Communication Equipment

Abstract

To provide a technique which increases a frequency of provision of a communication with a high throughput to an application that requests a communication of the high throughput while preventing a situation that the communication cannot be made.SOLUTION: A communication apparatus that is connected to a first network for setting a wavelength path and a second network that performs a packet exchange, and in which one or more applications are installed, comprises control means of determining whether or not a possibility of a setting of a wavelength path via the first network when a communication request with the other communication apparatus from a first application in one or more applications, constructing the communication apparatus so that the first application is communicated with the other communication apparatus via the first network when the setting of the wavelength path can be made, and constructing the communication apparatus so that the first application communicates with the other communication apparatus via the second network when the setting of the wavelength path cannot be made.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to communications devices for communicating over optical wavelength networks. [Background technology]

[0002] Applications installed on computers, tablets, smartphones, etc. (hereinafter referred to as communication devices) communicate with applications of other communication devices on the network, for example, via a network. The communication throughput required by applications is increasing, and networks are required to achieve such throughput services. For example, Non-Patent Document 1 discloses a configuration that enables slicing of optical resources in an optical transport network in order to provide high-throughput services. [Prior art documents] [Non-patent literature]

[0003] [Non-Patent Document 1] R.Casellas,et.al.,"Enabling network slicing across a disaggregated optical transport network",in 2019 Optical Fiber Communications Conference and Exhibition(OFC),2019, pp.1-3 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] For example, a communication device and an optical wavelength network in which wavelength paths are set are connected by an optical link, and when an application installed in the communication device requests communication, the optical wavelength network sets a wavelength path on an on-demand basis to perform the communication. However, optical resources for setting wavelength paths are limited, and it is not always possible to set wavelength paths in the optical wavelength network.

[0005] The present invention provides a technique for preventing a situation in which communication is not possible, while increasing the frequency with which high-throughput communication is provided to applications that require high-throughput communication. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] According to one aspect of the present invention, a communication device connected to a first network that sets wavelength paths and a second network that performs packet switching and having one or more applications installed therein includes a control means for determining whether or not a wavelength path can be set via the first network when a communication request with another communication device is received from a first application of the one or more applications, and configuring the communication device so that the first application communicates with the other communication device via the first network if the wavelength path can be set, and configuring the communication device so that the first application communicates with the other communication device via the second network if the wavelength path cannot be set. When the control means receives the communication request, the control means determines whether the communication device has a wavelength that can be assigned to the first application, and if the communication device does not have a wavelength that can be assigned to the first application, determines that the wavelength path cannot be set. . Effect of the Invention

[0007] According to the present invention, it is possible to prevent a situation in which communication is not possible, while increasing the frequency with which high-throughput communication is provided to applications that require high-throughput communication. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram of a communication system according to an embodiment. [Diagram 2] FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram of a communication device according to an embodiment. [Diagram 3] FIG. 2 illustrates a frame structure according to an embodiment. [Figure 4] 5 is a flowchart of a process executed by a control unit according to an embodiment. [Diagram 5] 5 is a flowchart of a process executed by a control unit according to an embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0009] Hereinafter, the embodiments will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. Note that the following embodiments do not limit the invention according to the claims, and not all combinations of features described in the embodiments are essential to the invention. Two or more features among the multiple features described in the embodiments may be arbitrarily combined. In addition, the same reference numbers are used for the same or similar configurations, and duplicated descriptions are omitted.

[0010] First Embodiment FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram of a communication system according to this embodiment. A communication device 1 is connected to an optical wavelength network 2 and an IP network 3. The optical wavelength network 2 is an optical network that uses wavelength multiplexing technology, spatial multiplexing technology, etc., and is configured to set one wavelength path between two communication devices 1 in response to a request from the communication devices 1. Note that spatial multiplexing technology includes a technology of spatially multiplexing and transmitting multiple optical signals in one optical fiber using a multicore optical fiber, and a technology of spatially multiplexing and transmitting multiple optical signals in different propagation modes in one optical fiber using a multimode optical fiber. The IP network 3 is, for example, a packet switching network such as the Internet.

[0011] 2 is a configuration diagram of a communication device 1 according to this embodiment. Note that a plurality of applications are installed in the communication device 1. The applications have identification information for identifying the application. In this embodiment, the applications are classified into a first type of application and a second type of application. The first type of application is an application that requires high throughput in communication with other communication devices 1, and the second type of application is an application that does not require high throughput in communication with other communication devices 1.

[0012] The optical interface unit 14 has a plurality of optical interfaces, one or more of which are connected to the optical wavelength network 2. Hereinafter, the optical interface connected to the optical wavelength network 2 is referred to as a first optical interface. Furthermore, the optical link between the first optical interface and the optical wavelength network 2 is referred to as an optical link corresponding to the first optical interface. Moreover, one or more of the optical interfaces different from the first optical interface are connected to the IP network 3. Hereinafter, the optical interface connected to the IP network 3 is referred to as a second optical interface.

[0013] When a first type application installed in the communication device 1 requests communication with another communication device 1 (hereinafter, a first type application requesting communication is referred to as a requesting application), the requesting application first transmits a first wavelength path request message including its identification information to the control unit 11. The first wavelength path request message includes information identifying the other communication device 1. When the control unit 11 receives the first wavelength path request message, it determines whether the communication device 1 has wavelengths that can be assigned to the communication. When the communication device 1 has one or more assignable wavelengths, the control unit 11 transmits a second wavelength path request message to the optical wavelength network 2, the second wavelength path request message including information indicating one or more wavelengths that can be assigned to the communication (hereinafter, referred to as one or more assignable wavelengths), information indicating optical links corresponding to the first optical interfaces of each of the one or more wavelengths, and information identifying the other communication device 1 that is the communication partner.

[0014] When the optical wavelength network 2 receives the second wavelength path request message, it determines whether a wavelength path can be set between the communication device 1 and the other communication device 1 using one of the one or more allocatable wavelengths. When the optical wavelength network 2 can set a wavelength path between the communication device 1 and the other communication device 1 using one of the one or more allocatable wavelengths, it sets a wavelength path between the communication device 1 and the other communication device 1, and notifies the communication device 1 of a setting completion message including information indicating the wavelength of the set wavelength path and an optical link (one of one or more optical links corresponding to one or more first optical interfaces) that accommodates the wavelength path. When setting the wavelength path, the optical wavelength network 2 inquires the other communication device 1 about available wavelength paths, and sets the wavelength path taking into consideration the wavelength paths available to the other communication device 1. It also notifies the other communication device 1 of the identification information of the communication device 1.

[0015] When control unit 11 receives the setting completion message, it notifies allocation unit 12 of the identification information of the requesting application, and notifies it to output data from the application of the identification information to frame processing unit 13. Based on the notification from control unit 11, allocation unit 12 outputs the data from the requesting application to frame processing unit 13. Note that allocation unit 12 also outputs the identification information of the requesting application to frame processing unit 13 together with the data from the requesting application.

[0016] The frame processing unit 13 performs framing processing on the data from the requesting application. Specifically, the data from the requesting application is divided into pieces of a predetermined length, and a header including identification information of the requesting application is added to each piece of data of the predetermined length. FIG. 3 shows a frame structure. In FIG. 3, reference numeral 50 indicates one frame, reference numeral 51 indicates one header in which identification information of the requesting application is stored, and reference numeral 52 indicates one payload in which data of the requesting application is stored. The frame processing unit 13 outputs the framed data to the optical interface unit 14.

[0017] When the control unit 11 receives the setting completion message, it notifies the optical interface unit 14 of the identification information of the requesting application, together with information indicating the wavelength of the set wavelength path and the first optical interface corresponding to the optical link in which the wavelength path is accommodated. The optical interface unit 14 modulates light of the wavelength notified for the requesting application with the framed data of the requesting application output by the frame processing unit 13, and transmits it from the first optical interface notified for the requesting application. The identification information included in the frame is used by the other communication device 1 to determine to which application the data should be passed. The optical interface unit 14 can determine to which requesting application the framed data from the frame processing unit 13 corresponds, based on the identification information included in the framed data from the frame processing unit 13.

[0018] On the other hand, when the control unit 11 receives the first wavelength path request message and determines that the communication device 1 does not have an allocatable wavelength resource, or when the control unit 11 receives a setting impossible message indicating that a wavelength path cannot be set between the communication device 1 and another communication device 1 from the optical wavelength network 2 as a response to the transmitted second wavelength path request message, the control unit 11 notifies the allocating unit 12 of the identification information of the requesting application, and notifies the allocating unit 12 that data from the requesting application of the identification information will be output to the packet processing unit 15. In this case, the allocating unit 12 outputs the data from the requesting application to the packet processing unit 15 based on the notification from the control unit 11.

[0019] Furthermore, when the control unit 11 notifies the packet processing unit 15 that data from the requesting application is to be output, the control unit 11 notifies the packet processing unit 15 of information identifying the other communication device 1. The packet processing unit 15 packetizes the data from the requesting application and outputs the data to the optical interface unit 14. The packet processing unit 15 determines the destination address and the like of the packet based on the information identifying the other communication device 1 and sets the determined address in the packet header.

[0020] The optical interface unit 14 optically modulates the packet from the packet processing unit 15 and outputs it from one or more second optical interfaces.

[0021] When a second type application performs communication, it outputs data to be communicated and information identifying the destination communication device 1 to the distribution unit 12. The distribution unit 12 determines an application that outputs data to the distribution unit 12 together with information identifying the destination communication device 1 without transmitting a first wavelength path request message to the control unit 11 as a second type application. When the distribution unit 12 receives data from a second type application, it outputs the data together with information identifying the destination communication device 1 to the packet processing unit 15.

[0022] 4 is a flowchart of the process executed by the control unit 11. When the control unit 11 receives the first wavelength path request message in S10, the control unit 11 determines whether or not there is an available optical resource, that is, an allocatable wavelength, in S11. If there is an available optical resource, the control unit 11 transmits a second wavelength path request message to the optical wavelength network 2 in S12, and receives a setting completion message or a setting impossible message as a response. If the wavelength path is set, that is, if the control unit 11 receives a setting completion message, the control unit 11 configures the communication device 1 in S14 so that communication is performed via the optical wavelength network 2. On the other hand, if there is no available optical resource in S11 or if the wavelength path is not set in S13, that is, if the control unit 11 receives a setting impossible message, the control unit 11 configures the communication device 1 in S15 so that communication is performed via the IP network 3.

[0023] As described above, in this embodiment, an application that requires high throughput requests a wavelength path when starting communication. When a wavelength path is requested, the communication device 1 determines whether or not the wavelength path can be set based on available optical resources, and if available optical resources are available, requests the optical wavelength network 2 to set the wavelength path. When the wavelength path is set, the communication device 1 performs communication by the application that requires high throughput using the set dedicated wavelength path. This makes it possible to provide high-throughput communication to the application. On the other hand, when there are no available optical resources or when the wavelength path cannot be set in the optical wavelength network 2, the communication device 1 performs the communication via the IP network 3. This makes it possible to prevent a situation in which a communication service cannot be provided to an application that requests communication. Note that the throughput of communication via the IP network 3 may be slower than when a dedicated wavelength path is used. However, the throughput of communication via the IP network 3 may differ depending on the state of the IP network 3, so it may be possible to perform communication with high throughput.

[0024] In this embodiment, the applications installed in the communication device 1 are classified in advance into a first type application and a second type application. The first type application transmits a first wavelength path request message to the control unit 11 when performing communication, and the second type application transmits transmission data directly to the distribution unit 12 when performing communication. However, instead of classifying the applications in advance into the first type and the second type, a configuration can be adopted in which the application itself determines whether or not to request a wavelength path based on the throughput required for the communication to be started. Specifically, when it is determined that a high throughput is required, the application requests a wavelength path from the control unit 11, and when it is determined that a high throughput is not required, the application transmits transmission data to the distribution unit 12.

[0025] In this embodiment, an application classified as a second type application transmits transmission data to the allocating unit 12 without requesting a wavelength path from the control unit 11. However, in a modified embodiment of this embodiment, the application itself does not make the determination, but the control unit 11 does.

[0026] FIG. 5 is a flowchart of the process executed by the control unit 11 in the modified embodiment. The same process as in the flowchart of FIG. 4 is given the same step number, and the description thereof is omitted. It is assumed that the applications are classified into a first type application and a second type application. In S20, the control unit 11 receives a communication request including information for identifying the communication destination communication device 1 and information indicating whether the communication destination is the first type or the second type from the application that starts communication. In S21, the control unit 11 determines whether the application making the communication request is the first type or the second type. If it is the second type, the control unit 11 advances the process to S15, and if it is the first type, the control unit 11 advances the process to S11. In this case, the second type application does not need to notify the distribution unit 12 of information for identifying the communication destination communication device 1.

[0027] With the above configuration, for example, it is possible to prevent situations where communication is unavailable while increasing the frequency of providing high-throughput communications to applications that require high-throughput communications. This makes it possible to contribute to Goal 9 of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) led by the United Nations, which is to "Develop resilient infrastructure, promote sustainable industrialization and foster innovation."

[0028] The invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various modifications and variations are possible within the scope of the gist of the invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0029] 11: control unit, 12: distribution unit, 13: frame processing unit, 14: packet processing unit

Claims

1. A communication device connected to a first network that sets wavelength paths and a second network that performs packet switching, and in which one or more applications are installed, comprising: a control means for determining whether or not a wavelength path can be set via the first network when a communication request with another communication device is received from a first application of the one or more applications, and configuring the communication device so that the first application communicates with the other communication device via the first network if the wavelength path can be set, and configuring the communication device so that the first application communicates with the other communication device via the second network if the wavelength path cannot be set, When the control means receives the communication request, it determines whether the communication device has a wavelength that can be allocated to the first application, and if the communication device does not have a wavelength that can be allocated to the first application, it determines that the wavelength path cannot be set.

2. The communication device according to claim 1, wherein the control means, when the communication device has a wavelength that can be assigned to the first application, makes a request to the first network to set up the wavelength path, and determines whether the wavelength path can be set up based on a response to the setting request from the first network.

3. a first processing means for framing and processing data from the one or more applications; second processing means for packetizing and processing data from the one or more applications; A distribution means for outputting data from the one or more applications to the first processing means or the second processing means; Equipped with 3. The communication device according to claim 1, wherein the control means notifies the distribution means that, when the wavelength path can be set, data from the first application will be output to the first processing means, and, when the wavelength path cannot be set, notifies the distribution means that data from the first application will be output to the second processing means.

4. 4. The communication device according to claim 3, wherein the distribution means outputs data from a second application among the one or more applications that output data to the distribution means to the second processing means without transmitting the communication request to the control means.

5. the one or more applications are classified into a first type of application and a second type of application; The communication device of claim 3 , wherein the first application is of the first type.

6. The communication device according to claim 5 , wherein the second type application, when communicating with another communication device, outputs data to the sorting means without transmitting the communication request to the control means.

7. the one or more applications are classified into a first type of application and a second type of application; The communication device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the control means determines whether or not to set up a wavelength path via the first network only when the first application is of the first type, and configures the communication device so that the first application communicates with the other communication device via the second network when the first application is of the second type.

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