to the selection criteria pre-specified by the user, such as selecting the network slice with the cheapest communication fee among the candidates for the switching target line.

[0096] In step S30, the CPU 51 sends a line designation message including the EID of EU2 to which the profile is to be switched and the line information of the switching target line selected in step S20 to the SSM 30. As a result, as described above, the instruction message instructing the switching of the profile is notified from the SSM 30 to the SDWAN 40, and the profile of the switching target line is written into the eUICC of EU2, and the network slice is switched.

[0097] In addition, CPU51 may also specify the communication method of the instruction message in the line-specified message, so as to notify UE2 of the instruction message indicating the switching of the profile in priority over other messages. For example, in CN10, a message sent using the short message service (Short Message Service: SMS) is sent to UE2 in priority over a message sent using other communication methods, so CPU51 only needs to specify in the line-specified message that the instruction message is sent via SMS. Furthermore, CPU51 may also specify in the line-specified message that the specified message is sent via HTTPS (Hyper Text Transfer Protocol Secure), which is an example of encrypted communication. Since SSL (Secure Socket Layer) is used when the communication method of the specified message is set to HTTPS, the security performance related to the communication is improved compared to the communication method using HTTP (HyperText Transfer Protocol).

[0098] on the other hand, Figure 6This is a flowchart of an example of a network slice switching process executed by the CPU 51 of the orchestrator 20 when the network slice allocated to the UE2 before the network slice switching, that is, the original line is repaired. Figure 6 In the description of the switching process, UE2 to which the repaired network slice is assigned before switching is referred to as "UE2".

[0099] In step S100 , the CPU 51 refers to the backup presence column of the management information table 28 to determine whether a backup line exists in the UE 2 .

[0100] If there is no backup line in UE2, the network slice switching will not be performed at first, so the end Figure 6 The switching process of the network slice shown. That is, as the network slice is repaired, the repaired network slice is allocated to UE2.

[0101] On the other hand, when a backup line exists in UE2, the process proceeds to step S110.

[0102] In step S110, the CPU 51 refers to the default line column of the management information table 28 to determine whether a default line is set in the default line column of the UE2. If a default line is set in the default line column of the UE2, the process proceeds to step S120.

[0103] In step S120, the CPU 51 determines whether a notification of a failure in the default line of the UE 2 has been received from the CN 10. If a notification of a failure in the default line of the UE 2 has not been received, the process moves to step S130.

[0104] In step S130, the CPU 51 determines whether the current network slice allocated to the UE2 is the default line of the UE2. If the current network slice allocated to the UE2 is the default line of the UE2, the process ends. Figure 6 That is, when the original line fails and Figure 5 In the case where the network slice assigned to UE2 is switched to the default line during the switching process, the default line continues to be assigned to UE2 even if the original line is repaired.

[0105] On the other hand, in the determination process of step S130, if it is determined that the current network slice allocated to UE2 is not the default line of UE2, transfer to step S140.

[0106] In step S140 , the CPU 51 sets the switching target line of the UE2 as the default line of the UE2 .

[0107] In step S150, the CPU 51 sends a line designation message including the EID of EU2 to be switched to the profile and line information of the default line to the SSM 30, and ends. Figure 6 Switching process.

[0108] That is, when the default line is set in UE2 and there is no failure in the default line, the CPU 51 performs control so as to preferentially allocate the default line to UE2.

[0109] On the other hand, if it is determined in the determination process of step S110 that no default line is set in the default line column of UE2 and if it is determined in the determination process of step S120 that a notification of failure of the default line of UE2 is received from CN10, the process proceeds to step S160.

[0110] At this time, the default line cannot be allocated to UE2. Therefore, in step S160, CPU51 sets the switching target line of UE2 to the original line and transfers to step S150. That is, as the network slice allocated to UE2 before switching the network slice is repaired, CPU51 restores the network slice allocated to UE2 to the original line allocated to UE2 before switching the network slice.

[0111] In addition, even if the notification that the original line has been repaired is received, CPU51 does not necessarily need to restore the network slice allocated to UE2 to the original line. For example, when there are multiple network slices that can be used on UE2, any network slice among the multiple contracted network slices that has not received notification of the failure can also be allocated to UE2. At this time, CPU51 can allocate the most cost-effective network slice for the user among the network slices that have not received notification of the failure based on evaluation items such as communication costs or communication quality. The quality of communication can be judged, for example, by the radio wave strength of the radio wave connected to UE2. CPU51 can obtain the radio wave strength of the radio wave connected to UE2 through the external collaboration unit 12 of CN10.

[0112] Furthermore, the allocation of the current network slice can be maintained in such a way that the newly allocated current network slice continues to be allocated to UE2 after switching the network slice.

[0113] exist Figure 5 and Figure 6 In the case of switching the network slice assigned to UE2 in the network slice switching process shown, the network slices can be switched between different communication operators or within the same communication operator.

[0114] Furthermore, a plurality of priority network slices may be set for each UE2 in the default line column of the management information table 28. At this time, the priority of the priority network slices is set for each network slice, such as "first priority network slice" and "second priority network slice". Then, it may be determined in order from the priority network slices with the highest priority whether they can be allocated to UE2, and the priority network slice with the highest priority among the priority network slices that can be allocated is allocated to UE2.

[0115] The present invention has been described above using the embodiments, but the present invention is not limited to the scope described in the embodiments. The embodiments can be modified or improved in a plurality of ways without departing from the scope of the purpose of the present invention, and the methods of adding the modifications or improvements are also included in the technical scope of the present invention. For example, the order of processing can be changed without departing from the scope of the purpose of the present invention.

[0116] Furthermore, in the implementation mode, as an example, a method of implementing the switching processing of the network slice by software is described, but for example, the same method as that of the switching processing of the network slice by software may also be implemented in an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit), an FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array), or a PLD (Programmable Logic Device). Figure 5 and Figure 6 The processing of the flowchart shown in the figure is performed by hardware. In this case, the processing speed can be increased compared to the case where the switching processing of the network slice is implemented by software.

[0117] In this way, the CPU 51 of the organizer 20 can also be replaced by a dedicated processor specially provided for specific processing, such as ASIC, FPGA, PLD, GPU (Graphics Processing Unit) and FPU (Floating Point Unit).

[0118] In addition to being implemented by one CPU 51, the process of the organizer 20 according to the embodiment may be implemented by a plurality of CPUs 51. Furthermore, the process of the organizer 20 according to the embodiment may be implemented by cooperation of processors located in physically remote locations.

[0119] Furthermore, in the above-mentioned embodiment, the communication control program is installed in the ROM 52, but it is not limited thereto. The communication control program involved in the embodiment can also be provided in a manner recorded in a storage medium that can be read by the computer 50. For example, the communication control program can also be provided in a manner of recording it in an optical disk such as a CD (Compact Disc)-ROM or a DVD (Digital Versatile Disc)-ROM. Furthermore, the communication control program can also be provided in a manner of recording it in a portable semiconductor memory such as a USB (Universal Serial Bus) memory or a memory card.

[0120] Moreover, the arranger 20 can also obtain the communication control program from the external device through DN18.

[0121] The above-mentioned embodiments of the present invention are provided for the purpose of illustration and description. In addition, the embodiments of the present invention do not fully and exhaustively include the present invention, and do not limit the present invention to the disclosed methods. Obviously, various modifications and changes are self-evident to those skilled in the art to which the present invention belongs. The present embodiment is selected and described in order to most easily understand the principles of the present invention and its application. Thus, other technicians in the art can understand the present invention through various modified examples optimized for specific uses assumed to be various embodiments. The scope of the present invention is defined by the above claims and their equivalents.

Claims

1. A communication control device comprising a processor, The processor performs the following control: Acquiring communication information indicating connection information of the first network slice from a control device controlling the first network slice, wherein the first network slice is allocated as a connection destination of a terminal used by a user in a wireless communication line provided by each communication operator; and switching the network slice to allocate a second network slice different from the first network slice to the terminal when receiving a notification of a decrease in the communication quality of the first network slice through the communication information, The processor refers to management information that manages information related to each network slice allocated to the terminal and sets a priority network slice that is preferentially allocated to the terminal in the management information, and after receiving a notification of a communication failure with the terminal in the first network slice through the communication information, the processor cooperates with the subscription manager to make the network slice allocated to the terminal the priority network slice as long as no notification of a communication failure with the terminal in the priority network slice is received.

2. The communication control device according to claim 1, wherein: The processor performs the following control: cooperates with the subscription manager that manages the profile of the eSIM assigned to the terminal to switch the profile of the terminal, thereby switching the network slice assigned to the terminal.

3. The communication control device according to claim 1, wherein: When the priority network slice for the terminal is not set in the management information, the processor maintains allocating the current network slice to the terminal even when receiving a notification that the communication quality of the first network slice has been repaired through the communication information.

4. The communication control device according to claim 2, wherein: Upon receiving a notification through the communication information that the communication quality of the first network slice has been repaired, the processor cooperates with the subscription manager to switch the profile of the terminal to reallocate the first network slice to the terminal.

5. The communication control device according to any one of claims 2 to 4, wherein: The processor specifies a communication method of an instruction electronic message so as to notify the terminal of the instruction electronic message instructing switching of a profile of the terminal with priority over other electronic messages.

6. The communication control device according to claim 5, wherein: The processor specifies short message service or HTTPS as a communication method of the instruction electronic message.

7. The communication control device according to any one of claims 2 to 4, wherein: The processor performs control as follows: switching the network slice allocated to the terminal in such a manner that the first network slice and the second network slice become network slices of different communication operators.

8. The communication control device according to any one of claims 2 to 4, wherein: The processor performs control to switch the network slice allocated to the terminal so that the first network slice and the second network slice become network slices of the same communication operator.

9. The communication control device according to claim 7, wherein: The processor specifies the network slice that is the connection destination of the terminal using identification information for identifying each network slice assigned to each communication operator.

10. A storage medium storing a communication control program for causing a computer to execute the following control: Acquiring communication information indicating connection information of the first network slice from a control device controlling the first network slice, wherein the first network slice is allocated as a connection destination of a terminal used by a user in a wireless communication line provided by each communication operator; Switching the network slice to allocate a second network slice different from the first network slice to the terminal when receiving a notification of a decrease in the communication quality of the first network slice through the communication information; referring to management information for managing information related to each network slice allocated to the terminal and setting a priority network slice preferentially allocated to the terminal in the management information; and After receiving a notification of a communication failure with the terminal in the first network slice through the communication information, as long as no notification of a communication failure with the terminal in the priority network slice is received, collaborate with the subscription manager to make the network slice allocated to the terminal the priority network slice.

11. A communication control system comprising a communication control device and a WAN control device, The communication control device performs the following control: acquiring communication information indicating connection information of the first network slice from a control device controlling the first network slice, the first network slice being allocated as a connection destination of a terminal used by a user in a wireless communication line provided by each communication operator; and switching the network slice in a case where a notification of a decrease in communication quality of the first network slice is received through the communication information so as to allocate a second network slice different from the first network slice to the terminal, The communication control device refers to management information for managing information related to each network slice allocated to the terminal and sets a priority network slice that is preferentially allocated to the terminal in the management information, and after receiving a notification of a communication failure with the terminal in the first network slice through the communication information, the communication control device cooperates with the subscription manager to make the network slice allocated to the terminal the priority network slice as long as no notification of a communication failure with the terminal in the priority network slice is received. Under the control of a subscription manager that receives an instruction message from the communication control device via a wide area line, the WAN control device switches the profile of the terminal indicated as a switching object in the instruction message, the wide area line performs communication control according to a policy defined by software, and the instruction message is used to instruct the switching of network slices.

12. A communication control method, comprising the following steps: Acquiring communication information indicating connection information of the first network slice from a control device controlling the first network slice, wherein the first network slice is allocated as a connection destination of a terminal used by a user in a wireless communication line provided by each communication operator; Switching the network slice to allocate a second network slice different from the first network slice to the terminal when receiving a notification of a decrease in the communication quality of the first network slice through the communication information; referring to management information for managing information related to each network slice allocated to the terminal and setting a priority network slice preferentially allocated to the terminal in the management information; and After receiving a notification of a communication failure with the terminal in the first network slice through the communication information, as long as no notification of a communication failure with the terminal in the priority network slice is received, collaborate with the subscription manager to make the network slice allocated to the terminal the priority network slice.

13. A computer program product, which enables a computer to execute the following control: Acquiring communication information indicating connection information of the first network slice from a control device controlling the first network slice, wherein the first network slice is allocated as a connection destination of a terminal used by a user in a wireless communication line provided by each communication operator; Switching the network slice to allocate a second network slice different from the first network slice to the terminal when receiving a notification of a decrease in the communication quality of the first network slice through the communication information; referring to management information for managing information related to each network slice allocated to the terminal and setting a priority network slice preferentially allocated to the terminal in the management information; and After receiving a notification of a communication failure with the terminal in the first network slice through the communication information, as long as no notification of a communication failure with the terminal in the priority network slice is received, collaborate with the subscription manager to make the network slice allocated to the terminal the priority network slice.

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