Information processing apparatus, information processing system, information processing method, and program

Abstract

To provide an information processing device that can achieve control communication in a network on the cloud.SOLUTION: A second information processing device 20 according to the present disclosure is communicatively connected to a network on the cloud and a physical control network 40. The second information processing device 20 includes an adapter unit 22 that generates first control communication information of a first communication method that performs one-to-many communication in control communication information required for control communication based on a control communication protocol, using information from the network obtained through a route different from a communication route of the control communication, and transmits it to the physical control network 40.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 6

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to an information processing apparatus, an information processing system, an information processing method, and a program.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, techniques using a network on the cloud have been known. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a cloud system that connects a plurality of cloud bases by connecting the cloud bases to each other via a VPN (Virtual Private Network). Such a cloud system can improve the exhaustion of VLAN (Virtual Local Area Network)-IDs.

[0003] In a conventional process control system using physical devices, control communication is performed using a physical communication cable. It is conceivable to operate such a process control system on a network on the cloud.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] However, in a network on the cloud, generally, a communication method that performs one-to-many communication including multicast and broadcast is not supported. On the other hand, such a communication method is used in control communication. Therefore, it has been difficult to use the protocol of control communication on a network on the cloud.

[0006] An object of the present disclosure is to provide an information processing apparatus, an information processing system, an information processing method, and a program capable of realizing control communication in a network on the cloud.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0007] An information processing apparatus according to some embodiments is an information processing apparatus communicably connected to a network on the cloud and a physical control network, and among control communication information required for control communication based on a control communication protocol, first control communication information of a first communication method for one-to-many communication is generated using information from the network obtained through a path different from the communication path of the control communication, and includes an adapter unit that transmits it to the physical control network.

[0008] Thereby, it is possible to realize control communication in a network on the cloud. The information processing apparatus generates first control communication information of the first communication method using information from the network on the cloud obtained through a path different from the communication path of the control communication, and transmits it to the physical control network. Therefore, the information processing apparatus can realize functions necessary for control communication between the network and the physical control network without the first control communication information of the first communication method including multicast and broadcast not supported by the network on the cloud passing through the communication path of the control communication in the network. The information processing apparatus enables communication according to a control communication protocol even between a network on the cloud where multicast and broadcast cannot be used and a physical control network.

[0009] In one embodiment, the adapter unit may convert the communication method between a second communication method for one-to-one communication and the first communication method for the second control communication information of the first communication method. Thereby, the information processing apparatus can transmit and receive the second control communication information via the second communication method between a network on the cloud where the first communication method is not supported and a physical control network.

[0010] In one embodiment, the adapter unit may transmit and receive the second control communication information between the network and the physical control network according to the communication path. Thereby, the control communication system enables the exchange of the second control communication information between the network and the physical control network via the second information processing device.

[0011] An information processing system according to some embodiments includes the information processing device according to any one of the above, and the network and the physical control network.

[0012] Thereby, it is possible to realize control communication on a network in the cloud. The information processing system generates the first control communication information of the first communication method using information from a network in the cloud obtained through a path different from the communication path of the control communication, and transmits it to the physical control network. Therefore, the information processing system enables the realization of functions necessary for control communication between the network and the physical control network without the first control communication information of the first communication method including multicast and broadcast, etc., which are not supported by the network in the cloud, passing through the communication path of the control communication in the network. The information processing system enables communication according to a control communication protocol between a network in the cloud where multicast and broadcast are not available and the physical control network.

[0013] In one embodiment, the information processing system may include the information processing device and a network switch that connects the network and the physical control network. By having a physical network switch as a device different from the information processing device, a device specialized for the switch function can be used as the physical network switch.

[0014] In one embodiment, the information processing apparatus may include a relay unit that functions as a network switch connecting the network and the physical control network. Thereby, the information processing apparatus can provide various functions and switching functions by the adapter unit on one device. The information processing system can reduce the number of devices constituting the system.

[0015] In one embodiment, the information processing apparatus may include a virtualization unit, and the adapter unit and the relay unit may function on a virtual machine constructed by the virtualization unit. Thereby, the information processing apparatus can provide functions related to control communication on a virtual machine constructed by the virtualization unit. The information processing apparatus can also construct and start a plurality of virtual machines on one physical server.

[0016] In one embodiment, the network and the information processing apparatus may be communicably connected to each other by a virtual control network. Thereby, the information processing apparatus can transmit and receive information such as second control communication information with a network on the cloud via the virtual control network.

[0017] An information processing method according to some embodiments is an information processing method executed by an information processing apparatus communicably connected to a network on the cloud and a physical control network, and among control communication information required for control communication based on a control communication protocol, first control communication information of a first communication method for one-to-many communication is generated using information from the network obtained through a path different from the communication path of the control communication, and transmitted to the physical control network.

[0018] As a result, it is possible to realize control communication on a network in the cloud. The information processing apparatus generates first control communication information of a first communication method using information from a network on the cloud acquired through a path different from the communication path of the control communication, and transmits the information to a physical control network. Therefore, the information processing apparatus can realize functions necessary for control communication between the network and the physical control network without the first control communication information of the first communication method including multicast and broadcast not supported by the network on the cloud passing through the communication path of the control communication in the network. The information processing apparatus enables communication using a control communication protocol even between a network on the cloud where multicast and broadcast cannot be used and a physical control network.

[0019] A program according to some embodiments causes an information processing apparatus communicably connected to a network on the cloud and a physical control network to execute an operation including generating first control communication information of a first communication method for one-to-many communication among control communication information necessary for control communication based on a control communication protocol using information from the network acquired through a path different from the communication path of the control communication, and transmitting the information to the physical control network.

[0020] As a result, it is possible to realize control communication on a network in the cloud. The information processing apparatus generates first control communication information of a first communication method using information from a network on the cloud acquired through a path different from the communication path of the control communication, and transmits the information to a physical control network. Therefore, the information processing apparatus can realize functions necessary for control communication between the network and the physical control network without the first control communication information of the first communication method including multicast and broadcast not supported by the network on the cloud passing through the communication path of the control communication in the network. The information processing apparatus enables communication using a control communication protocol even between a network on the cloud where multicast and broadcast cannot be used and a physical control network.

Advantages of the Invention

[0021] According to the present disclosure, it is possible to provide an information processing apparatus, an information processing system, an information processing method, and a program capable of realizing control communication in a network on the cloud.

Brief Description of Drawings

[0022]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Figure 6

Figure 7

Figure 8

Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0023] The background and problems of the prior art will be described in more detail.

[0024] In a conventional process control system using a physical machine, control communication is performed using a physical communication cable. For example, when operating a process control system in a virtual environment on the cloud, the processing of each control device is realized on a VM (Virtual Machine), and communication between VMs is performed by connecting each VM with a virtual control network.

[0025] In control communication, multicast is used for the purpose of simultaneously transmitting data to a plurality of devices in a specific one-to-many manner on the network. Similarly, in control communication, broadcast is used for the purpose of simultaneously transmitting data to a plurality of devices in an unspecified one-to-many manner without limiting the communication destination on the network.

[0026] Examples of control communication information using multicast include time synchronization information, diagnostic information, and alarm information.

[0027] Time synchronization information is transmitted by a node serving as the master of time synchronization to all nodes belonging to a defined time group. Each node receives the same time information at approximately the same timing. Therefore, by considering the path delay on the network, the nodes in the network are set to the same time. There may be multiple pairs of master and time group.

[0028] Diagnostic information corresponds to the node's life and death monitoring information. Diagnostic information is transmitted by each node at regular intervals to a determined range of nodes, including, for example, all nodes within the same subnet and specific nodes in other subnets. Each node identifies, by receiving the diagnostic information, that the source node is connected to the network and operating, and that the source node recognizes the presence or absence of the operation of each node itself.

[0029] Alarm information is transmitted to all nodes in order to notify other nodes of an abnormality that has occurred in a node.

[0030] As an example of control communication information using broadcast, routing information can be cited. Routing information is for each node to communicate to another IP (Internet Protocol) network segment, and is distributed by an L3 switch.

[0031] However, multicast and broadcast are generally not supported in the network on the cloud. Therefore, it has been difficult to use the protocol of control communication in the network on the cloud.

[0032] In order to solve the above problems, the present disclosure aims to provide an information processing apparatus, an information processing system, an information processing method, and a program capable of realizing control communication in a network on the cloud. Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present disclosure will be mainly described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0033] (Control Communication System) FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of a control communication system 1 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. In FIG. 1, mainly focusing on the configuration of a first information processing apparatus 10 described later, the configuration of the first information processing apparatus 10 is shown in detail.

[0034] The control communication system 1 includes a first information processing apparatus 10, a second information processing apparatus 20, a network environment management unit 30, and a physical control network 40. The first information processing apparatus 10, the second information processing apparatus 20, the network environment management unit 30, and the physical control network 40 are communicably connected to each other via a network NW1.

[0035] The first information processing apparatus 10 is one or a plurality of physical servers communicable with each other. In FIG. 1, for simplicity of explanation, the first information processing apparatus 10 is shown as one physical server as an example. The first information processing apparatus 10 is not limited thereto, and may be any general-purpose electronic device such as a PC (Personal Computer) or a smartphone, or may be another electronic device dedicated to the control communication system 1.

[0036] The second information processing device 20 is one or a plurality of physical servers that can communicate with each other. In FIG. 1, for the sake of simplicity of explanation, the second information processing device 20 is shown as one physical server as an example. The second information processing device 20 is not limited thereto, and may be any general-purpose electronic device such as a PC (Personal Computer) or a smartphone, or may be another electronic device dedicated to the control communication system 1.

[0037] The network environment management unit 30 manages the network environment of the entire network NW1. The network environment management unit 30 includes a monitoring function unit 31, a time master function unit 32, and a routing information distribution unit 33.

[0038] The monitoring function unit 31 includes, for example, an NMS (Network Management System). The monitoring function unit 31 monitors the network NW1 and provides functions such as monitoring the life and death of each device communicably connected to the network NW1, detecting traffic failures and errors, security maintenance, performance management, and report creation.

[0039] The time master function unit 32 includes, for example, an NTP (Network Time Protocol) server. The time master function unit 32 provides a function of acquiring and distributing correct time information.

[0040] The routing information distribution unit 33 includes, for example, a server that processes routing information. The routing information distribution unit 33 provides a function of managing the routing information of the entire network NW1.

[0041] The physical control network 40 includes a physical network switch 41, a controller 42, and a control monitoring device 43 as an HMI (Human Machine Interface). The controller 42 and the control monitoring device 43 are communicably connected to the network NW1 via the physical network switch 41. The physical control network 40 is communicably connected to the first information processing device 10, the second information processing device 20, and the network environment management unit 30 on the network NW1 via the physical network switch 41. The physical network switch 41 connects the second information processing device 20 and the network on the cloud and the physical control network 40 described later.

[0042] (First Information Processing Device) Hereinafter, mainly with reference to FIG. 1, the configuration and functions of the first information processing device 10 will be described.

[0043] The first information processing device 10 has a physical NIC (Network Interface Card) 11 as hardware. The first information processing device 10 is communicably connected to the network NW1 via the physical NIC 11.

[0044] The first information processing device 10 has a virtualization unit 12. The virtualization unit 12 provides functions as a hypervisor. The virtualization unit 12 constructs a virtual environment within the first information processing device 10. The virtualization unit 12 constructs at least one VM within the first information processing device 10. In FIG. 1, as an example, the virtualization unit 12 constructs two VMs, the first VM 13 and the second VM 14, within the first information processing device 10.

[0045] The first VM 13 and the second VM 14 are communicably connected to each other on the virtual control network NW2 via a virtual L2 switch 121 on the virtualization unit 12. The first VM 13 and the second VM 14 are under the network environment on the cloud.

[0046] The first VM 13 is communicably connected to the virtual control network NW2 via the first virtual NIC 131. The first VM 13 includes a first adapter unit 132, a first control communication unit 133, and a first application 134. The first adapter unit 132, the first control communication unit 133, and the first application 134 function on the first VM 13 as a virtual machine constructed by the virtualization unit 12 of the first information processing apparatus 10.

[0047] Information transmitted on the virtual control network NW2 is received by the first control communication unit 133 via the first virtual NIC 131 and the first adapter unit 132 in sequence. Information output from the first control communication unit 133 is transmitted to the virtual control network NW2 via the first adapter unit 132 and the first virtual NIC 131 in sequence. The first control communication unit 133 is functionally connected to the first application 134.

[0048] The second VM 14 is communicably connected to the virtual control network NW2 via the second virtual NIC 141. The second VM 14 includes a second adapter unit 142, a second control communication unit 143, and a second application 144. The second adapter unit 142, the second control communication unit 143, and the second application 144 function on the second VM 14 as a virtual machine constructed by the virtualization unit 12 of the first information processing apparatus 10.

[0049] Information transmitted on the virtual control network NW2 is received by the second control communication unit 143 via the second virtual NIC 141 and the second adapter unit 142 in sequence. Information output from the second control communication unit 143 is transmitted to the virtual control network NW2 via the second adapter unit 142 and the second virtual NIC 141 in sequence. The second control communication unit 143 is functionally connected to the second application 144.

[0050] Hereinafter, the first control communication unit 133 and the second control communication unit 143 are collectively referred to as the "control communication unit". The first adapter unit 132 and the second adapter unit 142 are collectively referred to as the "adapter unit". In FIG. 1, regarding the functions of the control communication unit and the adapter unit, the illustration mainly focuses on the second control communication unit 143 and the second adapter unit 142. However, the functions of the control communication unit and the adapter unit in the following description apply to both the first VM 13 and the second VM 14.

[0051] The control communication unit performs transmission and reception of control communication information conforming to the control communication protocol with an external device via the adapter unit. In this specification, the "control communication information" includes, for example, the time synchronization information, diagnostic information, and alarm information described above.

[0052] The adapter unit generates first control communication information, which is among the control communication information required for control communication based on the control communication protocol, using information obtained through a path different from the communication path of control communication in the network on the cloud including the first VM 13 and the second VM 14. The first control communication information is information of a first communication method that performs one-to-many communication and is not supported by the network on the cloud including the first VM 13 and the second VM 14. The adapter unit outputs the generated first control communication information to the control communication unit.

[0053] In this specification, the "first control communication information" includes, for example, time synchronization information and diagnostic information. The "first communication method" includes, for example, multicast and broadcast.

[0054] The adapter unit generates the first control communication information using the information aggregated in the virtualization unit 12 of the first information processing apparatus 10.

[0055] For example, regarding time synchronization information, an external time master function unit 32 is used. An external time synchronization function such as the time master function unit 32 is used to set the time of the virtualization unit 12. The virtualization unit 12 can set the time of each of the first VM 13 and the second VM 14. The adapter unit acquires time information from the virtualization unit 12, converts it into time synchronization information in control communication, and outputs it to the control communication unit. In this way, the adapter unit does not use the communication path of control communication in the network on the cloud via the physical NIC 11 and the virtual L2 switch 121, but generates multicast time synchronization information using the time information acquired from the virtualization unit 12 through a path different from the communication path.

[0056] For example, regarding diagnostic information, an external life and death monitoring function such as the monitoring function unit 31 is used. The external monitoring function unit 31 performs life and death monitoring of all nodes. The virtualization unit 12 of each first information processing device 10 acquires life and death information from the external monitoring function unit 31. The adapter unit acquires the life and death information from the virtualization unit 12, converts it into diagnostic information as life and death monitoring information from each node in control communication, and outputs it to the control communication unit. In this way, the adapter unit does not use the communication path of control communication in the network on the cloud via the physical NIC 11 and the virtual L2 switch 121, but generates multicast diagnostic information using the life and death information acquired from the virtualization unit 12 through a path different from the communication path.

[0057] The adapter unit does not transmit the first control communication information of the first communication method acquired from the control communication unit to the outside. Since the first communication method is not supported in the communication path of control communication in the network on the cloud via the physical NIC 11 and the virtual L2 switch 121, the adapter unit pretends to transmit the first control communication information along the communication path without actually transmitting it to the outside. That is, even if the adapter unit does not transmit the first control communication information to the outside, it does not execute a process of returning an error to the control communication unit. Or, the adapter unit may output false information assuming that it has transmitted the first control communication information to the control communication unit.

[0058] For example, the adapter unit fakes the transmission of time synchronization information in control communication without actually transmitting it. For example, since the time obtained from the outside such as the time master function unit 32 is sufficiently reliable, the adapter unit uses the external time master function unit 32 via the virtualization unit 12, and mainly executes the process of generating multicast time synchronization information and outputting it to the control communication unit.

[0059] For example, the adapter unit fakes the transmission of diagnostic information in control communication without actually transmitting it. For example, since the life and death information obtained from the outside such as the monitoring function unit 31 is sufficiently reliable, the adapter unit uses the external monitoring function unit 31 via the virtualization unit 12, and mainly executes the process of generating multicast diagnostic information and outputting it to the control communication unit.

[0060] The adapter unit converts the communication method between the second communication method that performs one-to-one communication for the second control communication information of the first communication method and the first communication method. The adapter unit transmits and receives the second control communication information between the control communication unit and the outside according to the communication path of the control communication in the network on the cloud via the physical NIC 11 and the virtual L2 switch 121. In this specification, the "second control communication information" includes, for example, alarm information. The "second communication method" includes, for example, unicast.

[0061] For example, the adapter unit performs protocol conversion from multicast alarm information obtained from the control communication unit to unicast. The adapter unit adds information indicating the same report communication to the frame of the multicast communication corresponding to the alarm information obtained from the control communication unit, and encapsulates and transmits it as unicast to all nodes. The adapter unit may perform communication by utilizing a VPN capable of performing such conversion.

[0062] For example, the adapter unit performs protocol conversion from unicast alarm information received from the outside according to the communication path of the control communication in the network on the cloud to multicast. The adapter unit outputs the converted multicast alarm information to the control communication unit as the alarm information in the control communication.

[0063] The adapter unit transmits and receives the third control communication information of the second communication method for one-to-one communication between the control communication unit and the outside according to the communication path of the control communication in the network on the cloud. In this specification, the "third control communication information" includes any other control communication information based on unicast, excluding various information based on, for example, multicast or broadcast. The adapter unit normally performs, for example, data acquisition from a device based on unicast control communication. The adapter unit can transmit and receive the third control communication information without limitation based on the unicast communication supported by the network on the cloud.

[0064] The first VM 13 further includes a first network setting management unit 135. The second VM 14 further includes a second network setting management unit 145. Hereinafter, the first network setting management unit 135 and the second network setting management unit 145 are collectively referred to as the "network setting management unit".

[0065] The adapter unit generates network setting information based on the acquired first control communication information and sets it in the network setting management unit. In this specification, the "network setting information" includes, for example, routing information distributed by multicast or broadcast according to a routing protocol. The network setting management unit includes routing table information that is updated by receiving the distributed routing information.

[0066] For the routing information, the adapter unit utilizes the setting of the routing table without using a protocol. The routing information is obtained by utilizing the setting value of the routing table on the network setting management unit without using the distribution information of the routing protocol using multicast or broadcast.

[0067] On the cloud, even if IP network segments are separated, if communication is made to the default gateway, proper routing will be performed. Therefore, in that case, it is only necessary to set the default gateway in the routing table on the VM. If the default gateway alone is insufficient, the adapter unit generates diagnostic information and generates routing information based on the diagnostic information. The adapter unit sets the generated routing information in the routing table.

[0068] With reference to FIGS. 2 to 4, the flow of processing executed by the adapter unit of the first information processing apparatus 10 in FIG. 1 will be mainly described. FIG. 2 is a flowchart for explaining a first example of the first information processing method executed by the first information processing apparatus 10 in FIG. 1.

[0069] In step S101, the adapter unit of the first information processing apparatus 10 acquires information via the virtualization unit 12 by a path different from the communication path of control communication in the network on the cloud.

[0070] In step S102, the adapter unit generates first control communication information of the first communication method that performs one-to-many communication among the control communication information required for control communication based on the control communication protocol, using the information acquired in step S101.

[0071] In step S103, the adapter unit outputs the first control communication information generated in step S102 to the control communication unit that transmits and receives control communication information according to the control communication protocol.

[0072] FIG. 3 is a flowchart for explaining a second example of the first information processing method executed by the first information processing apparatus 10 in FIG. 1.

[0073] In step S201, the adapter unit of the first information processing apparatus 10 acquires second control communication information. For example, the adapter unit acquires multicast alarm information from the control communication unit. For example, the adapter unit receives unicast alarm information from the outside according to the communication path of control communication in the network on the cloud.

[0074] In step S202, the adapter unit converts the communication method between the first communication method and the second communication method for the second control communication information acquired in step S201. For example, the adapter unit converts the multicast alarm information acquired from the control communication unit into unicast. For example, the adapter unit converts the unicast alarm information received from the outside into multicast.

[0075] In step S203, the adapter unit outputs the second control communication information whose communication method has been converted in step S202. For example, the adapter unit transmits the alarm information converted into unicast to the outside according to the communication path of control communication in the network on the cloud. For example, the adapter unit outputs the alarm information converted into multicast to the control communication unit.

[0076] FIG. 4 is a flowchart for explaining a third example of the first information processing method executed by the first information processing apparatus 10 of FIG. 1.

[0077] In step S301, the adapter unit of the first information processing apparatus 10 acquires third control communication information. For example, the adapter unit acquires unicast third control communication information from the control communication unit. For example, the adapter unit receives unicast third control communication information from the outside according to the communication path of control communication in the network on the cloud.

[0078] In step S302, the adapter unit outputs the third control communication information acquired in step S301. For example, the adapter unit directly transmits the unicast third control communication information to the outside according to the communication path of control communication in the network on the cloud. For example, the adapter unit directly outputs the unicast third control communication information to the control communication unit.

[0079] According to the first information processing apparatus 10 and the first information processing method executed by the first information processing apparatus 10 according to the above embodiment, control communication can be realized in the network on the cloud. The first information processing apparatus 10 generates the first control communication information of the first communication method by using information acquired through a path different from the communication path of control communication in the network on the cloud. Therefore, the first information processing apparatus 10 can realize the functions necessary for control communication without the first control communication information of the first communication method including multicast and broadcast not supported by the network on the cloud passing through the communication path of control communication in the network. The first information processing apparatus 10 enables communication by the control communication protocol even in a network on the cloud where multicast and broadcast cannot be used.

[0080] The first information processing apparatus 10 can realize control communication in the network on the cloud without modifying the first application 134 and the second application 144 operating in the network on the cloud and the control communication unit. The first information processing apparatus 10 can distribute the load of control communication or realize the function improvement accompanying the evolution of IT by substituting a part of the functions of the control communication protocol with the functions of IT including the virtualization unit 12 and the adapter unit.

[0081] By having the virtualization unit 12, the first information processing apparatus 10 can realize control communication on the virtual machine constructed by the virtualization unit 12. The first information processing apparatus 10 can also construct and start a plurality of virtual machines on one physical server.

[0082] The first information processing device 10 can output the first control communication information to the control communication unit based on the information acquired from the outside such as the network environment management unit 30 via the virtualization unit 12 by generating the first control communication information using the information aggregated in the virtualization unit 12. That is, the first information processing device 10 can realize the functions necessary for control communication using a path different from the communication path of control communication in the network on the cloud.

[0083] The first information processing device 10 can reduce the communication volume in the network on the cloud by not transmitting the first control communication information of the first communication method received from the control communication unit to the outside.

[0084] For the second control communication information of the first communication method, the first information processing device 10 can transmit and receive the second control communication information via the second communication method even in a network on the cloud where the first communication method is not supported by converting the communication method between the second communication method and the first communication method.

[0085] The first information processing device 10 can exchange the second control communication information with an external node by transmitting and receiving the second control communication information between the control communication unit and the outside according to the communication path of control communication in the network on the cloud.

[0086] The first information processing device 10 can realize normal control communication according to the control communication protocol by transmitting and receiving the third control communication information of the second communication method according to the communication path of control communication in the network on the cloud.

[0087] The first information processing device 10 can manage the routing information from the first control communication information generated in the adapter unit by generating network setting information based on the acquired first control communication information and setting it in the network setting management unit.

[0088] FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing a modified example of the control communication system 1 in FIG. 1. FIG. 5 shows only a part including the first information processing apparatus 10 and the network environment management unit 30 in the control communication system 1 in FIG. 1.

[0089] In the above embodiment, it has been described that the adapter unit of the first information processing apparatus 10 transmits and receives second control communication information between the control communication unit and the outside according to the communication path of control communication in the network on the cloud via the physical NIC 11 and the virtual L2 switch 121. However, the present invention is not limited to this. The adapter unit may transmit and receive second control communication information between the control communication unit and the outside according to a path different from the communication path of control communication in the network on the cloud.

[0090] For example, the network environment management unit 30 may further include an alarm server 34. The adapter unit may be directly communicably connected to the alarm server 34. The adapter unit may convert the multicast alarm information acquired from the control communication unit into a communication method according to the communication protocol with the alarm server 34 and transmit it to the alarm server 34. The adapter unit may convert the alarm information received from the alarm server 34 according to the communication protocol with the alarm server 34 into multicast and output it to the control communication unit.

[0091] In the above embodiment, it has been described that the control communication unit and the adapter unit function on the virtual machine constructed by the virtualization unit 12. However, the present invention is not limited to this. The first information processing apparatus 10 may not have the virtualization unit 12. The control communication unit and the adapter unit may function on the first information processing apparatus 10 as a physical server.

[0092] In the above embodiment, it has been described that the adapter unit generates the first control communication information using the information aggregated in the virtualization unit 12, but the present invention is not limited to this. The adapter unit may be directly communicably connected to at least one of the monitoring function unit 31 and the time master function unit 32. The adapter unit may directly acquire at least one of the life / death information and the time information through an external function including the monitoring function unit 31 and the time master function unit 32.

[0093] In the above embodiment, it has been described that the adapter unit generates the network setting information based on the acquired first control communication information and sets it in the network setting management unit, but the present invention is not limited to this. The first information processing apparatus 10 may not have a network setting management unit.

[0094] In the above embodiment, it has been described that an external time synchronization function such as the time master function unit 32 is used to set the time of the virtualization unit 12, but the present invention is not limited to this. An external time synchronization function such as the time master function unit 32 may be used to set the time of the first information processing apparatus 10 as the physical server used by the virtualization unit 12.

[0095] In the above embodiment, it has been described that the adapter unit acquires the time information from the virtualization unit 12, but the present invention is not limited to this. The adapter unit may acquire the time information from at least one of the first VM 13 and the second VM 14.

[0096] In the above embodiment, it has been described that the external monitoring function unit 31 performs the life / death monitoring of all nodes, but the present invention is not limited to this. The virtualization unit 12 of each physical server as the first information processing apparatus 10 may perform the life / death monitoring of all nodes.

[0097] (Second Information Processing Apparatus 20) Hereinafter, with reference to FIG. 6, the configuration and functions of the second information processing apparatus 20 will be mainly described. FIG. 6 is a block diagram corresponding to FIG. 1 showing an example of the configuration of the control communication system 1. FIG. 6 more simply shows the first information processing apparatus 10 including the first VM 13 and the second VM 14 in the cloud network environment of FIG. 1, while mainly focusing on the configuration of the second information processing apparatus 20 and showing the configuration of the second information processing apparatus 20 in more detail.

[0098] Consider the case of connecting the physical control network 40, which is a physical network, to the cloud network environment including the first VM 13 and the second VM 14. The control communication system 1 needs to restore the multicast or broadcast communication method that should have been transmitted and received as control communication on the cloud network environment side and transmit information to the physical control network 40. Therefore, the control communication system 1 has the second information processing apparatus 20. The second information processing apparatus 20 performs the same processing as the adapter unit of the first information processing apparatus 10 to generate the first control communication information from other information, and transmits the generated information to the physical control network 40 according to the control communication protocol.

[0099] The network on the cloud including the first VM 13 and the second VM 14 and the second information processing apparatus 20 are communicably connected to each other by the virtual control network NW2. The second information processing apparatus 20 is communicably connected to the network on the cloud and the physical control network 40.

[0100] The second information processing apparatus 20 has a NIC 21 including a physical NIC as hardware. The second information processing apparatus 20 is communicably connected to the network NW1 via the NIC 21. The second information processing apparatus 20 is communicably connected to the virtual control network NW2 via the NIC 21. The second information processing apparatus 20 is communicably connected to the first VM 13 and the second VM 14 in the cloud network environment via the NIC 21 and the virtual control network NW2.

[0101] The second information processing device 20 has an adapter unit 22. The adapter unit 22 functions on the second information processing device 20. Information transmitted from the physical control network 40 via the physical network switch 41 on the network NW1 is received by the adapter unit 22 via the NIC 21. Information output from the adapter unit 22 is transmitted to the virtual control network NW2 via the NIC 21. Information transmitted from the network on the cloud on the virtual control network NW2 is received by the adapter unit 22 via the NIC 21. Information output from the adapter unit 22 is transmitted to the physical control network 40 via the NIC 21 and the network NW1.

[0102] The adapter unit 22 generates first control communication information among the control communication information required for control communication based on a control communication protocol, using information from a network on the cloud obtained through a path different from the communication path of the control communication. The first control communication information is information of a first communication method that performs one-to-many communication and is not supported by the network on the cloud including the first VM 13 and the second VM 14. The adapter unit 22 transmits the generated first control communication information to the physical control network 40.

[0103] The adapter unit 22 generates the first control communication information using the information aggregated by the network environment management unit 30.

[0104] For example, regarding diagnostic information, the alive / dead monitoring function of the monitoring function unit 31 is used. The monitoring function unit 31 performs alive / dead monitoring of all nodes. The adapter unit 22 of the second information processing device 20 acquires alive / dead information from the monitoring function unit 31. The adapter unit 22 converts the acquired alive / dead information into diagnostic information as alive / dead monitoring information from each node in the control communication and transmits it to the physical control network 40. In this way, the adapter unit 22 generates multicast diagnostic information using the alive / dead information acquired from the network environment management unit 30 through a path different from the communication path of the control communication.

[0105] The adapter unit 22 converts the communication method between the second communication method that performs one-to-one communication for the second control communication information of the first communication method and the first communication method. The adapter unit 22 transmits and receives the second control communication information between the network on the cloud and the physical control network 40 according to the communication path of the control communication.

[0106] For example, the adapter unit 22 protocol-converts the unicast alarm information received from the first VM 13 and the second VM 14 on the cloud via the virtual control network NW2 into multicast. The adapter unit 22 releases the encapsulation executed by the adapter unit of the first information processing device 10 and transmits the alarm information as multicast information to the physical control network 40.

[0107] For example, the adapter unit 22 protocol-converts the multicast alarm information received from the physical control network 40 via the network NW1 into unicast. The adapter unit 22 adds information indicating the same-report communication to the frame of the multicast communication corresponding to the alarm information received from the physical control network 40 and encapsulates it into unicast for all nodes. The adapter unit 22 transmits the encapsulated unicast alarm information to the first VM 13 and the second VM 14 via the virtual control network NW2.

[0108] With reference to FIGS. 7 and 8, the flow of the process executed by the adapter unit 22 of the second information processing device 20 in FIG. 6 will be mainly described. FIG. 7 is a flowchart for explaining a first example of the second information processing method executed by the second information processing device 20 in FIG. 6.

[0109] In step S401, the adapter unit 22 of the second information processing device 20 acquires information from the network on the cloud through a path different from the communication path of the control communication.

[0110] In step S402, the adapter unit 22 generates first control communication information of a first communication method for one-to-many communication among the control communication information required for control communication based on the control communication protocol, using the information acquired in step S401.

[0111] In step S403, the adapter unit 22 transmits the first control communication information generated in step S402 to the physical control network 40.

[0112] FIG. 8 is a flowchart for explaining a second example of the second information processing method executed by the second information processing apparatus 20 of FIG. 6.

[0113] In step S501, the adapter unit 22 of the second information processing apparatus 20 acquires second control communication information. For example, the adapter unit 22 receives multicast alarm information from the physical control network 40 via the network NW1. For example, the adapter unit 22 receives unicast alarm information from the first VM13 and the second VM14 in the network on the cloud via the virtual control network NW2.

[0114] In step S502, the adapter unit 22 converts the communication method between the first communication method and the second communication method for the second control communication information acquired in step S501. For example, the adapter unit 22 converts the multicast alarm information received from the physical control network 40 into unicast. For example, the adapter unit 22 converts the unicast alarm information received from the network on the cloud into multicast.

[0115] In step S503, the adapter unit 22 outputs the second control communication information whose communication method has been converted in step S502. For example, the adapter unit 22 transmits the alarm information converted into unicast to the first VM13 and the second VM14 in the network on the cloud. For example, the adapter unit 22 transmits the alarm information converted into multicast to the physical control network 40.

[0116] According to the second information processing apparatus 20, the second information processing method executed by the second information processing apparatus 20, and the control communication system 1 according to the above-described embodiment, control communication can be realized on a network in the cloud. The second information processing apparatus 20 generates the first control communication information of the first communication method by using information from a network in the cloud obtained through a path different from the communication path of the control communication, and transmits the information to the physical control network 40. Therefore, the second information processing apparatus 20 enables the first control communication information of the first communication method including multicast and broadcast not supported by the network in the cloud to realize the functions necessary for control communication between the network and the physical control network 40 without passing through the communication path of the control communication in the network. The second information processing apparatus 20 enables communication according to the control communication protocol between a network in the cloud where multicast and broadcast cannot be used and the physical control network 40.

[0117] For the second control communication information of the first communication method, the second information processing apparatus 20 can transmit and receive the second control communication information via the second communication method between a network in the cloud where the first communication method is not supported and the physical control network 40 by converting the communication method between the second communication method and the first communication method.

[0118] The second information processing apparatus 20 transmits and receives the second control communication information between the network and the physical control network 40 according to the communication path of the control communication in the network in the cloud. Thereby, the control communication system 1 enables the exchange of the second control communication information between the network and the physical control network 40 via the second information processing apparatus 20.

[0119] By having the physical network switch 41 as a device different from the second information processing apparatus 20, the control communication system 1 can use a device specialized for the switch function as the physical network switch 41.

[0120] Since the network on the cloud and the second information processing device 20 are connected to each other by the virtual control network NW2, the second information processing device 20 can transmit and receive information such as the second control communication information with the network on the cloud via the virtual control network NW2.

[0121] In the above embodiment, the adapter unit 22 of the second information processing device 20 functions on the second information processing device 20 as a physical server, but it is not limited thereto. The second information processing device 20 may have a virtualization unit similar to the first information processing device 10. The adapter unit 22 may function on a virtual machine constructed by such a virtualization unit.

[0122] By having such a virtualization unit, the second information processing device 20 can provide functions related to control communication on a virtual machine constructed by the virtualization unit. The second information processing device 20 can also construct and start a plurality of virtual machines on one physical server.

[0123] In the above embodiment, the second information processing device 20 has been described as being arranged in the control communication system 1 as a device different from the physical network switch 41, but it is not limited thereto. The second information processing device 20 may be a device integrally configured with the physical network switch 41. At this time, the second information processing device 20 may be a router having the various functions described above for the adapter unit 22 and the switching function by the physical network switch 41.

[0124] That is, the second information processing device 20 may have, in addition to the adapter unit 22, a relay unit that functions as a network switch connecting the network on the cloud and the physical control network 40. At this time, the adapter unit 22 and the relay unit may function on the second information processing device 20 as a physical server, or may function on a virtual machine constructed by the above virtualization unit.

[0125] As a result, the second information processing apparatus 20 can provide various functions and switching functions by the adapter unit 22 together on one device. The control communication system 1 can reduce the number of devices constituting the system.

[0126] In the above embodiment, the control communication system 1 has been described as having the physical network switch 41, but it is not limited thereto. The control communication system 1 may have a virtual network switch having the same functions as the physical network switch 41 instead of the physical network switch 41.

[0127] In the above embodiment, the physical network switch 41 has been described as being included in the physical control network 40, but it is not limited thereto. The physical network switch 41 may not be included in the physical control network 40.

[0128] It is obvious to those skilled in the art that the present disclosure can be realized in other predetermined forms other than the above-described embodiments without departing from its spirit or its essential features. Therefore, the previous description is illustrative and not limited thereto. The scope of the disclosure is defined by the appended claims rather than the previous description. It is assumed that some changes within the equivalent scope of any change are included therein.

[0129] For example, the arrangement, orientation, and number of each of the above-described components are not limited to the contents shown in the above description and the drawings. The arrangement, orientation, and number of each component may be arbitrarily configured as long as its function can be realized.

[0130] For example, the functions included in each step of the first information processing method described above can be rearranged so as not to be logically contradictory, and a plurality of steps can be combined into one or divided.

[0131] For example, functions included in each step of the above-described second information processing method can be rearranged so as not to logically conflict, and it is possible to combine or divide a plurality of steps into one.

[0132] In the above, the first information processing apparatus 10, the second information processing apparatus 20, the control communication system 1, and the information processing method have been mainly described. However, the present disclosure can also be realized as a program executed by a processor included in the first information processing apparatus 10 or a storage medium recording the program. The present disclosure can also be realized as a program executed by a processor included in the second information processing apparatus 20 or a storage medium recording the program. It should be understood that these are also included in the scope of the present disclosure.

Explanation of Signs

[0133] 1 Control communication system (information processing system) 10 First information processing apparatus 11 Physical NIC 12 Virtualization unit 121 Virtual L2 switch 13 First VM 131 First virtual NIC 132 First adapter unit 133 First control communication unit 134 First application 135 First network setting management unit 14 Second VM 141 Second virtual NIC 142 Second adapter unit 143 Second control communication unit 144 Second application 145 Second network setting management unit 20 Second information processing apparatus (information processing apparatus) 21 NIC 22 Adapter unit (adapter unit) 30 Network environment management unit 31 Monitoring function unit 32 Time master function unit 33 Routing Information Distribution Unit 34 Alarm Server 40 Physical Control Network 41 Physical Network Switch (Network Switch) 42 Controller 43 Control Monitoring Device NW1 Network NW2 Virtual Control Network

Claims

1. An information processing apparatus communicably connected to a network on the cloud and a physical control network, comprising an adapter unit that generates, using information from the network obtained via a path different from the communication path of the control communication, first control communication information of a first communication method for one-to-many communication among the control communication information required for control communication based on a control communication protocol, and transmits the information to the physical control network. Information processing apparatus.

2. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the adapter unit converts the communication method between a second communication method for one-to-one communication and the first communication method for the second control communication information of the first communication method. Information processing apparatus.

3. The information processing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the adapter unit receives the second control communication information of the first communication method from the physical control network and transmits it to the network by the second communication method, and receives the second control communication information of the second communication method from the network and transmits it to the physical control network by the first communication method. Information processing apparatus.

4. The information processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3, and the network and the physical control network, comprising Information processing system.

5. The information processing system according to claim 4, comprising the information processing apparatus and a network switch connecting the network and the physical control network. Information processing system.

6. The information processing system according to claim 4, The information processing apparatus includes a relay unit that functions as a network switch connecting the network and the physical control network. Information processing system.

7. The information processing system according to claim 6, wherein the information processing apparatus includes a virtualization unit, the adapter unit and the relay unit function on a virtual machine constructed by the virtualization unit. Information processing system.

8. The information processing system according to any one of claims 4 to 7, wherein the network and the information processing apparatus are communicably connected to each other by a virtual control network. Information processing system.

9. An information processing method executed by an information processing apparatus communicably connected to a network on a cloud and a physical control network, the method comprising: generating first control communication information of a first communication method for one-to-many communication among control communication information required for control communication based on a control communication protocol, using information from the network obtained through a path different from a communication path of the control communication, and transmitting the generated information to the physical control network. Information processing method.

10. causing an information processing apparatus communicably connected to a network on a cloud and a physical control network to execute an operation including: generating first control communication information of a first communication method for one-to-many communication among control communication information required for control communication based on a control communication protocol, using information from the network obtained through a path different from a communication path of the control communication, and transmitting the generated information to the physical control network. Program.

Images