Network management system and network management method

Abstract

To automatically construct management function for communication network quality.SOLUTION: A network management system comprises: a management function design module which identifies, on the basis of table information, a user quality management requirement, and target network information, the table information associating a management requirement and a management function of a target network with each other and associating, for each management function, network information and policy generation information for generating a policy to be applied to the management function with each other, the management function and the policy generation information for each management function, and generates a policy to be applied, from the policy generation information and the target network information identified for each identified management function; and a management function setting module which sets the policy of each management function for the corresponding management function.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a network management system and a network management method.

Background Art

[0002] Patent Document 1 describes a technique for forming a virtual communication path between network devices by a user drawing a virtual communication path using a GUI. Patent Document 2 describes a technique for calculating an optimal utilization NW model from network information based on service requirements received from a service provider, and performing operation maintenance, setting, and monitoring processing including network setting, monitoring, and information collection with reference to the utilization NW model.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Patent Document 2

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] However, the technique described in Patent Document 1 does not disclose managing network quality for a network constructed based on user requirements. Also, the technique described in Patent Document 2 does not disclose a technique for constructing a network monitoring function.

[0005] The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and an object thereof is to automatically construct a function for managing communication network quality.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] One aspect of the present invention relates to associating management requirements and management functions for quality management of a target network, which is a communication network to be managed, and generating table information that associates network information of the target network with policy generation information for applying a policy to each management function, and based on user quality management requirements, which are requirements from a user regarding quality management of the target network, and the target network information of the target network, identifying a management function corresponding to the user quality management requirements and policy generation information corresponding to the target network information for each identified management function, and a management function design module that generates a policy to be applied from the identified policy generation information and the target network information for each identified management function, and a management function setting module that sets the policy of each management function generated by the management function design module for the corresponding management function, and is a network management system including these components. One aspect of the present invention is a network management system that further includes a requirement extraction unit that extracts the user quality management requirements from the requirements of the target network obtained from a user in the above network management system. One aspect of the present invention is a network management system in which, in the above network management system, the target network information is information of the target network configured based on requirements regarding network functions from a user. One aspect of the present invention is a network management system in which, in the above network management system, the target network information is information of the target network after a change has occurred in the target network. One aspect of the present invention is a network management system in which, in the above network management system, the policy generation information is a policy template for generating a policy according to the network information of the target network for each management function. One aspect of the present invention is a network management system as described above, wherein the table information is information regarding policies applied to management functions that are already being executed, and the management function design module identifies, from the table information, management functions similar to the user quality management requirements and the target network information, and information for generating policies corresponding to the target network information for each of the management functions. One aspect of the present invention is a network management system as described above, wherein the management function setting module executes policy setting for a management function after obtaining user approval for the policy of each management function generated by the management function design module. One aspect of the present invention is a network management system as described above, further comprising a management information database that accumulates, for each user, data related to quality management of the target network obtained by a management function.

[0007] One aspect of the present invention is a network management method executed by an information processing apparatus, the method including: associating management requirements related to quality management of a target network, which is a communication network to be managed, with a management function, and associating table information that associates network information of the target network and information for generating a policy to be applied to the management function for each management function; identifying, based on user quality management requirements, which are requirements from a user related to quality management of the target network, and the target network information of the target network, a management function corresponding to the user quality management requirements and information for generating a policy corresponding to the target network information for each of the management functions; a management function design step of generating a policy to be applied from the identified information for generating a policy for each identified management function and the target network information; and a management function setting step of setting the policy of each management function generated in the management function design step for the corresponding management function.

Advantages of the Invention

[0008] According to the present invention, an effect that a management function of communication network quality can be automatically constructed is obtained.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0009]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Figure 6

Modes for Carrying Out the Invention

[0010] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of a network management system according to an embodiment. The network management system 1 performs information processing such as construction of a plurality of NFs (Network Functions) 3 constituting a communication network, construction of MnFs (Management Functions) 5 for the NFs 3, and information collection using the MnFs 5.

[0011] In FIG. 1, the network management system 1 includes a requirement extraction unit 100, a network function construction unit 200, a management function construction unit 300, and a management information database (management information DB) 400. The network function construction unit 200 includes an NF (Network Function) design module 201 and an NF setting module 202. The management function construction unit 300 includes an MnF (Management Function) design module 301 and an MnF setting module 302.

[0012] Each function of the network management system 1 is realized by the network management system 1 including computer hardware such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit) and a memory, and the CPU executing a computer program stored in the memory. Note that the network management system 1 may be configured using a general-purpose computer device, or may be configured as a dedicated hardware device. For example, the network management system 1 may be configured using a server computer connected to a communication network such as the Internet. Also, each function of the network management system 1 may be realized by cloud computing. Further, the network management system 1 may be realized by a single computer, or the functions of the network management system 1 may be distributed and realized by a plurality of computers. Also, the network management system 1 may be configured to open a website using, for example, a WWW system or the like.

[0013] The requirement extraction unit 100 receives requirements (user requirements) of a communication network from a user. The user may be a communication carrier that manages a communication network, a service provider that uses a communication network, or an application.

[0014] User requirements include requirements related to network functions (NF requirements) and requirements related to the quality management of communication networks (user quality management requirements). User requirements are created using a predetermined template. As a result, the requirement extraction unit 100 can distinguish and extract NF requirements and user quality management requirements from the user requirements. The requirement extraction unit 100 transmits the NF requirements extracted from the user requirements to the network function construction unit 200. The requirement extraction unit 100 transmits the user quality management requirements extracted from the user requirements to the management function construction unit 300.

[0015] In the network function construction unit 200, the NF design module 201 generates NF design information for constructing an optimal network based on the NF requirements. The NF configuration module 202 constructs NF3 (network function) according to the NF design information. Examples of the NF configuration module 202 include a controller and an orchestrator.

[0016] In the management function construction unit 300, the MnF design module 301 identifies the MnF5 (management function) necessary to ensure network quality for the target network, which is the communication network to be managed, based on the user quality management requirements, the network information and table information of the target network, and generates a policy to be applied to the identified MnF5. The table information is information in table format that associates the management requirements related to the quality management of the target network with MnF5, and associates the network information of the target network with the policy generation information for generating the policy to be applied to MnF5 for each MnF5.

[0017] The MnF configuration module 302 sets the policy of each MnF5 generated by the MnF design module 301 for the corresponding MnF5.

[0018] The management information DB 400 collects the data obtained by the constructed MnF5 and accumulates it for each user.

[0019] Next, with reference to FIGS. 2 and 3, the network management method according to the present embodiment will be described. FIGS. 2 and 3 are sequence diagrams showing an example of the procedure of the network management method according to the present embodiment.

[0020] [New construction stage] With reference to FIG. 2, the new construction stage of the network management method according to the present embodiment will be described. The new construction stage is a stage of newly constructing NF3 and MnF5 based on the user requirements received from the user. FIG. 2 shows an example of the procedure of the new construction stage of the network management method according to the present embodiment.

[0021] (Step S1) The user transmits user requirements to the requirement extraction unit 100.

[0022] (Step S2) The requirement extraction unit 100 extracts NF requirements from the user requirements received from the user, and transmits the extracted NF requirements to the NF design module 201.

[0023] (Step S3) The NF design module 201 derives a network configuration and network settings that satisfy the NF requirements using predetermined rules and algorithms from the NF requirements, and transmits NF design information indicating the derived network configuration and network settings to the NF setting module 202.

[0024] (Step S4) The NF setting module 202 configures each NF3 that constitutes the communication network according to the NF design information, and constructs each NF3. Thereby, a communication network (target network) based on the user's NF requirements is constructed.

[0025] (Step S5) After the network construction is completed, the NF setting module 202 transmits a network construction notification including the network information of the target network to the requirement extraction unit 100. Examples of the network information include network function types and IP addresses.

[0026] (Step S6) The requirement extraction unit 100 extracts user quality management requirements from the user requirements received from the user, and transmits the extracted user quality management requirements and the network information (target network information) of the target network included in the network construction notification to the MnF design module 301.

[0027] (Step S7) The MnF design module 301 specifies MnF5 for ensuring network quality by referring to table information from the user quality management requirements and the target network information. Examples of MnF5 include a network data collection function, a data analysis function, a countermeasure function, etc. Next, the MnF design module 301 specifies policy generation information corresponding to the target network information for each specified MnF5. Next, the MnF design module 301 generates a policy to be applied from the specified policy generation information and the target network information for each specified MnF5. Next, the MnF design module 301 transmits MnF design information including the policies of each generated MnF5 to the MnF setting module 302.

[0028] (Step S8) The MnF setting module 302 sets policies for each MnF5 according to the MnF design information. Thereby, each MnF5 is constructed.

[0029] (Step S9) After the construction of MnF5 is completed, the MnF setting module 302 transmits a management function construction notification including information about the constructed MnF5 to the requirement extraction unit 100.

[0030] (Step S10) When receiving the management function construction notification, the requirement extraction unit 100 transmits the construction result of the MnF5 to the user.

[0031] (Step S11) Each MnF5 manages the target network based on the set policy and acquires predetermined data from NF3.

[0032] (Step S12) Each MnF5 transmits the data acquired from NF3 to the management information DB400. The management information DB400 stores the data received from each MnF5 in association with the user. Examples of the data acquired by each MnF5 from NF3 include performance information obtained from the network in the case of the network data collection function, and the results of failure cause analysis in the case of the data analysis function. Note that, depending on the type of MnF5 or data, data may be directly transmitted from NF3 or MnF5 to the management information DB400.

[0033] Note that, in Steps S3 and S7 described above, each design information may be transmitted to the user, and after the user determines whether each design information can be set, the user may request the input of each design information setting. In this case, the setting of each design information is executed in response to the request for input of the setting from the user. Therefore, the MnF setting module 302 executes the setting of the policy to MnF5 after obtaining the user's approval for the policy of each MnF5 generated by the MnF design module 301.

[0034] [Update stage] Referring to FIG. 3, the update stage of the network management method according to the present embodiment will be described. The update stage is a stage of updating MnF5 when the configuration of the target network changes. FIG. 3 shows an example of the procedure of the update stage of the network management method according to the present embodiment.

[0035] (Step S31) When a change occurs in the target network, the NF setting module 202 transmits a network configuration change notification including information on the new network configuration regarding the target network to the requirement extraction unit 100. The change in the target network occurs, for example, due to a change in NF3 for troubleshooting, or the addition or reduction of NF3.

[0036] (Step S32) The requirement extraction unit 100 transmits the user quality management requirements and the information on the new network configuration (target network information) included in the network configuration change notification to the MnF design module 301.

[0037] (Step S33) The MnF design module 301 re-specifies MnF5 for ensuring network quality by referring to table information from the user quality management requirements and the target network information. Next, for each re-specified MnF5, the MnF design module 301 specifies the policy generation information corresponding to the target network information. Next, for each re-specified MnF5, the MnF design module 301 generates a policy to be applied from the specified policy generation information and the target network information. Next, the MnF design module 301 transmits the MnF redesign information including the policies of each generated MnF5 to the MnF setting module 302.

[0038] (Step S34) The MnF setting module 302 re-sets the policy for each MnF5 according to the MnF redesign information. Thereby, each MnF5 is updated.

[0039] (Step S35) After the update of MnF5 is completed, the MnF setting module 302 transmits a management function update notification including information about the updated MnF5 to the requirement extraction unit 100.

[0040] (Step S36) When receiving the management function update notification, the requirement extraction unit 100 transmits the update result of the MnF5 to the user.

[0041] By the above-described update stage, it is possible to automatically update MnF5 for ensuring network quality following the change of the target network.

[0042] Note that when there is a change in the user requirements themselves from the user, it is possible to perform an update following the change in the user requirements by the procedure of FIG. 2 described above.

[0043] FIG. 4 and FIG. 5 are diagrams showing examples of the table information according to the present embodiment.

[0044] [Example 1 of Table Information] Referring to FIG. 4, Example 1 of the table information according to this embodiment will be described. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing Example 1 of the table information according to this embodiment. In Example 1 of the table information, the MnF design module 301 holds in advance the table information illustrated in FIG. 4. In FIG. 4, the table information associates the management requirements regarding the quality management of the target network with MnF5. In FIG. 4, as examples of the management requirements, "Availability", "Usage Time", and "Customer Type" are shown. Also, as examples of MnF5, "Collector", "Anomaly Detection", "Switching", "RCA", and "Scaling" are shown. In the example of FIG. 4, the MnF5 to be used is associated with the combination of the management requirements. For example, for the combination of "Availability: High", "Usage Time: 24h", and "Customer Type: Consumer", the MnF5 to be used, "Collector", "Anomaly Detection", and "Switching", are associated.

[0045] Also in FIG. 4, the table information associates, for each MnF5, the network information of the target network with the policy template for generating the policy to be applied to MnF5. In FIG. 4, as an example of the network information of the target network, the type of network function is shown. In FIG. 4, as an example of the type of network function, "NFa" is shown. Also, as examples of the policy template, "Ca", "Aa", "SWa", "Ra", and "SCa" are shown. In the example of FIG. 4, for each MnF5, the policy template to be used according to the type of network function is shown. For example, for the MnF5 "Collector", the policy template "Ca" to be used in the case of the network function type "NFa" is shown.

[0046] Based on the table information in FIG. 4, it is possible to identify which MnF5 to use for a combination of management requirements regarding the quality management of the target network, and which policy template to use for each MnF5 with respect to the target network information "type of network function". For example, for the combination of "Availability: High", "Usage Time: 24h", and "Customer Type: Consumer", use MnF5 "Collector", "Anomaly Detection", and "Switching". For NF3 of type "NFa", it can be identified that for MnF5 "Collector", use policy template "Ca", for MnF5 "Anomaly Detection", use policy template "Aa", and for MnF5 "Switching", use policy template "SWa".

[0047] [Example 2 of Table Information] Referring to FIG. 5, an example 2 of the table information according to this embodiment will be described. FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example 2 of the table information according to this embodiment. The example 2 of the table information is a database having information on existing MnF5 during execution. The MnF design module 301 acquires the table information from the database. The database may be provided inside the network management system 1 or outside the network management system 1.

[0048] In the example of the table information in FIG. 5, for each of the existing MnF5s "Anomaly Detection", "Switching", "RCA", and "Scaling" during execution, policies "Aa-1 (policy generated from policy template "Aa")", "SWa-1 (policy generated from policy template "SWa")", "Ra-1 (policy generated from policy template "Ra")", and "SCa-1 (policy generated from policy template "SCa")" applied to the network function to be managed "NF3 "NFa-1" whose type is "NFa"" are shown. Also, in the example of the table information in FIG. 5, combinations of management requirements are shown for each of the existing MnF5s "Anomaly Detection", "Switching", "RCA", and "Scaling" during execution.

[0049] The MnF design module 301 identifies, from the table information in FIG. 5, an MnF5 similar to the user quality management requirements and target network information, and policies (policy templates) corresponding to the target network information for each such MnF5. Specifically, the MnF design module 301 calculates the similarity between the user quality management requirements and the target network information from the table information in FIG. 5, identifies the existing MnF5 with the highest similarity, and identifies the policy template applied to the identified existing MnF5.

[0050] Next, a policy generation method according to this embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. 6. FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of the policy generation method according to this embodiment. In FIG. 6, an example of a policy applied to the MnF5 "Collector (network data collection function)" is shown. In FIG. 6, the MnF design module 301 generates a policy by putting the unique information "host ip", "username", and "password" extracted from the target network information into the corresponding fields of the policy template.

[0051] As described above, according to this embodiment, an effect can be obtained that a management function for communication network quality can be automatically constructed. Further, when changes occur in user requirements from a user or in a target network, the management function for ensuring communication network quality can be updated.

[0052] Further, the requirement extraction unit 100 can extract requirements for communication network quality management (user quality management requirements) from the requirements of the communication network received from the user (user requirements).

[0053] Also, the management information DB 400 can accumulate information obtained by the MnF5 constructed based on the user quality management requirements for each user for each user.

[0054] This embodiment is applicable, for example, as a method for dealing with the problems of the complication of network configurations accompanying the spread of virtualization technology, the diversification of network requirements required in 5G and Beyond 5G, and the future shortage of operation staff, to a system for automating the operation and maintenance of communication networks.

[0055] Note that, as a result, for example, since an improvement in the overall service quality in a communication network can be realized, it becomes possible to contribute to Goal 9 of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) led by the United Nations, "Build resilient infrastructure, promote sustainable industrialization, and foster innovation."

[0056] As described above, the embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail with reference to the drawings. However, the specific configuration is not limited to this embodiment, and design changes and the like within the scope not departing from the gist of the present invention are also included.

[0057] In addition, a computer program for realizing the functions of each of the above-described apparatuses may be recorded on a computer-readable recording medium, and the program recorded on this recording medium may be read into a computer system and executed. Here, the "computer system" may include hardware such as an OS and peripheral devices. In addition, the "computer-readable recording medium" refers to a writable non-volatile memory such as a flexible disk, a magneto-optical disk, a ROM, a flash memory, a portable medium such as a DVD (Digital Versatile Disc), and a storage device such as a hard disk incorporated in a computer system.

[0058] Furthermore, the "computer-readable recording medium" also includes a volatile memory (for example, DRAM (Dynamic Random Access Memory)) inside a computer system that becomes a server or a client when a program is transmitted via a network such as the Internet or a communication line such as a telephone line, and that holds the program for a certain period of time. In addition, the above program may be transmitted from a computer system storing the program in a storage device or the like to another computer system via a transmission medium or by a transmission wave in the transmission medium. Here, the "transmission medium" for transmitting the program refers to a medium having a function of transmitting information, such as a network (communication network) such as the Internet or a communication line (communication wire) such as a telephone line. In addition, the above program may be for realizing a part of the above-described functions. Furthermore, it may be a so-called difference file (difference program) that can realize the above-described functions in combination with a program already recorded in a computer system.

Explanation of Reference Numerals

[0059] 1…Network management system, 3…NF, 5…MnF, 100…Requirement extraction unit, 200…Network function construction unit, 201…NF design module, 202…NF configuration module, 300…Management function construction unit, 301…MnF design module, 302…MnF configuration module, 400…Management information DB

Claims

1. Table information for associating management requirements and management functions related to the quality management of a target network, which is a communication network to be managed, and for associating network information of the target network with policy generation information to be applied to each management function for generating a policy; user quality management requirements, which are requirements from a user regarding the quality management of the target network; based on the user quality management requirements and the target network information of the target network, identifying a management function corresponding to the user quality management requirements and policy generation information corresponding to the target network information for each identified management function, and a management function design module for generating a policy to be applied from the identified policy generation information and the target network information for each identified management function, A management function setting module for setting the policy of each management function generated by the management function design module for the corresponding management function, A network management system comprising the above.

2. Further comprising a requirement extraction unit for extracting the user quality management requirements from the requirements of the target network obtained from a user, The network management system according to claim 1.

3. The target network information is information of the target network configured based on requirements regarding network functions from a user. The network management system according to claim 1.

4. The target network information is information of the target network after a change in the target network when a change occurs. The network management system according to claim 1.

5. The policy generation information is a policy template for generating a policy according to the network information of the target network for each management function. The network management system according to claim 1.

6. The table information is information regarding policies applied to management functions that have already been executed. The management function design module identifies, from the table information, management functions similar to the user quality management requirements and the target network information, and policy generation information corresponding to the target network information for each of the management functions. The network management system according to claim 1.

7. The management function setting module executes setting of a policy to a management function after obtaining approval from a user for the policy of each management function generated by the management function design module. The network management system according to claim 1.

8. Further comprising a management information database that accumulates data regarding quality management of the target network obtained by a management function for each user. The network management system according to claim 1.

9. A network management method executed by an information processing apparatus, associating management requirements regarding quality management of a target network, which is a communication network to be managed, with a management function, and associating, for each management function, network information of the target network and policy generation information for generating a policy to be applied to the management function, table information, user quality management requirements, which are requirements from a user regarding quality management of the target network, and target network information of the target network, based on which, a management function corresponding to the user quality management requirements and policy generation information corresponding to the target network information for each of the management functions are identified, and a management function design step of generating a policy to be applied from the identified policy generation information for each of the identified management functions and the target network information, a management function setting step of setting the policy of each management function generated in the management function design step to the corresponding management function, A network management method including the above.

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