Communication system and business content information collection method

Abstract

A communication system is provided with relay devices (12, 13), a network controller (90), and traffic content processing devices (21, 22). The relay devices (12, 13) have a plurality of ports (P1, P2, P3), and copy traffic content passing through at least one of the plurality of ports. A traffic content processing device (21, 22) has a storage unit (211) and a transmission unit (212). The storage unit receives and stores the traffic content copied by the relay device without passing through another relay device. The transmission unit transmits traffic content information relating to the copied traffic content acquired from the storage unit to the network controller at a predetermined timing.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a technology of collecting information of traffic flowing in a network. BACKGROUND

[0002] The instant traffic analysis system described in Patent Literature 1 has a plurality of programmable network switches, a network controller that manages and monitors the plurality of programmable network switches, an instant traffic collection module, and an analysis module.

[0003] PRIOR ART DOCUMENTS

[0004] PATENT LITERATURE

[0005] Patent Literature 1: Japanese Patent No. 6764313 SUMMARY

[0006] In the above-described instant traffic analysis system, the traffic information collected by the network switches is instantaneously transmitted to the network controller. Therefore, there is a problem that the frequency band of the network is always strained due to the collected traffic information.

[0007] One aspect of the present disclosure provides a technology capable of suppressing the strain of the frequency band of a network and collecting traffic information.

[0008] A communication system of one aspect of the present disclosure has a relay device, a network controller, and a traffic processing device. The relay device has a plurality of ports and copies traffic passing through at least one of the plurality of ports. The network controller monitors traffic of a data network including the relay device. The traffic processing device has a storage section and a transmission section. The storage section receives and stores the traffic copied by the relay device without passing through other relay devices. The transmission section transmits traffic information related to the copied traffic acquired from the storage section to the network controller at a prescribed timing.

[0009] According to the communication system of one aspect of the present disclosure, the traffic copied by the relay device is saved in the storage section without passing through other relay devices. That is, the copied traffic is saved in the storage section without using the frequency band of the data network. Therefore, the transmission section can transmit the traffic information related to the copied traffic to the network controller at the prescribed timing. Therefore, the network controller can suppress the strain of the data network and collect the traffic information.

[0010] In another technical solution of the disclosure, a method for collecting service content information, service content copied through at least one port of a plurality of ports of a relay device is received and stored in a storage unit without passing through other relay devices, service content information related to the copied service content is acquired from the storage unit, and the acquired service content information is transmitted to a network controller at a predetermined timing, the network controller being configured to monitor service content of a data network including the relay device.

[0011] According to the above-described method, the same effects as the above-described communication system are achieved. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0012] Figure 1 is a block diagram showing an outline structure of a communication system of the present embodiment.

[0013] Figure 2 is a diagram showing a structure of a service content processing device of the present embodiment.

[0014] Figure 3 is a diagram showing a start of communication between ECUs in the communication system of the present embodiment.

[0015] Figure 4 is a diagram showing mirroring of service content between ECUs in the communication system of the present embodiment.

[0016] Figure 5 is a diagram showing a request for service content information by an SDN controller in the communication system of the present embodiment.

[0017] Figure 6 is a diagram showing transmission of service content information to an SDN controller in the communication system of the present embodiment.

[0018] Figure 7 is a diagram showing mirroring of service content of a plurality of ports in the communication system of the present embodiment.

[0019] Figure 8 is a diagram showing a start of communication between ECUs in the communication system of the reference example.

[0020] Figure 9 is a diagram showing mirroring of service content between ECUs in the communication system of the reference example.

[0021] Figure 10 is a diagram showing a first example of transmission processing of service content information of the present embodiment.

[0022] Figure 11 is a diagram showing a second example of transmission processing of service content information of the present embodiment.

[0023] Figure 12is a diagram showing a third example of a transmission process of service content information of the present embodiment.

[0024] Figure 13 is a diagram showing an optimization process of a network of the present embodiment.

[0025] Figure 14 is a diagram showing a structure of a relay device in which a service content processing device is built in, of another embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0026] (Embodiment)

[0027] <1. Structure>

[0028] Reference Figure 1 The structure of the communication system 100 of the present embodiment will be described. The communication system 100 is provided with a data network 150. In the present embodiment, it is assumed that the communication system 100 is mounted on a vehicle.

[0029] The data network 150 is provided with a first relay device 11, a second relay device 12, a third relay device 13, a fourth relay device 14, a first signal line 61, a second signal line 62, a third signal line 63, and a fourth signal line 64. Note that the number of relay devices provided in the data network 150 is not limited to four. The data network 150 can be provided with one or two or three relay devices, or can be provided with five or more relay devices.

[0030] The first to fourth relay devices 11 to 14 each have a first port P1, a second port P2, and a third port P3. The third relay device 13 further has a fourth port P4. The first port P1 of the first relay device 11 is connected to the second port P2 of the second relay device 12 via the first signal line 61. The first port P1 of the second relay device 12 is connected to the second port P2 of the fourth relay device 14 via the second signal line 62. The second port P2 of the first relay device 11 is connected to the first port P1 of the third relay device 13 via the fourth signal line 64. The second port P2 of the third relay device 13 is connected to the first port P1 of the fourth relay device 14 via the third signal line 63. The first to fourth signal lines 61 to 64 are, for example, signal lines that comply with the Ethernet (registered trademark) protocol.

[0031] The communication system 100 is provided with, in addition to the data network 150, a first electronic control device (ECU) 31, a second ECU 32, a software defined network (Software Defined Network (SDN) controller 90, a first service content processing device 21, a second service content processing device 22, a fifth signal line 80, a sixth signal line 71, a seventh signal line 72, an eighth signal line 51, and a ninth signal line 52.

[0032] The SDN controller 90 is connected to the third port P3 of the first relay device 11 via a fifth signal line 80. The fifth signal line 80 is a signal line that complies with an open flow protocol, and the SDN controller 90 controls the data network 150 in accordance with the open flow protocol. Specifically, the SDN controller 90 monitors traffic content flowing in the data network 150. That is, the SDN controller 90 collects traffic content information on the data network 150. Also, the SDN controller 90 optimizes the data network 150 on the basis of an analysis result of the traffic content information. The traffic content is data that is transmitted and received on the data network 150, for example, a frame.

[0033] The first to fourth relay devices 11 to 14 are open flow switches, respectively. The first to fourth relay devices 11 to 14 relay the received traffic content on the basis of a flow table made by the SDN controller 90, respectively. That is, the first to fourth relay devices 11 to 14 decide or discard the destination of the received traffic content on the basis of the flow table, respectively.

[0034] The first ECU 31 is connected to the third port P3 of the third relay device 13 via a sixth signal line 71. The second ECU 32 is connected to the third port P3 of the fourth relay device 14 via a seventh signal line 72. The first ECU 31 and the second ECU 32 control or manage a function of the vehicle. In the present embodiment, the first ECU 31 manages a power source of the vehicle. For example, the power source states of the vehicle include an accessory power source state, an uninterrupted power source state, and an off state. The sixth signal line 71 and the seventh signal line 72 are, for example, signal lines that comply with a Controller Area Network (CAN) protocol. In addition, the data network 150 can be connected to three or more ECUs, and can be connected to in-vehicle devices other than the ECUs. The ECUs and / or the in-vehicle devices connected to the data network 150 communicate with other ECUs and / or other in-vehicle devices via the data network 150.

[0035] The first traffic content processing device 21 is connected to the fourth port P4 of the third relay device 13 via an eighth signal line 51. The second traffic content processing device 22 is connected to the third port P3 of the fourth relay device 14 via a ninth signal line 52. The eighth signal line 51 and the ninth signal line 52 are, for example, signal lines that comply with an Ethernet protocol.

[0036] The first to fourth relay devices 11 to 14 each have port mirroring functionality. Port mirroring can be a function to copy all service content passing through a port, or it can be a function to filter and select the service content passing through a port and then copy the selected service content.

[0037] In this embodiment, the second relay device 12 and the third relay device 13 copy the service content flowing through the data network 150 so that the SDN controller 90 can collect service content information. Furthermore, the second relay device 12 and the third relay device 13 directly transmit the copied service content to the first service content processing device 21 and the second service content processing device 22 without passing through other relay devices.

[0038] Specifically, the second relay device 12 copies the service content passing through the first port P1 and the second port P2 respectively, and directly sends the copied service content to the second service content processing device 22 from the third port P3. Alternatively, the second relay device 12 may only copy the service content passing through the first port P1 and directly send the copied service content to the second service content processing device 22 from the third port P3. The third relay device 13 copies the service content passing through the first to third ports P1 to P3 respectively, and directly sends the copied service content to the first service content processing device 21 from the fourth port P4. Alternatively, the third relay device 13 may only copy the service content passing through the third port P3 and directly send the copied service content to the first service content processing device 21 from the fourth port P4.

[0039] like Figure 2 As shown, the first service content processing apparatus 21 includes a storage unit 211, a transmission unit 212, and an analysis unit 213. The second service content processing apparatus 22 has the same structure as the first service content processing apparatus 21.

[0040] The storage section 211 stores the copied service content received via the fourth port P4 of the third relay device 13. The analysis section 213 acquires and analyzes the copied service content stored in the storage section 211, and saves the analysis result in the storage section 211. The transmission section 212 transmits the service content information acquired from the storage section 211 to the SDN controller 90 at a prescribed timing. The service content information includes raw data (e.g., frames) of the copied service content, the service content to which a prescribed process is applied, statistical information of the service content for a prescribed period, an analysis result, and the like. The prescribed process is, for example, a batch process, a compression process, or the like. The prescribed timing is when the amount of service content of the data network 150 is relatively small. That is, the prescribed timing is when the frequency band usage rate of the communication path from the first service content processing device 21 or the second service content processing device 22 to the SDN controller 90 is relatively low. Alternatively, the prescribed timing is when the usage rate of the storage section 211 is close to the upper limit.

[0041] Figure 8 and Figure 9 The communication system 200 of the reference example is shown. The communication system 200 differs from the communication system 100 in that the first service content processing device 21 and the second service content processing device 22 are not provided. When the first ECU 31 starts communication with the second ECU 32, the service content passes through the third relay device 13 and the fourth relay device 14. The third relay device 13 copies the service content passing through the second port P2, and transmits it to the first port P1. That is, the third relay device 13 transmits the copied service content to the SDN controller 90 via the first relay device 11 immediately after copying. The SDN controller 90 saves the received service content in the storage section 211.

[0042] Thus, if the transmission timing of the copied service content overlaps with the timing when the amount of service content on the communication path is relatively large (i.e., the timing when the usage rate of the frequency band of the communication path is relatively large), the frequency band of the communication path can become tight. For example, if the copied service content is transmitted during communication between the ECU connected to the first relay device 11 and the ECU connected to the third relay device 13, the frequency band of the communication path can become tight.

[0043] In contrast, in the present embodiment, the copied service content is temporarily saved in the storage section 211 of the first service content processing device 21, and is not transmitted to the SDN controller 90 immediately after copying. Therefore, it is possible to stagger the transmission timing of the copied service content and the timing when the usage rate of the frequency band of the communication path is relatively large.

[0044] Figures 3 to 6A flow indicating the service content information in a case where the first ECU 31 starts communication with the second ECU 32 in the present embodiment. When the first ECU 31 starts communication with the second ECU 32, the service content passes through the third relay device 13 and the fourth relay device 14. The third relay device 13 duplicates the service content input to or output from the second port P2, and transmits the duplicated service content from the fourth port P4 to the first service content processing device 21. The first service content processing device 21 receives the duplicated service content and stores it in the storage section 211.

[0045] When the usage rate of the frequency band of the communication path between the first relay device 11 and the third relay device 13 is low, the SDN controller 90 requests the first service content processing device 21 for the service content information. In detail, the SDN controller 90 acquires the usage rate of the frequency band of the communication path detected by the first relay device 11 or the third relay device 13, and in a case where the acquired usage rate of the frequency band is less than a first threshold value, transmits a signal requesting the service content information.

[0046] Alternatively, the SDN controller 90 acquires the power state of the vehicle from the first ECU 31, and in a case where the power state of the vehicle is a prescribed state, transmits a signal requesting the service content information. The prescribed state is a state in which it is presumed that the amount of service content on the data network 150 is low, or a state in which reduction of the communication speed of the data network 150 is permitted. For example, the prescribed state is an accessory (ACC) state. In a case where the power state of the vehicle is the ACC state, the vehicle is in a parked state. In a case where the vehicle is in the parked state, it is presumed that the amount of service content on the data network 150 is small compared to a case where the vehicle is in a running state. In addition, in a case where the vehicle is in the parked state, the influence of reduction of the communication speed of the data network 150 is low compared to a case where the vehicle is in the running state.

[0047] The first service content processing device 21, in a case where it receives the signal requesting the service content information from the SDN controller 90, acquires the service content information from the storage section 211 by the transmission section 212. Also, the transmission section 212 transmits the acquired service content information to the SDN controller 90 via the eighth signal line 51, the third relay device 13, the fourth signal line 64, the first relay device 11, and the fifth signal line 80.

[0048] Further, the transmission unit 212 can transmit the service content information to the SDN controller 90 with reducing the data amount of the service content information. Specifically, the transmission unit 212 can select necessary service content information and transmit only the selected service content information to the SDN controller 90. For example, the transmission unit 212 can select only frames having a specific destination and transmit to the SDN controller 90. Further, the transmission unit 212 can batch or compress process the service content information and transmit to the SDN controller 90. For example, the transmission unit 212 can statisticize or zip the service content information and transmit to the SDN controller 90.

[0049] Further, the transmission unit 212 can itself determine the transmission timing and transmit the service content information to the SDN controller 90. That is, the transmission unit 212 can determine whether the usage rate of the frequency band of the communication path is less than the first threshold value, and in the case where the usage rate of the frequency band is less than the first threshold value, transmit the service content information to the SDN controller 90. Alternatively, the transmission unit 212 can determine whether the power state of the vehicle is a prescribed state, and in the case where the power state of the vehicle is the prescribed state, transmit the service content information to the SDN controller 90.

[0050] Further, the transmission unit 212 can transmit the service content information to the SDN controller 90 in the case where the usage rate of the storage unit 211 exceeds the second threshold value. Since the copied service content is temporarily stored in the storage unit 211, it is possible to collect and process the service content for a prescribed period. Thus, since the data amount of the service content information transmitted to the SDN controller 90 is suppressed, it is possible to suppress the tightness of the communication path even if the service content information is transmitted to the SDN controller 90 regardless of the usage rate of the frequency band of the communication path.

[0051] Figure 7 The service content is mirrored at a plurality of ports. The second relay device 12 communicates with the first relay device 11 via the second port P2 and communicates with the fourth relay device 14 via the first port PI. The second relay device 12 copies the service content passing through the first port PI and the second port P2, respectively, and transmits the copied service content from the third port P3 to the second service content processing device 22. The VLAN tag is an identifier that discriminates which port the service content has passed through the second relay device 12. The second service content processing device 22 discriminates which port the service content has passed through based on the VLAN tag. The second service content processing device 22 can perform statistical processing on the service content for a prescribed period, for example, per port.

[0052] The third relay device 13 communicates with the first relay device 11 via the first port P1, with the fourth relay device 14 via the second port P2, and with the first ECU 31 via the third port P3. The third relay device 13 copies the service content that passes through the first, second, and third ports P1, P2, and P3 respectively, assigns a VLAN tag to the copied service content, and sends it to the first service content processing device 21 via the fourth port P4. The VLAN tag is an identifier that determines which port of the third relay device 13 the service content passed through. The first service content processing device 21 determines which port the service content passed through based on the VLAN tag.

[0053] <2. Processing>

[0054] <2-1. The First Example of Sending and Processing Business Content Information>

[0055] Reference Figure 10 The flowchart below describes a first example of the service content information transmission process performed by the transmission unit 212 of the first service content processing device 21. In this transmission process, the transmission unit 212 determines the transmission timing of the service content information.

[0056] In S10, the transmitting unit 212 confirms the communication path from the transmitting unit 212 to the SDN controller 90.

[0057] Next, in S20, the transmitting unit 212 obtains the bandwidth utilization of the communication path confirmed in S10 from the third relay device 13. Specifically, the transmitting unit 212 obtains the bandwidth utilization of each port on the communication path from the third relay device 13. If other relay devices exist on the communication path, the third relay device 13 obtains the bandwidth utilization of the ports of those other relay devices. Furthermore, the third relay device 13 transmits the bandwidth utilization of the ports of the other relay devices along with its own port's bandwidth utilization to the first service content processing device 21.

[0058] Next, in S30, the transmitting unit 212 determines whether the maximum value of the bandwidth utilization of each port obtained in S20 is less than a first threshold. The first threshold is, for example, 50%. If the transmitting unit 212 determines that the maximum value of the bandwidth utilization is above the first threshold, it returns to the processing in S20; if it determines that the maximum value of the bandwidth utilization of each port is less than the first threshold, it proceeds to the processing in S40.

[0059] In S40, the transmitting unit 212 sends the service content information obtained from the storage unit 211, or the further processed service content information, to the SDN controller 90. Alternatively, as described later in S130, the first service content processing device 21 can delete the transmitted service content information and the copied service content that forms the basis of that service content information from the storage unit 211.

[0060] <2-2. The Second Example of Sending and Processing Business Content Information>

[0061] Reference Figure 11 The flowchart below illustrates a second example of the service content information transmission process performed by the transmission unit 212. In this transmission process, the transmission unit 212 determines the transmission timing of the service content information.

[0062] In S100, the sending unit 212 obtains the usage rate of the storage area from the storage unit 211 of the first service content processing device 21. Next, in S110, the sending unit 212 determines whether the usage rate of the storage area obtained in S100 exceeds a second threshold. The second threshold is, for example, 90%. If the sending unit 212 determines that the usage rate of the storage area is below the second threshold, it returns to the processing in S100; if it determines that the usage rate of the storage area exceeds the second threshold, it proceeds to the processing in S120.

[0063] Next, in S120, the transmitting unit 212 sends the service content information obtained from the storage unit 211, or the further processed service content information, to the SDN controller 90. Then, in S130, the first service content processing device 21 deletes the transmitted service content information and the copied service content that forms the basis of that service content information from the storage unit 211.

[0064] <2-3. The Third Example of Sending and Processing Business Content Information>

[0065] Reference Figure 12 The flowchart below illustrates a third example of the service content information transmission process performed by the transmission unit 212. In this transmission process, the transmission unit 212 determines the transmission timing of the service content information.

[0066] In S200, the transmitting unit 212 obtains the power status from the first ECU 31 that manages the vehicle's power supply. Next, in S210, the transmitting unit 212 determines whether the power status obtained in S200 is ACC. If the power status is determined to be something other than ACC, the transmitting unit 212 returns to the processing in S200; if the power status is determined to be ACC, it proceeds to the processing in S220.

[0067] In S220, the transmission unit 212 transmits the service content information retrieved from the storage unit 211 or the further processed service content information to the SDN controller 90. Further, as in S130 described above, the first service content processing apparatus 21 can delete the transmitted service content information and the copied service content that is the basis of the service content information from the storage unit 211.

[0068] <2-4. Network optimization processing>

[0069] Referring to Figure 13 The flowchart of FIG. 9 describes the optimization processing of the data network 150 performed by the SDN controller 90.

[0070] In S300, the SDN controller 90 retrieves the service content information from the first service content processing apparatus 21 and / or the second service content processing apparatus 22. Next, in S310, the SDN controller 90 analyzes the service content information retrieved in S300.

[0071] Next, in S320, the SDN controller 90 determines whether a problem (e.g., an action to be improved) of the data network 150 is detected. The SDN controller 90 returns to the processing of S300 in a case where it is determined that no problem is detected, and proceeds to the processing of S330 in a case where it is determined that a problem is detected.

[0072] In S330, the SDN controller 90 derives a setting to optimize the data network 150, based on the service content information analyzed in S310.

[0073] Next, in S340, the SDN controller 90 reflects the setting derived in S330 to each apparatus included in the data network 150. In the present embodiment, the SDN controller 90 reflects the setting to be optimized to the first to fourth relay apparatuses 11 to 14.

[0074] <3. Effects>

[0075] According to the first embodiment described above, the following effects are exerted. (1) According to the communication system 100, the service content copied by the third relay apparatus 13 is saved in the storage unit 211 of the first service content processing apparatus 21 without passing through the first, second, and fourth relay apparatuses 11, 12, and 14. That is, the copied service content is saved in the storage unit 211 without using the frequency band of the data network 150. Therefore, the transmission unit 212 can transmit the service content information including the copied service content and / or the service content to which a predetermined processing is applied to the SDN controller 90 at a predetermined timing. Thus, the SDN controller 90 can suppress the tightness of the data network 150 and collect the service content information.

[0076] (2) The analysis section 213 can analyze the copied service contents for a prescribed period, and transmit the analysis result to the SDN controller 90. For example, the analysis section 213 can select necessary service contents from the copied service contents, and transmit the selected service content information to the SDN controller 90. Thereby, it is possible to further suppress the tightness of the data network 150.

[0077] (3) The transmission section 212 transmits the service content information to the SDN controller 90 when the usage rate of the frequency band of each port on the communication path is less than the first threshold value, and thus it is possible to appropriately suppress the tightness of the data network 150.

[0078] (4) The transmission section 212 transmits the service content information to the SDN controller 90 when the usage rate of the storage area of the storage section 211 exceeds the second threshold value. Thereby, it is possible to avoid a situation in which the storage section 211 is not able to store the copied service contents due to insufficient capacity. Further, the transmission section 212 transmits the service content information to which compression or the like has been applied to the SDN controller 90, and thus it is possible to suppress the tightness of the data network 150 regardless of the usage rate of the frequency band of each port on the communication path.

[0079] (5) The transmission section 212 transmits the service content information to the SDN controller 90 when the power state of the vehicle is ACC. Thereby, the transmission section 212 can transmit the service content information to the SDN controller 90 when it is presumed that the usage rate of each port on the communication path is relatively low, or when a reduction in communication speed is allowed, based on the power state.

[0080] (6) The SDN controller 90 can optimize the data network 150 based on the analysis result of the service content information.

[0081] (Other Embodiments)

[0082] The above describes embodiments of the present disclosure, but the present disclosure is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications can be made to implement the present disclosure.

[0083] (a) In the above-described embodiments, the first service content processing device 21 and the second service content processing device 22 are provided separately from the first to fourth relay devices 11 to 14, but the first service content processing device 21 and / or the second service content processing device 22 can be built into one of the first to fourth relay devices 11 to 14. For example, the first service content processing device 21 and / or the second service content processing device 22 can be built into the first relay device 11, as shown in FIG. 10. Figure 14As shown, the third relay device 13 is provided with a storage section 211, a transmission section 212, and an analysis section 213. In this case, the third relay device 13 copies the service contents flowing through the first to third ports P1, P2, P3, and saves them in the storage section 211. The transmission section 212 transmits the service content information to the SDN controller 90. In addition, the transmission section 212 transmits and receives frames among the first relay device 11, the fourth relay device 14, and the first ECU 31.

[0084] (b) In the above-described embodiment, it is assumed that the communication system 100 is mounted on a vehicle, but the communication system 100 need not necessarily be mounted on a vehicle. The communication system 100 can be mounted on a mobile body other than a vehicle, or can be configured in a building. In the case where the communication system 100 is mounted on a mobile body other than a vehicle, the SDN controller 90 or the transmission section 212 decides the transmission timing of the service content information based on the usage rate of the frequency band of the communication path and / or the usage rate of the storage area of the storage section 211.

[0085] (c) In the above-described embodiment, the transmission timing of the service content information is decided based on one of the three conditions of the usage rate of the frequency band of the communication path, the usage rate of the storage area of the storage section 211, and the power state of the vehicle, but it can also be decided based on a combination of a plurality of the three conditions. For example, it can be that, in the case where the usage rate of the frequency band of the communication path is less than a first threshold value and the usage rate of the storage area of the storage section 211 exceeds a second threshold value, the service content information is transmitted to the SDN controller 90. Further, it can be that, in the case where the power state of the vehicle is ACC and the usage rate of the storage area of the storage section 211 exceeds the second threshold value, the service content information is transmitted to the SDN controller 90.

[0086] (d) In the above-described embodiment, the communication system 100 is provided with two service content processing devices so as to be able to copy the service contents of all four relay devices, but it can also be provided with a service content processing device per relay device.

[0087] (e) In the above-described embodiments, the first service content processing apparatus 21 deletes the transmitted service content information and the copied service content that is the basis of the service content information from the storage section 211 after the transmission section 212 transmits the service content information or the further processed service content information to the SDN controller 90, but the present disclosure is not limited to this. For example, it can be that, after the transmission section 212 transmits the service content information or the further processed service content information to the SDN controller 90, the first service content processing apparatus 21 deletes the transmitted service content information and the copied service content that is the basis of the service content information from the storage section 211 as a trigger of reception of a reception completion signal from the SDN controller 90. In addition, it can be that, as a trigger of reception of a setting for optimizing the data network transmitted from the SDN controller 90 by the relay apparatus connected to or built-in the service content processing apparatus, the first service content processing apparatus 21 deletes the transmitted service content information and the copied service content that is the basis of the service content information from the storage section 211.

[0088] (f) In the above-described embodiments, the data network 150 having the first relay apparatus 11, the second relay apparatus 12, the third relay apparatus 13, the fourth relay apparatus 14, the first signal line 61, the second signal line 62, the third signal line 63, and the fourth signal line 64 has been described as a ring topology, but the data network 150 is not limited to the ring topology. It can be another network topology such as a mesh topology.

[0089] (g) A plurality of functions possessed by one constituent element in the above-described embodiments can be implemented by a plurality of constituent elements, or one function possessed by one constituent element can be implemented by a plurality of constituent elements. In addition, a plurality of functions possessed by a plurality of constituent elements can be implemented by one constituent element, or one function implemented by a plurality of constituent elements can be implemented by one constituent element. In addition, a part of the structure of the above-described embodiments can be omitted. In addition, at least a part of the structure of the above-described embodiments can be added to or replaced with the structure of another above-described embodiment.

[0090] (h) In addition to the above-described communication system, the present disclosure can be implemented in various manners such as a service content processing apparatus or a relay apparatus included in a communication system, a program for causing a computer to function as the service content processing apparatus or the relay apparatus, a non-transitory tangible recording medium such as a semiconductor memory in which the program is recorded, a service content information collection method, and the like.

Claims

1. A communication system, characterized in that, have: A relay device having multiple ports and configured to replicate service content through at least one of the multiple ports; The network controller is configured to monitor the service content of the data network including the relay device; as well as A service content processing apparatus includes a storage unit configured to receive and store service content copied by the relay device without passing through other relay devices. The transmission unit is configured to send service content information related to the copied service content obtained from the storage unit to the network controller at predetermined intervals.

2. The communication system according to claim 1, characterized in that, The service content processing device further includes an analysis unit configured to analyze the copied service content obtained from the storage unit and save the analysis results in the storage unit. The business content information includes the analysis results.

3. The communication system according to claim 1, characterized in that, The relay device is configured to detect the bandwidth utilization on the communication path from the relay device to the network controller. The transmitting unit is configured to send the service content information to the network controller when the utilization rate detected by the relay device is less than a first threshold.

4. The communication system according to claim 1, characterized in that, The sending unit is configured to send the service content information to the network controller when the utilization rate of the storage unit exceeds a second threshold.

5. The communication system according to claim 1, characterized in that, The relay device, the network controller, and the service content processing device are mounted on the vehicle. The relay device is connected to an electronic control unit configured to manage the power supply of the vehicle. The transmitting unit is configured to send the service content information to the network controller when the power status of the vehicle obtained from the electronic control device is in a predetermined state.

6. The communication system according to claim 1, characterized in that, The data network has multiple devices including the relay device. Based on the analysis results of the received service content information, the network controller derives settings to optimize the data network and reflects the derived settings to the plurality of devices.

7. The communication system according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that, The service content processing apparatus is configured such that, after the sending unit sends the service content information to the network controller, it deletes the copied service content, which forms the basis of the service content information, from the storage unit.

8. The communication system according to claim 2, characterized in that, The business content processing apparatus is configured to discard the copied business content that forms the basis of the analysis results from the storage unit when the analysis results are saved to the storage unit.

9. A method for collecting business content information, characterized in that, The service content, copied through at least one of the multiple ports of the relay device, is received and stored in the storage unit without passing through other relay devices. Obtain business content information related to the copied business content from the storage unit. The acquired service content information is sent to the network controller at a predetermined time interval. The network controller is configured to monitor the service content of the data network containing the relay device.

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