Communication device, communication device setting method, and communication system

Abstract

To achieve the automation of communication device settings with fewer restrictions.SOLUTION: A communication device 1 includes a port for connecting to an adjacent device having VLAN (Virtual LAN) information related to a VLAN for a management and control network, a VLAN interface control unit that, when the VLAN information is received via the port, sets up a VLAN interface for communication with the management and control network in the communication device based on the VLAN information, and a setting unit that acquires setting information for the communication device from the management and control network via the VLAN interface and sets up the communication device based on the setting information.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a communication device, a method for configuring a communication device, and a communication system. [Background technology]

[0002] In recent years, communication devices equipped with a function called Zero Touch Provisioning (ZTP) have been provided. Zero Touch Provisioning is a function that automatically configures a communication device when the device is connected to a network in an initial state (typically, a factory-shipped state). Zero Touch Provisioning offers the advantage to, for example, a communication carrier that it can reduce installation costs from the time the communication device is purchased until it is connected to a network. Various methods have been proposed as a specific method for realizing Zero Touch Provisioning (for example, see Non-Patent Documents 1 to 3). [Prior art documents] [Non-patent literature]

[0003] [Non-Patent Document 1] "Zero Touch Provisioning Implementation and Troubleshooting Tips", [online], June 30, 2021, Cisco Systems, Inc., [Retrieved March 16, 2023], Internet, <URL:https: / / www.cisco.com / c / ja_jp / support / docs / ios-nx-os-software / ios-xr-software / 217224-zero-touch-provisioning-implementation-a.html#anc9> [Non-Patent Document 2] "ApresiaNP Series User Guide", [online], March 2023, APRESIA Systems Co., Ltd., [Retrieved March 16, 2023], Internet, <URL:https: / / www.apresia.jp / products / ent / np / usersguide / management / top.html?p=NP_ztp0_c_ztp.html> [Non-Patent Document 3] "AX2200S / AX2100S / AX1250S / AX1240S Software Manual Configuration Command Reference Ver.2.12 Compatible AX1240S-S003-B0", [online], January 2020, ALAXALA Networks Corporation, [Retrieved March 16, 2023], Internet, <URL:https: / / www.alaxala.com / jp / techinfo / archive / manual / AX2100S / PDF / 2_12 / CFREF / CFREF.pdf> Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] As shown in the above-mentioned documents, the specifications of zero-touch provisioning are determined independently by the vendors of communication devices. Therefore, there are some parts of the specifications of zero-touch provisioning that are not standardized among vendors. For example, according to the specifications described in the above-mentioned Non-Patent Documents 1 to 3, the ports or VLANs (Virtual LANs) to be used for provisioning are not standardized.

[0005] Therefore, when a communication carrier provisions a communication device, it may be necessary to check the specifications of the device. Furthermore, differences in the specifications regarding provisioning may result in additional work being required when provisioning a communication device. However, if a large amount of work is required by a user to configure a communication device, such configuration can no longer be called zero-touch provisioning.

[0006] An object of the present disclosure is to realize automation of communication device settings with fewer constraints. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] The communication device of the present disclosure comprises a port for directly or indirectly connecting to an adjacent device having VLAN information related to a VLAN (Virtual LAN) for a management and control network, a VLAN interface control unit that sets up a VLAN interface in the communication device for communication with the management and control network based on the VLAN information received by the communication device via the port, and a setting unit that obtains setting information for the communication device from the management and control network via the VLAN interface and configures the communication device based on the setting information.

[0008] The configuration method of the communication device disclosed herein includes the steps of receiving VLAN information regarding a VLAN (Virtual LAN) for a management control network at a port of the communication device, configuring a VLAN interface in the communication device for communication with the management control network based on the VLAN information received by the communication device, acquiring configuration information of the communication device via the VLAN interface, and configuring the communication device based on the configuration information.

[0009] The communication system disclosed herein includes a communication device and an adjacent device having VLAN information related to a VLAN (Virtual LAN) for a management and control network, and the communication device receives the VLAN information from the adjacent device and configures a VLAN interface for communication with the management and control network based on the VLAN information, obtains configuration information for the communication device via the VLAN interface, and configures the communication device based on the configuration information. Effect of the Invention

[0010] According to the present disclosure, automation of communication device settings can be achieved with fewer constraints. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0011] [Figure 1]FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an application example of a communication device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the functions of the neighboring devices shown in FIG. [Diagram 3] FIG. 3 is a sequence diagram illustrating an example of setting a VLAN interface in zero-touch provisioning according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a sequence diagram illustrating another example of setting a VLAN interface in zero-touch provisioning according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Diagram 5] FIG. 5 is a sequence diagram illustrating a flow of setting an IP address in zero-touch provisioning according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a sequence diagram illustrating a flow of information acquisition from a TFTP server and setting of a communication device in zero-touch provisioning according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating another example of wiring of a communication device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating yet another example of wiring of a communication device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0012] [Description of the embodiments of the present disclosure] First, the embodiments of the present disclosure will be listed and described.

[0013] (1) A communication device according to one embodiment of the present disclosure includes a port for directly or indirectly connecting to an adjacent device having VLAN information related to a VLAN (Virtual LAN) for a management and control network, a VLAN interface control unit that, when receiving the VLAN information via the port, sets up a VLAN interface in the communication device for communication with the management and control network based on the VLAN information, and a setting unit that obtains setting information for the communication device from the management and control network via the VLAN interface and configures the communication device based on the setting information.

[0014] According to the above configuration, the communication device can set a VLAN interface for communication with a management and control network based on information received from an adjacent device, and can obtain information related to the setting of the communication device via the VLAN interface. This allows the setting of the communication device to be performed automatically. Therefore, the automation of the setting of the communication device (zero-touch provisioning) can be realized with fewer constraints.

[0015] (2) In the communication device described in (1), the communication device receives version information regarding the version of the communication device's IP (Internet Protocol) via a port, the VLAN interface control unit configures a VLAN interface according to the version information, and the configuration unit obtains the IP address of the communication device according to the version information and configuration data for configuring the communication device as configuration information.

[0016] In order to connect a communication device to an IP network such as the Internet, it is necessary to assign an IP address to the communication device. According to the above configuration, the communication device obtains information on the selection of the IP version (typically, IPv4 or IPv6) in addition to information on the VLAN. This allows the communication device to determine whether to obtain an IPv4 address or an IPv6 address. As a result, the communication device can obtain its own IP address (typically, an IPv4 address or an IPv6 address), and can access a server in a management and control network to obtain setting data. Therefore, the communication device can be automatically configured.

[0017] (3) In the communication device of (1) or (2), the above port is a port for the main signal.

[0018] According to this configuration, it is possible to suppress an increase in the number of wires connected to the communication device, and therefore to reduce the amount of wiring work. In addition, by suppressing an increase in the number of wires, it is possible to reduce the cost of installing the communication device in the network.

[0019] (4) In the communication device of (1) or (2), the port is a management port. According to this configuration, the configuration of the communication device can be automatically performed. In particular, when information regarding the selection of the IP version is obtained, it is possible to realize a communication device capable of zero-touch provisioning for either IPv4 or IPv6.

[0020] (5) A method for configuring a communication device according to one embodiment of the present disclosure includes the steps of receiving VLAN information regarding a VLAN (Virtual LAN) for a management and control network at a port of the communication device, configuring a VLAN interface in the communication device for communication with the management and control network based on the VLAN information, acquiring configuration information of the communication device via the VLAN interface, and configuring the communication device based on the configuration information.

[0021] According to the above configuration, automation of communication device settings (zero-touch provisioning) can be achieved with fewer constraints.

[0022] (6) A communication system according to one embodiment of the present disclosure includes a communication device and an adjacent device having VLAN information related to a VLAN (Virtual LAN) for a management and control network, and the communication device receives the VLAN information from the adjacent device and configures a VLAN interface for communication with the management and control network based on the VLAN information, obtains configuration information for the communication device via the VLAN interface, and configures the communication device based on the configuration information.

[0023] According to the above configuration, automation of communication device settings (zero-touch provisioning) can be achieved with fewer constraints.

[0024] [Details of the embodiment of the present disclosure] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings. In the drawings, the same or corresponding parts are designated by the same reference characters and their description will not be repeated.

[0025] Fig. 1 is a diagram showing an application example of a communication device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in Fig. 1, the communication device 1 according to the embodiment of the present disclosure is connected to a management and control network 20 for managing and controlling the communication device 1. A Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP) server 22 and a Trivial File Transfer Protocol (TFTP) server 23 are connected to the management and control network 20. The type of the communication device 1 is not particularly limited. For example, the communication device 1 can be an L3 switch.

[0026] The communication device 1 realizes zero-touch provisioning by communicating with the DHCP server 22 and the TFTP server 23. The zero-touch provisioning automatically executes the settings of the communication device 1. This enables the communication device 1 to exchange main signals via the main signal network 30. Note that the "main signal" is the main signal transmitted and received by the communication device 1, such as a signal (user data signal) transmitted and received by an end user's terminal device (not shown).

[0027] The communication device 1 includes a management port 2 and main signal ports 3 and 4. The management port 2 is a port for transmitting and receiving information required for management and control of the communication device 1 to and from a management control network 20. In the configuration of FIG. 1, the management port 2 is connected to an adjacent device 21 installed in the management control network 20. The adjacent device 21 has VLAN information related to a VLAN (Virtual LAN) for the management control network. Therefore, the communication device 1 and the adjacent device 21 constitute a communication system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. In this embodiment, the term "a port for directly or indirectly connecting to an adjacent device" means that the port may be directly connected to the adjacent device 21, or that the port may be indirectly connected to the adjacent device 21 via a device that does not have VLAN information related to a VLAN for the management control network.

[0028] The main signal port 3 is connected to an L2 / L3 router 31 (hereinafter simply referred to as "router 31"). The router 31 is connected to the management control network 20 via the adjacent device 21, and is also connected to the main signal network 30. Therefore, the main signal port 3 is a port for connecting to the adjacent device 21, and is also a port connected to the main signal network 30. On the other hand, the main signal port 4 is a port connected only to the main signal network 30.

[0029] In this embodiment, a VLAN interface (SVI: Switched Virtual Interface) is set in the communication device 1. Since VLAN is an L2 technology, routing, which is an L3 technology, is not possible. However, by using the VLAN interface (SVI: Switched Virtual Interface), packets that enter the VLAN can be routed.

[0030] The communication device 1 further includes a frame relay unit 5, a management and control network frame forwarding unit 6, a frame control unit 7, a setting unit 10, and a VLAN interface control unit 15. The setting unit 10 includes a zero-touch provisioning function unit 11, an adjacent device monitoring and control unit 12, a DHCP client 13, and a TFTP client 14.

[0031] The frame relay unit 5 forwards frames within the main signal network 30. Furthermore, when the frame relay unit 5 receives a frame from the management and control network 20 via the main signal port 3, it forwards the frame to the management and control network frame forwarding unit 6. Similarly, the frame relay unit 5 forwards a frame related to zero-touch provisioning to the main signal port 3 in order to transmit the frame to the management and control network 20.

[0032] The management control network frame forwarding unit 6 controls forwarding of frames addressed to the management control network 20 and frames received from the management control network 20. Specifically, if the frame received from the management control network 20 is a DHCP packet, the management control network frame forwarding unit 6 forwards the packet to the DHCP client 13. If the frame received from the management control network 20 is a TFTP packet addressed to the communication device 1, the management control network frame forwarding unit 6 forwards the packet to the TFTP client 14. If the frame received from the management control network 20 is a monitoring frame for monitoring the adjacent device 21, the management control network frame forwarding unit 6 forwards the frame to the adjacent device monitoring control unit 12. Note that, for example, an LLDP (Link Layer Discovery Protocol) frame can be used as the monitoring frame.

[0033] Furthermore, when the management and control network frame forwarding unit 6 receives a control frame addressed to a communication device 1 other than the above, it forwards the frame to the frame control unit 7. The frame control unit 7 processes the control frame that should be processed by the communication device 1.

[0034] The setting unit 10 is a main part for executing zero-touch provisioning in the communication device 1. The setting unit 10 acquires setting information of the communication device 1 from the management control network 20 via a VLAN interface set by a VLAN interface control unit 15, and configures the communication device 1 based on the setting information.

[0035] Specifically, the zero-touch provisioning function unit 11 receives settings for executing zero-touch provisioning from the adjacent device monitoring control unit 12, and configures the DHCP client 13 and the VLAN interface control unit 15. Furthermore, the zero-touch provisioning function unit 11 receives settings related to the TFTP server 23 and the files to be acquired from the TFTP server 23 from the DHCP client 13, and configures the TFTP client.

[0036] The adjacent device monitoring control unit 12 transmits and receives monitoring frames for monitoring the adjacent device 21 , and transfers settings for zero-touch provisioning to the zero-touch provisioning function unit 11 .

[0037] The DHCP client 13 obtains an IPv4 address by DHCP, or obtains an IPv6 address by DHCPv6. The obtained IP address is set in the management and control network frame transfer unit 6 and the frame relay unit 5. Furthermore, the DHCP client 13 passes the settings of the TFTP server 23 and the settings related to the files to be obtained from the TFTP server 23 to the zero-touch provisioning function unit 11.

[0038] The TFTP client 14 transmits and receives TFTP frames to acquire the initial setting file. When the acquisition of the initial setting file is completed, the TFTP client 14 notifies the zero-touch provisioning function unit 11.

[0039] The VLAN interface control unit 15 sets a VLAN interface for communication with the management and control network 20 in the frame relay unit 5 based on the VLAN information that the communication device 1 receives from the adjacent device 21 via the main signal port 3 .

[0040] Fig. 2 is a block diagram showing the functions of the adjacent device shown in Fig. 1. As shown in Fig. 2, the adjacent device 21 includes a management port 42, physical ports 43 and 44, a management control network frame forwarding unit 46, a frame control unit 47, and an adjacent device monitoring control unit 48.

[0041] The management port 42 is a port connected to the management control network 20. The management port 42 is only responsible for transmitting frames from the adjacent device 21 and receiving frames transmitted to the adjacent device 21.

[0042] The physical ports 43 and 44 are ports for transmitting frames received from other devices to the management control network 20 and for transmitting frames received from the management control network 20 to other devices. The "other devices" are, for example, the communication device 1 shown in FIG. 1.

[0043] The management control network frame forwarding unit 46 controls forwarding of frames addressed to the management control network 20 and frames received from the management control network 20. Specifically, if the frame received from the management control network 20 is a monitoring frame, the management control network frame forwarding unit 46 forwards the frame to the adjacent device monitoring control unit 48. Also, if the frame received from the management control network 20 is a frame addressed to the adjacent device 21, the management control network frame forwarding unit 46 forwards the frame to the frame control unit 47.

[0044] The adjacent device monitoring control unit 48 transmits and receives monitoring frames. In addition, the adjacent device monitoring control unit 48 notifies the communication device 1 of information related to the adjacent device 21. The information related to the adjacent device 21 includes information related to the presence or absence of a LAN for management control. Furthermore, the information related to the adjacent device 21 may include, for example, information related to whether the device itself supports frame forwarding, IPv4 or IPv6.

[0045] Zero-touch provisioning of the communication device 1 is performed in the following steps. First, the communication device 1 in an initial state (for example, a state at the time of shipment from the factory) is connected to the management and control network 20 and started up. When the communication device 1 is started up, DHCP is enabled, and the communication device 1 obtains an IP address of the communication device 1 from the DHCP server 22. In addition to the IP address of the communication device 1, the DHCP server 22 may provide information such as the IP address of the TFTP server 23 and the file name of an initial setting file. Next, the communication device 1 downloads the initial setting file from the TFTP server 23, and reflects the contents of the initial setting file in the communication device 1. As a result, the communication device 1 is automatically configured.

[0046] The specifications regarding the ports or VLAN interfaces used in the above-mentioned zero-touch provisioning may differ depending on the vendor of the communication device. For example, in communication devices provided to the market by one vendor, a management port is used for zero-touch provisioning (see Non-Patent Document 1). However, in communication devices from another vendor, a main signal port is used for zero-touch provisioning, and a VLAN1 interface is automatically created (see Non-Patent Document 2).

[0047] Furthermore, in a communication device that performs zero-touch provisioning at a management port, wiring to the management port is required in addition to wiring to the main signal port. This increases the number of wires. Considering the complexity of wiring when installing the communication device 1 and the wiring costs, the fewer the number of wires, the better.

[0048] Therefore, in the embodiment of the present disclosure, zero-touch provisioning is performed by utilizing the main signal port 3 of the communication device 1. The communication device 1 determines the VLAN to be used in the zero-touch provisioning by exchanging information with the adjacent device 21. Since the VLAN to be used in the zero-touch provisioning is determined based on information held by the adjacent device 21, it is possible to reduce restrictions on the setting of the VLAN interface by the communication device 1.

[0049] 3 is a sequence diagram illustrating an example of setting a VLAN interface in zero-touch provisioning according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in FIG. 3, the communication device 1 is started up, and the main signal port 3 is connected to the router 31 by wiring.

[0050] In step S1, the communication device 1 transmits an inquiry about VLAN information (VLAN number) for management control to the router 31. Specifically, the zero-touch provisioning function unit 11 instructs the adjacent device monitoring control unit 12 to generate an inquiry about the VLAN information for management control. The adjacent device monitoring control unit 12 generates a frame for the inquiry in response to the zero-touch provisioning function unit 11, and transfers the frame to the management control network frame transfer unit 6. The management control network frame transfer unit 6 transfers the frame received from the adjacent device monitoring control unit 12 to the frame relay unit 5.

[0051] The frame relay unit 5 transfers the frame received from the management and control network frame transfer unit 6 to the main signal port 3. As a result, the frame for inquiring about VLAN information for management and control is transmitted from the main signal port 3 to the router 31.

[0052] In step S2, router 31 transfers the inquiry from communication device 1 to adjacent device 21. In step S3, adjacent device 21 receives the inquiry from communication device 1 and generates a frame including a response of VLAN information for management control. Specifically, adjacent device 21 receives the frame transmitted from communication device 1 at physical port 44. The frame received at physical port 44 is transferred to management control network frame transfer unit 46 (see FIG. 2).

[0053] The management control network frame forwarding unit 46 forwards this frame to the adjacent device monitoring control unit 48. If there is a VLAN for management control, the adjacent device monitoring control unit 48 generates a frame including information about the VLAN (for example, "VLAN100").

[0054] The reply frame generated by the adjacent device monitoring control unit 48 is transferred to the management control network frame forwarding unit 46, which then forwards the frame to the physical port 44. A frame including a reply about the management control VLAN information is transmitted from the physical port 44 to the router 31. In step S4, the router 31 forwards the reply from the adjacent device 21 to the communication device 1.

[0055] In step S5, the communication device 1 creates a VLAN interface (for example, a VLAN 100 interface) based on information included in the received frame. In this case, the frame from the router 31 is received at the main signal port 3 and transferred from the main signal port 3 to the frame relay unit 5. The frame relay unit 5 transfers the received frame to the VLAN interface control unit 15. The VLAN interface control unit 15 sets the VLAN interface in the communication device 1 based on information included in the received frame.

[0056] In the process shown in FIG. 3, a monitoring frame is transmitted and received between the adjacent device 21 and the communication device 1 in order to exchange information between the adjacent device 21 and the communication device 1. For example, LLDP, which is a data layer link protocol, can be used for this information exchange. Therefore, an LLDP control frame can be used as the above-mentioned monitoring frame. The LLDP control frame includes items such as "Chassis ID" (information of the device, such as a MAC address) and "Port ID" (information of the interface through which the device transmits the LLDP control frame). The LLDP control frame can also include VLAN information as an extension item. Therefore, the adjacent device 21 includes VLAN information in the extension item of the LLDP control frame and transmits the LLDP control frame to the communication device 1, so that the communication device 1 can obtain VLAN information for management control from the adjacent device 21.

[0057] The communication device 1 may collect other information from the adjacent device 21 together with the management control VLAN information. For example, the communication device 1 may inquire of the adjacent device 21 whether IPv4 or IPv6 is valid or both are valid for the IP address acquired from the DHCP server 22 by transmitting an LLDP control frame. In response to the inquiry from the communication device 1, the adjacent device 21 can transmit information, such as whether one of IPv4 or IPv6 is valid or both are valid, to the communication device 1 by including the information in an extension item of the LLDP control frame. Since the communication device 1 can determine whether to enable its own DHCP client or DHCPv6 client, it can acquire its own IP address (typically an IPv4 address or an IPv6 address) to access the management control network 20 and acquire data related to its own settings. Therefore, provisioning of the communication device 1 becomes possible. This embodiment will be described with reference to Figs. 4 to 6.

[0058] FIG. 4 is a sequence diagram for explaining another example of setting a VLAN interface in zero-touch provisioning according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. The process flow shown in FIG. 4 is basically the same as the process flow shown in FIG. 3. However, in step S3A, the adjacent device 21 includes IP address information in VLAN information for management control (for example, "VLAN100") and transmits the VLAN information to the communication device 1. For example, IP address information indicating that IPv4 is enabled and IPv6 is disabled is sent to the communication device 1. In step S4A, the router 31 transfers the VLAN information and IP address information transmitted from the adjacent device 21 to the communication device 1. In step S5A, the communication device 1 creates a VLAN interface (for example, a "VLAN100 IPv4" interface) based on information included in the received frame. In this embodiment, the communication device 1 acquires information that one of IPv4 / IPv6 is enabled or both are enabled together with the VLAN information (as a part of the VLAN information), but the information may be acquired separately from the VLAN information.

[0059] Fig. 5 is a sequence diagram for explaining the flow of setting an IP address in zero-touch provisioning according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. The process shown in Fig. 5 is a process following the setting of a VLAN interface in the communication device 1 (the process of step S5 shown in Fig. 3 or step S5A shown in Fig. 4). Note that the notation "w / VLAN100" in Fig. 5 means that frames are transmitted and received between the communication device 1 and the router 31 via a VLAN ("VLAN100").

[0060] Inside the communication device 1, the DHCP client 13 transmits and receives DHCP frames. The management and control network frame forwarding unit 6 forwards DHCP frames received by the frame relay unit 5 (VLAN interface) to the DHCP client 13. In addition, the management and control network frame forwarding unit 6 forwards frames from the DHCP client 13 to the frame relay unit 5 (VLAN interface).

[0061] First, the communication device 1 transmits a frame (DHCP Discover) for searching for a DHCP server (step S11). Specifically, the zero-touch provisioning function unit 11 instructs the DHCP client 13 to generate a DHCP Discover. The DHCP client 13 generates a DHCP Discover and transfers the frame to the management and control network frame transfer unit 6. The management and control network frame transfer unit 6 transfers the frame received from the DHCP client 13 to the frame relay unit 5 (VLAN interface). The frame relay unit 5 transfers the frame received from the management and control network frame transfer unit 6 to the main signal port 3. As a result, the DHCP Discover is transmitted to the router 31 through the VLAN.

[0062] The DHCP Discover is transferred from the router 31 to the DHCP server 22 (step S12). In response to the DHCP Discover, the DHCP server 22 transmits a frame (DHCP-Offer) for proposing an IP address setting to be assigned to the communication device 1 (step S13). The DHCP-Offer is transferred from the router 31 to the communication device 1 through the VLAN (step S14).

[0063] In response to the DHCP-Offer, the communication device 1 (specifically, the DHCP client 13) generates a frame (DHCP Request) for notifying that the proposed IP address will be used, and transmits the DHCP Request (step S15). The DHCP Request is transferred from the router 31 to the DHCP server 22 (step S16). The DHCP server 22 transmits a frame (DHCP Ack) including information such as the IP address used by the communication device 1 (step S17). The DHCP Ack is transferred from the router 31 to the communication device 1 (step S18). Note that the DHCP Ack may include the IP address of the TFTP server 23 in addition to the IP address of the communication device 1.

[0064] The communication device 1 receives the DHCP Ack and acquires its own IP address. The DHCP client 13 sets the acquired IP address of the communication device 1 in the management control network frame transfer unit 6 and the frame relay unit 5 (step S19). The DHCP client 13 also passes the settings of the TFTP server 23 and the file acquired from the TFTP server 23 to the zero-touch provisioning function unit 11. The zero-touch provisioning function unit 11 sets the TFTP client 14 based on the information received from the DHCP client 13.

[0065] 6 is a sequence diagram illustrating a flow of acquiring information from a TFTP server and setting a communication device in zero-touch provisioning according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. The process shown in FIG. 6 is a process following the setting of an IP address in the communication device 1 (the process of step S19 shown in FIG. 5).

[0066] As shown in FIG. 6, the communication device 1 makes an inquiry to the TFTP server 23 (step S20). Next, the communication device 1 executes a command for requesting download of a configuration file. At this time, a frame ("TFTP Request") is transmitted from the communication device 1 (step S21). Specifically, the zero-touch provisioning function unit 11 instructs the TFTP client 14 to generate a TFTP Request. The TFTP client 14 generates a TFTP Request and transmits the frame to the management control network frame transfer unit 6. The management control network frame transfer unit 6 transmits the frame received from the TFTP client 14 to the frame relay unit 5 (VLAN interface). The frame relay unit 5 transmits the frame received from the management control network frame transfer unit 6 to the main signal port 3. As a result, the TFTP Request is transmitted to the router 31 through the VLAN.

[0067] The TFTP request is transferred from the router 31 to the TFTP server 23 (step S22). In response to the TFTP request, the TFTP server 23 transmits a configuration file (TFTP data) (step S23). In the TFTP, the data of the configuration file is divided into 512-byte chunks and transmitted, and is transferred from the router 31 to the communication device 1 (step S24).

[0068] The communication device 1 reflects the configuration file acquired from the TFTP server 23 in its own settings (step S25). Specifically, the TFTP client 14 acquires the configuration file. When acquisition of the configuration file is completed, the TFTP client 14 notifies the zero-touch provisioning function unit 11. The zero-touch provisioning function unit 11 configures the communication device 1 according to the configuration file.

[0069] Thus, according to the embodiment of the present disclosure, the communication device can obtain information about the VLAN settings for the management and control network by exchanging information with adjacent devices. Therefore, even if there are differences in the specifications of the VLANs between the vendors, the communication device 1 can set a VLAN interface for communication with the management and control network in accordance with the information about the VLAN settings, and can automatically obtain an IP address and a setting file by subsequent exchanges with the management and control network. Therefore, zero-touch provisioning can be realized with fewer constraints.

[0070] 7 is a diagram illustrating another example of wiring of a communication device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in FIG. 7, according to the embodiment of the present disclosure, the communication device 1 can perform zero-touch provisioning by using the main signal port 3, so that wiring between the management port 2 and the adjacent device 21 can be omitted.

[0071] In recent years, from the viewpoint of mobile fronthaul, there is an increasing need to install communication devices outdoors. The configuration shown in Fig. 7 can address problems such as complicated wiring and increased costs. When the communication device 1 is installed outdoors, the benefits of solving problems such as complicated wiring and increased wiring costs become greater.

[0072] Note that the embodiment of the present disclosure does not exclude zero-touch provisioning using a management port. The communication device 1 may execute zero-touch provisioning using the management port 2. For example, for a communication device in which the management port 2 is designated as a port for zero-touch provisioning, the zero-touch provisioning can be executed by the configuration described below.

[0073] FIG. 8 is a diagram showing yet another wiring example of a communication device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in FIG. 8, the management port 2 is connected to a router 31. The communication device 1 may obtain information from the neighboring device 21 by exchanging LLDP control frames via the management port 2 and the router 31. In this case, the communication device 1 can also realize zero-touch provisioning by exchanging necessary information with the DHCP server 22 and the TFTP 23 according to the flows shown in FIG. 5 and FIG. 6. In particular, when obtaining information regarding the selection of an IP version, a communication device capable of zero-touch provisioning can be realized for either IPv4 or IPv6.

[0074] The embodiments disclosed herein are illustrative in all respects and should not be considered as limiting. The scope of the present invention is defined by the claims rather than the above-described embodiments, and it is intended to include the equivalent meaning of the claims and all modifications within the scope of the claims. [Explanation of symbols]

[0075] 1. Communications equipment 2,42 Management Port 3,4 Main signal port 5 Frame relay section 6,46 Management and control network frame forwarding section 7,47 Frame control section 11 Zero-touch provisioning function 12,48 Adjacent device monitoring control section 13 DHCP Client 14 TFTP Client 15 Interface control section 20 Management and Control Network 21 Adjacent Devices 22 DHCP Server 23 TFTP Server 30 Main Signaling Network 31 L2 / L3 Router 43,44 Physical Ports S1~S5, S5A, S11~S25 steps

Claims

1. A communication device, comprising: a port for directly or indirectly connecting to an adjacent device having VLAN information related to a VLAN (Virtual LAN) for a management and control network; a VLAN interface control unit that sets a VLAN interface for communication with the management and control network in the communication device based on the VLAN information received by the communication device via the port; a setting unit that acquires setting information of the communication device from the management and control network via the VLAN interface and configures the communication device based on the setting information.

2. the communication device receives version information regarding a version of an Internet Protocol (IP) of the communication device via the port; the VLAN interface control unit sets the VLAN interface according to the version information; The communication device according to claim 1 , wherein the setting unit acquires, as the setting information, an IP address of the communication device conforming to the version information, and setting data for the setting of the communication device.

3. 3. The communication device according to claim 1, wherein the port is a port for a main signal.

4. The communication device according to claim 1 , wherein the port is a management port.

5. receiving VLAN information relating to a VLAN (Virtual LAN) for a management and control network at a port of a communication device; setting a VLAN interface for communication with the management and control network in the communication device based on the VLAN information received by the communication device; acquiring setting information of the communication device via the VLAN interface; and configuring the communication device based on the configuration information.

6. A communication device; an adjacent device having VLAN information related to a VLAN (Virtual LAN) for a management and control network; The communication device includes: receiving the VLAN information from the neighboring device, and setting a VLAN interface for communication with the management and control network based on the VLAN information; A communication system that acquires setting information of the communication device via the VLAN interface and configures the communication device based on the setting information.

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