Communication system, program and communication method

Abstract

To provide a communication system, a program and a communication method that can easily and flexibly change setting details of communication while efficiently distributing a communication band on a communication network.SOLUTION: A communication system 100 comprises a communication network NW which includes a plurality of subscriber-side communication devices 4 on subscriber sides and a business operator-side communication device 3 to which the plurality of subscriber-side communication devices 4 are connected communicably, and provides communication services for subscribers, and the communication system 100 comprises a management device 1 which acquires demand band information related to a communication band in each time zone that is required for the subscriber-side communication device 4, makes communication settings of the communication network NW including allocation of a communication band in each time zone to the subscriber-side communication device 4 based upon the acquired demand band information, and manages communication over the communication network NW.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a communication system, a program, and a communication method. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, there is known a technology for providing communication services in a communication network configured by a plurality of communication devices. Patent Document 1 describes that an ONU requests service setting information from an OLT based on preset information, and that service setting is performed between the OLT and the ONU based on the requested service setting information. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Special Publication No. 2022-545879 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In communication networks such as PON, optical signals are split by an optical splitter (SPL) and supplied to multiple ONUs. In other words, a certain communication bandwidth is shared by multiple ONUs. Therefore, when there are many ONUs using services with high traffic volumes, the communication bandwidth allocated to each ONU becomes narrower, resulting in a deterioration in communication quality. In Patent Document 1, the ONU requests the OLT to set up a communication service, but it is difficult to easily and flexibly change the settings of the communication network, including the ONUs.

[0005] An object of the present invention is to provide a communication system, a program, and a communication method that can efficiently allocate communication bandwidth in a communication network while easily and flexibly changing communication settings. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] (1) A communication system is a communication system that provides communication services to subscribers, comprising a communication network including a plurality of first communication devices on the subscriber side and a second communication device to which the plurality of first communication devices are communicatively connected, and further comprising a management device that acquires required bandwidth information regarding the communication bandwidth required by the first communication devices for each time period, and based on the acquired required bandwidth information, performs communication settings for the communication network including allocation of communication bandwidth for each time period to the first communication devices, and manages communication of the communication network.

[0007] (2) In the communication system described in (1), the communication network further includes a third communication device which is a network switch connected to the second communication device and transmits information from the management device to the second communication device, the first communication device is an ONU, and the second communication device is an OLT.

[0008] (3) In the communication system described in (1) or (2), the management device acquires type required bandwidth information regarding the communication bandwidth for each time period required for each type of communication service used by the subscriber of the first communication device, and sets the communication bandwidth for each time period for each type of the communication service used by the first communication device based on the acquired type required bandwidth information.

[0009] (4) The program is a program to be executed by a computer of a communication system that provides communication services to subscribers and has a communication network including a plurality of first communication devices on the subscriber side and a second communication device to which the plurality of first communication devices are communicatively connected, and includes a management process of acquiring required bandwidth information regarding the communication bandwidth required by the first communication devices for each time period, performing communication settings for the communication network including allocation of communication bandwidth for each time period to the first communication devices based on the acquired required bandwidth information, and managing communication of the communication network.

[0010] (5) A communication method is applied to a communication system that provides communication services to subscribers and has a communication network including a plurality of first communication devices on the subscriber side and a second communication device to which the plurality of first communication devices are communicatively connected, and includes a management step of acquiring required bandwidth information regarding the communication bandwidth required for each time period by the first communication devices, and based on the acquired required bandwidth information, performing communication settings for the communication network including allocation of communication bandwidth for each time period to the first communication devices, and managing communication of the communication network. [Effects of the Invention]

[0011] According to the present invention, it is possible to efficiently distribute communication bands in a communication network while easily and flexibly changing communication settings. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0012] [Figure 1] 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating a communication system according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] 2 is a block diagram showing the hardware configuration of a management device according to an embodiment of the present invention; FIG. [Figure 3] 1 is a block diagram showing the hardware configuration of a network switch according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 4] 2 is a block diagram showing a hardware configuration of a carrier-side communication device according to an embodiment of the present invention; FIG. [Figure 5] 1 is a block diagram showing a hardware configuration of a subscriber-side communication device according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 6] 2 is a block diagram showing a functional block configuration of a management device according to an embodiment of the present invention; FIG. [Figure 7] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of bandwidth allocation information for each subscriber-side communication device 4 set in each carrier-side communication device 3 managed by the management device. [Figure 8] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of type-based band allocation information for one subscriber-side communication device 4 set in each carrier-side communication device 3 managed by the management device. [Figure 9] 10 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a communication setting management process executed by a management device according to an embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0013] A communication system 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described below. FIG.

[0014] The communication system 100 according to this embodiment is a system that provides various communication services to subscribers, such as regular internet searches, telephone lines, video viewing, web conferencing, games, and the like.

[0015] The communication system 100 includes a management device 1, a plurality of network switches (third communication devices) 2, a plurality of carrier-side communication devices (second communication devices) 3, a plurality of subscriber-side communication devices (first communication devices) 4, and a plurality of CPEs (Customer-premises equipment) 5. In this specification, a subscriber is a user who uses a communication service provided by the communication system 100 according to this embodiment.

[0016] The management device 1 is connected to a network switch 2 via a network (not shown) or the like. The management device 1 controls and manages communications in a communication network NW that is configured by a plurality of network switches 2, a plurality of carrier-side communication devices 3, a plurality of subscriber-side communication devices 4, and a plurality of CPEs 5. Details of the management device 1 will be described later.

[0017] The network switch 2 interconnects the management device 1 and a plurality of carrier-side communication devices 3 via a network (not shown) etc. Examples of the network switch 2 include an L2 switch and an L3 switch.

[0018] The carrier-side communication device 3 is a communication device installed in the central office of a communication carrier that provides communication services. The carrier-side communication device 3 is, for example, an OLT (optical line terminal) that communicates using optical signals. The carrier-side communication device 3 is connected to a network switch 2 via a communication line P1, and is connected to multiple subscriber-side communication devices 4 via a communication line P2 and an optical splitter (not shown). The communication line P1 is, for example, configured by a communication cable that transmits electrical signals. The communication line P2 is, for example, an optical line configured by an optical fiber cable. Note that the carrier-side communication device 3 is not limited to an OLT.

[0019] The subscriber-side communication device 4 is a communication device installed at the facility of a subscriber who receives communication services, and is managed by the management device 1 and the carrier-side communication device 3. In this embodiment, the subscriber-side communication device 4 is an ONU (optical network unit) that communicates with the carrier-side communication device 3, which is an OLT, by optical signals and converts the received optical signals into electrical signals. In addition to the ONU, the subscriber-side communication device 4 may also be, for example, an L2 switch, a modem that modulates and demodulates signals, or the like.

[0020] The CPE 5 is a communication device connected to the subscriber-side communication device 4 and installed on the subscriber's premises. An example of the CPE 5 is a router. In this embodiment, the CPE 5 is connected to multiple LANs and is configured to forward data to destinations set for each type of communication service received by the subscriber. The network from the CPE 5 is virtually separated using a virtual local area network (VLAN) or a logical link ID (LLID). The subscriber-side communication device 4 can determine which type of communication service the communication relates to by referring to the VLAN ID, LLID, etc.

[0021] Next, a description will be given of the hardware configuration of each device that constitutes the communication system 100. Fig. 2 is a block diagram showing the hardware configuration of the management device 1.

[0022] The management device 1 includes a computer 16, a storage unit 13, and an I / F unit 14. A bus 15 and the like connect these units together.

[0023] The computer 16 includes a processor 10 and a read-only memory (ROM) 11 and a random-access memory (RAM) 12 as main storage devices. The processor 10 may be a central processing unit (CPU), a microprocessing unit (MPU), a system on a chip (SoC), a digital signal processor (DSP), a graphics processing unit (GPU), an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a programmable logic device (PLD), or a field-programmable gate array (FPGA). Alternatively, the processor 10 may be a combination of these. The processor 10 may also be a combination of these with a hardware accelerator or the like. The processor 10 controls each component to implement various functions of the management device 1 based on programs such as firmware, system software, and application software stored in the ROM 11, the RAM 12, or an auxiliary storage device that is part of the storage unit 13. Note that some or all of these programs may be incorporated into the circuitry of the processor 10.

[0024] The storage unit 13 is a storage area for various programs and various data for causing the hardware group to function as the management device 1, and can be configured with a ROM, RAM, flash memory, a solid-state drive (SSD), a hard disk drive (HDD), etc. Specifically, the storage unit 13 stores programs for causing the computer 16 to execute each function of this embodiment, communication setting information including route information for data transfer processing by each communication device constituting the communication network NW, etc. The communication setting information will be described later.

[0025] The I / F unit 14 is a communication interface that enables the management device 1 to communicate with various communication devices in the communication network NW, such as the network switch 2, the operator-side communication device 3, the subscriber-side communication device 4, and the server (not shown) that manages the management device 1, and other external devices.

[0026] The following describes the hardware configuration of the network switch 2. Figure 3 is a block diagram showing the hardware configuration of the network switch 2.

[0027] The network switch 2 includes a computer 26, a storage unit 23, and an I / F unit 24. A bus 25 and the like connect these units together.

[0028] The computer 26 includes a processor 20 and a read-only memory (ROM) 21 and a random-access memory (RAM) 22 as main storage devices. The processor 20 may be a central processing unit (CPU), a microprocessing unit (MPU), a system on a chip (SoC), a digital signal processor (DSP), a graphics processing unit (GPU), an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a programmable logic device (PLD), or a field-programmable gate array (FPGA). Alternatively, the processor 20 may be a combination of these. The processor 20 may also be a combination of these with a hardware accelerator or the like. The processor 20 controls each component to realize various functions of the network switch 2 based on programs such as firmware, system software, and application software stored in the ROM 21, the RAM 22, or an auxiliary storage device that is part of the storage unit 23. Note that some or all of these programs may be incorporated into the circuitry of the processor 20.

[0029] The storage unit 23 is a storage area for various programs and various data for causing the hardware group to function as the management device 1, and can be configured with a ROM, RAM, flash memory, a solid-state drive (SSD), a hard disk drive (HDD), etc. Specifically, the storage unit 23 stores programs for causing the computer 26 to execute each function of this embodiment, communication setting information including route information for data transfer processing such as a routing table and a MAC address table, etc.

[0030] The I / F unit 24 is a communication interface for the network switch 2 to communicate with various communication devices such as the management device 1, the carrier-side communication device 3, the subscriber-side communication device 4, and the like.

[0031] A description will be given of the hardware configuration of the carrier-side communication device 3. Fig. 4 is a block diagram showing the hardware configuration of the carrier-side communication device 3.

[0032] The carrier-side communication device 3 includes a computer 36, a storage unit 33, and an I / F unit 34. A bus 35 and the like connect these units together.

[0033] The computer 36 includes a processor 30 and a read-only memory (ROM) 31 and a random-access memory (RAM) 32 as main storage devices. The processor 30 may be a central processing unit (CPU), a microprocessing unit (MPU), a system on a chip (SoC), a digital signal processor (DSP), a graphics processing unit (GPU), an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a programmable logic device (PLD), or a field-programmable gate array (FPGA). Alternatively, the processor 30 may be a combination of these. The processor 30 may also be a combination of these with a hardware accelerator. The processor 30 controls each component to realize various functions of the carrier-side communication device 3 based on programs such as firmware, system software, and application software stored in the ROM 31, the RAM 32, or an auxiliary storage device that is part of the storage unit 33. Note that some or all of the programs may be incorporated into the circuitry of the processor 30.

[0034] The storage unit 33 is a storage area for various programs and various data for causing the hardware group to function as the carrier-side communication device 3, and can be configured with a ROM, RAM, flash memory, a solid-state drive (SSD), a hard disk drive (HDD), etc. Specifically, the storage unit 33 stores programs for causing the computer 36 to execute each function of this embodiment, identification information of the connected subscriber-side communication device 4, communication setting information including route information, etc.

[0035] The I / F unit 34 is a communication interface for the carrier-side communication device 3 to communicate with the network switch 2, the subscriber-side communication device 4, and the like.

[0036] The following describes the hardware configuration of the subscriber-side communication device 4. FIG.

[0037] The subscriber side communication device 4 includes a computer 46, a storage unit 43, and an I / F unit 44. A bus 45 and the like connect these units together.

[0038] The computer 46 includes a processor 40 and a read-only memory (ROM) 41 and a random-access memory (RAM) 42 as main storage devices. The processor 40 may be a central processing unit (CPU), a microprocessing unit (MPU), a system on a chip (SoC), a digital signal processor (DSP), a graphics processing unit (GPU), an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a programmable logic device (PLD), or a field-programmable gate array (FPGA). Alternatively, the processor 40 may be a combination of these. The processor 40 may also be a combination of these with a hardware accelerator. The processor 40 controls each unit to realize various functions of the subscriber communication device 4 based on programs such as firmware, system software, and application software stored in the ROM 41, the RAM 42, or an auxiliary storage device that is part of the storage unit 43. Note that some or all of the programs may be incorporated into the circuitry of the processor 40.

[0039] The storage unit 43 is a storage area for various programs and various data for causing the hardware group to function as the subscriber-side communication device 4, and can be configured with a ROM, RAM, flash memory, a solid-state drive (SSD), a hard disk drive (HDD), etc. Specifically, the storage unit 43 stores programs for causing the computer 46 to execute each function of this embodiment, and communication setting information including identification information of the connected carrier-side communication device 3, route information, etc.

[0040] The I / F unit 44 is a communication interface for the subscriber-side communication device 4 to communicate with the carrier-side communication device 3, the CPE 5, and the like.

[0041] Here, for example, in a communication network such as a PON, one optical fiber is branched to connect one OLT to a large number of ONUs (e.g., 128 ONUs). That is, communication with the OLT is performed while being shared by a large number of ONUs within the same optical fiber. When a best-effort communication method is used, if there are many ONUs communicating at wideband within a single optical fiber, congestion and the like can occur, resulting in a deterioration in communication quality. In the present embodiment, when the network switch 2 is placed upstream of the carrier-side communication device 3, which is the OLT, congestion occurs when communication exceeds the amount of communication that can be transmitted over the communication line P1 connecting the carrier-side communication device 3 and the network switch 2.

[0042] On the other hand, when providing communication services by changing the amount of communication bandwidth allocated to each subscriber, if an ONU to which communication bandwidth is preferentially allocated is not in use, the bandwidth for other ONUs on the common communication line P2 will be wasted. To avoid this situation, if a system is built to automatically adjust the bandwidth for each ONU according to the actual communication volume, it would be necessary to build a system that senses the communication volume of all ONUs and controls the communication bandwidth, which would result in an expensive and complex system.

[0043] In the communication system 100 of this embodiment, the communication bandwidth requested by the subscriber is allocated for each time period, communication settings including the allocation of the communication bandwidth are made, and the communication setting management process for managing the communication of the communication network NW is performed collectively by the management device 1. This makes it easy to set detailed settings such as the communication bandwidth for each time period of the subscriber-side communication device 4, and also makes it easy and flexible to change the setting contents.

[0044] Next, the functional configuration of the management device 1 in the communication setting management process will be described below. Fig. 6 is a block diagram showing the functional block configuration of the management device.

[0045] The communication setting management process by the management device 1 is mainly realized by the processor 10. In the communication setting management process by the communication system 100, the management device 1 functions as an SDN controller. That is, the processor 10 of the management device 1 performs communication settings between a plurality of network switches 2, a plurality of carrier-side communication devices 3, and a plurality of subscriber-side communication devices 4 present in the communication network NW, and executes control plane control that manages communication in the communication network NW.

[0046] Control plane control refers to the creation of communication setting information, including route information for data transfer processing performed by each communication device in the network and communication bandwidth allocation information for each time period (hereinafter referred to as bandwidth allocation information), and the management of communication operations of each communication device. For example, in this embodiment, the network switch 2, the carrier-side communication device 3, the subscriber-side communication device 4, etc. perform transfer processing of received data, and the management device 1 creates communication setting information for data transfer processing by the network switch 2, the carrier-side communication device 3, the subscriber-side communication device 4, etc. That is, as shown in FIG. 1 , the communication network NW becomes a virtual network managed collectively by the management device 1. This eliminates the need to individually configure each communication device in the communication network NW, making it easier to manage the entire communication system 1. Control plane control is performed based on control protocols such as OpenFlow and NETCONF. Note that the storage unit 13, the ROM 11, etc. store software that enables the management device 1 to function as an SDN controller. The storage unit 13, the ROM 11, etc. store connection information for each network switch 2, the carrier-side communication device 3, the subscriber-side communication device 4, etc. in the communication system 100.

[0047] The processor 10 of the management device 1 includes a bandwidth request information acquisition unit 101, a communication management unit 102, a bandwidth allocation information update unit 103, a type-specific bandwidth request information acquisition unit 104, a type-specific bandwidth allocation information update unit 105, and an output unit .

[0048] The bandwidth request information acquisition unit 101 executes a process of acquiring requested bandwidth information for communication services requested by subscribers and operators. The requested bandwidth information is information about the communication bandwidth requested to be allocated by the subscriber-side communication device 4. The requested bandwidth information includes information about the communication bandwidth for each time period for which allocation is requested, identification information and location information of the subscriber-side communication device 4 requesting allocation of the communication bandwidth (hereinafter referred to as allocation request device), etc. In this embodiment, the requested bandwidth information is acquired via a dedicated application that can accept an input operation of the requested bandwidth information from a subscriber or a carrier. For example, if the dedicated application is installed in the management device 1, the bandwidth request information acquisition unit 101 may acquire the requested bandwidth information by accepting an input operation from the subscriber or the carrier. Also, for example, if the dedicated application is installed in another communication device such as a higher-level management server that manages the management device 1, the bandwidth request information acquisition unit 101 may acquire the requested bandwidth information from the other communication device via the I / F unit 14.

[0049] The communication management unit 102 executes a process of managing the communication setting information of each communication device included in the communication network NW, such as the network switch 2, the carrier-side communication device 3, and the subscriber-side communication device 4. For example, the communication management unit 102 associates the communication setting information of each communication device included in the communication network NW with the identification information of each communication device and stores it in the storage unit 13, and reads it out from the storage unit 13 as needed, such as when updating the communication setting information.

[0050] For example, when changing the communication bandwidth of an existing allocation request device, the communication management unit 102 may read out the communication setting information of the carrier-side communication device 3 to which the allocation request device is connected and the network switch 2 to which the carrier-side communication device 3 is connected. When the allocation request device is a device that is newly introduced into the communication network NW, the communication management unit 102 may determine the carrier-side communication device 3 and network switch 2 to which the allocation request device is connected based on the location of the allocation request device and the requested communication bandwidth, and read out the communication setting information. The communication setting information read out by the communication management unit 102 includes bandwidth allocation information.

[0051] The bandwidth allocation information will be described with reference to FIG. 7. FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of bandwidth allocation information for each subscriber communication device 4 stored in the storage unit 13 of the management device 1. FIG. 7 shows an example of bandwidth allocation information indicating the identification number of each subscriber communication device 4 connected to one carrier communication device 3, the time period, and the guaranteed capacity as the communication bandwidth guaranteed for each time period. For example, the subscriber communication device 4 with identification number 2 shown in FIG. 7 is a device located in a school. This bandwidth allocation information guarantees a 1G communication bandwidth during the time period from 9:00 to 17:00, when classes and other events are held and communication device usage within the school tends to be high, and a 0.5G communication bandwidth during the time period from 17:00 to 24:00, when communication device usage decreases. The best-effort communication method is set for the time period from midnight to 9:00, when communication devices are rarely used. In this way, the communication bandwidth can be dynamically set according to the communication volume that changes with each time period, thereby suppressing degradation of communication quality due to congestion and the like, and efficiently allocating communication bandwidth without waste among subscriber communication devices 4 connected to the same carrier communication device 3.

[0052] The management device 1 holds bandwidth allocation information for each network switch 2 included in the communication network NW and each carrier-side communication device 3. Each network switch 2 and each carrier-side communication device 3 included in the communication network NW is provided with bandwidth allocation information for each from the management device 1, and controls the communication bandwidth with each subscriber-side communication device 4 for each time period based on the provided bandwidth allocation information.

[0053] The bandwidth allocation information update unit 103 performs communication settings of the communication network NW, including allocation of a communication bandwidth for each time slot to the allocation requesting device, based on the requested bandwidth information acquired by the bandwidth request information acquisition unit 101. For example, the bandwidth allocation information update unit 103 refers to the requested bandwidth information and the communication setting information read from the storage unit 13, and determines the carrier-side communication device 3 to which the allocation requesting device is to be connected. Specifically, the bandwidth allocation information update unit 103 may determine, as the carrier-side communication device 3 to which the allocation requesting device is to be connected, the carrier-side communication device 3 that can communicate with the allocation requesting device and that is allocated the communication bandwidth for each time slot indicated by the requested bandwidth information. For example, the bandwidth allocation information update unit 103 may determine that the allocation requesting device is connectable when the total guaranteed capacity, which is the sum of the guaranteed capacity indicated by the requested bandwidth information and the guaranteed capacity of the subscriber-side communication device 4 already connected to the carrier-side communication device 3, does not exceed a specified capacity (e.g., 10 G) for each time slot. Then, the bandwidth allocation information update unit 103 adds the requested bandwidth information to the bandwidth allocation information of the communication device within the communication network NW involved in communication with the allocation request device, such as the carrier-side communication device 3 to which the allocation request device is connected, and updates each communication setting information.

[0054] The type-based bandwidth request information acquisition unit 104 acquires type-based bandwidth request information of various communication services requested by subscribers and operators via the I / F unit 14. The type-based bandwidth request information is information on the communication bandwidth requested to be allocated for each type of communication service used via one subscriber-side communication device 4. The type-based bandwidth request information includes information on the communication bandwidth requested to be allocated for each time period, identification information and location information of the allocation-requesting device, and the VLAN ID and LLID of the various communication services for which communication bandwidth allocation is requested.

[0055] The type-based bandwidth allocation information update unit 105 executes a process of updating bandwidth allocation information (hereinafter referred to as type-based bandwidth allocation information) for each type of communication service of the network switch 2, the carrier-side communication device 3, the subscriber-side communication device 4, etc. The type-based bandwidth allocation information update unit 105 allocates a communication bandwidth for each time period to the allocation requesting device, for example, based on the acquired type-based requested bandwidth information and the type-based bandwidth allocation information read from the storage unit 13.

[0056] For example, when updating the type-based band allocation information of an existing subscriber side communication device 4 already existing in the communication network NW, the type-based band allocation information update unit 105 The type-based bandwidth allocation information of the connected carrier-side communication device 3 or the like is read out. Then, the type-based bandwidth allocation information update unit 105 may add type-based requested bandwidth information to the read type-based bandwidth allocation information to update the communication setting information. For example, when updating the type-based bandwidth allocation information of a subscriber-side communication device 4 to be newly introduced into the communication network NW, the type-based bandwidth allocation information update unit 105 may determine, as the carrier-side communication device 3 to which the allocation requesting device is connected, a carrier-side communication device 3 that can communicate with the allocation requesting device and that is allocated the communication bandwidth for each time period indicated by the type-based requested bandwidth information. Then, the type-based bandwidth allocation information update unit 105 may add type-based requested bandwidth information to the type-based bandwidth allocation information of the determined carrier-side communication device 3 or the like to update each communication setting information.

[0057] Here, the type-based bandwidth allocation information will be described with reference to FIG. 8. FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an example of bandwidth allocation information for each type of communication service in one subscriber-side communication device 4, stored in the storage unit 13 of the management device 1. FIG. 8 shows an example of a setting table showing the identification number of the communication service (hereinafter referred to as the service identification number), time period, and guaranteed capacity as the communication bandwidth guaranteed for each time period. The service identification number is identified by the management device 1 and various communication devices in the communication network NW as, for example, a VLAN ID or LLID. For example, the communication service with service identification number 1 shown in FIG. 8 is a game, and the communication service with service identification number 2 is a web conference. For example, in the bandwidth allocation information for games, a 0.1G communication bandwidth is guaranteed during the time period from 6 PM to midnight, when there is a possibility of playing a game, and a best-effort communication method is set during the time period from midnight to 6 PM, when there is a low possibility of playing a game. In the type-specific bandwidth allocation information for web conferences, a 0.2G communication bandwidth is guaranteed from 9:00 to 12:00 and from 13:00 to 18:00, when web conferences are held and communication volume is likely to be high, and the best-effort communication method is set for other time periods. In this way, the communication bandwidth can be dynamically set according to the time period for each type of communication service, where communication volume varies depending on the time period, so communication quality can be more reliably guaranteed while the communication bandwidth can be shared more efficiently among each subscriber-side communication device 4, and various communication services can be provided to subscribers.

[0058] The output unit 106 executes a process of transmitting the updated communication setting information to the target communication device. Each communication device within the communication network NW that has received the communication setting information updates its own communication setting information to the information received from the management device 1, and performs data transfer processing in accordance with the updated communication setting information.

[0059] Next, an example of the flow of communication setting management processing in the communication system 100 will be described with reference to Fig. 9. Fig. 9 is a flowchart showing an example of the flow of communication setting management processing when a new subscriber-side communication device 4 is introduced into the communication network NW.

[0060] 9, in step S11, the bandwidth request information acquisition unit 101 acquires requested bandwidth information transmitted by a subscriber or a carrier via the I / F unit 14. In the example shown in Fig. 9, the requested bandwidth information is requested bandwidth information that is requested to be set for each subscriber-side communication device 4 as shown in Fig. 7.

[0061] In step S12, the communication management unit 102 reads out communication setting information from the storage unit 13. For example, the communication management unit 102 identifies a connection destination that is capable of communication connection with the allocation request device and for which the communication bandwidth indicated by the requested bandwidth information acquired in step S11 can be set, and reads out communication setting information related to the carrier-side communication device 3 and the network switch 2 that will be involved in communication with the allocation request device.

[0062] In step S13, the bandwidth allocation information update unit 103 adds the requested bandwidth information acquired in step S11 to the bandwidth allocation information contained in the communication setting information regarding the carrier-side communication device 3 and the network switch 2 read in step S12, and updates each communication setting information.

[0063] In step S14, the output unit 106 transmits the communication setting information updated in step S13 to the carrier-side communication device 3 and network switch that will be involved in communication with the allocation request device, and then ends the communication setting process.

[0064] The carrier-side communication device 3 and the network switch 2 perform data transfer processing in the communication network NW based on the communication setting information updated by the management device 1 in step S13. As a result, the allocation request device receives communication services at the communication bandwidth for each time period indicated by the requested bandwidth information in step S11. As shown in Fig. 9, the upper management device 1 collectively updates the communication settings of the communication network NW, which includes many communication devices, so that even detailed dynamic settings such as the communication bandwidth setting for each time period of each subscriber-side communication device 4 can be easily and flexibly changed.

[0065] According to the embodiment described above, the following effects are achieved.

[0066] The communication system 100 of this embodiment is a communication system 100 that provides communication services to subscribers and includes a communication network NW that includes a plurality of subscriber-side communication devices 4 on the subscriber side and a carrier-side communication device 3 to which the plurality of subscriber-side communication devices 4 are communicably connected, and includes a management device 1 that acquires required bandwidth information regarding the communication bandwidth required by the subscriber-side communication devices 4 for each time period, and based on the acquired required bandwidth information, performs communication settings for the communication network NW including allocation of communication bandwidth for each time period to the subscriber-side communication devices 4, and manages communication of the communication network NW.

[0067] This allows the communication bandwidth to be dynamically set according to the communication volume that changes depending on the time of day, thereby suppressing degradation of communication quality due to congestion, etc., and enabling the communication bandwidth to be efficiently distributed among multiple subscriber-side communication devices 4 that communicate via the same communication line P2. Furthermore, since the upper management device 1 collectively performs communication settings and management of the entire communication network NW, including the allocation of communication bandwidth for each time period, detailed settings and changes of the communication bandwidth for each time period for each subscriber-side communication device can be easily and flexibly performed.

[0068] In addition, in the communication system 100 of this embodiment, the communication network NW is connected to a plurality of carrier-side communication devices 3 and further includes a network switch 2 that transmits information from the management device 1 to the carrier-side communication devices 3, the subscriber-side communication devices 4 are ONUs, and the carrier-side communication devices 3 are OLTs.

[0069] This allows efficient distribution of the communication bandwidth required by each ONU in a communication network NW that includes multiple OLTs and a large number of ONUs connected to them, while maintaining communication quality, and enables easy and flexible communication settings and changes.

[0070] In addition, in the communication system 100 of this embodiment, the management device 1 acquires type required bandwidth information regarding the communication bandwidth for each time period required for each type of communication service used by the subscriber of the subscriber-side communication device 4, and sets the communication bandwidth for each time period for each type of communication service used by the subscriber-side communication device 4 based on the acquired type required bandwidth information.

[0071] This allows the communication bandwidth to be set according to the time period for each type of communication service, which has different communication volumes depending on the time period, so that the communication bandwidth can be efficiently shared by each subscriber-side communication device 4 while more reliably ensuring the communication quality of each communication service, and various communication services can be provided to subscribers.

[0072] The program of this embodiment is a program to be executed by a computer 16 of a communication system 100 that has a communication network NW including a plurality of subscriber-side communication devices 4 on the subscriber side and a carrier-side communication device 3 to which the plurality of subscriber-side communication devices 4 are communicatively connected, and that provides communication services to subscribers.The program includes a management process of acquiring required bandwidth information regarding the communication bandwidth required by the subscriber-side communication devices 4 for each time period, and based on the acquired required bandwidth information, performing communication settings for the communication network NW including allocating communication bandwidth for each time period to the subscriber-side communication devices 4, and managing communication of the communication network NW.

[0073] The communication method of this embodiment is a communication method applied to a communication system 100 that provides communication services to subscribers and includes a communication network NW that includes a plurality of subscriber-side communication devices 4 on the subscriber side and a carrier-side communication device 3 to which the plurality of subscriber-side communication devices 4 are communicably connected, and includes a management process of acquiring required bandwidth information regarding the communication bandwidth required for each time period by the subscriber-side communication device 4, and based on the acquired required bandwidth information, performing communication settings for the communication network NW including allocation of communication bandwidth for each time period to the subscriber-side communication devices, and managing communication of the communication network NW.

[0074] Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments and can be modified as appropriate.

[0075] In the above embodiment, the management device 1 has the functions of the type-based bandwidth request information acquisition unit 104 and the type-based bandwidth allocation information update unit 105, but may have a configuration that does not include these functions. [Explanation of symbols]

[0076] 1 Management device 2. Network switch (third communication device) 3. Carrier-side communication device (second communication device) 4 Subscriber side communication device (first communication device) 100 Communication Systems NW communication network

Claims

1. A communication system comprising a communication network including a plurality of first communication devices on the subscriber side and a second communication device to which the plurality of first communication devices are communicably connected, and providing communication services to the subscribers, A communication system comprising a management device that acquires required bandwidth information regarding the communication bandwidth required by the first communication device for each time period, and based on the acquired required bandwidth information, performs communication settings for the communication network including allocating the communication bandwidth for each time period to the first communication device, and manages communication of the communication network.

2. the communication network further includes a third communication device that is connected to the second communication device and is a network switch that transmits information from the management device to the second communication device; the first communication device is an ONU; The communication system according to claim 1 , wherein the second communication device is an optical line terminal (OLT).

3. The communication system described in claim 1 or 2, wherein the management device acquires type required bandwidth information regarding the communication bandwidth required for each time period for each type of communication service used by the subscriber of the first communication device, and sets the communication bandwidth for each time period for each type of communication service used by the first communication device based on the acquired type required bandwidth information.

4. A program to be executed by a computer in a communication system that provides communication services to subscribers, the communication system comprising a communication network including a plurality of first communication devices on the subscriber side and a second communication device to which the plurality of first communication devices are communicably connected, the program comprising: A program including a management process for acquiring required bandwidth information regarding the communication bandwidth required by the first communication device for each time period, and performing communication settings for the communication network including allocating the communication bandwidth for each time period to the first communication device based on the acquired required bandwidth information, and managing communications on the communication network.

5. A communication method applied to a communication system that provides communication services to subscribers, the communication system comprising a communication network including a plurality of first communication devices on subscriber sides and a second communication device to which the plurality of first communication devices are communicably connected, the method comprising: A communication method including a management step of acquiring required bandwidth information regarding the communication bandwidth required by the first communication device for each time period, configuring communication settings for the communication network including allocating a communication bandwidth for each time period to the first communication device based on the acquired required bandwidth information, and managing communication on the communication network.

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