Communication system and method for collecting traffic information

Abstract

To provide a technique capable of collecting traffic information while suppressing network tightening.SOLUTION: A communication system includes relay devices 12 and 13, a network controller 90, and traffic processing devices 21 and 22. The relay devices 12 and 13 have multiple ports P1, P2, and P3, and duplicate traffic passing through at least one of the multiple ports. The traffic processing devices 21 and 22 include a storage unit 211 and a transmission unit 212. The storage unit receives and stores the traffic duplicated by a relay device without going through the other relay device. The transmission unit transmits traffic information regarding the duplicated traffic obtained from the storage unit to the network controller at a predetermined timing.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a technique for collecting information on traffic flowing through a network. [Background technology]

[0002] The real-time traffic analysis system described in Patent Document 1 comprises a plurality of programmable network switches, a network controller that manages, monitors, and controls the plurality of programmable network switches, a real-time traffic collection module, and an analysis module. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Patent No. 6764313 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In the above-mentioned real-time traffic analysis system, traffic information collected by the network switch is immediately sent to the network controller, which causes the problem of constant network bandwidth congestion due to the collected traffic information.

[0005] One aspect of the present disclosure provides a technique that can collect traffic information while suppressing congestion in a network bandwidth. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] A communication system according to one aspect of the present disclosure includes relay devices (12, 13), a network controller (90), and traffic processing devices (21, 22, 13). The relay devices have multiple ports (P1, P2, P3) and replicate traffic passing through at least one of the multiple ports. The network controller monitors traffic on a data network (150) including the relay devices. The traffic processing device includes a memory unit (211) and a transmitter (212). The memory unit receives and stores the traffic replicated by the relay devices without passing through other relay devices. The transmitter transmits traffic information regarding the replicated traffic obtained from the memory unit to the network controller at a predetermined timing.

[0007] According to a communication system according to one aspect of the present disclosure, traffic duplicated by a relay device is stored in a storage unit without passing through other relay devices. That is, the duplicated traffic is stored in the storage unit without using bandwidth of the data network. Therefore, the transmitter can transmit traffic information related to the duplicated traffic to a network controller at a predetermined timing. Therefore, the network controller can collect traffic information while suppressing congestion on the data network.

[0008] Another aspect of the present disclosure is a method for collecting traffic information, which includes receiving traffic replicated through at least one of a plurality of ports (P1, P2, P3) of a relay device (12, 13) without passing through other relay devices, storing the traffic in a memory unit (211), obtaining traffic information regarding the replicated traffic from the memory unit, and transmitting the obtained traffic information at a predetermined timing to a network controller (90) configured to monitor traffic on a data network (150) including the relay device.

[0009] According to the above method, the same effects as those of the above communication system can be achieved. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0010] [Figure 1] 1 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of a communication system according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a traffic processing device according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating the start of communication between ECUs in the communication system according to the present embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating mirroring of traffic between ECUs in the communication system according to the present embodiment. [Figure 5] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a request for traffic information by an SDN controller in the communication system according to the present embodiment. [Figure 6] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating transmission of traffic information to an SDN controller in the communication system according to the present embodiment. [Figure 7] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating traffic mirroring at multiple ports in a communication system according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 8] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating the start of communication between ECUs in a communication system according to a reference example. [Figure 9] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating mirroring of traffic between ECUs in a communication system according to a reference example. [Figure 10] FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a first example of a transmission process of traffic information according to the present embodiment. [Figure 11] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a second example of the transmission process of traffic information according to the embodiment. [Figure 12] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a third example of the transmission process of traffic information according to the embodiment. [Figure 13] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a network optimization process according to the present embodiment. [Figure 14] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing the configuration of a relay device incorporating a traffic processing device according to another embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0011] (Embodiment) <1. Configuration> The configuration of a communication system 100 according to this embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 1. The communication system 100 includes a data network 150. In this embodiment, it is assumed that the communication system 100 is installed in a vehicle.

[0012] The data network 150 includes a first relay device 11, a second relay device 12, a third relay device 13, a fourth relay device 14, a first signal line 61, a second signal line 62, a third signal line 63, and a fourth signal line 64. The number of relay devices included in the data network 150 is not limited to four. The data network 150 may include one, two, or three relay devices, or may include five or more relay devices.

[0013] Each of the first to fourth relay devices 11 to 14 has a first port P1, a second port P2, and a third port P3. The third relay device 13 further has a fourth port P4. The first port P1 of the first relay device 11 is connected to the second port P2 of the second relay device 12 via a first signal line 61. The first port P1 of the second relay device 12 is connected to the second port P2 of the fourth relay device 14 via a second signal line 62. The second port P2 of the first relay device 11 is connected to the first port P1 of the third relay device 13 via a fourth signal line 64. The second port P2 of the third relay device 13 is connected to the first port P1 of the fourth relay device 14 via a third signal line 63. The first to fourth signal lines 61 to 64 are, for example, signal lines conforming to the Ethernet (registered trademark) protocol.

[0014] In addition to the data network 150, the communication system 100 includes a first electronic control unit (ECU) 31, a second ECU 32, a Software Defined Network (SDN) controller 90, a first traffic processing device 21, a second traffic processing device 22, a fifth signal line 80, a sixth signal line 71, a seventh signal line 72, an eighth signal line 51, and a ninth signal line 52.

[0015] The SDN controller 90 is connected to the third port P3 of the first relay device 11 via a fifth signal line 80. The fifth signal line 80 is a signal line conforming to the OpenFlow protocol, and the SDN controller 90 controls the data network 150 in accordance with the OpenFlow protocol. Specifically, the SDN controller 90 monitors traffic flowing through the data network 150. That is, the SDN controller 90 collects traffic information on the data network 150. Then, the SDN controller 90 optimizes the data network 150 based on the analysis results of the traffic information. The traffic is data, such as frames, transmitted and received on the data network 150.

[0016] Each of the first to fourth relay devices 11 to 14 is an OpenFlow switch. Each of the first to fourth relay devices 11 to 14 relays received traffic based on a flow table created by the SDN controller 90. That is, each of the first to fourth relay devices 11 to 14 determines the destination of received traffic or discards the traffic based on the flow table.

[0017] The first ECU 31 is connected to the third port P3 of the third relay 13 via a sixth signal line 71. The second ECU 32 is connected to the third port P3 of the fourth relay 14 via a seventh signal line 72. The first and second ECUs 31 and 32 control or manage vehicle functions. In this embodiment, the first ECU 31 manages the vehicle's power supply. For example, the vehicle's power supply states include an accessory power supply state, a constant power supply state, and an off state. The sixth and seventh signal lines 71 and 72 are signal lines conforming to, for example, the Controller Area Network (CAN) protocol. Note that three or more ECUs may be connected to the data network 150, and in-vehicle devices other than ECUs may also be connected. The ECUs and / or in-vehicle devices connected to the data network 150 communicate with other ECUs and / or other in-vehicle devices via the data network 150.

[0018] The first traffic processing device 21 is connected to the fourth port P4 of the third relay device 13 via an eighth signal line 51. The second traffic processing device 22 is connected to the third port P3 of the fourth relay device 14 via a ninth signal line 52. The eighth and ninth signal lines 51 and 52 are, for example, signal lines conforming to the Ethernet protocol.

[0019] Each of the first to fourth relay devices 11 to 14 has a port mirroring function. The port mirroring function may be a function to duplicate all traffic passing through a port, or a function to filter and select traffic passing through a port and duplicate selected traffic.

[0020] In this embodiment, the second and third relay devices 12 and 13 duplicate traffic flowing through the data network 150 so that the SDN controller 90 can collect traffic information. Then, the second and third relay devices 12 and 13 transmit the duplicated traffic directly to the first and second traffic processing devices 21 and 22 without passing through other relay devices.

[0021] Specifically, the second relay device 12 copies traffic passing through each of the first and second ports P1 and P2, and transmits the copied traffic directly from the third port P3 to the second traffic processing device 22. The second relay device 12 may copy only traffic passing through the first port P1, and transmit the copied traffic directly from the third port P3 to the second traffic processing device 22. The third relay device 13 copies traffic passing through each of the first to third ports P1 to P3, and transmits the copied traffic directly from the fourth port P4 to the first traffic processing device 21. The third relay device 13 may copy only traffic passing through the third port P3, and transmit the copied traffic directly from the fourth port P4 to the first traffic processing device 21.

[0022] 2, the first traffic processing device 21 includes a storage unit 211, a transmission unit 212, and an analysis unit 213. The second traffic processing device 22 has the same configuration as the first traffic processing device 21.

[0023] The storage unit 211 stores the replicated traffic received via the fourth port P4 of the third relay device 13. The analysis unit 213 acquires and analyzes the replicated traffic stored in the storage unit 211 and saves the analysis results in the storage unit 211. The transmission unit 212 transmits the traffic information acquired from the storage unit 211 to the SDN controller 90 at a predetermined timing. The traffic information includes raw data (e.g., frames) of the replicated traffic, traffic to which a predetermined process has been applied, statistical information on traffic over a predetermined period, and analysis results. The predetermined process is, for example, batch processing, compression processing, etc. The predetermined timing is when the amount of traffic on the data network 150 is relatively low. In other words, the predetermined timing is when the bandwidth utilization rate of the communication path from the first traffic processing device 21 or the second traffic processing device 22 to the SDN controller 90 is relatively low. Alternatively, the predetermined timing is when the utilization rate of the storage unit 211 is close to its upper limit.

[0024] 8 and 9 show a communication system 200 according to a reference example. The communication system 200 differs from the communication system 100 in that it does not include the first and second traffic processing devices 21 and 22. When the first ECU 31 starts communication with the second ECU 32, the traffic passes through the third relay device 13 and the fourth relay device 14. The third relay device 13 copies the traffic passing through the second port P2 and transmits it to the first port P1. That is, the third relay device 13 transmits the copied traffic to the SDN controller 90 via the first relay device 11 immediately after copying. The SDN controller 90 stores the received traffic in the storage unit 211.

[0025] Therefore, if the transmission timing of the duplicated traffic coincides with a timing when the traffic volume on the communication path is relatively high (i.e., a timing when the bandwidth usage rate of the communication path is relatively high), the bandwidth of the communication path may become congested. For example, if the duplicated traffic is transmitted while an ECU connected to the first relay 11 is communicating with an ECU connected to the third relay 13, the bandwidth of the communication path may become congested.

[0026] In contrast to this, in this embodiment, the duplicated traffic is temporarily stored in the storage unit 211 of the first traffic processing device 21, and is not immediately transmitted to the SDN controller 90 after duplication. Therefore, the transmission timing of the duplicated traffic can be shifted to a timing when the bandwidth of the communication path is relatively heavily utilized.

[0027] 3 to 6 show the flow of traffic information when the first ECU 31 starts communication with the second ECU 32 in this embodiment. When the first ECU 31 starts communication with the second ECU 32, the traffic passes through the third relay device 13 and the fourth relay device 14. The third relay device 13 copies the traffic input to or output from the second port P2 and transmits the copied traffic from the fourth port P4 to the first traffic processing device 21. The first traffic processing device 21 receives the copied traffic and stores it in the storage unit 211.

[0028] When the bandwidth usage rate of the communication path between the first relay device 11 and the third relay device 13 is relatively low, the SDN controller 90 requests traffic information from the first traffic processing device 21. In detail, the SDN controller 90 acquires the bandwidth usage rate of the communication path detected by the first relay device 11 or the third relay device 13, and transmits a signal requesting traffic information when the acquired bandwidth usage rate is less than a first threshold value.

[0029] Alternatively, the SDN controller 90 acquires the power supply state of the vehicle from the first ECU 31, and transmits a signal requesting traffic information when the power supply state of the vehicle is in a predetermined state. The predetermined state is a state in which the traffic volume of the data network 150 is estimated to be relatively low, or a state in which a reduction in the communication speed of the data network 150 is permitted. For example, the predetermined state is an accessory (ACC) state. When the power supply state of the vehicle is in the ACC state, the vehicle is stopped. When the vehicle is stopped, it is estimated that the traffic volume on the data network 150 is lower than when the vehicle is moving. Furthermore, when the vehicle is stopped, the impact of a reduction in the communication speed of the data network 150 is lower than when the vehicle is moving.

[0030] When the first traffic processing device 21 receives a signal requesting traffic information from the SDN controller 90, the transmitter 212 acquires the traffic information from the storage unit 211. Then, the transmitter 212 transmits the acquired traffic information to the SDN controller 90 via the eighth signal line 51, the third relay device 13, the fourth signal line 64, the first relay device 11, and the fifth signal line 80.

[0031] Furthermore, the transmitter 212 may reduce the data amount of traffic information before transmitting it to the SDN controller 90. Specifically, the transmitter 212 may select necessary traffic information and transmit only the selected traffic information to the SDN controller 90. For example, the transmitter 212 may select only frames having a specific destination and transmit them to the SDN controller 90. Furthermore, the transmitter 212 may batch process or compress the traffic information before transmitting it to the SDN controller 90. For example, the transmitter 212 may convert the traffic information into statistical information or zip the information before transmitting it to the SDN controller 90.

[0032] Furthermore, the transmitter 212 may determine the transmission timing itself and transmit the traffic information to the SDN controller 90. That is, the transmitter 212 may determine whether the bandwidth usage rate of the communication path is less than a first threshold, and if the bandwidth usage rate is less than the first threshold, transmit the traffic information to the SDN controller 90. Alternatively, the transmitter 212 may determine whether the power supply state of the vehicle is in a predetermined state, and if the power supply state of the vehicle is in the predetermined state, transmit the traffic information to the SDN controller 90.

[0033] Furthermore, the transmitter 212 may transmit traffic information to the SDN controller 90 when the usage rate of the storage unit 211 exceeds a second threshold. Since the replicated traffic is temporarily stored in the storage unit 211, traffic over a predetermined period can be collected and processed. This reduces the amount of traffic information data transmitted to the SDN controller 90, and therefore reduces congestion on the communication path even if traffic information is transmitted to the SDN controller 90 regardless of the bandwidth usage rate of the communication path.

[0034] 7 shows a situation in which traffic is mirrored at multiple ports. The second relay device 12 communicates with the first relay device 11 via the second port P2 and with the fourth relay device 14 via the first port P1. The second relay device 12 copies traffic passing through each of the first and second ports P1 and P2, assigns a VLAN tag to the copied traffic, and transmits the copied traffic from the third port P3 to the second traffic processing device 22. The VLAN tag is an identifier that identifies which port of the second relay device 12 the traffic passed through. The second traffic processing device 22 determines which port the traffic passed through based on the VLAN tag. The second traffic processing device 22 may, for example, perform statistical processing of traffic for a predetermined period for each port.

[0035] The third relay device 13 communicates with the first relay device 11 via the first port P1, with the fourth relay device 14 via the second port P2, and with the first ECU 31 via the third port P3. The third relay device 13 copies traffic passing through each of the first, second, and third ports P1, P2, and P3, assigns a VLAN tag to the copied traffic, and transmits the copied traffic from the fourth port P4 to the first traffic processing device 21. The VLAN tag is an identifier that determines which port of the third relay device 13 the traffic passed through. The first traffic processing device 21 determines which port the traffic passed through based on the VLAN tag.

[0036] <2. Processing> <2-1. First example of traffic information transmission processing> A first example of a traffic information transmission process executed by the transmission unit 212 of the first traffic processing device 21 will be described with reference to the flowchart of Fig. 10. In this transmission process, the transmission unit 212 determines the timing to transmit the traffic information.

[0037] In S10, the transmitter 212 checks the communication path from the transmitter 212 to the SDN controller 90.

[0038] Next, in S20, the transmitter 212 acquires the bandwidth usage rate of the communication path confirmed in S10 from the third relay device 13. More specifically, the transmitter 212 acquires the bandwidth usage rate of each port on the communication path from the third relay device 13. If there are other relay devices on the communication path, the third relay device 13 acquires the bandwidth usage rates of the ports of the other relay devices from the other relay devices. Then, the third relay device 13 transmits the bandwidth usage rates of the ports of the other relay devices together with the bandwidth usage rates of its own ports to the first traffic processing device 21.

[0039] Next, in S30, the transmitter 212 determines whether the maximum value of the bandwidth usage rates of each port acquired in S20 is less than a first threshold. The first threshold is, for example, 50%. If the transmitter 212 determines that the maximum value of the bandwidth usage rates is equal to or greater than the first threshold, the process returns to S20, and if the transmitter 212 determines that the maximum value of the bandwidth usage rates of each port is less than the first threshold, the process proceeds to S40.

[0040] In S40, the transmitting unit 212 transmits the traffic information acquired from the storage unit 211 or the traffic information that has been further processed to the SDN controller 90. Note that, as in S130 described later, the first traffic processing device 21 may delete from the storage unit 211 the traffic information that has already been transmitted and the duplicated traffic that is the basis of the traffic information.

[0041] <2-2. Second example of traffic information transmission processing> A second example of the traffic information transmission process executed by the transmission unit 212 will be described with reference to the flowchart of Fig. 11. In this transmission process, the transmission unit 212 determines the timing to transmit the traffic information.

[0042] In S100, the transmission unit 212 acquires the usage rate of the storage area from the storage unit 211 of the first traffic processing device 21. Next, in S110, the transmission unit 212 determines whether the usage rate of the storage area acquired in S100 exceeds a second threshold. The second threshold is, for example, 90%. If the transmission unit 212 determines that the usage rate of the storage area is equal to or less than the second threshold, it returns to the processing of S100, and if it determines that the usage rate of the storage area exceeds the second threshold, it proceeds to the processing of S120.

[0043] Subsequently, in S120, the transmission unit 212 transmits the traffic information acquired from the storage unit 211 or the traffic information that has been further processed to the SDN controller 90. Subsequently, in S130, the first traffic processing device 21 deletes from the storage unit 211 the transmitted traffic information and the duplicated traffic that is the basis of the traffic information.

[0044] <2-3. Third example of traffic information transmission processing> A third example of the traffic information transmission process executed by the transmission unit 212 will be described with reference to the flowchart of Fig. 12. In this transmission process, the transmission unit 212 determines the timing to transmit the traffic information.

[0045] In S200, the transmission unit 212 acquires the power supply state from the first ECU 31 that manages the power supply of the vehicle. Next, in S210, the transmission unit 212 determines whether the power state acquired in S200 is ACC. If the transmission unit 212 determines that the power state is other than ACC, it returns to the processing of S200, and if it determines that the power state is ACC, it proceeds to the processing of S220.

[0046] In S220, the transmission unit 212 transmits the traffic information acquired from the storage unit 211 or the further processed traffic information to the SDN controller 90. Note that, as in S130 described above, the first traffic processing device 21 may delete from the storage unit 211 the traffic information that has already been transmitted and the duplicated traffic that is the basis of the traffic information.

[0047] <2-4. Network optimization processing> The optimization process of the data network 150 executed by the SDN controller 90 will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

[0048] In S300, the SDN controller 90 acquires traffic information from the first traffic processing device 21 and / or the second traffic processing device 22. Subsequently, in S310, the SDN controller 90 analyzes the traffic information acquired in S300.

[0049] Next, in S320, the SDN controller 90 determines whether or not a problem (e.g., an operation to be improved) has been detected in the data network 150. If the SDN controller 90 determines that a problem has not been detected, it returns to the processing of S300, and if it determines that a problem has been detected, it proceeds to the processing of S330.

[0050] In S330, the SDN controller 90 derives settings that optimize the data network 150 based on the traffic information analyzed in S310.

[0051] Next, in S340, the SDN controller 90 reflects the settings derived in S330 in each of the devices included in the data network 150. In this embodiment, the SDN controller 90 reflects the optimized settings in the first to fourth relay devices 11 to 14.

[0052] <3. Effects> According to the first embodiment described above in detail, the following effects are achieved. (1) According to the communication system 100, traffic duplicated by the third relay device 13 is stored in the storage unit 211 of the first traffic processing device 21 without passing through the first, second, and fourth relay devices 11, 12, and 14. That is, the duplicated traffic is stored in the storage unit 211 without using the bandwidth of the data network 150. Therefore, the transmitter 212 can transmit traffic information including the duplicated traffic and / or traffic to which predetermined processing has been applied to the SDN controller 90 at a predetermined timing. Therefore, the SDN controller 90 can collect traffic information while suppressing congestion on the data network 150.

[0053] (2) The analysis unit 213 can analyze the replicated traffic for a predetermined period of time and transmit the analysis results to the SDN controller 90. For example, the analysis unit 213 can select necessary traffic from the replicated traffic and transmit the selected traffic information to the SDN controller 90. This can further reduce congestion on the data network 150.

[0054] (3) When the bandwidth usage rate of each port on the communication path is less than the first threshold, the transmitter 212 transmits the traffic information to the SDN controller 90, thereby making it possible to suitably suppress congestion in the data network 150.

[0055] (4) When the usage rate of the storage area of ​​the memory unit 211 exceeds a second threshold, the transmitter 212 transmits the traffic information to the SDN controller 90. This prevents the memory unit 211 from running out of capacity and being unable to store the replicated traffic. Furthermore, by transmitting traffic information to which processing such as compression has been applied to the SDN controller 90, the transmitter 212 can suppress congestion in the data network 150 regardless of the bandwidth usage rate of each port on the communication path.

[0056] (5) When the power supply state of the vehicle is ACC, the transmitter 212 transmits the traffic information to the SDN controller 90. This allows the transmitter 212 to transmit the traffic information to the SDN controller 90 when, based on the power supply state, it is estimated that the usage rate of each port on the communication path is relatively low or when a decrease in communication speed is acceptable.

[0057] (6) The SDN controller 90 can optimize the data network 150 based on the analysis results of the traffic information.

[0058] (Other embodiments) Although the embodiments of the present disclosure have been described above, the present disclosure is not limited to the above-described embodiments and can be implemented in various modified forms.

[0059] (a) In the above embodiment, the first and second traffic processing devices 21, 22 are provided as separate devices from the first to fourth relay devices 11 to 14. However, the first traffic processing device 21 and / or the second traffic processing device 22 may be built into any of the first to fourth relay devices 11 to 14. For example, as shown in FIG. 14 , the third relay device 13 may include a storage unit 211, a transmission unit 212, and an analysis unit 213. In this case, the third relay device 13 copies traffic flowing through the first to third ports P1, P2, and P3 and stores the copied traffic in the storage unit 211. The transmission unit 212 transmits traffic information to the SDN controller 90. The transmission unit 212 also transmits and receives frames between the first relay device 11, the fourth relay device 14, and the first ECU 31.

[0060] (b) In the above embodiment, it is assumed that the communication system 100 is mounted on a vehicle, but the communication system 100 does not necessarily have to be mounted on a vehicle. The communication system 100 may be mounted on a moving body other than a vehicle, or may be located in a building. When the communication system 100 is mounted on a body other than a vehicle, the SDN controller 90 or the transmitter 212 determines the timing of transmitting traffic information based on the bandwidth usage rate of the communication path and / or the usage rate of the storage area of ​​the memory unit 211.

[0061] (c) In the above embodiment, the timing of transmitting traffic information was determined based on one of three conditions: the bandwidth usage rate of the communication path, the usage rate of the storage area of ​​the memory unit 211, and the power supply state of the vehicle. However, the timing may be determined based on a combination of two or more of the three conditions. For example, the traffic information may be transmitted to the SDN controller 90 when the bandwidth usage rate of the communication path is less than a first threshold and the usage rate of the storage area of ​​the memory unit 211 exceeds a second threshold. Furthermore, the traffic information may be transmitted to the SDN controller 90 when the power supply state of the vehicle is ACC and the usage rate of the storage area of ​​the memory unit 211 exceeds the second threshold.

[0062] (d) In the above embodiment, the communication system 100 includes two traffic processing devices so that all traffic from the four relay devices can be duplicated. However, a traffic processing device may be provided for each relay device.

[0063] (e) In the above embodiment, the transmission unit 212 transmits the traffic information acquired from the storage unit 211 or the further processed traffic information to the SDN controller 90, and then the first traffic processing device 21 deletes the transmitted traffic information and the duplicated traffic on which the traffic information is based from the storage unit 211. However, the present disclosure is not limited to this. For example, after the transmission unit 212 transmits the traffic information acquired from the storage unit 211 or the further processed traffic information to the SDN controller 90, the transmission unit 212 may delete the transmitted traffic information and the duplicated traffic on which the traffic information is based from the storage unit 211, triggered by the first traffic processing device 21 receiving a receipt completion signal from the SDN controller 90. Furthermore, the transmission unit 212 may delete the transmitted traffic information and the duplicated traffic on which the traffic information is based from the storage unit 211, triggered by the relay device to which the traffic processing device is connected or incorporated receiving the setting for optimizing the data network transmitted from the SDN controller 90.

[0064] (f) In the above embodiment, the data network 150 is described as having a ring topology including the first relay 11, the second relay 12, the third relay 13, the fourth relay 14, the first signal line 61, the second signal line 62, the third signal line 63, and the fourth signal line 64. However, the data network 150 is not limited to a ring topology. It may also have another network topology, such as a mesh topology.

[0065] (g) Multiple functions possessed by one component in the above embodiments may be realized by multiple components, or one function possessed by one component may be realized by multiple components. Also, multiple functions possessed by multiple components may be realized by one component, or one function realized by multiple components may be realized by one component. Also, part of the configuration of the above embodiments may be omitted. Also, at least part of the configuration of the above embodiments may be added to or substituted for the configuration of another of the above embodiments.

[0066] (h) In addition to the above-described communication system, the present disclosure can also be realized in various forms, such as a traffic processing device or relay device included in the communication system, a program for causing a computer to function as the traffic processing device or relay device, a non-transient physical recording medium such as a semiconductor memory on which this program is recorded, and a traffic information collection method.

[0067] [Technical idea disclosed in this specification] [Item 1] a relay device (12, 13) having a plurality of ports (P1, P2, P3) and configured to replicate traffic passing through at least one of the plurality of ports; a network controller (90) configured to monitor traffic on a data network (150) including the relay device; a traffic processing device (21, 22, 13) having a storage unit (211) configured to receive and store traffic replicated by the relay device without passing through other relay devices, and a transmission unit (212) configured to transmit traffic information relating to the replicated traffic acquired from the storage unit to the network controller at a predetermined timing; A communication system comprising: [Item 2] The traffic processing device (21, 22, 13) further comprises an analysis unit (213) configured to analyze the replicated traffic acquired from the storage unit (211) and store the analysis result in the storage unit; the traffic information includes the analysis result; Item 1. The communication system according to item 1. [Item 3] The relay devices (12, 13) are configured to detect a bandwidth usage rate on a communication path from the relay devices to the network controller (90), the transmitting unit (212) is configured to transmit the traffic information to the network controller when the utilization rate detected by the relay device is less than a first threshold. 3. The communication system according to item 1 or 2. [Item 4] the transmitting unit (212) is configured to transmit the traffic information to the network controller (90) when the usage rate of the storage unit (211) exceeds a second threshold. A communication system according to any one of items 1 to 3. [Item 5] the relay devices (12, 13), the network controller (90), and the traffic processing devices (21, 22, 13) are mounted on a vehicle; an electronic control device (31) configured to manage the power supply of the vehicle is connected to the relay device; the transmitting unit (212) is configured to transmit the traffic information to the network controller (90) when the power supply state of the vehicle acquired from the electronic control device is in a predetermined state. The communication system according to any one of items 1 to 4. [Item 6] The data network (150) has a plurality of devices including the relay devices (12, 13), The network controller deriving a configuration for optimizing the data network based on an analysis of the received traffic information; Reflecting the derived settings to the plurality of devices; 6. A communication system according to any one of items 1 to 5. [Item 7] The traffic processing device (21, 22, 13) is configured to delete the replicated traffic that is the basis of the traffic information from the storage unit after the transmission unit transmits the traffic information to the network controller. A communication system according to any one of items 1 to 6. [Item 8] The traffic processing device (21, 22, 13) is configured to discard the replicated traffic that was the basis of the analysis result from the storage unit when the analysis result is stored in the storage unit. Item 2. The communication system according to item 2. [Item 9] receiving traffic that has been replicated through at least one of a plurality of ports (P1, P2, P3) of the relay device (12, 13) without passing through other relay devices and storing the traffic in a storage unit (211); acquiring traffic information relating to the replicated traffic from the storage unit; transmitting the acquired traffic information at a predetermined timing to a network controller (90) configured to monitor traffic on a data network (150) including the relay device; How we collect traffic information. [Explanation of symbols]

[0068] 11...first relay device, 12...second relay device, 13...third relay device, 14...fourth relay device, 21...first traffic processing device, 22...second traffic processing device, 90...controller, 100...communication system, 150...data network, 211...memory unit, 212...transmission unit, 213...analysis unit.

Claims

1. a relay device (12, 13) having a plurality of ports (P1, P2, P3) and configured to replicate traffic passing through at least one of said plurality of ports; a network controller (90) configured to monitor traffic on a data network (150) including the relay device; a traffic processing device (21, 22, 13) having a storage unit (211) configured to receive and store traffic replicated by the relay device without passing through other relay devices, and a transmission unit (212) configured to transmit traffic information relating to the replicated traffic acquired from the storage unit to the network controller at a predetermined timing; A communication system comprising:

2. The traffic processing device (21, 22, 13) further comprises an analysis unit (213) configured to analyze the replicated traffic acquired from the storage unit (211) and store the analysis result in the storage unit; the traffic information includes the analysis result; The communication system of claim 1 .

3. The relay devices (12, 13) are configured to detect a bandwidth usage rate on a communication path from the relay devices to the network controller (90), the transmitting unit (212) is configured to transmit the traffic information to the network controller when the utilization rate detected by the relay device is less than a first threshold value. The communication system of claim 1 .

4. The transmission unit (212) is configured to transmit the traffic information to the network controller (90) when the usage rate of the storage unit (211) exceeds a second threshold. The communication system of claim 1 .

5. the relay devices (12, 13), the network controller (90), and the traffic processing devices (21, 22, 13) are mounted on a vehicle; An electronic control unit (31) configured to manage the power supply of the vehicle is connected to the relay device, the transmitting unit (212) is configured to transmit the traffic information to the network controller (90) when the power supply state of the vehicle acquired from the electronic control device is in a predetermined state. The communication system of claim 1 .

6. The data network (150) has a plurality of devices including the relay devices (12, 13), The network controller deriving a configuration for optimizing the data network based on an analysis of the received traffic information; Reflecting the derived settings to the plurality of devices; The communication system of claim 1 .

7. The traffic processing device (21, 22, 13) is configured to delete the replicated traffic that is the basis of the traffic information from the storage unit after the transmission unit transmits the traffic information to the network controller. A communication system according to any one of claims 1 to 6.

8. The traffic processing device (21, 22, 13) is configured to discard the replicated traffic that was the basis of the analysis result from the storage unit when the analysis result is stored in the storage unit. The communication system according to claim 2 .

9. receiving traffic that has been replicated through at least one of a plurality of ports (P1, P2, P3) of the relay device (12, 13) without passing through other relay devices and storing the traffic in a storage unit (211); acquiring traffic information relating to the replicated traffic from the storage unit; transmitting the acquired traffic information at a predetermined timing to a network controller (90) configured to monitor traffic of a data network (150) including the relay device; How we collect traffic information.

Images