Communication volume estimation device and program

Abstract

To enable the estimation of data traffic when multiple devices are added to an existing network. [Solution] The information acquisition unit of the communication volume estimation device acquires network configuration information showing the configuration of the existing network NW1. The construction unit receives the designation of terminal devices 211 and 212 to be added to network NW1 shown in the acquired network configuration information, and virtually constructs a new network NW2 by adding terminal devices 211 and 212 to network NW1 based on the accepted designation. The identification unit identifies the communication path when each of the terminal devices 211 and 212 communicates in the new network NW2. The estimation unit 11D estimates the third communication volume in the communication path of the new network NW2 based on the first communication volume in the communication path of the existing network NW1 and the second communication volume of the predetermined plurality of devices.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a traffic estimation device and a program.

Background Art

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a technique for specifying the configuration of an existing network including a terminal device that performs various processes such as a computer, a sensor, and an authentication device, and a communication control device that controls communication between terminal devices such as a switching hub.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] There are cases where it is desired to further add a plurality of devices to an existing network. In such cases, it is important to perform a communication simulation when adding a plurality of terminals to grasp the amount of communication in the new network. Patent Document 1 does not consider such points.

[0005] An object of the present invention is to be able to estimate the traffic when a plurality of devices are added to an existing network.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] The processing apparatus according to this invention comprises: an information acquisition unit that acquires network configuration information indicating the configuration of an existing network; a construction unit that receives a designation of a plurality of devices to be added to the existing network indicated by the network configuration information, and virtually constructs a new network by adding the plurality of devices to the existing network based on the received designation; a designation unit that identifies the communication path when each of the plurality of devices in the new network communicates; and an estimation unit that estimates a third communication amount in the communication path of the new network based on a first communication amount in the communication path of the existing network and a second communication amount of the plurality of devices designated in advance.

[0007] Furthermore, the program according to this invention enables a computer to function as the above-mentioned communication volume estimation device. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] According to the present invention, it is possible to estimate the amount of communication traffic when multiple devices are added to an existing network. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0009] [Figure 1] This figure shows the configurations of an existing network to which a communication volume estimation device and multiple devices are to be added according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] This figure shows an example of the configuration of a communication volume estimation device. [Figure 3] This figure shows an example of an operation image for virtual additional operation of multiple devices. [Figure 4] This figure shows an example of how operation images change due to virtual additional operations on multiple devices. [Figure 5] This figure shows an example of an operation image that is displayed when performing a virtual additional operation on multiple devices. [Figure 6] This figure shows another example image illustrating the network configuration. [Figure 7] This is a flowchart of part of the communication path identification process. [Figure 8]This is a flowchart of part of the communication path identification process. [Figure 9] This diagram shows the network configuration and the communication paths of the two added devices. [Figure 10] This graph shows the time-dependent changes (trends) in estimated and measured data traffic. [Figure 11] This diagram shows the network configuration and the other communication paths of the two added devices. [Figure 12] This diagram shows the configuration of a new network when higher-level and lower-level devices are added to an existing network. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0010] The embodiments of this invention will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings.

[0011] The communication volume estimation device 10 according to this embodiment, as shown in Figure 1, is configured to virtually construct a new network by adding multiple devices to an existing network NW1 (for example, a LAN (Local Area Network)) already installed in a facility such as a building or plant, and to estimate the communication volume in that virtual network.

[0012] As shown in FIG. 1, the existing network NW1 includes switching hubs 101 to 104 and terminal devices 201 to 206 connected to any of the switching hubs 101 to 104. The terminal devices 201 to 206 are devices that perform various processes such as computers, sensors, authentication devices, etc. The computer may be configured as a controller that controls various field devices provided in the facility. The computer may consist of, for example, a personal computer, a server computer, etc. The switching hubs 101 to 104 are communication control devices that control communication between terminal devices, specifically, control packets transmitted and received between terminal devices. Each device is configured as an IoT (Internet of Things) device and communicates using the Internet Protocol (IP). The network NW1 is cascade-connected with the switching hubs 101 to 104 that make up the network NW1. In addition to the switching hubs 101 to 105, other communication control devices that perform data transfer control, such as routers and gateways, may be provided.

[0013] In the example of FIG. 1, the terminal devices 201 and 204 are computers. The terminal devices 202 and 203 are controlled by the terminal device 201. The terminal device 202 is an infrared sensor that detects people in the first room of the facility. The terminal device 203 is an authentication device that authenticates people entering the first room. The terminal device 205 is an infrared sensor that detects people in the second room of the facility and is controlled by the terminal device 204. The terminal device 206 is a computer that communicates with other computers.

[0014] The traffic estimation device 10 is connected to the port P11 of the switching hub 101. The connection is made, for example, by a LAN cable (the same applies to other connections). The traffic estimation device 10 is configured as a monitoring device that monitors the network NW1.

[0015] To the ports P13 and P15 of the switching hub 101, the port P25 of the switching hub 102 and the port P31 of the switching hub 103 are respectively connected. To the port P33 of the switching hub 103, the port P41 of the switching hub 104 is connected.

[0016] To the ports P22 and P24 of the switching hub 102, the terminal devices 202 and 203 are respectively connected. To the ports P32 and P34 of the switching hub 103, the terminal devices 204 and 205 are respectively connected. To the port P45 of the switching hub 104, the terminal device 206 is connected.

[0017] The traffic estimation device 10 is composed of various computers such as a personal computer and a server computer. The traffic estimation device 10 includes a processor 11 such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a storage 12 which is a non-volatile storage device for storing a program 12P executed or used by the processor 11 and various data (including a candidate table 12A described later), and a main memory 13 such as a RAM (Random Access Memory) that provides a working area for the processor 11. The program 12P may be stored in a computer-readable non-transitory medium such as the storage 12. The traffic estimation device 10 further includes an operation device 14 into which an operation by a user (for example, a facility manager or a user of a system entrusted with maintenance by the facility manager) is input, a display device 15 for displaying various images, and a communication interface 16 connected to the port P11 of the switching hub 101.

[0018] By executing the program 12P, the processor 11 operates as an information acquisition unit 11A, a construction unit 11B, a specification unit 11C, and an estimation unit 11D shown in FIG. 2.

[0019] The information acquisition unit 11A acquires network configuration information that shows the configuration of the existing network NW1. The network configuration information is information that shows the connection configuration of each device that constitutes the network NW1, and indicates which switching hub or terminal device is connected to which port of which switching hub. The network configuration information includes the identification information, IP address, and / or MAC address of each device (switching hub and terminal device), and the MAC address table stored by the switching hub when the switching hub is SNMP (Simple Network Management Protocol) compatible. Furthermore, the network configuration information also includes information on whether each switching hub is SNMP compatible or not. The information acquisition unit 11A may generate and acquire network configuration information based on engineering data and JOB files used when constructing the network NW1, or it may generate and acquire network configuration information by scanning the network NW1 via the communication interface 16. For the latter, for example, the technology can be used in Patent Document 1.

[0020] The construction unit 11B accepts the designation of multiple devices to be added to the existing network NW1, as indicated by the network configuration information acquired by the information acquisition unit 11A. This designation includes the designation of the communication partners for each of the multiple devices. Based on the accepted designation, the construction unit 11B virtually constructs a new network NW2 by adding the multiple devices to network NW1.

[0021] For example, the configuration unit 11B displays the operation image G1 shown in Figure 3 on the display device 15 based on the network configuration information. The operation image G1 includes an image G11 showing icons for each device in the network NW1 indicated by the network configuration information, and an image G12 displaying a list of icons for candidate devices to be added to the network NW1. Image G11 is generated based on the network configuration information. The candidate devices displayed in image G12 are displayed based on data registered in the candidate table 12A. The candidate table 12A registers each candidate device as a record, with the type of device to be added (computer, infrared sensor, authentication device, etc.), the communication volume of the device (for example, the amount of data sent and received per unit time), and the image data of the device's icon all associated with each other. The instruction receiving unit 11B displays a list of icons in image G12 based on each record registered in the candidate table 12A.

[0022] The user, referring to operation image G1, performs operations on the operating device 14 to specify the devices to be added to network NW1 and the ports of the switching hubs to which the devices will be connected. For example, as shown by the dashed line in operation image G1 in Figure 4, the user drags and drops the icons of the devices to be added (in this case, all computers) onto the ports of the switching hubs 101 to 104 to which they want to connect (in this case, ports P12 and P42). As a result, the construction unit 11B transitions from image G11, which shows network NW1, to image G21, which shows network NW2 to which terminal devices 211 and 212 have been added, as shown in operation images G1 and G2 in Figure 4. If the device to be added is not displayed in image G12, the user can create candidate devices. In this case, the data for each created candidate device is newly registered in the candidate table 12A by the construction unit 11B, and the icon of that candidate will be displayed in image G12 from the next time onward. These measures improve user convenience.

[0023] The user sets the communication partners and communication volume for the added terminal devices 211 and 212. For example, the user selects operation images B1 and B2, which are placed in the vicinity of the added terminal devices 211 and 212, as shown in operation image G2 and image G21 in Figure 4. When operation image B1 or B2 is selected, the construction unit 11B displays the input image G3 shown in Figure 5 as a pop-up or similar. Input image G3 has input fields for the communication volume and communication partners of the terminal device 211 or 212 corresponding to the operation image B1 or B2 that was selected. The construction unit 11B displays the communication volume registered in the candidate table 12A as the default value in the communication volume input field of input image G3. The user may change this default value. If such a change is made, the construction unit 11B may update the communication volume registered in the candidate table 12A with the changed value. The configuration unit 11B determines, for example, that when a user selects an icon displayed in image G21 by operating the control device 14, the terminal device indicated by the selected icon has been entered as the communication partner. In this case, information indicating the terminal device is displayed in the communication partner field. When selecting a communication partner, in addition to or instead of image G21, the image in Figure 6, which shows network NW2 in a tree structure, may be displayed. The alphanumeric characters written to the right of each icon in Figure 6 are symbols that identify the device. The last three digits of the alphanumeric characters here are codes assigned to each device. As a modification, images G11 and G21 may be changed to images showing network NW1 or NW2 in a tree structure as shown in Figure 6.

[0024] The communication partner being input may be terminal devices 201-206 already included in the existing network NW1, or it may be a newly added terminal device 211 or 212. In other words, terminal devices 211 and 212 may be added to network NW1 as devices that communicate with each other. If the communication partner is a newly added terminal device 211 or 212, the communication volume will be shared between terminal devices 211 and 212 that communicate with each other.

[0025] As described above, the construction unit 11B accepts the designation of terminal devices 211 and 212 to be added to the existing network NW1. This designation also accepts the designation of the communication partners for each of these terminal devices 211 and 212.

[0026] The construction unit 11B further generates network configuration information showing the configuration of network NW2, which is created by adding terminal devices 211 and 212 to the existing network NW1, based on the above network configuration information and the above specifications. The network configuration information showing the configuration of network NW2 is the network configuration information showing network NW1, with the types of additional terminal devices 211 and 212 (in this case, computers) and connection destinations (switching hubs and ports) added. The network configuration information also includes information on the communication volume and communication partners of the additional terminal devices 211 and 212. By generating the network configuration information showing network NW2, network NW2, which has multiple devices added to network NW1, is virtually constructed.

[0027] The identification unit 11C identifies the communication paths when each of the added terminal devices 211 and 212 communicates in the network NW2 to which terminal devices 211 and 212 have been added. The communication paths include multiple communication paths between each of the terminal devices 211 and 212 and their respective communication partners. When terminal devices 211 and 212 are added to network NW1 as devices that communicate with each other, the communication paths include one communication path between terminal devices 211 and 212.

[0028] The method for identifying the communication path is arbitrary, but for example, the identification unit 11C identifies the communication path by executing the communication path identification process shown in Figures 7 and 8. The communication path identification process is performed for each of the additional terminal devices, and the communication path for each is identified. If two additional terminal devices communicate with each other, the communication path identification process may be performed for only one of the terminal devices. The following describes the communication path identification process targeting terminal device 211. The communication partner of terminal device 211 will be terminal device 212. In the determination step and processing step of the communication path identification process, network configuration information (including MAC address table, etc.) indicating network NW2 will be referenced as appropriate. Therefore, the identification unit 11C can understand each device constituting network NW2 and their connection relationships.

[0029] In the communication path identification process, the identification unit 11C first determines whether the switching hub directly connected to the terminal device 212, which is the communication partner, is SNMP compatible (step S101). The switching hub to be determined is, in this case, switching hub 104. If it is SNMP compatible (step S101; Yes), the identification unit 11C designates switching hub 104 as the "communication partner switch" (step S102). If it is not SNMP compatible (step S101; No), any of the SNMP-compatible switching hubs directly connected to switching hub 104 (for example, the one with the smallest IP address) is designated as the "communication partner switch" (for example, switching hub 103) (step S103).

[0030] The identification unit 11C determines whether the switching hub directly connected to terminal device 211, which is the terminal device to be processed in this case, is SNMP compatible (step S104). The switching hub to be determined is, in this case, switching hub 101. If it is SNMP compatible (step S104; Yes), the identification unit 11C designates switching hub 101 as the "source switch" and the "current discovery switch" (step S105). If it is not SNMP compatible (step S104; No), the identification unit 11C designates any of the SNMP-compatible switching hubs directly connected to switching hub 101 (for example, the one with the smallest IP address) as the "source switch" and the "current discovery switch" (for example, switching hub 102) (step S106).

[0031] Subsequently, the specific unit 11C stores information about the switching hub that is the "current search switch" (such as identification information or various addresses) in a predetermined area of ​​the main memory 13 as information constituting a "communication path" (step S107). Step S107 may be performed multiple times, as is clear from the flowchart in Figure 7. The information about the switching hubs stored in each of the multiple steps S107 is stored in a predetermined area of ​​the main memory 13 in the order in which step S107 is performed (chronological order of processing), and these represent the "communication path" between terminal devices 211 and 212. The "communication path" includes the switching hubs through which data transmitted and received during communication passes.

[0032] The identification unit 11C determines whether the "current discovery switch" = "communication partner switch" and whether the two are the same switching hub (step S108). If they are not the same (step S108; No), the identification unit 11C identifies the port corresponding to the MAC address of the switching hub 104 directly connected to the terminal device 212, which is the communication partner, as port X (port P15 in the first step S108) in the MAC address table of the "current discovery switch" (included in the network configuration information) (step S109). Here, the MAC address table also registers the MAC addresses of devices directly connected to the switching hub having this MAC address table, as well as devices indirectly connected to the switching hub via other switching hubs, making the above identification possible.

[0033] Subsequently, the identification unit 11C identifies the switching hub connected to port X (switching hub 103 in the first step S108) as switching hub Y (step S110).

[0034] The identification unit 11C determines whether the switching hub Y identified in step S110 is SNMP compatible (step S111). If it is SNMP compatible (step S111; Yes), the identification unit 11C returns to step S107 with the switching hub Y as the "current discovery switch" (step S112).

[0035] If switching hub Y is not SNMP compatible (step S111; No), the identification unit 11C identifies a switching hub as switching hub Z, which is an SNMP compatible switching hub directly connected to switching hub Y, has the MAC address of the "communication partner switch" registered in its MAC address table, and whose MAC address corresponds to a port different from the port X connected to switching hub Y (step S113). After step S113, the identification unit 11C returns to step S107 with switching hub Z as the "current search switch" (step S114).

[0036] In steps S109, S110, and S113, port X, switching hub Y, and switching hub Z are usually identified. However, if they cannot be identified, the identification unit 11C may detect an error and display a message to that effect on the display device 15.

[0037] The specific unit 11C performs the processing from step S121 onwards (see Figure 8) if the "current search switch" = "communication partner switch" and both are on the same switching hub (step S108; Yes).

[0038] In step S121, the identification unit 11C determines whether the switching hub 104 directly connected to the terminal device 212, which is the communication partner, is SNMP compatible. If it is not SNMP compatible (step S121; Yes), the switching hub 104 is designated as switching hub H, and the process in step S122 is performed.

[0039] In step S122, the identification unit 11C refers to the MAC address table of each switching hub included in the "communication path" and determines whether there is an SNMP-compatible switching hub that has a MAC address table in which the MAC address of switching hub H and the MAC address of the "communication partner switch" correspond to the same port. If such a switching hub exists (step S122; Yes), the "communication partner switch" is a switching hub that is not on the "communication path", so the information of the "communication partner switch" is deleted from the "communication path" (step S123).

[0040] After step S123, if the results of the determinations in steps S121 and S122 are negative (step S121: No, step S122: No), the identification unit 11C executes the process in step S124.

[0041] In step S124, the identification unit 11C determines whether the switching hub 101 directly connected to the terminal device 211 that is the target of this processing is SNMP incompatible. If it is SNMP incompatible (step S124; Yes), the switching hub 101 is treated as switching hub I, and the processing in step S125 is performed.

[0042] In step S125, the identification unit 11C refers to the MAC address tables of each switching hub included in the "communication path" and determines whether there is a switching hub that has a MAC address table in which the MAC address of switching hub I and the MAC address of the "source switch" correspond to the same port. If such a switching hub exists (step S125; Yes), the "source switch" is a switching hub that is not on the "communication path", so the information of the "source switch" is deleted from the "communication path" (step S126).

[0043] After step S126, if the results of the determinations in steps S124 and S125 are negative (step S124: No, step S125: No), the identification unit 11C identifies each switching hub that has each piece of information included in the "communication path" as a switching hub on the communication path of terminal devices 211 and 212 (step S127).

[0044] The order of the switching hubs in the "communication path" described above, in the order of memory, indicates the data transmission path from terminal device 211, which is the target of processing in this case, to terminal device 212, which is the communication partner. The order of the switching hubs in the reverse order of the above memory, indicates the data reception path from terminal device 211, which is the target of processing in this case, to terminal device 212, which is the communication partner.

[0045] The identification unit 11C stores the "communication path" (i.e., information in which the information of each switching hub is arranged in the order of the communication path) in the storage 12. The identification unit 11C may also display a list of switching hubs on the identified communication path on the display device 15.

[0046] In the virtually constructed network NW2, the amount of communication at the switching hub included in the "communication path" increases by the amount of communication input at the terminal device 211 or 212 being processed.

[0047] The estimation unit 11D in Figure 2 estimates the third communication volume (hereinafter referred to as the third communication volume) in the communication path of the new network NW3 based on the communication volume in the communication path of the existing network NW1 (hereinafter referred to as the first communication volume) and the communication volume of terminal devices 211 and 212 specified in advance (for example, entered above) (hereinafter referred to as the second communication volume). The communication volume of terminal devices 211 and 212 is the amount of communication between terminal devices 211 and 212. However, when each of terminal devices 211 and 212 communicates with other terminal devices of the existing network NW1, the respective communication volumes of terminal devices 211 and 212 are used as the second communication volume. In the following explanation, it is assumed that all of the switching hubs 101 to 104 of network NW1 are SNMP compatible.

[0048] The estimation unit 11D communicates, for example, with SNMP-enabled switching hubs 101-104 within the actually constructed network NW1 via the communication interface 16 (e.g., ifHCOutOctets, OID: 1.3.6.1.2.1.31.1.1.1.10.) and measures the traffic volume (Mbps) of each port of switching hubs 101-104. This traffic volume is measured at predetermined intervals and in real time, and a collection of traffic volumes from the present to a certain past period, i.e., time-series data of traffic volume, is stored in the storage 12 for each switching hub.

[0049] The estimation unit 11D displays the image of Figure 9, which shows the configuration of network NW2, on the display device 15 based on the network configuration information of network NW2. At this time, the communication path R1 identified by the identification unit 11C may be superimposed on the display.

[0050] The user uses the operating device 14 to select any switching hub on the network NW2 by referring to the image in Figure 9. The estimation unit 11D obtains time-series data of the communication volume of the selected switching hub from the storage 12 and displays the time-series data as a trend graph TG1 (see Figure 10) on the display device 15. At this time, if the selected switching hub is one of the switching hubs 101, 103, or 104 that constitute the communication path identified by the identification unit 11C, the estimation unit 11D estimates the communication volume at that switching hub when terminal devices 211 and 212 are added by adding a second communication volume, which is the communication volume when terminal devices 211 and 212 are communicating, to each first communication volume, which is the communication volume of the time-series data. The estimation unit 11D displays the time-series data after addition as a trend graph TG2, superimposed on the trend graph TG1 so that the change in communication volume before and after the addition of terminal devices 211 and 212 can be intuitively grasped (see Figure 10). The trend graphs TG1 and TG2 allow users to easily understand the increase in actual past communication volume if terminal devices 211 and 212 were added. Furthermore, by sequentially estimating communication volume while changing the connection destinations of terminal devices 211 and 212, users can examine the connection destinations of terminal devices 211 and 212 from a communication volume perspective.

[0051] Although the pre-specified second data volume is treated as a fixed value above, it may also be specified as time-series data that changes over time. In such cases, the starting point timing (e.g., time) of the time-series data is also specified. When adding the second data volume (time-series data) to the first data volume, the starting point timing is adjusted. This enables accurate estimation of data volume.

[0052] Here, when terminal devices 211 and 212 are configured to communicate with other terminal devices 205 on the existing network NW1, the communication path R2 between terminal device 211 and terminal device 205 is identified by the identification unit 11C, as shown in Figure 11. Furthermore, the communication path R3 between terminal device 212 and terminal device 205 is identified by the identification unit 11C. Note that the communication partners of the additional terminal devices 211 and 212 may be different terminal devices, not necessarily the same one. In the example in Figure 11, the sum of the communication amounts specified for each of the terminal devices 211 and 212 is applied as the second communication amount in the switching hub 103 where communication paths R2 and R3 overlap.

[0053] As described above, in this embodiment, the communication volume estimation device 10 comprises an information acquisition unit 11A, a construction unit 11B, a specification unit 11C, and an estimation unit 11D. Furthermore, the information acquisition unit 11A acquires network configuration information indicating the configuration of an existing network NW1. The construction unit 11B receives a designation of a plurality of devices (for example, terminal devices 211 and 212) to be added to the network NW1 indicated by the acquired network configuration information, and virtually constructs a new network NW2 by adding the plurality of devices to network NW1 based on the received designation. The specification unit 11C identifies the communication path (for example, communication path R1, or communication paths R2 and R3) when each of the plurality of devices in the new network NW2 communicates. The estimation unit 11D estimates the third communication volume in the communication path of the new network NW2 based on the first communication volume in the specified communication path of the existing network NW1 and the second communication volume of the plurality of devices specified in advance. This makes it possible to estimate the amount of data traffic when multiple devices are added to an existing network. The user can then easily check the amount of data traffic when multiple devices are added. The estimation method is not limited to the above embodiment. The estimation unit 11D may present the estimation results to the user in any way it chooses. For example, the estimation unit 11D may display the estimation results on the display device 15 in any format it chooses. The estimation unit 11D may also communicate with the user's terminal and display the estimation results on the terminal's display device. In this case, the operation screen may be displayed on the terminal's display device, and the specification of the multiple devices and the specification of the amount of data traffic may be input via the terminal.

[0054] The aforementioned multiple devices may be two devices that communicate with each other as described above (terminal devices 211 and 212). In this case, the identification unit 11C identifies the communication path between the two devices. This makes it possible to estimate the amount of communication even when an additional pair of devices that communicate with each other is added.

[0055] As described above, the designation of the multiple devices may include the designation of a communication partner that communicates with each of the multiple devices. The communication partner may also be a device that constitutes the existing network NW1. The communication partner may be common to multiple devices or different to each device. The identification unit 11C may specify the communication path between the multiple devices and the communication partner. With this configuration, the amount of communication between the existing devices and the additional devices can be estimated.

[0056] As shown in Figure 12, the multiple devices that constitute network NW2 in addition to network NW1 may include multiple lower-level devices 222 of the same type and a higher-level device 221 that manages (for example, controls) these multiple lower-level devices. Devices 221 to 222 may be connected via a switching hub or the like. In the above configuration, the communication path specified by the identification unit 11C is the communication path between the higher-level device 221 and its communication partner. As for the communication volume, for example, the communication volume of each lower-level device 222 to the higher-level device 221 is specified. The estimation unit 11D accumulates each of the above communication volumes, multiplies the accumulated value by a coefficient (for example, any number less than 1) to derive a fourth communication volume, and estimates the third communication volume based on the derived fourth communication volume and the first communication volume. This estimation may also be done by addition, as described above. When adding lower-level devices of the same type (lower-level devices with the same communication volume) and a higher-level device that manages them to network NW1, the communication volume of the higher-level device between the higher-level device and other devices other than the lower-level devices will differ depending on the number of lower-level devices. Therefore, it is difficult to accurately specify the communication volume of the higher-level device that has lower-level devices. In this modified example, the estimated communication volume is calculated for each higher-level device in cases where the communication volume of the higher-level device differs depending on the number of lower-level devices, thus solving problems such as the large amount of effort required to specify the communication volume. Note that the timing of the derivation of the third communication volume is arbitrary. The estimation unit 11D may, for example, automatically set the third communication volume at the end of specifying the communication volume when the addition of lower-level device 222 is specified (at the end of inputting the communication volume on the input screen in Figure 5). Different coefficients may be set depending on the type of lower-level device and / or higher-level device. In particular, the value of the coefficient may change according to the communication volume of the lower-level device.

[0057] As described above, the communication path of the existing network NW1 includes a switching hub. The estimation unit 11D measures the communication volume at the switching hub as the first communication volume in the communication path, and estimates the third communication volume at the switching hub of the new network NW2 by adding the specified second communication volume (or the fourth communication volume derived above) to the measured first communication volume. This improves the estimation accuracy because it enables the estimation of the third communication volume based on the first communication volume, which is the actual communication volume at the switching hub. The first communication volume may be calculated by a known method. The estimation unit may also estimate, for example, the communication volume for the entire network NW2 (especially all switching hubs) or the entire communication path as the third communication volume.

[0058] As shown in Figure 10, the estimation unit 11D may superimpose the trend graph of the time change of the first communication volume and the trend graph of the time change of the third communication volume onto various display units such as the display device 15. This allows the user to intuitively grasp the increase in communication volume along with the time change of communication volume.

[0059] Furthermore, the configuration unit 11B may display a list of additional devices on a display unit such as the display device 15, and accept the user's operation of selecting multiple devices to be added from the list as the aforementioned designation of multiple devices. The operation includes operations on the operating device 14 or the user's terminal. The above configuration improves the convenience of adding multiple devices.

[0060] Generally, in order to determine whether adding equipment to an existing network configuration will cause problems, and if so, how to address those problems, a method that clearly shows the impact of adding equipment is required. This embodiment makes it possible to clearly show the impact of adding equipment.

[0061] The present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above. For example, the present invention includes various modifications to the above embodiments and modifications that can be understood by those skilled in the art within the scope of the technical concept of the present invention. The configurations listed in the above embodiments and modifications can be combined as appropriate to the extent that they do not contradict each other. It is also possible to delete any of the above configurations. As a modification, at least a part of each of the above parts 11A to 11D may be configured by an FPGA (Field-Programmable Gate Array), an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit), etc.

[0062] (Note) The following examples illustrate configurations based on the above embodiments and modifications. Any partial configuration of the above embodiments and modifications may be applied to each appendix. Furthermore, parts of each appendix may be combined. (Note 1) An information acquisition unit that acquires network configuration information showing the configuration of the existing network, A construction unit that receives the designation of multiple devices to be added to the existing network indicated by the network configuration information, and virtually constructs a new network by adding the multiple devices to the existing network based on the received designation, A unit that identifies the communication path when each of the multiple devices in the new network communicates, An estimation unit that estimates a third communication volume in the communication path of the new network based on a first communication volume in the communication path of the existing network and a second communication volume of a predetermined number of devices, A communication volume estimation device equipped with the following features. (Note 2) The aforementioned plurality of devices include a first device and a second device that communicate with each other, The specified unit identifies the communication path between the first device and the second device as at least a part of the communication path. The communication volume estimation device described in Appendix 1. (Note 3) The aforementioned designation includes the designation of the communication partner with which each of the aforementioned multiple devices communicates, The communication partner is a device that constitutes the existing network. The specified unit identifies the communication path between the plurality of devices and the communication partner as at least a part of the communication path. A communication volume estimation device as described in Appendix 1 or 2. (Note 4) The aforementioned plurality of devices include a plurality of subordinate devices of the same type and a superior device that oversees the plurality of subordinate devices. The aforementioned designation includes the designation of the communication partner with whom the above-level device will communicate, The specified unit identifies the communication path between the higher-level device and the communication partner as at least a part of the communication path, The second communication volume of the plurality of devices includes the communication volume between each of the plurality of lower-level devices and the higher-level device. The estimation unit calculates each of the communication volumes, multiplies the calculated cumulative value by a coefficient to derive a fourth communication volume, and estimates the third communication volume based on the derived fourth communication volume and the first communication volume. A communication volume estimation device as described in any of the appendices 1 to 3. (Note 5) The communication path of the existing network includes a switching hub. The estimation unit measures the amount of communication at the switching hub as the first amount of communication in the communication path, and estimates the third amount of communication at the switching hub of the new network by adding the second amount of communication to the measured first amount of communication. A communication volume estimation device as described in any of the appendices 1 to 4. (Note 6) The estimation unit superimposes the time-varying trend graph of the first communication volume and the time-varying trend graph of the third communication volume onto the display unit. The communication volume estimation device described in Appendix 5. (Note 7) The configuration unit displays a list of additional devices on the display unit and accepts the user's operation of selecting multiple devices from the list as the designation of the multiple devices. A communication volume estimation device as described in any of the appendices 1 to 6. (Note 8) A computer that functions as a communication volume estimation device as described in any of the appendices 1 to 7. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0063] 10...Communication volume estimation device, 11...Processor, 11A...Information acquisition unit, 11B...Construction unit, 11B...Instruction reception unit, 11C...Specification unit, 11D...Estimation unit, 12...Storage, 12A...Candidate table, 12P...Program, 13...Main memory, 14...Operation device, 15...Display device, 16...Communication interface, 101~105...Switching hub, 201~206,211~212...Terminal equipment, 221...Host-level equipment ,222...Lower-level equipment, B1~B2,G1~G2...Operation images, G3...Input images, G11~G12,G21...Images, NW1...Existing network, NW2...New network, P11~P15...Ports, P21~P25...Ports, P31~P35...Ports, P41~P45...Ports, R1~R3...Communication paths, TG1~TG2...Trend graphs, X...Ports, Y...Switching hubs, Z...Switching hubs.

Claims

1. An information acquisition unit that acquires network configuration information showing the configuration of the existing network, A construction unit that receives the designation of multiple devices to be added to the existing network indicated by the network configuration information, and virtually constructs a new network by adding the multiple devices to the existing network based on the received designation, A unit that identifies the communication path when each of the multiple devices in the new network communicates, An estimation unit that estimates a third communication volume in the communication path of the new network based on a first communication volume in the communication path of the existing network and a second communication volume of a predetermined number of devices, A communication volume estimation device equipped with the following features.

2. The aforementioned plurality of devices include a first device and a second device that communicate with each other, The specified unit identifies the communication path between the first device and the second device as at least a part of the communication path. The communication volume estimation device according to claim 1.

3. The aforementioned designation includes the designation of the communication partner with which each of the aforementioned multiple devices communicates, The communication partner is a device that constitutes the existing network. The specified unit identifies the communication path between the plurality of devices and the communication partner as at least a part of the communication path. The communication volume estimation device according to claim 1.

4. The aforementioned plurality of devices include a plurality of subordinate devices of the same type and a superior device that oversees the plurality of subordinate devices. The aforementioned designation includes the designation of the communication partner with whom the above-level device will communicate, The specified unit identifies the communication path between the higher-level device and the communication partner as at least a part of the communication path, The second communication volume of the plurality of devices includes the communication volume between each of the plurality of lower-level devices and the higher-level device. The estimation unit calculates each of the communication volumes, multiplies the calculated cumulative value by a coefficient to derive a fourth communication volume, and estimates the third communication volume based on the derived fourth communication volume and the first communication volume. The communication volume estimation device according to claim 1.

5. The communication path of the existing network includes a switching hub. The estimation unit measures the amount of communication at the switching hub as the first amount of communication in the communication path, and estimates the third amount of communication at the switching hub of the new network by adding the second amount of communication to the measured first amount of communication. The communication volume estimation device according to claim 1.

6. The estimation unit superimposes the time-varying trend graph of the first communication volume and the time-varying trend graph of the third communication volume onto the display unit. The communication volume estimation device according to claim 5.

7. The configuration unit displays a list of additional devices on the display unit and accepts the user's operation of selecting multiple devices from the list as the designation of the multiple devices. The communication volume estimation device according to claim 1.

8. A computer that functions as a communication volume estimation device according to claim 1.

Images