Network system and network connection method

Abstract

To provide a network system that takes advantage of the characteristics of APN.SOLUTION: A network system 1 connects data centers A and B via an APN. The APN forms a wavelength path between any APN-T. By associating virtual networks 110, 120, and 130 configured on the network system 1 with the wavelength paths, an optical path through which traffic will pass is determined for each of the virtual networks 110, 120, and 130.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a network system and a network connection method.

Background Art

[0002] Rather than concentrating a data center at one pole, it is expected that by utilizing distributed data centers and treating them as one large data center, maintainability and operation efficiency will be enhanced.

[0003] Non-Patent Document 1 describes the interconnection of Network Virtualization Overlay (NVO) using Ethernet VPN (EVPN).

[0004] Non-Patent Document 2 describes network service technology using All Photonics Network (APN). APN is a network that provides end-to-end optical connections and can flexibly provide optical paths connecting any bases.

Prior Art Documents

Non-Patent Documents

[0005]

Non-Patent Document 1

Non-Patent Document 2

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0006] When constructing a virtual data center by connecting distributed data centers, it is conceivable to combine the technologies of Non-Patent Document 1 and Non-Patent Document 2. In this case, a network system that takes advantage of the characteristics of APN is desired.

[0007] In the services provided by data centers, operators and applications are network-separated and used for each tenant. Here, a tenant refers to a company, organization, or service that uses the resources provided by the data center. Even when the data center is distributed, segment separation for each tenant is necessary.

[0008] Looking at each layer of the network from the perspective of separation, in Layer 1, since the technology of Non-Patent Document 2 can establish wavelength paths for each wavelength, virtual separation of dark fibers becomes possible. In Layers 2 and 3, although also used in Non-Patent Document 1, network slicing technologies using Virtual Extensible LAN (VXLAN) and Multiprotocol Label Switching (MPLS) have become widespread as commercial systems. However, network slicing that sets Layers 1 to 3 as a set is not provided.

[0009] The present disclosure has been made in view of the above, and an object thereof is to provide a network system that takes advantage of the characteristics of APN.

Means for Solving the Problem

[0010] A network system according to an aspect of the present disclosure is a network system that connects between a plurality of networks via an optical network, wherein the optical network forms an optical path between arbitrary endpoints, and associates a virtual network configured on the network system with the optical path to determine an optical path through which traffic passes for each virtual network.

[0011] A network connection method according to one aspect of the present disclosure is a network connection method in a network system that connects multiple networks via an optical network. The optical network forms an optical path between any endpoints, and associates a virtual network configured on the network system with the optical path to determine the optical path through which traffic passes for each virtual network.

Advantages of the Invention

[0012] According to the present disclosure, a network system utilizing the characteristics of an APN can be provided.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0013]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Modes for Carrying Out the Invention

[0014] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0015] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of the network system 1 of this embodiment. The network system 1 shown in the figure is a network that connects data center A and data center B via an APN. The configuration in FIG. 1 is an example, and in addition to data centers A and B, another data center may be connected to the APN.

[0016] The networks of Data Centers A and B (hereinafter referred to as Data Centers A and B) are of a spine-leaf architecture composed of two layers: spine 210 and leaf 220. The spine-leaf architecture is a method of constructing a network with two layers: leaf switches that house end devices and spine switches that connect between leaf switches. Servers 230 are connected to leaf 220. The configuration of Data Centers A and B is not limited to the spine-leaf architecture.

[0017] In network system 1, using VXLAN, virtual networks 110, 120, 130 (also referred to as VXLAN segments) independent for each tenant are configured. VXLAN is an overlay network technology for constructing a logical L2 network on an L3 network. In VXLAN, a VXLAN Tunnel End Point (VTEP) provided at the boundary of the network or the like encapsulates an Ethernet frame and tunnels through an IP network to form a single L2 network spanning multiple sites. A unique Virtual Network Identifier (VNI) is assigned to each of virtual networks 110, 120, 130.

[0018] The network system 1 introduces VXLAN multi-site and is equipped with Border Gateways (BGWs) at the boundaries between data centers A, B and the external. The data centers A and B are interconnected via the BGWs, and virtual networks 110, 120, and 130 are configured. Specifically, the BGWs serve as the VTEPs for each virtual network. As shown in Figure 2, a tunnel is formed between data centers A and B, connecting them. Also, in each of data centers A and B, a tunnel is formed between the BGW and the leaf 220 for each virtual network. Thereby, virtual networks 110, 120, and 130 spanning data centers A and B are formed. Figure 2 shows an example of a tunnel for forming the virtual network 120 in Figure 1. Note that when VXLAN multi-site is not introduced, as shown in Figure 3, a tunnel is formed between the leaf 220s via the network 300.

[0019] In the network system 1, the BGWs through which the traffic passes are specified for each of the virtual networks 110, 120, and 130 (for each VNI). In the example of Figure 1, the traffic of the virtual network 110 passes through BGW1 and BGW4, and the traffic of the virtual networks 120 and 130 passes through BGW2 and BGW3. In other words, the traffic with the VNI of the virtual network 110 passes through BGW1 and BGW4, and the traffic with the VNI of the virtual networks 120 and 130 passes through BGW2 and BGW3.

[0020] Subsequently, the configuration of the APN will be described.

[0021] The user plane of the APN is composed of optical fibers and communication devices corresponding to the functional blocks of the APN Transceiver, APN Gateway, and APN Interchange. Hereinafter, the communication devices corresponding to each functional block are referred to as APN-T, APN-G, and APN-I.

[0022] APN-T is an endpoint of a wavelength path and has a function of transmitting and receiving optical signals passing through the wavelength path. A wavelength path is formed between APN-Ts. In the example of FIG. 1, a wavelength path for transmitting the traffic of virtual network 110 and wavelength paths for transmitting the traffic of virtual networks 120 and 130 are illustrated. APN-T transmits an optical signal based on a signal received from data centers A and B. APN-T transmits a signal based on the optical signal received from the wavelength path to data centers A and B. Note that in FIG. 1, APN-Ts are illustrated as separate devices, but one device may be provided with a plurality of interfaces corresponding to each of the APN-Ts.

[0023] APN-G is a gateway of a wavelength path and multiplexes optical signals by wavelength division. For example, in FIG. 1, APN-G may multiplex and transmit the wavelength path of virtual network 110 and the wavelength paths of virtual networks 120 and 130.

[0024] APN-I (not shown) is a switch for switching wavelengths at an intermediate point of a wavelength path and has a wavelength cross-connect function of inputting an optical signal and outputting it to an arbitrary port.

[0025] By an APN Controller (not shown) controlling APN-T, APN-G, and APN-I, a wavelength path connecting arbitrary bases can be dynamically formed.

[0026] Network system 1 associates the VTEP (BGW) between data centers A and B with APN-T and determines, for each virtual network, a wavelength path through which the traffic of the virtual network passes. In other words, network system 1 associates a VNI with a wavelength path and causes the traffic of a specific VNI to pass through a specific wavelength path.

[0027] In the example of FIG. 1, the traffic of virtual network 110 is routed through the wavelength path formed between the APN-Ts in the upper part of the figure, and the traffic of virtual networks 120 and 130 is routed through the wavelength path formed between the APN-Ts in the lower part of the figure. That is, in network system 1, the traffic of virtual network 110 is routed through BGW1 and BGW4, and the traffic of virtual networks 120 and 130 is routed through BGW2 and BGW3. By connecting BGW and APN-T one-to-one, the wavelength path through which each virtual network passes is determined. In other words, in network system 1, the traffic of BGW1 is sent to the APN-T in the upper left part of the figure, the traffic of BGW2 is sent to the APN-T in the lower left part of the figure, the traffic of BGW3 is sent to the APN-T in the lower right part of the figure, and the traffic of BGW4 is sent to the APN-T in the upper right part of the figure. Note that if the virtual network (or VNI) can be associated with the wavelength path, it is not necessarily required to connect BGW and APN-T one-to-one.

[0028] Also, the BGW may have the function of APN-T and form a wavelength path between BGWs. In this case as well, by associating the VNI with the wavelength path, the traffic of a specific VNI can be routed through a specific wavelength path.

[0029] In this way, for each tenant, by separating Layers 2 and 3 with VXLAN and separating wavelengths with APN, and associating the VNI with the wavelength path, network slicing with Layers 1 to 3 as a set can be provided. Since the wavelength path through which the traffic of each tenant passes can be strictly controlled, when providing the resources of the data center, it becomes possible to specify the bandwidth of the network between data centers with a fine granularity.

[0030] When a failure occurs in the APN, the data center can detect the failure and switch the route, thus shortening the failover time. For example, when communication between specific VNIs between data centers becomes impossible, a failure of the wavelength path associated with that VNI is considered. In this case, the data center may switch the BGW through which the VNI passes so that the traffic of that VNI passes through another wavelength path.

[0031] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a usage example of the network system 1. In the figure, the network system 1 is used as a network for applications connecting between applications 240 and a network for storage synchronization connecting between storages 250. For example, when the Service Level Agreements (SLAs) required for each of the application-oriented network and the storage synchronization-oriented network are different, it is conceivable to provide a best-effort, multi-share network for the application-oriented network and a robust, bandwidth-guaranteed network for the storage synchronization-oriented network. In the network system 1 of the present embodiment, since a wavelength path can be specified for each virtual network, an appropriate service according to the SLA can be provided.

[0032] As described above, the network system 1 of the present embodiment is a network system that connects between data centers A and B via the APN. The APN forms a wavelength path between any APN-Ts. The virtual networks 110, 120, 130 configured on the network system 1 are associated with the wavelength paths to determine the wavelength paths through which the traffic passes for each of the virtual networks 110, 120, 130. Thereby, the traffic routes of the virtual networks 110, 120, 130 can be strictly controlled, and it becomes possible to provide network slicing with layers 1 to 3 as a set.

Explanation of Signs

[0033] 1 Network System 110, 120, 130 Virtual Network 210 Spine 220 Leaf 230 Server 240 Application 250 Storage

Claims

1. A network system that connects multiple networks via an optical network, wherein the optical network forms an optical path between any endpoints, associates a virtual network configured on the network system with the optical path, and determines an optical path through which traffic passes for each virtual network Network system.

2. The network system according to claim 1, wherein each of the multiple networks includes a gateway device at the boundary of the network, a gateway device through which traffic passes is determined for each virtual network, and the gateway devices are connected by the optical path Network system.

3. The network system according to claim 2, wherein the gateway device and the endpoint are connected one-to-one Network system.

4. A network connection method in a network system that connects multiple networks via an optical network, wherein the optical network forms an optical path between any endpoints, associates a virtual network configured on the network system with the optical path, and determines an optical path through which traffic passes for each virtual network Network connection method.

5. The network connection method according to claim 4, wherein each of the multiple networks includes a gateway device at the boundary of the network, determines a gateway device through which traffic passes for each virtual network, and connects the gateway devices by the optical path Network connection method.

6. The network connection method according to claim 5, wherein the gateway device and the endpoint are connected one-to-one Network connection method.

Images