Physical resource lending source device, physical resource lending destination device, physical resource lending method, and physical resource lending program

Abstract

To provide a physical resource lending source device or the like that enables the lending source of a physical resource to manage the lending status (state of availability) of a physical resource borrowed by a user (tenant, for example, a carrier).SOLUTION: A physical resource lending source device includes a resource management table memory unit that stores a resource management table including items such as lendable physical resources, authorized tenants associated with the physical resources, and lending status, a resource borrowing request acquisition unit that acquires a physical resource borrowing request sent from a lending destination, a resource selection unit that selects a physical resource to be lent to the lending destination from the lendable physical resources on the basis of the physical resource borrowing request, and a resource allocation unit that allocates the selected physical resource to the lending destination that sent the physical resource borrowing request.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a physical resource lending source device, a physical resource lending destination device, a physical resource lending method, and a physical resource lending program. [Background technology]

[0002] A control device that allows other users to use surplus bandwidth is known (see, for example, Patent Document 1). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2004-23312 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, Patent Document 1 does not mention at all that the lending status (availability) of physical resources borrowed by a user (tenant, e.g., a carrier) is managed by the lender of the physical resources, and there is room for improvement in this regard.

[0005] In view of the above-mentioned problems, the object of the present disclosure is to provide a physical resource lending source device, a physical resource lending destination device, a physical resource lending method, and a physical resource lending program that enable the lending status (availability) of physical resources borrowed by a user (tenant, e.g., a carrier) to be managed by the lender of the physical resources. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] A physical resource lending source device according to a first aspect of the present disclosure includes a resource management table memory unit that stores a resource management table including items such as lendable physical resources, authorized tenants associated with the physical resources, and lending status; a resource borrowing request acquisition unit that acquires a physical resource borrowing request sent from a lending destination; a resource selection unit that selects a physical resource to be lended to the lending destination from among the lendable physical resources based on the physical resource borrowing request; and a resource allocation unit that allocates the selected physical resource to the lending destination that sent the physical resource borrowing request.

[0007] A physical resource lending destination device according to a second aspect of the present disclosure includes a resource borrowing request sending unit that sends a physical resource borrowing request to a lending source, an allocation result acquisition unit that acquires an allocation result sent from the lending source in response to the physical resource borrowing request, and a path setting unit that performs path setting based on the allocation result.

[0008] A physical resource lending method according to a third aspect of the present disclosure involves a computer acquiring a physical resource borrowing request sent from a lender, selecting a physical resource to be loaned to the lender from among the lendable physical resources in a resource management table storage unit that stores a resource management table containing items such as lendable physical resources, authorized tenants associated with the physical resources, and loan status based on the physical resource borrowing request, and allocating the selected physical resource to the lender that sent the physical resource borrowing request.

[0009] A physical resource lending program according to a fourth aspect of the present disclosure causes a computer to acquire a physical resource borrowing request sent from a lending destination, and based on the physical resource borrowing request, select a physical resource to be loaned to the lending destination from among the lendable physical resources in a resource management table storage unit that stores a resource management table that includes items such as lendable physical resources, authorized tenants associated with the physical resources, and loan status, and allocate the selected physical resource to the lending destination that sent the physical resource borrowing request. [Effects of the Invention]

[0010] The present disclosure provides a physical resource lending source device, a physical resource lending destination device, a physical resource lending method, and a physical resource lending program that enable the lending status (availability) of physical resources borrowed by a user (tenant, e.g., a carrier) to be managed by the physical resource lender. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0011] [Figure 1] 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of a physical resource lending source device 10. FIG. [Figure 2] 10 is a flowchart illustrating an example of the operation of the physical resource lending source device 10. [Figure 3] 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a physical resource lending system 1. FIG. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a system configuration diagram of a physical resource lending source device 10. [Figure 5] FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram of a physical resource lending source device 10. [Figure 6] FIG. 2 is a system configuration diagram of a physical resource lending destination device 20 (20A, 20B). [Figure 7] 10 is a flowchart of an example of the operation of the physical resource lending system 1. [Figure 8] 10(a) to 10(c) are examples of a resource management table T1. [Figure 9] This is a comparative example. [Figure 10] 10 is a flowchart of an example of an operation when a path is set up. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0012] (Embodiment 1)

[0013] First, a physical resource lending device 10 according to a first embodiment of the present disclosure will be described with reference to FIG.

[0014] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a physical resource lending source device 10. As shown in FIG.

[0015] As shown in Figure 1, the physical resource lending source device 10 includes a resource management table memory unit 11b that stores a resource management table including items such as lendable physical resources, authorized tenants associated with the physical resources, and lending status; a resource borrowing request acquisition unit 12a that acquires a physical resource borrowing request sent from the lending destination; a resource selection unit 12b that selects a physical resource to be lended to the lending destination from the lendable physical resources based on the physical resource borrowing request; and a resource allocation unit 12c that allocates the selected physical resource to the lending destination that sent the physical resource borrowing request.

[0016] Next, an example of the operation of the physical resource lending source device 10 having the above configuration will be described.

[0017] FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of the physical resource lending source device 10. As shown in FIG.

[0018] First, the resource borrowing request acquisition unit 12a acquires a physical resource borrowing request transmitted from the lender (step S1). Next, the resource selection unit 12b selects a physical resource to be borrowed from among the lendable physical resources based on the physical resource borrowing request (step S2). Next, the resource allocation unit 12c allocates the selected physical resource to the lender that sent the physical resource borrowing request (step S3). Specifically, the resource allocation unit 12c registers the lender and the lending status (Available, representing exclusive lending, or Shareable, representing shared lending) in the permitted tenant I2 and lending status I3 associated with the selected physical resource in the resource management table T1, respectively.

[0019] As described above, according to the first embodiment, the lending status (availability status) of a physical resource borrowed by a user (tenant, for example, a carrier) can be managed by the lender of the physical resource (physical resource lending source device 10).

[0020] (Embodiment 2)

[0021] First, a description will be given of the background of embodiment 2. Embodiment 2 is an embodiment that further embodies embodiment 1.

[0022] Utilizing an APN (All-Photonics Network) makes it possible to realize end-to-end (E2E) high-capacity, low-latency services. However, there is an inherent problem in that physical resources such as optical fibers and optical wavelengths are limited. Therefore, in order to efficiently utilize idle physical resources at telecommunications carriers, it is expected that there will be a demand for "resource sharing," which allows telecommunications carriers to lend physical resources to other telecommunications carriers. When resource sharing is realized, telecommunications carriers that borrow physical resources can use them to develop their own services, and by borrowing physical resources to secure detour routes in the event of a failure, service continuity will be possible even in the event of a failure.

[0023] To realize resource sharing, the telecommunications carrier that is lending out the physical resources it owns must manage them so that they can be lent to other companies.

[0024] However, if physical resources are leased to a telecommunications carrier in a manner that results in the carrier occupying the resources, the following problems arise. First, at the telecommunications carrier to which the service is leased, the physical resources for the detour routes secured in preparation for the occurrence of a failure are left idle when no failure occurs.

[0025] Second, the lending telecommunications carrier will not be able to lend out its limited physical resources efficiently, resulting in lost business opportunities.

[0026] Therefore, when a lender (device or system) lends physical resources, the lending is realized in a format that allows the lending to be shared with other communication carriers, rather than monopolizing the usage rights to the lending carrier. Furthermore, the shared physical resources can also be lent to other communication carriers.

[0027] The lending system manages physical resource information along with available tenant information so that physical resources can be designated as either available or shared, and the lender borrows physical resources by specifying additional information (available, shared).

[0028] Next, a physical resource lending system 1 including a physical resource lending source device 10 and physical resource lending destination devices 20 (20A, 20B) according to a second embodiment of the present disclosure will be described.

[0029] The following explanation will be given using an example in which the source of the physical resource is carrier A, the destination of the physical resource is carriers B and C, and the physical resource to be lent is an APN-T (open APN transceiver). The APN-T is the end point of an optical wavelength path and has the function of transmitting and receiving optical signals. The APN-T is also called a transponder.

[0030] FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the physical resource lending system 1. As shown in FIG.

[0031] As shown in FIG. 3, the physical resource lending system 1 includes a carrier network A NW1, a carrier network B NW2, a carrier network C NW3, a physical resource lending source device 10, and physical resource lending destination devices 20 (20A, 20B).

[0032] Carrier A network NW1 is an optical network composed of multiple APN-Ts and ROADM (Reconfigurable Optical Add / Drop Multiplexer) devices. The ROADM devices demultiplex WDM signals into multiple optical transmission paths according to wavelength, or multiplex optical signals input from multiple optical transmission paths to generate WDM signals. Similarly, carrier B network NW2 and carrier C network NW3 are also optical networks composed of multiple APN-Ts and ROADM devices.

[0033] FIG. 4 is a system configuration diagram of the physical resource lending source device 10. As shown in FIG.

[0034] 4, the physical resource lending source device 10 includes a storage unit 11, a control unit 12, a memory 13, and a communication unit 14. The physical resource lending source device 10 may be an information processing device such as a personal computer or a server (physical server or virtual server), or may be a system in which a plurality of information processing devices are appropriately combined.

[0035] The storage unit 11 is a non-volatile storage unit such as a hard disk drive, a ROM, etc. The storage unit 11 includes a program storage unit 11a and a resource management table storage unit 11b.

[0036] The program storage unit 11a stores programs to be executed by the control unit 12 (processor).

[0037] The resource management table storage unit 11b stores a resource management table T1, as shown in Fig. 3. The resource management table T1 includes, as items, a physical resource I1, a permitted tenant I2 associated with the physical resource I1, a lending status I3, and a supplement I4.

[0038] Physical resources I1 is where lendable physical resources are registered (stored). Rentable physical resources are, for example, idle physical resources that are not used by Carrier A. In FIG. 3, "APN-T3," "APN-T4," and "APN-T5" listed in Physical Resource I1 represent lendable physical resources. Rentable physical resources are, for example, entered in advance by an operator of Carrier A and registered in Physical Resource I1.

[0039] On the other hand, a tenant (carrier or user) that is permitted to use the corresponding physical resource I1 is registered in permitted tenant I2.

[0040] Furthermore, the lending status (availability) of the corresponding physical resource I1 is registered in the lending status I3. This lending status is, for example, Available, which indicates exclusive lending, or Shareable, which indicates shared lending. Note that supplementary information is registered in supplementary information I4. Note that supplementary information I4 may be omitted.

[0041] The control unit 12 includes a processor (not shown). The processor is, for example, a CPU (Central Processing Unit). There may be one processor or multiple processors. The processor executes a program loaded from the program storage unit 11a into the memory 13 (for example, RAM), thereby functioning as a resource borrowing request acquisition unit 12a, a resource selection unit 12b, a resource allocation unit 12c, and a notification unit 12d, as shown in FIG. 4. Some or all of these may be realized by hardware.

[0042] The resource borrowing request acquiring unit 12a acquires a physical resource borrowing request transmitted from the lender (physical resource lending destination device 20 (20A, 20B)). Specifically, the communication unit 14 receives the physical resource borrowing request transmitted from the lender, and the resource borrowing request acquiring unit 12a acquires the physical resource borrowing request received by the communication unit 14. The physical resource borrowing request includes specification data that specifies the borrowing conditions (lending conditions). The borrowing conditions (lending conditions) are, for example, at least one of exclusive lending and shared lending and the number of lendings. In addition to this, the borrowing conditions (lending conditions) may also be, for example, a wavelength (for example, a specification of λ1), a resource (a specification of a transponder and a port equipped on the transponder), or a number of wavelengths (a specification of 10 wavelengths, etc.).

[0043] The resource selection unit 12b selects a physical resource to be rented to the lending destination from among the lendable physical resources I1 based on the physical resource borrowing request acquired by the resource borrowing request acquisition unit 12a. For example, the resource selection unit 12b selects a physical resource to be rented to the lending destination from among the lendable physical resources I1 (a physical resource that satisfies the borrowing conditions (renting conditions)) based on the borrowing conditions (renting conditions) specified by the designation data.

[0044] The resource allocation unit 12c allocates the physical resource selected by the resource selection unit 12b to the lender of the source of the physical resource borrowing request. Specifically, the resource allocation unit 12c registers the lender and the lending status (Available representing exclusive lending or Shareable representing shared lending) in the permitted tenant I2 and lending status I3 associated with the physical resource I1 selected by the resource selection unit 12b in the resource management table T1.

[0045] In Figure 3, the first row of resource management table T1 is an example of allocating "APN-T3", a physical resource that is exclusively loaned (available) to "Carrier B". On the other hand, the second row of resource management table T1 is an example of allocating "APN-T4", a physical resource that is shared (shareable) to "Carrier B, Carrier C, and others". Furthermore, the third row of resource management table T1 is an example of allocating "APN-T5", a physical resource that is exclusively loaned (available) to "Carrier C".

[0046] The notifying unit 12d notifies the lender of the source of the physical resource borrowing request of the allocation result via the communication unit 14. For example, the notifying unit 12d notifies carrier B, the lender of the source of the physical resource borrowing request, of "APN-T3", which is an exclusively loaned (Available) physical resource, as the allocation result. In this way, the allocation result notified to the lender of the source of the physical resource borrowing request includes the allocated physical resource (physical resource identification information) and the loan status of the allocated physical resource (exclusive loan (Available) or shared loan (Shareable)).

[0047] FIG. 5 is a functional block diagram of the physical resource lending source device 10. As shown in FIG.

[0048] As shown in FIG. 5, devices (APN-Ts (plural), ROADMs (plural)) are connected to the physical resource lending source device 10.

[0049] The processor executes a program loaded from the program storage unit 11a into the memory 13 (e.g., RAM), thereby functioning as a resource lending control unit, an equipment management function unit (EMS) that manages devices (APN-Ts (multiple), ROADMs (multiple)), and an NE management function unit (NMS) as shown in FIG. 5. The resource borrowing request acquisition unit 12a, the resource selection unit 12b, the resource allocation unit 12c, and the notification unit 12d are examples of the resource lending control unit shown in FIG. 5. The equipment management function unit (EMS) includes, for example, a configuration management function unit, a fault management function unit, and a PM management function unit. The NE management function unit (NMS) includes, for example, a topology management function unit, a logical path management function unit, and a service management function unit. These units are not directly related to the present disclosure, and therefore, description thereof will be omitted.

[0050] The communication unit 14 is a communication device for communicating with the physical resource lending destination devices 20 (20A, 20B) and the like via a predetermined network (not shown).

[0051] FIG. 6 is a system configuration diagram of the physical resource lending destination device 20 (20A, 20B).

[0052] 6, the physical resource lending destination device 20 (20A, 20B) includes a storage unit 21, a control unit 22, a memory 23, and a communication unit 24. The physical resource lending destination device 20 (20A, 20B) may be an information processing device such as a personal computer or a server (physical server or virtual server), or may be a system in which a plurality of information processing devices are appropriately combined.

[0053] The storage unit 21 is a non-volatile storage unit such as a hard disk drive, a ROM, etc. The storage unit 21 includes a program storage unit 21a.

[0054] The program storage unit 21a stores programs to be executed by the control unit 22 (processor).

[0055] The control unit 22 includes a processor (not shown). The processor is, for example, a CPU (Central Processing Unit). There may be one processor or multiple processors. The processor executes a program read from the program storage unit 21a into a memory 23 (for example, a RAM), and functions as a specified data acquisition unit 22a, a resource borrowing request transmission unit 22b, an allocation result acquisition unit 22c, and a path setting unit 22d, as shown in FIG. 6. Some or all of these may be realized by hardware.

[0056] The designated data acquisition unit 22a acquires designated data that specifies borrowing conditions (lending conditions). The borrowing conditions (lending conditions) are, for example, at least one of exclusive lending and shared lending, and the number of loans. For example, when designated data is input via an input screen (input screen incorporating an API) displayed on a display (not shown) by clicking a URL or the like, and an input device (not shown), the designated data acquisition unit 22a acquires the input designated data. The input device is, for example, an input device such as a keyboard.

[0057] The resource borrowing request sending unit 22b sends a physical resource borrowing request to the lender via the communication unit 24. The physical resource borrowing request includes the specified data acquired by the specified data acquisition unit.

[0058] The specified data acquiring unit 22a and the resource borrowing request transmitting unit 22b may be provided outside the physical resource lending destination device 20 (20A, 20B).

[0059] The allocation result acquisition unit 22c acquires the allocation result transmitted from the lending source (physical resource lending source device 10) in response to the physical resource borrowing request. Specifically, the communication unit 24 receives the allocation result transmitted from the lending source in response to the physical resource borrowing request, and the allocation result acquisition unit 22c acquires the allocation result received by the communication unit 24.

[0060] The path setting unit 22d sets up a path based on the allocation result acquired by the allocation result acquisition unit 22c.

[0061] The communication unit 24 is a communication device for communicating with the physical resource lending source device 10 and the like via a predetermined network (not shown).

[0062] Similar to the physical resource lending source device 10, devices (APN-Ts (plural), ROADMs (plural)) are connected to the physical resource lending destination devices 20 (20A, 20B).

[0063] The processor executes a program loaded from the program storage unit 21a into the memory 13 (e.g., RAM) and functions as an equipment management function unit (EMS) and an NE management function unit (NMS) that manage devices (APN-Ts (multiple), ROADMs (multiple)) in the same way as the physical resource lending source device 10.

[0064] Next, an example of the operation of the physical resource lending system 1 configured as above will be described.

[0065] Fig. 7 is a flowchart of an example of the operation of the physical resource lending system 1. Fig. 8(a) to Fig. 8(c) are examples of the resource management table T1.

[0066] In the following, it is assumed that before the processing of the flowchart shown in Figure 7 begins, as shown in Figure 8(a), "APN-T1" to "APN-T5" are registered as physical resources that can be rented to physical resource I1 in resource management table T1, while nothing is registered in permitted tenant I2, rental status I3, and supplement I4.

[0067] First, an example of operation will be described in which carrier B (physical resource lending destination device 20A) as a lender transmits a resource borrowing request to carrier A (physical resource lending source device 10) as a lender.

[0068] First, carrier B (physical resource lending destination device 20A) acquires designation data specifying the borrowing conditions (lending conditions) (step S10). This is achieved by the designation data acquisition unit 22a. Here, it is assumed that "exclusive: 2" and "shared: 1" are designated as the designation data specifying the borrowing conditions (lending conditions). "Exclusive: 2" represents a request for exclusive borrowing (exclusive lending) of two physical resources. On the other hand, "shared: 1" represents a request for shared borrowing (shared lending) of one physical resource.

[0069] Next, the lending destination carrier B (physical resource lending destination device 20A) transmits a resource borrowing request to the lending source carrier A (physical resource lending source device 10) (step S11). This is realized by the resource borrowing request transmitting unit 22b. The resource borrowing request transmitted here includes the specified data acquired in step S10.

[0070] Next, the lending source carrier A (physical resource lending source device 10) acquires (receives) the resource borrowing request transmitted by the physical resource lending destination device 20A (step S12). This is realized by the resource borrowing request acquisition unit 12a.

[0071] Next, physical resources to be lent to the lending destination, carrier B, are selected (step S13). This is achieved by the resource selection unit 12b. Specifically, based on the borrowing conditions (lend conditions) specified by the designation data, the resource selection unit 12b selects physical resources to be lent to the lending destination, carrier B, from among the lendable physical resources I1 (physical resources that conform to the borrowing conditions (lend conditions)). Here, it is assumed that APN-T1 and APN-T3 are selected as physical resources to be exclusively lent to carrier B, and APN-T4 is selected as a physical resource to be shared and lent to carrier B.

[0072] Next, the resource selected in step S13 is allocated to carrier B, which is the lender of the sender of the physical resource borrowing request (step S14). This is achieved by the resource allocation unit 12c. Here, the resource allocation unit 12c registers the lender "carrier B" and the lending status (Available, representing exclusive lending) in the permitted tenant I2 and lending status I3 associated with "APN-T1," which is the physical resource selected by the resource selection unit 12b, in the resource management table T1 (see FIG. 8(b)). Similarly, the resource allocation unit 12c registers the lender "carrier B" and the lending status (Available, representing exclusive lending) in the permitted tenant I2 and lending status I3 associated with "APN-T3," which is the physical resource selected by the resource selection unit 12b, in the resource management table T1 (see FIG. 8(b)).

[0073] Meanwhile, the resource allocation unit 12c registers the loan destination "Carrier B" and the loan status (Shareable, representing shared loan) in the permitted tenant I2 and loan status I3 associated with "APN-T4," the physical resource selected by the resource selection unit 12b, in the resource management table T1 (see Figure 8(b)).

[0074] Next, the allocation result is notified to carrier B, the lender (step S15). This is achieved by the notifying unit 12d. The allocation result notified to carrier B, the lender of the sender of the physical resource borrowing request, includes "APN-T1" and "APN-T3", which are exclusively loaned (Available) physical resources, and "APN-T4", which is a shared loaned (Shareable) physical resource. In this way, the allocation result notified to the lender of the sender of the physical resource borrowing request includes the allocated physical resource (physical resource identification information) and the loan status of the allocated physical resource (exclusive loan (Available) or shared loan (Shareable)).

[0075] Next, the lending destination carrier B (physical resource lending destination device 20A) acquires the allocation result notified by carrier A (step S16), which is realized by the allocation result acquisition unit 22c.

[0076] Next, path setting is performed (step S17). This is achieved by the path setting unit 22d. Specifically, the path setting unit 22d performs path setting based on the allocation result acquired in step S16. For example, the path setting unit 22d sets a normal path P1 (see FIG. 3) between the exclusive rental APN-T1 and APN-T3.

[0077] Details of this path setting will be explained with reference to Fig. 10. Fig. 10 is a flowchart of an example of operation when setting a path. Below, an example of operation when setting a path between carrier B and carrier A will be explained, but the same applies to an example of operation when setting a path between carrier A and a carrier other than carrier B (for example, carrier C).

[0078] First, Carrier B (physical resource lending destination device 20A) that obtained the allocation result in step S16 sends a path setting request to Carrier A (physical resource lending source device 10) for the exclusively loaned (Available) physical resources "APN-T1" (Available) and "APN-T3" (Available) based on the allocation result (step S171).

[0079] Next, when carrier A (physical resource lending source device 10) acquires (receives) the path setting request sent by carrier B (physical resource lending destination device 20A), it refers to resource management table T1 and checks whether physical resource I1 (here, APN-T1, APN-T3) is authorized by carrier B. If authorized, it implements the path setting requested in step S171 (here, path setting of "APN-T1" (Available) and "APN-T3" (Available)) (step S172). As a result, normal path P1 (see FIG. 3) is set between the exclusive lending APN-T1 and APN-T3.

[0080] Next, the A carrier notifies the B carrier (physical resource lending destination device 20A) of the path setting result (step S173). Next, the B carrier (physical resource lending destination device 20A) acquires the path setting result notified by the A carrier (step S174).

[0081] Next, assume that some kind of failure occurs in APN-T3 with path P1 set as described above (step S18).

[0082] In this case, carrier B (physical resource lending destination device 20A) uses the shared physical resource (here, APN-T4) to perform path restoration (step S19). As a result, a path P2 is set between the dedicated lending APN-T1 and the shared lending APN-T4 in case of a failure in APN-T3.

[0083] The details of this path restoration will be explained with reference to FIG.

[0084] With path P1 set up as described above, if some kind of failure occurs in APN-T3 (step S18), carrier B (physical resource lending destination device 20A) uses APN-T4 to send a path restoration request to carrier A (physical resource lending source device 10) (step S191).

[0085] Next, when carrier A (physical resource lending source device 10) acquires (receives) the path restoration request sent by carrier B (physical resource lending destination device 20A), it refers to resource management table T1 and checks whether physical resource I1 (here, APN-T4) has been authorized by carrier B. If authorized, it performs the restoration requested in step S191 (here, restoration of "APN-T4") (step S192). As a result, path P2 is set between the exclusive lending APN-T1 and the shared lending APN-T4 in case of APN-T3 failure.

[0086] Next, an operation example will be described in which carrier C (physical resource lending destination device 20B) as a lender transmits a resource borrowing request to carrier A (physical resource lending source device 10) as a lender.

[0087] First, carrier C (physical resource lending destination device 20B) acquires designation data specifying the borrowing conditions (lending conditions) (step S20). This is achieved by the designation data acquisition unit 22a. Here, it is assumed that "exclusive: 2" and "shared: 1" are designated as the designation data specifying the borrowing conditions (lending conditions). "Exclusive: 2" represents a request for exclusive borrowing (exclusive lending) of two physical resources. On the other hand, "shared: 1" represents a request for shared borrowing (shared lending) of one physical resource.

[0088] Next, the lending destination carrier C (physical resource lending destination device 20B) transmits a resource borrowing request to the lending source carrier A (physical resource lending source device 10) (step S21). This is realized by the resource borrowing request transmitting unit 22b. The resource borrowing request transmitted here includes the specified data acquired in step S20.

[0089] Next, the lending source carrier A (physical resource lending source device 10) acquires (receives) the resource borrowing request transmitted by the carrier C (physical resource lending destination device 20B) (step S22). This is realized by the resource borrowing request acquisition unit 12a.

[0090] Next, physical resources to be lent to the C carrier, which is the lent destination, are selected (step S23). This is realized by the resource selection unit 12b. Specifically, the resource selection unit 12b selects physical resources to be lent to the C carrier, which is the lent destination (physical resources that conform to the borrowing conditions (lend conditions)) from the lentable physical resources I1 based on the borrowing conditions (lend conditions) specified by the designation data. Here, it is assumed that APN-T2 and APN-T5 are selected as physical resources to be exclusively lent to the C carrier, and APN-T4 is selected as a physical resource to be shared and lent to the C carrier.

[0091] Next, the resource selected in step S23 is allocated to Carrier C, which is the lender of the sender of the physical resource borrowing request (step S24). This is achieved by the resource allocation unit 12c. Here, the resource allocation unit 12c registers the lender "Carrier C" and the lending status (Available, representing exclusive lending) in the permitted tenant I2 and lending status I3 associated with "APN-T2," which is the physical resource selected by the resource selection unit 12b, in the resource management table T1 (see FIG. 8(c)). Similarly, the resource allocation unit 12c registers the lender "Carrier C" and the lending status (Available, representing exclusive lending) in the permitted tenant I2 and lending status I3 associated with "APN-T5," which is the physical resource selected by the resource selection unit 12b, in the resource management table T1 (see FIG. 8(c)).

[0092] Meanwhile, the resource allocation unit 12c registers the loan destination "Carrier C" and the loan status (Shareable, representing shared loan) in the permitted tenant I2 and loan status I3 associated with "APN-T4," the physical resource selected by the resource selection unit 12b, in the resource management table T1 (see Figure 8(c)).

[0093] Next, the allocation result is notified to carrier C, the lender (step S25). This is achieved by the notifying unit 12d. The allocation result notified to carrier C, the lender of the sender of the physical resource borrowing request, includes "APN-T2" and "APN-T5", which are exclusively loaned (Available) physical resources, and "APN-T4", which is a shared loaned (Shareable) physical resource. In this way, the allocation result notified to the lender of the sender of the physical resource borrowing request includes the allocated physical resource (physical resource identification information) and the loan status of the allocated physical resource (exclusive loan (Available) or shared loan (Shareable)).

[0094] Next, the lending destination carrier C (physical resource lending destination device 20B) acquires the allocation result notified by carrier A (step S26), which is realized by the allocation result acquisition unit 22c.

[0095] Next, path setting is performed (step S27). This is achieved by the path setting unit 22d. Specifically, the path setting unit 22d performs path setting based on the allocation result acquired in step S26. For example, the path setting unit 22d sets a normal path P3 (see FIG. 3) between the exclusive rental APN-T2 and APN-T5.

[0096] Next, assume that a failure of some kind occurs in APN-T5 with path P3 set up as described above.

[0097] In this case, if carrier B is already using the shared physical resource (here, APN-T4) due to path restoration, carrier C cannot utilize the shared physical resource (here, APN-T4) (step S28).

[0098] For example, suppose that a path P2 for when a failure occurs in APN-T3 is set between the exclusive lending APN-T1 and the shared lending APN-T4 as described above, and some kind of failure occurs in APN-T5. In this case, similar to step S191, carrier C (physical resource lending destination device 20B) uses APN-T4 to send a path restoration request to carrier A (physical resource lending source device 10).

[0099] In response to this, when carrier A (physical resource lending source device 10) acquires (receives) the path restoration request sent by carrier C (physical resource lending destination device 20B), it refers to the resource management table T1 and checks whether physical resource I1 (here, APN-T4) has been approved by carrier C, and if approved, performs restoration (here, restoration of "APN-T4") as in step S192.

[0100] However, in this case, because "APN-T4" has already been approved by carrier B, "APN-T4" is not approved by carrier C. As a result, restoration (here, restoration of "APN-T4") is not performed. In other words, restoration fails. If restoration fails in this way, carrier A notifies carrier C of the restoration result, including the fact that restoration failed.

[0101] On the other hand, if other carriers are not using the shared physical resource (APN-T4 in this case), carrier C (physical resource lending destination device 20B) will use the shared physical resource (APN-T4 in this case) to perform path restoration when a failure occurs in APN-T5. As a result, a path P4 (see FIG. 3) is set between the dedicated lending APN-T2 and the shared lending APN-T4 in case of APN-T5 failure.

[0102] Next, a comparative example will be described.

[0103] FIG. 9 is a comparative example.

[0104] The comparative example differs from the physical resource lending system 1 of embodiment 2 in that only exclusive lending can be specified in the physical resource lending destination devices 20 (20A, 20B), and shared lending cannot be specified, and as a result, Available, which indicates exclusive lending, is registered in the lending status I3 of the resource management table T1 in the physical resource lending source device 10, and Shareable, which indicates shared lending, is not registered.Other than that, the comparative example has the same configuration as the physical resource lending system 1 of embodiment 2.

[0105] FIG. 9 shows a state in which APN-T1, APN-T3, and APN-T4 are exclusively leased to carrier B, and a normal path P5 is set between APN-T1 and APN-T3.

[0106] 9, the first and second rows of resource management table T2 indicate that "APN-T3" and "APN-T4," which are exclusively leased (available) physical resources, have been allocated to "Carrier B." Similarly, the third row of resource management table T1 indicates that "APN-T5," which is exclusively leased (available) physical resource, has been allocated to "Carrier C."

[0107] In this case, Carrier B performs path restoration to set up path P4 between APN-T1 and APN-T4 in case of a failure in APN-T3, allowing E2E services to continue even in the event of a failure.

[0108] However, because "Available," which indicates exclusive lending, is registered in the lending status I3 of the resource management table T1 for APN-T4, there is a problem that APN-T4 cannot be allocated to another carrier (for example, carrier C). Therefore, in the comparative example, even when the service is not in use, physical resources (here, APN-T4) must be reserved, which poses a problem that physical resources cannot be optimally used.

[0109] In contrast, according to the second embodiment, for APN-T4, "Shareable" indicating shared lending is registered in the lending status I3 of the resource management table T1 (see FIG. 3), so APN-T4 can be allocated to another carrier (for example, carrier C). Therefore, according to the second embodiment, optimal use of physical resources becomes possible.

[0110] As described above, according to the second embodiment, the lending status (availability status) of a physical resource borrowed by a user (tenant, for example, a carrier) can be managed by the lender of the physical resource (physical resource lending source device 10).

[0111] Furthermore, according to the second embodiment, the destination carrier does not need to secure physical resources for detour routes in case of a failure, and the destination carrier can prevent physical resources from being left idle. Furthermore, the source carrier can efficiently lend out limited physical resources to other carriers.

[0112] Furthermore, according to the second embodiment, the availability status of the physical resources borrowed by the user (tenant) can be managed (occupied or shared) by the lending system.

[0113] Furthermore, according to the second embodiment, a tenant can designate all physical resources to be borrowed as exclusive or shared. With a physical resource designated as shared, multiple tenants (without a limit on the number) can use the resource on a first-come, first-served basis when needed. In this case, the resource can be used without requesting permission from a specific tenant. Note that when a tenant is using a physical resource designated as shared (first-served), other tenants cannot use the resource.

[0114] In the above examples, the program includes instructions (or software code) that, when loaded into a computer, cause the computer to perform one or more functions described in the embodiments. The program may be stored on a non-transitory computer-readable medium or a tangible storage medium. By way of example and not limitation, computer-readable medium or tangible storage medium includes random-access memory (RAM), read-only memory (ROM), flash memory, solid-state drive (SSD) or other memory technology, CD-ROM, digital versatile disc (DVD), Blu-ray® disc or other optical disk storage, magnetic cassette, magnetic tape, magnetic disk storage or other magnetic storage device. The program may also be transmitted on a transitory computer-readable medium or communication medium. By way of example and not limitation, transitory computer-readable medium or communication medium includes electrical, optical, acoustic, or other forms of propagated signals.

[0115] The present disclosure is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and can be modified as appropriate within the scope of the present disclosure. Although the present disclosure has been described above with reference to the embodiments, the present disclosure is not limited to the above-described embodiments. Various modifications that can be understood by those skilled in the art can be made to the configuration and details of the present disclosure within the scope of the present disclosure. Furthermore, each embodiment can be combined with other embodiments as appropriate. Each drawing is merely an example for describing one or more embodiments. Each drawing may relate not only to one particular embodiment, but also to one or more other embodiments. As will be understood by those skilled in the art, various features or steps described with reference to any one drawing can be combined with features or steps shown in one or more other drawings to create, for example, an embodiment not explicitly shown or described. Not all features or steps shown in any one drawing are necessary to describe an exemplary embodiment, and some features or steps may be omitted. The order of steps described in any drawing may be changed as appropriate.

[0116] A part or all of the above-described embodiments can be described as, but not limited to, the following supplementary notes. (Appendix 1)

[0117] a resource management table storage unit that stores a resource management table including items of rentable physical resources, permitted tenants associated with the physical resources, and rental states;

[0118] a resource borrowing request acquisition unit that acquires a physical resource borrowing request transmitted from a lender;

[0119] a resource selection unit that selects a physical resource to be lent to the lender from among the available physical resources based on the physical resource borrowing request;

[0120] a resource allocation unit that allocates the selected physical resource to a lender that has transmitted the physical resource borrowing request. (Appendix 2)

[0121] The resource allocation unit is a physical resource lending source device described in Appendix 1, which registers the lending destination and lending status, respectively, in the permitted tenant and lending status associated with the selected physical resource in the resource management table. (Appendix 3)

[0122] 3. The physical resource lending source device according to claim 2, wherein the lending state is exclusive lending or shared lending. (Appendix 4)

[0123] 2. The physical resource lending source device according to claim 1, wherein the physical resource borrowing request includes designation data specifying borrowing conditions designated by the lending destination. (Appendix 5)

[0124] 5. The physical resource lending source device according to claim 4, wherein the lending conditions include at least one of exclusive lending and shared lending. (Appendix 6)

[0125] A physical resource lending source device as described in Appendix 5, wherein when the borrowing conditions include the shared lending, the resource allocation unit registers the lender and the shared lending in the authorized tenant and the lending status associated with the selected physical resource, respectively. (Appendix 7)

[0126] A physical resource lending source device as described in Appendix 5, wherein when the borrowing conditions include the exclusive lending, the resource allocation unit registers the lender and the exclusive lending in the authorized tenant and the lending status associated with the selected physical resource, respectively. (Appendix 8)

[0127] 2. The physical resource lending source device according to claim 1, further comprising a notification unit that notifies the lender of an allocation result. (Appendix 9)

[0128] 9. The physical resource lending source device according to claim 8, wherein the allocation result includes the allocated physical resources and the lending status of the allocated physical resources. (Appendix 10)

[0129] a resource borrowing request sending unit that sends a physical resource borrowing request to a lending source;

[0130] an allocation result acquisition unit that acquires an allocation result transmitted from the lending source in response to the physical resource borrowing request;

[0131] a path setting unit that sets up a path based on the allocation result. (Appendix 11)

[0132] The computer

[0133] Obtain a physical resource borrowing request sent from the lender;

[0134] Based on the physical resource borrowing request, select a physical resource to be lent to the lender from among the lentable physical resources stored in a resource management table storage unit that stores a resource management table including items of lentable physical resources, permitted tenants associated with the physical resources, and lent statuses;

[0135] A physical resource lending method that allocates the selected physical resource to a lender that has transmitted the physical resource borrowing request. (Appendix 12)

[0136] Obtain a physical resource borrowing request sent from the lender;

[0137] Based on the physical resource borrowing request, select a physical resource to be lent to the lender from among the lentable physical resources stored in a resource management table storage unit that stores a resource management table including items of lentable physical resources, permitted tenants associated with the physical resources, and lent statuses;

[0138] a physical resource lending program that causes a computer to allocate the selected physical resource to a lender that has transmitted the physical resource borrowing request;

[0139] Some or all of the elements (e.g., configurations and functions) described in Supplementary Notes 2 to 9 that are dependent on Supplementary Note 1 may also be dependent on Supplementary Notes 10, 11, and 12 in the same dependency 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 symbols]

[0140] 1. Physical resource lending system 10...Physical resource lending device 11...Storage section 11a...Program memory section 11b...Resource management table storage section 12...Control unit 12a...Resource borrowing request acquisition unit 12b...Resource selection section 12c...Resource Allocation Section 12d…Notification department 13...Memory 14…Communications Department 20, 20A, 20B...Physical resource lending destination device 21...Storage section 21a...Program memory section 22...Control unit 22a...Specified data acquisition section 22b...Resource borrowing request sending section 22c... Allocation result acquisition unit 22d...Path setting section 23...Memory 24…Communications Department I1…Physical resources I2...Permitted tenant I3...Lending status I4…Supplementary information NW1...A carrier network NW2: Carrier B network NW3...C carrier network P1, P2, P3, P4...pass T1, T2...Resource management table

Claims

1. a resource management table storage unit that stores a resource management table including items of rentable physical resources, permitted tenants associated with the physical resources, and rental states; a resource borrowing request acquisition unit that acquires a physical resource borrowing request transmitted from a lender; a resource selection unit that selects a physical resource to be lent to the lender from among the available physical resources based on the physical resource borrowing request; a resource allocation unit that allocates the selected physical resource to a lender that has transmitted the physical resource borrowing request.

2. The physical resource lending source device according to claim 1 , wherein the resource allocation unit registers the lender and the lending status in the resource management table corresponding to the selected physical resource, respectively.

3. The physical resource lending source device according to claim 2 , wherein the lending state is exclusive lending or shared lending.

4. The physical resource lending source device according to claim 1 , wherein the physical resource borrowing request includes designation data specifying borrowing conditions designated by the lending destination.

5. The physical resource lending source device according to claim 4 , wherein the borrowing conditions include at least one of exclusive lending and shared lending.

6. A physical resource lending source device as described in claim 5, wherein when the borrowing conditions include the shared lending, the resource allocation unit registers the lender and the shared lending in the authorized tenant and the lending status associated with the selected physical resource, respectively.

7. A physical resource lending source device as described in claim 5, wherein when the borrowing conditions include the exclusive lending, the resource allocation unit registers the lender and the exclusive lending in the authorized tenant and the lending status associated with the selected physical resource, respectively.

8. a resource borrowing request sending unit that sends a physical resource borrowing request to a lending source; an allocation result acquisition unit that acquires an allocation result transmitted from the lending source in response to the physical resource borrowing request; a path setting unit that sets up a path based on the allocation result.

9. The computer Obtain a physical resource borrowing request sent from the lender; Based on the physical resource borrowing request, select a physical resource to be lent to the lender from among the lentable physical resources stored in a resource management table storage unit that stores a resource management table including items of lentable physical resources, permitted tenants associated with the physical resources, and lent statuses; A physical resource lending method that allocates the selected physical resource to a lender that has transmitted the physical resource borrowing request.

10. Obtain a physical resource borrowing request sent from the lender; Based on the physical resource borrowing request, select a physical resource to be lent to the lender from among the lentable physical resources stored in a resource management table storage unit that stores a resource management table including items of lentable physical resources, permitted tenants associated with the physical resources, and lent statuses; a physical resource lending program that causes a computer to allocate the selected physical resource to a lender that has transmitted the physical resource borrowing request;

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