Electronic device and network system

Abstract

To ensure redundancy in the monitoring and control of each electronic component while reducing the number of ports of a local controller.SOLUTION: An electronic device includes a plurality of electronic components, a transmission line in which the plurality of electronic components are connected in series, and a local controller that monitors the plurality of electronic components. The local controller includes a first monitoring port connected to the transmission line and a second monitoring port connected to the first monitoring port via the transmission line. Each of the plurality of electronic components has a first communication port connectable to the first monitoring port, a second communication port connectable to the second monitoring port, and a communication unit that communicates with the local controller via the first communication port or the second communication port.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 14

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to an electronic device and a network system.

Background Art

[0002] Generally, an electronic device composed of a plurality of electronic components is equipped with a local controller for monitoring each electronic component. For example, an optical transmission device as an electronic device is equipped with a local controller for monitoring each electronic component such as a transmitter (TPND: Transponder), an add / drop multiplexer (Add / Drop), a wavelength selective switch (WSS: Wavelength Selective Switch), and an optical amplifier (AMP: Amplifier). The local controller realizes the monitoring of each electronic component by being connected to each electronic component to be monitored.

[0003] By the way, in recent years, there are cases where only necessary electronic components among a plurality of electronic components are selected and mounted on an electronic device. In such a case, each electronic component is manufactured so as to be separable from the electronic device, unlike the case where it is integrally mounted on the electronic device. Therefore, the number of electronic components mounted on the electronic device is not fixed.

[0004] However, if a sufficient number of ports for connecting to each electronic component are provided in the local controller, the local controller can monitor each electronic component even if many electronic components are mounted on the electronic device. However, since the electronic device has resource limitations, it is difficult to increase the number of ports of the local controller without limit.

[0005] Therefore, recently, technologies for monitoring electronic components mounted on an electronic device while reducing the number of ports of the local controller have also been proposed. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a technique of connecting a plurality of nodes to be monitored in a line shape and having a system controller device monitor the plurality of nodes connected in a line shape. According to this, since the system controller device does not need to individually provide ports for one-to-one communication with each of the plurality of nodes, the number of ports can be reduced.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0006]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0007] However, in the technique disclosed in Patent Document 1, the elements for monitoring each node in the system controller device are not redundant. Therefore, when an element for monitoring each node fails in the system controller device, monitoring control cannot be continued. Therefore, ensuring the redundancy of monitoring control is also an important issue.

[0008] Therefore, an object of the present disclosure is to provide an electronic device and a network system capable of ensuring the redundancy of monitoring control of each electronic component while reducing the number of ports of a local controller in view of the above-described problems.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0009] An electronic device according to one aspect includes a plurality of electronic components, a transmission line in which the plurality of electronic components are provided in series, and a local controller that monitors the plurality of electronic components. The local controller has a first monitoring port connected to the transmission line and a second monitoring port connected to the first monitoring port via the transmission line. Each of the plurality of electronic components has a first communication port connectable to the first monitoring port, a second communication port connectable to the second monitoring port, and a communication unit that communicates with the local controller via the first communication port or the second communication port.

[0010] A network system according to one aspect includes an electronic device and an NMS (Network Management System) that monitors the electronic device.

Advantages of the Invention

[0011] According to the above aspect, an effect can be obtained in that an electronic device and a network system capable of monitoring each electronic component can be provided without increasing the ports of the local controller.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0012]

Figure 1

Figure 2

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Figure 7

Figure 8

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Figure 11

Figure 12

Figure 13

Figure 14

Figure 15

Figure 16

[0013] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings. Note that the following description and drawings are appropriately omitted and simplified for clarity of explanation. In each of the following drawings, the same elements are denoted by the same reference numerals, and redundant explanations are omitted as necessary.

[0014] <Embodiment 1> First, a configuration example of the network system 1 will be described. FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a configuration example of the network system 1. As shown in FIG. 1, the network system 1 includes an electronic device 10 and an NMS (Network Management System) 20.

[0015] The NMS 20 monitors the electronic device 10 via a DCN (Data Communication Network) 30.

[0016] The electronic device 10 includes an SLC (Site Local Controller) 11, a plurality of BOXes 12A-1 to 12A-n (n is a natural number of 2 or more), and a transmission line 13A.

[0017] In FIG. 1 and the drawings described hereinafter, the BOXes 12A-1 to 12A-n are appropriately shown as BOXes A-1 to A-n. Further, in the following description, when not specifying which of the BOXes 12A-1 to 12A-n, it is appropriately referred to as BOX 12.

[0018] The electronic component is mounted on the electronic device 10 as the BOX 12. However, the method of mounting the electronic component on the electronic device 10 is not limited thereto. The electronic component may be mounted on the electronic device 10 in a manner not intervening the BOX 12.

[0019] The electronic device 10 is, for example, an optical transmission device. When the electronic device 10 is an optical transmission device, the electronic component is, for example, a transmitter (TPND), a multiplexer / demultiplexer, a wavelength selective switch (WSS), an optical amplifier (AMP), etc.

[0020] The SLC 11 monitors each of the plurality of BOXes 12A-1 to 12A-n. The SLC 11 is an example of a local controller.

[0021] SLC11 has a redundant configuration with two controller units 111-1 and 111-2 that can monitor each of the multiple BOX12A-1 to 12A-n. As a result, even if one of the controller units 111-1 and 111-2 fails, SLC11 can continue to monitor BOX12 with the other one. Therefore, in SLC11, one of the controller units 111-1 and 111-2 becomes active to monitor BOX12, and the other becomes standby.

[0022] Also, SLC11 has two monitoring ports 112-1 and 112-2. Specifically, controller unit 111-1 has monitoring port 112-1, and controller unit 111-2 has monitoring port 112-2. In the following description, when it is not necessary to specify which of the monitoring ports 112-1 and 112-2 it is, it is appropriately referred to as monitoring port 112. Monitoring port 112-1 is connected to transmission line 13A. Monitoring port 112-2 is connected to monitoring port 112-1 via transmission line 13A.

[0023] Transmission line 13A is a loop-shaped (ring-shaped) transmission line, and each of the multiple BOX12A-1 to 12A-n is provided in series on transmission line 13A.

[0024] Each of the multiple BOX12A-1 to 12A-n includes communication ports 121-1 and 121-2 and a communication unit 122. Communication port 121-1 can be connected to monitoring port 112-1 via transmission line 13A. Communication port 121-2 can be connected to monitoring port 112-2 via transmission line 13A. Communication unit 122 communicates with SLC11 via communication port 121-1 or 121-2.

[0025] In the communication unit 122, which of the communication ports 121-1 and 121-2 to use is determined according to the position of a blocking port (described later) provided on the transmission line 13A. The communication unit 122 determines the position of the blocking port according to the STP (Spanning Tree Protocol), which is a protocol for loop countermeasures, and determines which of the communication ports 121-1 and 121-2 to use according to the determined position of the blocking port.

[0026] Subsequently, an operation example of the network system 1 will be described. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an operation example in the case where the SLC11 collects adjacent BOX information from each of a plurality of BOX12A-1 to 12A-n in the network system 1.

[0027] In the drawings described in FIG. 2 and later, in the SLC11, the monitoring ports 112-1 and 112-2 are appropriately shown as monitoring ports 1 and 2. Also, in each BOX12, the communication ports 121-1 and 121-2 are appropriately shown as communication ports 1 and 2.

[0028] Also, in the example of FIG. 2, the communication port 121-2 of the BOX12A-n and the monitoring port 112-2 of the SLC11 are blocking ports. Therefore, the communication unit 122 communicates with the controller unit 111-1 using the communication port 121-2.

[0029] As shown in FIG. 2, each of the plurality of BOX12A-1 to 12A-n uses LLDP (Link Layer Discovery Protocol) to acquire adjacent BOX information, which is information about an adjacent BOX. The adjacent BOX information is information representing an adjacent BOX12 and the communication ports 121-1 and 121-2 of the adjacent BOX12 connected to its own BOX12.

[0030] The SLC11 collects adjacent BOX information from each of the plurality of BOX12A-1 to 12A-n using LLDP. In addition, SLC11 generates network topology information of transmission path 13A based on the adjacent BOX information collected from each of the plurality of BOX12A-1 to 12A-n, and stores the generated network topology information.

[0031] FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of the network topology information of transmission path 13A in the state of FIG. 2. In FIG. 3 and the drawings described hereinafter, the notation in parentheses in the network topology information represents (device, port). Also, the solid line connecting the parentheses in the network topology information represents a cable connection, and the dashed line represents a connection inside SLC11.

[0032] For example, in FIG. 3, (SCL,1) represents the monitoring port 112-1 of SLC11, (SCL,2) represents the monitoring port 112-2 of SLC11, and (A-1,1) represents the communication port 121-1 of BOX12A-1. Also, since the monitoring port 112-1 of SLC11 and the communication port 121-1 of BOX12A-1 are cable-connected, (SCL,1) and (A-1,1) are connected by a solid line. Also, since the monitoring port 112-1 of SLC11 and the monitoring port 112-2 of SLC11 are connected inside SLC11, (SCL,1) and (SCL,2) are connected by a dashed line.

[0033] Thus, the network topology information of transmission path 13A becomes position information indicating the positions of each BOX12 on transmission path 13A and the communication ports 121-1, 121-2 connected to transmission path 13A at those positions.

[0034] Note that the collection operation shown in FIG. 2 is performed periodically. Therefore, the network topology information of transmission path 13A is updated periodically.

[0035] In addition, SLC11 also stores the type information and configuration information of each of the plurality of BOX12A-1 to 12A-n. The type information and configuration information of each BOX12 are manually set in SLC11 by the user using NMS20.

[0036] The type information of each BOX12 is information indicating the type of BOX to be installed at the position of each BOX12. The configuration information of each BOX12 is information regarding the settings of the BOX to be installed at the position of each BOX12.

[0037] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an operation example when a BOX12 is newly installed in the network system 1. FIG. 4 is an example in which BOX12A-1 and 12A-2 are already mounted on the electronic device 10, and BOX12A-3 is newly installed.

[0038] As shown in FIG. 4, the user installs BOX12A-3 by incorporating BOX12A-3 into the transmission path 13A. Specifically, the user connects the communication ports 121-1 and 121-2 of BOX12A-3 to the transmission path 13A (S11).

[0039] Here, SLC11 updates the network topology information of the transmission path 13A by the collection operation of FIG. 2 performed at regular timing after the installation of BOX12A-3. Therefore, based on the updated network topology information, SLC11 knows that BOX12A-3 has been installed, the position where BOX12A-3 has been installed, the communication ports 121-1 and 121-2 connected to the transmission path 13A at that position, and so on. Also, based on the network topology information before the update, SLC11 knows that no BOX12 has been removed at the position where BOX12A-3 is to be installed before the installation of BOX12A-3. Therefore, SLC11 determines that BOX12A-3 has been newly installed and is not a replacement. In this case, unlike the case where BOX12A-3 is installed as a replacement, SLC11 does not transmit configuration information to BOX12A-3 (S12).

[0040] Although not shown, type information and configuration information regarding the BOX to be installed at the position of BOX12A-3 are manually set in SLC11 by the user using NMS20 at any timing thereafter.

[0041] As described above, according to the first embodiment, SLC11 includes a monitoring port 112-1 connected to the transmission line 13A and a monitoring port 112-2 connected to the monitoring port 112-1 via the transmission line 13A. Each of the plurality of BOX12A-1 to 12A-n provided in series on the transmission line 13A includes a communication port 121-1 connectable to the monitoring port 112-1, a communication port 121-2 connectable to the monitoring port 112-2, and a communication unit 122 that communicates with SLC11 via the communication port 121-1 or 121-2.

[0042] Therefore, SLC11 does not need to individually provide a monitoring port 112 for one-to-one communication with each of the plurality of BOX12A-1 to 12A-n in order to monitor each of the plurality of BOX12A-1 to 12A-n, so the number of monitoring ports 112 can be reduced.

[0043] In addition, the two monitoring ports 112-1 and 112-2 provided in SLC11 are connected to the transmission line 13A. Therefore, SLC11 can be configured in a redundant configuration including a controller unit 111-1 that monitors each BOX12 via the monitoring port 112-1 and a controller unit 111-2 that monitors each BOX12 via the monitoring port 112-2. Therefore, even when one of the controller units 111-1 and 111-2 fails, the monitoring control of each BOX12 can be continued.

[0044] Thus, according to the first embodiment, it is possible to reduce the number of monitoring ports 112 of SLC11 while ensuring the redundancy of the monitoring control of each BOX12. In addition, according to the first embodiment, since a new BOX12 can be installed during operation, the scale-up during operation can be flexibly performed.

[0045] <Embodiment 2> First, a configuration example of the network system 2 will be described. FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a configuration example of the network system 2. As shown in FIG. 5, the network system 2 includes an electronic device 10X instead of the electronic device 10 as compared with the network system 1.

[0046] The electronic device 10X additionally includes L2SW (layer 2 switch) 14-1 and 14-2 as compared with the electronic device 10. In addition, the electronic device 10X additionally includes a transmission path 13B in which a plurality of BOXes 12B-1 to 12B-m (m is a natural number of 2 or more) are provided in series. Note that the configurations of BOXes 12B-1 to 12B-m are the same as those of BOXes 12A-1 to 12A-n. In the following description, when not specifying which of BOXes 12A-1 to 12A-n and 12B-1 to 12B-m, they are referred to as BOX12.

[0047] In this way, the electronic device 10X includes two transmission paths 13A and 13B in which a plurality of BOXes 12 are provided in series. In the following description, when not specifying which of the transmission paths 13A and 13B, they are referred to as the transmission path 13. However, the electronic device 10X is not limited to including two transmission paths 13A and 13B, and may include three or more transmission paths 13.

[0048] In the drawings described in FIG. 5 and later, BOXes 12B-1 to 12B-m are appropriately shown as BOXes B-1 to B-m. Also, L2SWs 14-1 and 14-2 are appropriately shown as L2SW#1 and L2SW#2.

[0049] L2SW14-1 relays the connection between the monitoring port 112-1 and the two transmission lines 13A and 13B. L2SW14-1 is provided with relay ports 141-1 to 141-4. In L2SW14-1, the relay port 141-1 is connected to the monitoring port 112-1. Also, the relay port 141-2 is connected to the communication port 121-1 of each BOX12 on the transmission line 13A. Also, the relay port 141-3 is connected to the communication port 121-1 of each BOX12 on the transmission line 13B. Also, the relay port 141-4 is connected to the relay port 141-1 of L2SW14-2 described later.

[0050] L2SW14-2 relays the connection between the monitoring port 112-2 and the two transmission lines 13A and 13B. L2SW14-2 is provided with relay ports 141-1 to 141-4. In L2SW14-2, the relay port 141-2 is connected to the monitoring port 112-2. Also, the relay port 141-3 is connected to the communication port 121-2 of each BOX12 on the transmission line 13A. Also, the relay port 141-4 is connected to the communication port 121-2 of each BOX12 on the transmission line 13B. Also, the relay port 141-1 is connected to the relay port 141-4 of L2SW14-1.

[0051] Next, an operation example of the network system 2 will be described. FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an operation example in the network system 2 when the SLC11 collects adjacent BOX information from each of the plurality of BOX12A-1 to 12A-n and 12B-1 to 12B-m.

[0052] In the drawings described in FIG. 6 and later, in L2SW14-1 and 14-2, the relay ports 141-1 to 141-4 are appropriately shown as relay ports 1 to 4. Also, in the example of FIG. 6, the communication port 121-2 of BOX12A-n, the communication port 121-2 of BOX12B-m, and the monitoring port 112-2 of the SLC11 are blocking ports. Therefore, the communication unit 122 communicates with the controller unit 111-1 using the communication port 121-1 (the same applies to FIGS. 8, 10, and 12 below).

[0053] As shown in FIG. 6, each of the plurality of BOXes 12A-1 to 12A-n and 12B-1 to 12B-m acquires adjacent BOX information of the adjacent BOX 12 using LLDP. The adjacent BOX information is the same as that in the above-described Embodiment 1.

[0054] SLC11 collects adjacent BOX information from each of the plurality of BOXes 12A-1 to 12A-n and 12B-1 to 12B-m using LLDP. Further, SLC11 generates network topology information of the transmission paths 13A and 13B based on the adjacent BOX information collected from each of the plurality of BOXes 12A-1 to 12A-n and 12B-1 to 12B-m, and stores the generated network topology information.

[0055] FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of network topology information of the transmission paths 13A and 13B in the state of FIG. 6. In FIG. 7 and the drawings described hereinafter, the dotted line connecting the parentheses in the network topology information represents the connection inside the L2SWs 14-1 and 14-2.

[0056] For example, in FIG. 7, (L2SW#1,1) represents the relay port 141-1 of the L2SW 14-1, and (L2SW#1,2) represents the relay port 141-2 of the L2SW 14-1. Further, since the relay port 141-1 of the L2SW 14-1 and the relay port 141-2 of the L2SW 14-1 are connected inside the L2SW 14-1, (L2SW#1,1) and (L2SW#1,2) are connected by a dotted line.

[0057] In this way, the network topology information of the transmission paths 13A and 13B becomes position information indicating the positions of the respective BOXes 12 on the transmission paths 13A and 13B and the communication ports 121-1 and 121-2 connected to the transmission paths 13A and 13B at those positions.

[0058] Note that the collection operation shown in FIG. 6 is performed periodically. Therefore, the network topology information of transmission paths 13A and 13B is updated periodically.

[0059] In addition, SLC11 also stores the type information and configuration information of each of the plurality of BOXes 12A-1 to 12A-n and 12B-1 to 12B-m. The type information and configuration information of each BOX12 are manually set in SLC11 by the user using NMS20. The type information and configuration information are the same as those in the above-described Embodiment 1.

[0060] FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an operation example when removing BOX12 in network system 2. FIG. 8 is an example of removing BOX12A-2 on transmission path 13A. As shown in FIG. 8, the user removes BOX12A-2 from transmission path 13A. Specifically, the user disconnects the connection between communication ports 121-1 and 121-2 of BOX12A-2 and transmission path 13A.

[0061] Here, SLC11 updates the network topology information of transmission paths 13A and 13B by the collection operation of FIG.6 performed at regular timing after removing BOX12A-2.

[0062] FIG. 9 is a diagram showing an example of the network topology information of transmission paths 13A and 13B in the state of FIG. 8. As shown in FIG. 9, SLC11 can no longer collect the information of BOX12A-2 adjacent to BOX12A-1 and 12A-3 from BOX12A-1 and 12A-3. Therefore, the information of BOX12A-2 is deleted from the network topology information of transmission path 13A. Thereby, SLC11 determines that BOX12A-2 has been removed (S21).

[0063] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an operation example when installing a replacement BOX12 in network system 2. FIG. 10 is an example of installing BOX12A-2' as a replacement for BOX12A-2 at the same position as BOX12A-2 on transmission path 13A.

[0064] As shown in FIG. 10, the user installs BOX12A-2’ at the position where BOX12A-2 was installed on transmission path 13A. Specifically, the user connects the communication ports 121-1 and 121-2 of BOX12A-2’ to transmission path 13A at the position where BOX12A-2 was installed.

[0065] Here, SLC11 updates the network topology information of transmission paths 13A and 13B by the collection operation of FIG. 6 that is performed at regular timing after the installation of BOX12A-2’.

[0066] FIG. 11 is a diagram showing an example of the network topology information of transmission paths 13A and 13B in the state of FIG. 10. As shown in FIG. 11, SLC11 can collect information on BOX12A-2’ adjacent to BOX12A-1 and 12A-3 from BOX12A-1 and 12A-3. Therefore, information on BOX12A-2’ adjacent to BOX12A-1 and 12A-3 is added to the network topology information of transmission path 13A. Thereby, SLC11 determines that BOX12A-2’ is installed at a position adjacent to BOX12A-1 and 12A-3, that is, the same position as BOX12A-2 (S31).

[0067] Also, SLC11 stores type information and configuration information regarding the BOX to be installed at the position of BOX12A-2’. This type information and configuration information correspond to the type information and configuration information of BOX12A-2.

[0068] Therefore, SLC11 accesses BOX12A-2’ and determines whether the type information set in BOX12A-2’ matches the type information stored in SLC11. Also, SLC11 determines whether configuration information is set in BOX12A-2’. Here, it is assumed that the type information set in BOX12A-2’ matches the type information stored in SLC11 and no configuration information is set in BOX12A-2’.

[0069] Therefore, SLC11 detects that BOX12A-2’ installed at the same position as BOX12A-2 is of the same type as BOX12A-2 (S32). Further, SLC11 detects that there is no configuration information (not put into use) in BOX12A-2’ (S33).

[0070] In this way, when BOX12A-2’ is installed at the same position as BOX12A-2, BOX12A-2’ is of the same type as BOX12A-2, and there is no configuration information in BOX12A-2’, SLC11 determines that BOX12A-2’ is installed as a replacement for BOX12A-2. In that case, SLC11 transmits the configuration information stored in SLC11, that is, the configuration information of BOX12A-2, to BOX12A-2’ (S34).

[0071] Note that when BOX12A-2’ is installed at a position different from BOX12A-2, BOX12A-2’ is of a type different from BOX12A-2, or there is configuration information in BOX12A-2’, SLC11 determines that BOX12A-2’ is not a replacement for BOX12A-2 and does not transmit the configuration information to BOX12A-2’.

[0072] FIG. 12 is a diagram showing an operation example when BOX12 is installed by misconnection in the network system 2. FIG. 12 shows an example in which BOX12A-2’ is installed by misconnection at the same position as BOX12A-2 on the transmission line 13A.

[0073] As shown in FIG. 12, the user installs BOX12A-2’ at the position where BOX12A-2 was installed in transmission path 13A. Specifically, the user connects only the communication port 121-2 of BOX12A-2’ to the transmission path 13A at the position where BOX12A-2 was installed. Thereby, the communication port 121-2 of BOX12A-2’ is connected to the communication port 121-2 of BOX12A-1.

[0074] Here, SLC11 updates the network topology information of transmission paths 13A and 13B by the collection operation shown in FIG. 6 that is performed at regular timing after the installation of BOX12A-2’.

[0075] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of the network topology information of transmission paths 13A and 13B in the state of FIG. 12. As shown in FIG. 13, SLC11 can collect information on BOX12A-2’ adjacent to BOX12A-1 and 12A-3 from BOX12A-1 and 12A-3. Therefore, information on BOX12A-2’ adjacent to BOX12A-1 and 12A-3 is added to the network topology information of transmission path 13A (S41).

[0076] However, according to the network topology information of transmission path 13A when BOX12A-2 was installed (FIG. 7), the communication port 121-1 of BOX12A-2 was connected to the communication port 121-2 of BOX12A-1.

[0077] In contrast, according to the current network topology information of transmission path 13A where BOX12A-2’ is installed, the communication port 121-2 of BOX12A-2’ is connected to the communication port 121-2 of BOX12A-1.

[0078] Therefore, SLC11 determines that BOX12A-2’ is installed by misconnection at the same position as BOX12A-2, and BOX12A-2’ is not a replacement for BOX12A-2. Therefore, SLC11 does not transmit configuration information to BOX12A-2’ (S42).

[0079] As described above, according to the second embodiment, each of the plurality of BOX12 includes two transmission lines 13A and 13B provided in series. L2SW14-1 relays the connection between the monitoring port 112-1 and the two transmission lines 13A and 13B. L2SW14-2 relays the connection between the monitoring port 112-2 and the two transmission lines 13A and 13B.

[0080] Here, from the perspective of STP loop countermeasures, the number of BOX12 provided in one transmission line 13 cannot be increased infinitely. On the other hand, according to the second embodiment, each of the plurality of BOX12 includes two transmission lines 13A and 13B provided in series. Therefore, the number of BOX12 individually connected to the transmission lines 13A and 13B can be suppressed. Also, by increasing the number of transmission lines 13, the number of BOX12 connected to each transmission line 13 can be further suppressed. Other effects of the second embodiment are the same as those of the first embodiment described above.

[0081] <Embodiment 3> The third embodiment corresponds to an embodiment obtained by generalizing the first embodiment described above. FIG. 14 is a diagram showing a configuration example of the network system 3. As shown in FIG. 14, the network system 3 includes an electronic device 40 instead of the electronic device 10 as compared with the network system 1.

[0082] The electronic device 40 includes a local controller 41, a plurality of electronic components 42A, and a transmission line 43A.

[0083] The local controller 41 monitors each of the plurality of electronic components 42A. In addition, the local controller 41 includes a first monitoring port 411-1 and a second monitoring port 411-2. The first monitoring port 411-1 is connected to the transmission line 43A. The second monitoring port 411-2 is connected to the first monitoring port 411-1 via the transmission line 43A. In the following description, when it is not specified which of the first monitoring port 411-1 and the second monitoring port 411-2 is being referred to, it is called the monitoring port 411.

[0084] The transmission line 43A is a loop-shaped (ring-shaped) transmission line, and a plurality of each of the electronic components 42A are provided in series on the transmission line 43A.

[0085] Each of the plurality of electronic components 42A includes a first communication port 421-1, a second communication port 421-2, and a communication unit 422. In the following description, when it is not specified which of the first communication port 421-1 and the second communication port 421-2 is being referred to, it is called the communication port 421.

[0086] The first communication port 421-1 can be connected to the first monitoring port 411-1 via the transmission line 43A. The second communication port 421-2 can be connected to the second monitoring port 411-2 via the transmission line 43A. The communication unit 422 communicates with the local controller 41 via the first communication port 421-1 or the second communication port 421-2.

[0087] According to the third embodiment, the local controller 41 does not need to individually include a monitoring port 411 for one-to-one communication with each of the plurality of electronic components 42A in order to monitor each of the plurality of electronic components 42A, so the number of monitoring ports 411 can be reduced.

[0088] In addition, the first monitoring port 411-1 and the second monitoring port 411-2 provided in the local controller 41 are connected to the transmission line 43A. Therefore, the local controller 41 can be configured in a redundant manner with a component that monitors each electronic component 42A via the first monitoring port 411-1 and a component that monitors each electronic component 42A via the second monitoring port 411-2. Therefore, even if one of these components fails, the monitoring control of each electronic component 42A can be continued.

[0089] Thus, according to the third embodiment, it is possible to ensure the redundancy of the monitoring control of each electronic component 42A while reducing the number of monitoring ports 411 of the local controller 41.

[0090] <Embodiment 4> The fourth embodiment corresponds to an embodiment in which the above-described second embodiment is generalized. FIG. 15 is a diagram showing a configuration example of the network system 4. As shown in FIG. 15, the network system 4 includes an electronic device 40X instead of the electronic device 40 as compared with the network system 3.

[0091] The electronic device 40X additionally includes a first switch 44-1 and a second switch 44-2 as compared with the electronic device 40. In addition, the electronic device 40X additionally includes a transmission line 43B in which each of a plurality of electronic components 42B is provided in series as compared with the electronic device 40. Note that the electronic component 42B has the same configuration as the electronic component 42A. In the following description, when it is not specified which electronic component 42A or 42B is involved, it is referred to as the electronic component 42.

[0092] As described above, the electronic device 40X includes two transmission lines 43A and 43B in which each of a plurality of electronic components 42 is provided in series. In the following description, when not specifying which of the transmission lines 43A and 43B, it is referred to as the transmission line 43. However, the electronic device 40X is not limited to including two transmission lines 43A and 43B, and may include three or more transmission lines 43.

[0093] The first switch 44-1 relays the connection between the first monitoring port 411-1 and the two transmission lines 43A and 43B. The first switch 44-1 includes relay ports 441-1 to 441-4. In the first switch 44-1, the relay port 441-1 is connected to the first monitoring port 411-1. Also, the relay port 441-2 is connected to the first communication port 421-1 of each electronic component 42 on the transmission line 43A. Also, the relay port 441-3 is connected to the first communication port 421-1 of each electronic component 42 on the transmission line 43B. Also, the relay port 441-4 is connected to the relay port 441-1 of the second switch 44-2 described later.

[0094] The second switch 44-2 relays the connection between the second monitoring port 411-2 and the two transmission lines 43A and 43B. The second switch 44-2 includes relay ports 441-1 to 441-4. In the second switch 44-2, the relay port 441-2 is connected to the second monitoring port 411-2. Also, the relay port 441-3 is connected to the second communication port 421-2 of each electronic component 42 on the transmission line 43A. Also, the relay port 441-4 is connected to the second communication port 421-2 of each electronic component 42 on the transmission line 43B. Also, the relay port 441-1 is connected to the relay port 441-4 of the first switch 44-1.

[0095] According to the fourth embodiment, the number of electronic components 42 individually connected to the transmission lines 43A and 43B can be suppressed. Also, by increasing the number of transmission lines 43, the number of electronic components 42 connected to each transmission line 43 can be further suppressed. Other effects of the fourth embodiment are the same as those of the third embodiment described above.

[0096] Note that the above-described Embodiments 3 and 4 can be modified as follows. For example, the local controller 41 may store position information indicating the position on the transmission path 43 of the electronic component 42, type information indicating the type of the electronic component 42, and setting information regarding the setting of the electronic component 42, in association with each of the plurality of electronic components 42.

[0097] Further, when the local controller 41 detects that the first electronic component 42 among the plurality of electronic components 42 has been removed from the transmission path 43, the local controller 41 may specify the first position information, the first type information, and the first setting information associated with the first electronic component 42. Also, when the local controller 41 detects that a second electronic component 42 having the first type information is attached to the position corresponding to the first position information, and detects that the second electronic component 42 does not have information corresponding to the setting information, the second electronic component 42 may be determined to be a replacement for the first electronic component 42.

[0098] Further, when the local controller 41 determines that the second electronic component 42 is a replacement for the first electronic component 42, the local controller 41 may transmit the first setting information to the second electronic component 42.

[0099] Also, the position information may include information indicating the position on the transmission path 43 of the electronic component 42 and information indicating the first communication port 421-1 or the second communication port 421-2 connected to the transmission path 43 at that position. Also, when the local controller 41 detects that a communication port 421 different from the communication port 421 corresponding to the first position information is connected to the transmission path 43 with respect to the second electronic component 42 attached to the position corresponding to the first position information, the second electronic component 42 may be determined not to be a replacement for the first electronic component 42.

[0100] In addition, when the local controller 41 detects that the third electronic component 42 is attached at an arbitrary position on the transmission line 43, and also detects at that position that another electronic component 42 has not been removed before the third electronic component 42 is attached, the third electronic component 42 may be determined not to be a replacement.

[0101] Also, each of the plurality of electronic components 42 may acquire adjacent information indicating an adjacent electronic component 42 using LLDP. Further, the local controller 41 may collect adjacent information from each of the plurality of electronic components 42 using LLDP, generate position information based on the collected adjacent information, and store the generated position information.

[0102] In addition, the communication unit 422 may determine which of the first communication port 421-1 or the second communication port 421-2 to use according to the position of the blocking point provided on the transmission line 43, and communicate with the local controller 41 via the determined communication port 421.

[0103] <Hardware Configuration of the Electronic Device According to the Embodiment> FIG. 16 is a block diagram showing a hardware configuration example of a computer 90 that realizes the above-described electronic devices 10, 10X, 40, and 40X. As shown in FIG. 16, the computer 90 includes a processor 91 and a memory 92. The processor 91 and the memory 92 are coupled to each other.

[0104] The processor 91 may be, for example, a microprocessor, an MPU (Micro Processing Unit), or a CPU (Central Processing Unit). The processor 91 may include a plurality of processors.

[0105] Memory 92 is composed of a combination of volatile memory and non-volatile memory. Memory 92 may include storage located away from processor 91. In this case, processor 91 may access memory 92 via an I (Input) / O (Output) interface (not shown).

[0106] Memory 92 may store software modules (computer programs) including instruction groups and data for performing the processing by the above-described electronic devices 10, 10X, 40, 40X.

[0107] Also, in some implementations, processor 91 may be configured to perform the processing of the above-described electronic devices 10, 10X, 40, 40X by reading and executing software modules from memory 92.

[0108] Also, the above-described program may be stored in a non-transitory computer-readable medium or a tangible storage medium. By way of example and not limitation, the computer-readable medium or the tangible storage medium includes RAM (Random Access Memory), ROM (Read Only Memory), flash memory, SSD (Solid State Drive) or other memory technologies, CD (Compact Disc)-ROM, DVD (Digital Versatile Disc), Blu-ray (registered trademark) disc or other optical disc storage, magnetic cassette, magnetic tape, magnetic disk storage or other magnetic storage devices. The program may be transmitted on a transitory computer-readable medium or a communication medium. By way of example and not limitation, the transitory computer-readable medium or the communication medium includes electrical, optical, acoustic, or other forms of propagated signals.

[0109] The present disclosure has been described with reference to the embodiments, but the present disclosure is not limited to the above-described embodiments. Various changes that can be understood by those skilled in the art can be made to the configuration and details of the present disclosure. And each embodiment can be combined with other embodiments as appropriate.

[0110] Also, each drawing is merely an illustration for explaining one or more embodiments. Each drawing is not associated with only one specific embodiment, but may be associated with one or more other embodiments. As can be understood by those skilled in the art, various features or steps described with reference to any one drawing can be combined with the features or steps shown in one or more other drawings to create, for example, embodiments that are not explicitly illustrated or described. Not all of the features or steps shown in any one drawing for explaining exemplary embodiments are necessarily essential, and some features or steps may be omitted. The order of the steps described in any drawing may be changed as appropriate.

[0111] Also, some or all of the above embodiments may be described as follows in the appended claims, but are not limited thereto. (Appended Claim 1) A plurality of electronic components; A transmission line in which the plurality of electronic components are provided in series; A local controller for monitoring the plurality of electronic components, comprising: The local controller: A first monitoring port connected to the transmission line; A second monitoring port connected to the first monitoring port via the transmission line; Each of the plurality of electronic components: A first communication port connectable to the first monitoring port; A second communication port connectable to the second monitoring port; A communication unit for communicating with the local controller via the first communication port or the second communication port; An electronic device. (Appendix 2) Comprising a first switch connected to the first monitoring port and a second switch connected to the second monitoring port, Comprising a plurality of the transmission paths in which the plurality of the electronic components are provided in series, The first switch relays the connection between the first monitoring port and the plurality of the transmission paths, The second switch relays the connection between the second monitoring port and the plurality of the transmission paths, The electronic device according to Appendix 1. (Appendix 3) The local controller stores position information indicating the position of the electronic component on the transmission path, type information indicating the type of the electronic component, and setting information regarding the setting of the electronic component, in association with each of the plurality of the electronic components, The electronic device according to Appendix 1 or 2. (Appendix 4) The local controller, when detecting that a first electronic component among the plurality of the electronic components has been removed from the transmission path, identifies first position information, first type information, and first setting information associated with the first electronic component, when detecting that a second electronic component having the first type information is attached to the position corresponding to the first position information, and detecting that the second electronic component does not have information corresponding to the setting information, determines that the second electronic component is a replacement for the first electronic component, The electronic device according to Appendix 3. (Appendix 5) When the local controller determines that the second electronic component is a replacement for the first electronic component, the local controller transmits the first setting information to the second electronic component, The electronic device according to Appendix 4. (Appendix 6) The position information includes information indicating the position of the electronic component on the transmission path and information indicating the first communication port or the second communication port connected to the transmission path at the position, When the local controller detects that, with respect to the second electronic component attached to the position corresponding to the first position information, a communication port different from the communication port corresponding to the first position information is connected to the transmission line, the second electronic component is determined not to be a replacement for the first electronic component. The electronic device according to Supplementary Note 4. (Supplementary Note 7) When the local controller detects that a third electronic component is attached at an arbitrary position on the transmission line and, at that position, detects that no other electronic component has been removed before the third electronic component is attached, the third electronic component is determined not to be a replacement. The electronic device according to Supplementary Note 3. (Supplementary Note 8) Each of the plurality of electronic components acquires adjacency information indicating an adjacent electronic component using LLDP (Link Layer Discovery Protocol). The local controller collects the adjacency information from each of the plurality of electronic components using the LLDP, generates the position information based on the collected adjacency information, and stores the generated position information. The electronic device according to Supplementary Note 3. (Supplementary Note 9) The communication unit determines which of the first communication port or the second communication port to use according to the position of a blocking point provided on the transmission line, and communicates with the local controller via the determined communication port. The electronic device according to Supplementary Note 1. (Supplementary Note 10) The electronic device according to Supplementary Note 1, and an NMS (Network Management System) for monitoring the electronic device. A network system.

[0112] Note that some or all of the elements (e.g., configurations and functions) described in Supplementary Notes 2 to 9, which are subordinate to Supplementary Note 1, may be subordinate to Supplementary Note 10 in the same subordinate relationship as Supplementary Notes 2 to 9. Some or all of the elements described in any supplementary note may be applied to various hardware, software, recording means for recording software, systems, and methods.

Explanation of Signs

[0113] 1, 2, 3, 4 Network System 10, 10X Electronic Device 11 SLC 111-1, 111-2 Controller Unit 112-1, 112-2 Monitoring Port 12A-1 to 12A-n, 12B-1 to 12B-m BOX 121-1, 121-2 Communication Port 122 Communication Unit 13A, 13B Transmission Line 14-1, 14-2 L2SW 141-1 to 141-4 Relay Port 20 NMS 30 DCN 40, 40X Electronic Device 41 Local Controller 411-1 First Monitoring Port 411-2 Second Monitoring Port 42A, 42B Electronic Components 421-1 First Communication Port 421-2 Second Communication Port 422 Communication Unit 43A, 43B Transmission Line 44-1 First Switch 44-2 Second Switch 441-1 to 441-4 Relay Port 90 Computer 91 Processor 92 Memory

Claims

1. A plurality of electronic components, A transmission line in which the plurality of electronic components are provided in series, A local controller for monitoring the plurality of electronic components, comprising: The local controller, A first monitoring port connected to the transmission line, A second monitoring port connected to the first monitoring port via the transmission line, and having: Each of the plurality of electronic components, A first communication port connectable to the first monitoring port, A second communication port connectable to the second monitoring port, A communication unit that communicates with the local controller via the first communication port or the second communication port, having: An electronic device.

2. A first switch connected to the first monitoring port and a second switch connected to the second monitoring port are provided, A plurality of the transmission lines in which the plurality of electronic components are provided in series are provided, The first switch relays the connection between the first monitoring port and the plurality of transmission lines, The second switch relays the connection between the second monitoring port and the plurality of transmission lines, The electronic device according to claim 1.

3. The local controller stores position information indicating the position of the electronic component on the transmission line, type information indicating the type of the electronic component, and setting information regarding the setting of the electronic component, in association with each of the plurality of electronic components. The electronic device according to claim 1 or 2.

4. The local controller, When it is detected that a first electronic component among the plurality of electronic components has been removed from the transmission line, the first position information, the first type information, and the first setting information associated with the first electronic component are specified, When it is detected that a second electronic component having the first type information is attached at a position corresponding to the first position information, and it is detected that the second electronic component does not have information corresponding to the setting information, the second electronic component is determined to be a replacement for the first electronic component. The electronic device according to claim 3.

5. When the local controller determines that the second electronic component is a replacement for the first electronic component, the local controller transmits the first setting information to the second electronic component. The electronic device according to claim 4.

6. The position information includes information indicating the position of the electronic component on the transmission line and information indicating the first communication port or the second communication port connected to the transmission line at that position. When the local controller detects that a communication port different from the communication port corresponding to the first position information is connected to the transmission line with respect to the second electronic component attached to the position corresponding to the first position information, the local controller determines that the second electronic component is not a replacement for the first electronic component. The electronic device according to claim 4.

7. When the local controller detects that a third electronic component is attached at an arbitrary position on the transmission line and also detects that no other electronic component has been removed before the third electronic component is attached at that position, the local controller determines that the third electronic component is not a replacement. The electronic device according to claim 3.

8. Each of the plurality of electronic components acquires adjacent information indicating an adjacent electronic component using LLDP (Link Layer Discovery Protocol). The local controller collects the adjacent information from each of the plurality of electronic components using the LLDP, generates the position information based on the collected adjacent information, and stores the generated position information. The electronic device according to claim 3.

9. The communication unit determines which of the first communication port or the second communication port to use according to the position of a blocking point provided on the transmission line, and communicates with the local controller via the determined communication port. The electronic device according to claim 1.

10. The electronic device according to claim 1, and an NMS (Network Management System) for monitoring the electronic device. A network system.

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