Network diagnosis system, network diagnosis method, and network diagnosis program

Abstract

To provide a network diagnostic system, a network diagnostic method, and a network diagnostic program that can detect a sign of communication trouble and identify a deteriorated part in a network before a network apparatus fails.SOLUTION: A network diagnostic system is a diagnostic system of a network to which two or more host computers and a target apparatus are connected. The network diagnostic system includes: a communication result acquisition unit configured to acquire a communication result between each of the host computers and the target apparatus; a path information acquisition unit configured to acquire information about a communication path between each of the host computers and the target apparatus; and a deteriorated part identifying unit configured to identify a deteriorated part on the communication path based on the communication result and the information about the communication path.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a network diagnosis system, a network diagnosis method, and a network diagnosis program.

Background Art

[0002] In a power plant, operations and monitoring of plant equipment may be performed via a network. When an abnormality occurs in communication via the network, appropriate operation and monitoring of the plant equipment via the network become impossible. Therefore, it is conceivable to perform network abnormality diagnosis.

[0003] Citation Document 1 does not relate to a power plant, but discloses a network diagnosis system for determining a communication bottleneck location between bases. In this network diagnosis system, test traffic between a base where a transmission device is installed and a base where a reception device is installed is gradually increased, and based on a comparison between the amount of test traffic when an abnormality occurs in the reception device at the time of receiving the test traffic and a threshold value, the presence or absence of a bottleneck location between the bases is determined.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] By the way, in network diagnosis in a power plant, usually, a failure of network equipment (for example, a disconnection of a network cable) is detected and an alarm is output. In this way, since it is detected that the network equipment has failed, there are problems such as a communication failure has already occurred when an alarm is issued, and operation or monitoring becomes impossible in items where the network is not duplicated.

[0006] In view of the above circumstances, at least one embodiment of the present invention aims to provide a network diagnosis system, a network diagnosis method, and a network diagnosis program capable of detecting signs of communication failure and identifying a deteriorated part in a network before a network device fails.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0007] A network diagnosis system according to at least one embodiment of the present invention is a diagnosis system for a network to which two or more host computers and target devices are connected, a communication result acquisition unit configured to acquire a communication result between each of the host computers and the target device, a path information acquisition unit configured to acquire information regarding a communication path between each of the host computers and the target device, a deteriorated part identification unit configured to identify a deteriorated part on the communication path based on the communication result and the information regarding the communication path, and includes.

[0008] Further, a network diagnosis method according to at least one embodiment of the present invention is a diagnosis method for a network to which two or more host computers and target devices are connected, a step of acquiring a communication result between each of the host computers and the target device, a step of acquiring information regarding a communication path between each of the host computers and the target device, a step of identifying a deteriorated part on the communication path based on the communication result and the information regarding the communication path, and includes.

[0009] Further, a network diagnosis program according to at least one embodiment of the present invention is A diagnostic program for two or more host computers and a network to which a target device is connected, to the computer, a procedure for obtaining communication results between each of the host computers and the target device; a procedure for obtaining information regarding the communication path between each of the host computers and the target device; a procedure for identifying a deteriorated site on the communication path based on the communication results and the information regarding the communication path; is configured to execute.

Advantages of the Invention

[0010] According to at least one embodiment of the present invention, there are provided a network diagnosis system, a network diagnosis method, and a network diagnosis program capable of detecting a sign of communication failure and identifying a deteriorated site in a network before a network device fails.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0011]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

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Figure 10

Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0012] Hereinafter, some embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. However, the dimensions, materials, shapes, relative arrangements, etc. of the components described as embodiments or shown in the drawings are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention, but are merely illustrative examples.

[0013] (Configuration of the Network to be Diagnosed) FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing an example of the configuration of a network to be diagnosed by a network diagnostic system according to some embodiments. As shown in FIG. 1, the network 1 to be diagnosed is a computer network in which a plurality of devices including two or more host computers 10 and one or more target devices 12 are connected via network devices including a switching hub 2 and a connection cable 4 (such as a copper wire cable or an optical fiber cable). The network 1 may be connected to an external network via a router 6. Note that the network 1 shown in FIG. 1 is connected to the Internet 8 (external network) via a router 6.

[0014] Each of the plurality of devices including two or more host computers 10 and one or more target devices 12 is a device to which an IP address is assigned, and may include a computer such as a PC (personal computer), a control device, or a router. The control device may be configured to control or monitor the components of a power generation plant (such as a gas turbine, a steam turbine, or a generator).

[0015] In the example shown in FIG. 1, network 1 includes a plurality of devices connected via network devices including two switching hubs 2 (Hub_1, Hub_2) and a plurality of connection cables 4 (cable_1 to cable_10). The plurality of devices include two host computers 10 (Host_1, Host_2) and a plurality of target devices 12 (Dev_A to Dev_G). Device Dev_D, which is a target device 12, functions as a router 6.

[0016] (Configuration of Network Diagnosis System) FIG. 2 is a schematic configuration diagram of a network diagnosis system according to an embodiment. As shown in FIG. 2, the network diagnosis system 20 includes an analysis unit 21 including a communication result acquisition unit 22, a route information acquisition unit 24, and a degradation site identification unit 26. The network diagnosis system 20 also includes a storage unit 30 for storing information processed by the communication result acquisition unit 22, the route information acquisition unit 24, and / or the degradation site identification unit 26.

[0017] The communication result acquisition unit 22 is configured to acquire communication results between each host computer 10 (Host_1, Host_2) and the target device 12 (Dev_A to Dev_G).

[0018] In some embodiments, the communication result acquisition unit 22 is configured to send a command to each host computer 10 to communicate with each of one or more target devices 12. Each host computer 10 that receives the command is configured to communicate with each of one or more target devices 12 according to the command and store the communication result in a storage device (internal storage device or external storage device) of the host computer 10. The communication result acquisition unit 22 is also configured to acquire the communication results stored in the storage device of each host computer 10 from each host computer 10 and store them in the storage unit 30.

[0019] The path information acquisition unit 24 is configured to acquire information regarding the communication paths between each host computer 10 (Host_1, Host_2) and the target device 12 (Dev_A to Dev_G). The information regarding the communication paths may be stored in the storage unit 30. The path information acquisition unit 24 may be configured to acquire from the storage unit 30 the information regarding the communication paths stored in the storage unit 30.

[0020] The above-mentioned information regarding the communication paths is information indicating through which network devices (switching hub 2 and connection cable 4) each of the host computers 10 (Host_1, Host_2) and each of the target devices 12 (Dev_A to Dev_G) are connected.

[0021] The above-mentioned information regarding the communication paths may include, for example, information (such as a network configuration diagram) indicating the network configuration of the network 1 to be diagnosed. Alternatively, the above-mentioned information regarding the communication paths may include, for example, information in a table format as shown in FIG. 3. Here, FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of information (table) regarding the communication paths between each host computer 10 belonging to the network 1 to be diagnosed and the target device 12.

[0022] The table shown in FIG. 3 shows combinations of a pair of devices (host computer 10, target device 12, and switching hub 2) belonging to the network 1 and the connection cables 4 connecting the pair of devices to each other. For example, the table in FIG. 3 shows that Host_1 (host computer 10) and Hub_1 (switching hub 2) are connected via cable_1 (connection cable 4), and that Dev_A (target device 12) and Hub_1 are connected via cable_2 (connection cable 4). Therefore, it can be seen from the table in FIG. 3 that Host_1 and Dev_A are connected to each other via cable_1, Hub_1, and cable_2.

[0023] Alternatively, the table of FIG. 3 shows that Host_2 (host computer 10) and Hub_2 (switching hub 2) are connected via cable_6 (connection cable 4), Hub_2 and Hub_1 are connected via cable_10 (connection cable 4), and Dev_A and Hub_1 are connected via cable_2. Therefore, it can be seen from the table of FIG. 3 that Host_2 and Dev_A are connected to each other via cable_6, Hub_2, cable_10, Hub_1, and cable_2.

[0024] The deterioration site specifying unit 26 is configured to specify a deterioration site on the communication path based on the communication result acquired by the communication result acquisition unit 22 and the information on the communication path acquired by the path information acquisition unit 24. The deterioration site specifying unit 26 may acquire the above-described communication result and / or information on the communication path from the storage unit 30, and specify a deterioration site on the communication path based on the communication result and / or information on the communication path thus acquired.

[0025] The network diagnosis system 20 may include an output unit 28 configured to output information indicating the diagnosis result by the deterioration site specifying unit 26. The output unit 28 may be configured to output the above-described diagnosis result to the terminal device 32 (a device such as a display or a speaker) as visual information or auditory information. The terminal device 32 as the output destination of the diagnosis result may be a device (such as a mobile terminal) connected via an external network such as the Internet 8 (see FIG. 1).

[0026] The analysis unit 21 includes a computer having a processor (such as a CPU), a storage device (memory device; RAM, etc.), an auxiliary storage unit, an interface, and the like. The analysis unit 21 is adapted to receive signals from devices (such as the host computer 10) connected to the network 1 via the interface. The processor is configured to process the signals received in this way. Further, the processor is configured to process programs deployed in the storage device. Thereby, the functions of the above-described respective functional units (communication result acquisition unit 22, route information acquisition unit 24, deterioration site identification unit 26, and / or output unit 28) are realized.

[0027] The processing content in the analysis unit 21 is implemented as a program executed by the processor. The program may be stored in the auxiliary storage unit. When the program is executed, these programs are deployed in the storage device. The processor reads the program from the storage device and executes the instructions included in the program.

[0028] The analysis unit 21 may be constituted by a computer such as a PC connected to the network 1. The computer constituting the analysis unit 21 may be one of the one or more target devices 12, may be one of the two or more host computers 10, or may be a computer other than the target device 12 or the host computer 10. In the exemplary embodiment shown in FIG. 1, the device Dev_C, which is the target device 12, functions as the analysis unit 21.

[0029] The storage unit 30 may include an internal storage device (main storage device) or an external storage device (auxiliary storage device) of the computer constituting the analysis unit 21, or may include a storage device connected to the computer via a network.

[0030] In the network diagnosis system 20 according to the above-described embodiment, communication results between two or more host computers 10 and the target device 12, and information regarding the communication path between two or more host computers 10 and the target device 12 are acquired. Therefore, based on this information, it is possible to determine the presence or absence of deterioration of network devices (for example, connection cable 4 or switching hub 2, etc.) arranged in the communication path between each host computer 10 and the target device 12. Thus, according to the network diagnosis system 20 according to the above-described embodiment, it is possible to detect a sign of communication failure and identify a deteriorated part in the network 1 before a network device fails (for example, disconnection of the connection cable 4, etc.).

[0031] (Flow of Network Diagnosis) Hereinafter, the flow of network diagnosis using the above-described network diagnosis system 20 will be described more specifically.

[0032] The network diagnosis method according to some embodiments is a method for diagnosing a network 1 to which two or more host computers 10 and one or more target devices 12 are connected, and includes a step of acquiring communication results between each host computer 10 and the target device 12 (communication result acquisition step), a step of acquiring information regarding the communication path between each host computer 10 and the target device 12 (path information acquisition step), and a step of identifying a deteriorated part on the communication path of the network 1 based on the above-described communication results and the information regarding the above-described communication path (deteriorated part identification step).

[0033] (Communication Result Acquisition Step) In some embodiments, first, the communication result acquisition unit 22 acquires communication results between each host computer 10 (Host_1, Host_2) and the target device 12 (Dev_A~Dev_G).

[0034] The communication result acquisition unit 22 sends a command to each of the host computers 10 (Host_1, Host_2) to perform communication with each of the target devices 12 (Dev_A to Dev_G). Each of the host computers 10 (Host_1, Host_2) that has received the command communicates with each of the target devices 12 (Dev_A to Dev_G) according to the command, and stores the communication result in the storage device (internal storage device or external storage device) of each host computer 10 (Host_1, Host_2). Further, the communication result acquisition unit 22 acquires the communication result stored in the storage device of each host computer 10 (Host_1, Host_2) from each host computer 10 (Host_1, Host_2), and stores it in the storage unit 30.

[0035] In some embodiments, in the communication result acquisition step, the communication result acquisition unit 22 acquires, as the communication result between each host computer 10 (Host_1, Host_2) and the target device 12 (Dev_A to Dev_G), a parameter indicating the communication speed between each host computer (Host_1, Host_2) and the target device 12 (Dev_A to Dev_G).

[0036] In some embodiments, the parameter indicating the above-mentioned communication speed is the time from the transmission of a transmission packet to the target device 12 (Dev_A to Dev_G) by each host computer (Host_1, Host_2) to the reception of a response packet from the target device 12 (Dev_A to Dev_G) corresponding to the transmission packet for each host computer (Host_1, Host_2).

[0037] In one embodiment, in the communication result acquisition step, the communication result acquisition unit 22 acquires the parameter indicating the above-mentioned communication speed based on the execution result of the ping command executed with the target device 12 (Dev_A to Dev_G) as the destination on each host computer (Host_1, Host_2).

[0038] Here, FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram showing communication when the ping command is executed, and FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of the execution result of the ping command.

[0039] Ping is software for verifying the reachability of nodes in an IP network and is available in most operating systems where network functions are implemented. When a ping command is executed by specifying a destination host (e.g., Dev_A as target device 12) at the source host (e.g., Host_1 as host computer 10), an ICMP (Internet Control Message Protocol) packet (transmission packet) containing an echo request is sent from the source host to the destination host, and an ICMP packet (response packet) containing an echo response is returned from the destination host that received the packet to the source host (see Fig. 4). The execution results of ping usually include the number of packets sent from the source host to the destination host, the number of packets received by the source host from the destination host, the number of lost packets, and the round-trip time of the packets (the time from the transmission of the transmission packet at the source host to the reception of the response packet; round-trip time) (see Fig. 5).

[0040] That is, in the communication result acquisition step, Host_1 (host computer 10) executes a ping command by designating each of the target devices 12 (Dev_A to Dev_G) as the destination host based on a command from the communication result acquisition unit 22. The execution results (communication results) of the ping commands for each of the target devices 12 (Dev_A to Dev_G) from Host_1 (host computer 10) are stored in the storage device of Host_1 (host computer 10). Note that the execution results (communication results) each include the round-trip time of the ICMP packets. Similarly, Host_2 (host computer 10) executes a ping command by designating each of the target devices 12 (Dev_A to Dev_G) as the destination host based on a command from the communication result acquisition unit 22 and stores the execution results in the storage device.

[0041] Then, the communication result acquisition unit 22 acquires the execution results of the ping command from Host_1 and Host_2 (host computer 10), and acquires the round-trip time included in the execution results as a parameter indicating the communication speed between each of Host_1 and Host_2 (host computer 10) and the target device 12 (Dev_A to Dev_G).

[0042] Alternatively, in one embodiment, in the communication result acquisition step, the communication result acquisition unit 22 acquires the parameter indicating the above-mentioned communication speed based on the transmission packet to the target device 12 (Dev_A to Dev_G) for each host computer 10 (Host_1, Host_2), or the time stamp included in the response packet from the target device 12 (Dev_A to Dev_G) corresponding to the transmission packet.

[0043] Here, FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram showing communication between devices connected to the network 1. In communication based on the TCP / IP protocol, when a transmission packet including transmission data is transmitted from a source host (for example, Host_1 as the host computer 10) to a destination host (for example, Dev_A as the target device 12), an acknowledgment packet (response packet) from the destination host is returned. Time stamps of the transmission packets are respectively stored in the headers of these transmission packets and response packets. Therefore, based on the difference between the reception time of the response packet at the source host and the time of the time stamp stored in the header of the transmission packet or the response packet, the round-trip time of the packet (the time from the transmission of the transmission packet at the source host to the reception of the response packet; round-trip time) can be calculated. Note that the host computer 10 can acquire the contents of the packets transmitted and received by the host computer 10 by using software such as packet capture.

[0044] That is, in the communication result acquisition step, Host_1 (host computer 10) transmits a transmission packet including transmission data to each of the target devices 12 (Dev_A to Dev_G) based on a command from the communication result acquisition unit 22. Then, a confirmation response packet (response packet) is returned from the target devices 12 (Dev_A to Dev_G) to Host_1 (host computer 10). Host_1 (host computer 10) stores, for example, the content of the confirmation response packet together with the reception time of the confirmation response packet. Similarly, Host_2 (host computer 10) transmits a transmission packet including transmission data to each of the target devices 12 (Dev_A to Dev_G) based on a command from the communication result acquisition unit 22, and stores the content of the confirmation response packet corresponding to the transmission packet together with the reception time of the confirmation response packet.

[0045] Then, the communication result acquisition unit 22 acquires from Host_1 and Host_2 (host computer 10) the content of the confirmation response packet corresponding to the transmission packet and the reception time of the confirmation response packet (communication result), and calculates the round-trip time for the communication between each host computer (Host_1, Host_2) and each of the target devices 12 (Dev_A to Dev_G) based on the communication result. Then, each of the round-trip times calculated in this way is acquired as a parameter indicating the communication speed between each of Host_1 and Host_2 (host computer 10) and each of the target devices 12 (Dev_A to Dev_G).

[0046] (Route information acquisition step) Next, the route information acquisition unit 24 acquires information regarding the communication route between each host computer 10 (Host_1, Host_2) and the target devices 12 (Dev_A to Dev_G). The route information acquisition unit 24 may acquire information regarding the communication route stored in the storage unit 30 from the storage unit 30. The information regarding the communication route described above is as already explained, and is, for example, a table shown in FIG. 3.

[0047] (Degradation site identification step) Next, the degradation location identification unit 26 identifies a degradation location on the communication path of network 1 based on the communication result obtained in the communication result acquisition step and the information regarding the communication path obtained in the path information acquisition step.

[0048] The degradation location on the communication path between host computer 10 and target device 12 can be identified, for example, as follows. Here, it is assumed that in the communication result acquisition step, the round-trip time included in the execution result of the ping command executed by host computer 10 (Host_1, Host_2) with target device 12 (Dev_A to Dev_G) as the destination is acquired as a parameter (communication result) indicating the communication speed between host computer 10 and target device 12. Note that the case where the round-trip time of the communication packet is calculated based on the timestamp included in the header of the communication packet can be explained in the same way.

[0049] The degradation location identification unit 26 compares the above-mentioned round-trip time as a parameter indicating the communication speed between each host computer 10 and target device 12 with a threshold value.

[0050] As a result of the above comparison, if the round-trip time is equal to or less than the threshold value, it can be determined that the communication speed between the corresponding host computer 10 and target device 12 has not decreased. In this case, it can be determined that each of the network devices (such as switching hub 2 and connection cable 4, etc.) arranged between the corresponding host computer 10 and target device has not deteriorated. The network devices arranged between the corresponding host computer 10 and target device can be identified from the information regarding the communication path obtained in the path information acquisition step.

[0051] On the other hand, as a result of the above comparison, if the round-trip time exceeds the threshold, it can be determined that the communication speed between the corresponding host computer 10 and the target device 12 has decreased. In this case, it can be determined that there is degradation in any of the network devices (such as the switching hub 2 and the connection cable 4, etc.) arranged between the corresponding host computer 10 and the target device. The network devices arranged between the corresponding host computer 10 and the target device can be specified from the information regarding the communication path obtained in the path information acquisition step.

[0052] FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of the comparison result between the communication result between the first host computer 10 (Host_1) and the target device 12 (Dev_A) and the threshold value of the parameter indicating the communication speed. FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an example of the comparison result between the communication result between the second host computer 10 (Host_2) and the target device 12 (Dev_A) and the threshold value of the parameter indicating the communication speed.

[0053] As shown in FIG. 7, the round-trip time (a parameter indicating the communication speed) of the communication packet between the first host computer 10 (Host_1) and the target device 12 (Dev_A) exceeds the threshold value. In this case, it is determined that there is degradation in at least any one of Hub_1 (switching hub 2), cable_1 or cable_2 (connection cable 4), which are network devices arranged between the host computer 10 (Host_1) and the target device 12 (Dev_A). Note that in FIG. 7, "NG" is added to the network devices for which it is determined that there may be degradation.

[0054] On the one hand, as shown in FIG. 8, the round-trip time of communication packets (a parameter indicating communication speed) between the second host computer 10 (Host_2) and the target device 12 (Dev_A) is below the threshold value. In this case, it is determined that there is no deterioration in the network devices Hub_1, Hub_2 (switching hub 2), cable_2, cable_6, or cable_10 (connection cable 4) arranged between the host computer 10 (Host_2) and the target device 12 (Dev_A). In FIG. 8, "OK" is appended to the network devices determined to have no deterioration.

[0055] As described above, when the communication results between the first host computer 10 (Host_1) and the target device 12 (Dev_A) and the communication results between the second host computer 10 (Host_2) and the target device 12 (Dev_A) are obtained, these communication results are integrated to identify the deteriorated site on the communication path between the host computers 10 (Host_1, Host_2) and the target device 12 (Dev_A). Here, FIG. 9 is a diagram showing an example of a diagnostic result including the identified deteriorated site.

[0056] As described above, from the communication result between the first host computer 10 (Host_1) and the target device 12 (Dev_A), it is determined that there is deterioration in at least one of Hub_1 (switching hub 2), cable_1, or cable_2 (connection cable 4) (see FIG. 7). On the other hand, from the communication result between the second host computer 10 (Host_2) and the target device 12 (Dev_A), it is determined that there is no deterioration in Hub_1, Hub_2 (switching hub 2), cable_2, cable_6, or cable_10 (connection cable 4) (see FIG. 8). By integrating these determination results, it can be specified that there is deterioration in cable_1 (connection cable 4). Also, in network 1, it can be detected that there is a sign of a communication failure occurring in the part including cable_1.

[0057] In the above description, the communication path between the host computers 10 (Host_1, Host_2) and the target device 12 (Dev_A) has been described. However, for the communication paths between the host computers 10 (Host_1, Host_2) and other target devices 12 (Dev_B to Dev_G), the determination of the deterioration site can be made in the same manner.

[0058] That is, when there is a target device 12 whose communication speed with one of the two host computers 10 (Host_1, Host_2) has not decreased but has decreased with the other, it is located between that target device and the above-mentioned other host computer 10, and it can be specified that the network device that is not located between the target device and the above-mentioned one host computer 10 is deteriorated.

[0059] Note that the threshold value for comparison with the parameter indicating the communication speed is set individually for each combination of the host computer 10 and the target device 12. That is, for example, the threshold value set for the parameter indicating the communication speed between Host_1 and Dev_A and the threshold value set for the parameter indicating the communication speed between Host_2 and Dev_A may be different. Also, for example, the threshold value set for the parameter indicating the communication speed between Host_1 and Dev_A and the threshold value set for the parameter indicating the communication speed between Host_1 and Dev_B may be different.

[0060] According to the method according to the embodiments described above, the communication results between two or more host computers 10 (Host_1, Host_2) and the target device 12 (Dev_A to Dev_G), and information regarding the communication path between the two or more host computers 10 and the target device 12 are obtained. Therefore, based on this information, it is possible to determine the presence or absence of deterioration of network devices (such as the connection cable 4 or the switching hub 2, etc.) arranged in the communication path between each host computer 10 and the target device 12. Thus, according to the above-described embodiments, it is possible to detect a sign of communication failure and identify a deteriorated part in the network 1 before a network device fails.

[0061] Also, according to some embodiments, since parameters indicating the communication speed between each host computer 10 and the target device 12 are obtained, based on these parameters, it is possible to determine the possibility of deterioration of network devices arranged in the communication path between each host computer 10 and the target device 12. Thereby, it is possible to detect a sign of communication failure and identify a deteriorated part in the network 1 before a network device fails.

[0062] Also, according to some embodiments, based on the comparison between the parameter indicating the communication speed between each host computer 10 and the target device 12 and a threshold value, it is possible to appropriately determine the possibility of deterioration of network devices arranged in the communication path between each host computer 10 and the target device 12.

[0063] Also, according to some embodiments, for each host computer 10, the time from the transmission of a transmission packet to the target device 12 until the reception of a response packet from the target device 12 corresponding to the transmission packet is obtained as the parameter indicating the communication speed described above. Therefore, based on this parameter, it is possible to appropriately determine the possibility of deterioration of network devices arranged in the communication path between each host computer 10 and the target device 12.

[0064] In some embodiments, a parameter indicating the above-described communication speed is obtained based on the execution result of the ping command sent from each host computer 10 to the target device 12. Therefore, the above-described parameter can be obtained by a simple procedure.

[0065] In some embodiments, for each host computer 10, a parameter indicating the above-described communication speed is obtained based on a time stamp included in a transmission packet to the target device 12 or a response packet from the target device 12 corresponding to the transmission packet. Therefore, the above-described parameter can be obtained by a simple procedure.

[0066] Note that if there is a degradation site on the communication path between the target device 12 connected to the network 1 and another device, the number of discarded packets per unit time in the target device 12 increases. Therefore, based on the number of discarded packets per unit time in the target device 12, it may be determined that there is a degradation site on the communication path between the target device 12 and another device. The degradation site specifying unit 26 may be configured to specify a degradation site on the communication path between the target device 12 and another device in consideration of the number of discarded packets per unit time in the target device 12. Note that the number of discarded packets per unit time in the target device 12 can be obtained based on the execution result of the netstat command in the target device 12 or the like.

[0067] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of output of a diagnosis result by the output unit 28 of the network diagnosis system 20 according to an embodiment.

[0068] In one embodiment, the output unit 28 may be configured to output a screen display 100 as shown in FIG. 10 to a display such as the terminal device 32. The screen display 100 shown in FIG. 10 includes a network configuration diagram 102 and a graph 104 showing the change over time of the communication speed between the host computer 10 (here, Host_1) and the target device 12 (here, Dev_A).

[0069] In the network configuration diagram 102, a mark (cross mark) indicating that it is a deteriorated part is shown at the deteriorated part (cable_1 in the example shown in FIG. 10) on the communication path specified by the network diagnosis system 20. Further, in the graph 104, a threshold value is shown together with the change over time of the communication speed between the host computer 10 and the target device 12. The change over time of the communication speed can be obtained by repeatedly performing the above-described network diagnosis method at regular intervals and accumulating the communication speed (parameters indicating the communication speed; round-trip time, etc.).

[0070] In this way, by visually displaying the information indicating the diagnosis result by the network diagnosis system 20, an operator or the like can easily and accurately recognize the detection of a sign of communication failure and the diagnosis result such as a deteriorated part in the network.

[0071] The content described in each of the above embodiments is understood as follows, for example.

[0072] (1) The network diagnosis system (20) according to at least one embodiment of the present invention is a diagnosis system for a network (1) to which two or more host computers (10) and a target device (12) are connected, a communication result acquisition unit (22) configured to acquire the communication result between each of the host computers and the target device, a path information acquisition unit (24) configured to acquire information regarding the communication path between each of the host computers and the target device, and a deteriorated part specifying unit (26) configured to specify a deteriorated part on the communication path based on the communication result and the information regarding the communication path. and includes.

[0073] In the configuration of (1) above, communication results between two or more host computers and the target device, and information regarding the communication path between two or more host computers and the target device are acquired. Therefore, based on this information, it is possible to determine the presence or absence of degradation of network devices (such as cables or switching hubs, etc.) arranged in the communication path between each host computer and the target device. Thus, according to the configuration of (1) above, it is possible to detect a sign of communication failure and identify a degraded part in the network before a network device fails.

[0074] (2) In some embodiments, in the configuration of (1) above, The communication result acquisition unit is configured to acquire, as the communication result, a parameter indicating the communication speed between each host computer and the target device.

[0075] According to the configuration of (2) above, when degradation progresses in a certain part of the network, the communication speed through that part in the network tends to decrease. According to the configuration of (2) above, since a parameter indicating the communication speed between each host computer and the target device is acquired, based on this parameter, it is possible to determine the possibility of degradation of network devices arranged in the communication path between each host computer and the target device. Thereby, it is possible to detect a sign of communication failure and identify a degraded part in the network before a network device fails.

[0076] (3) In some embodiments, in the configuration of (2) above, The degraded part identification unit is configured to identify the degraded part based on a comparison between the parameter and a threshold value.

[0077] According to the configuration of (3) above, based on a comparison between a parameter indicating the communication speed between each host computer and the target device and a threshold value, it is possible to appropriately determine the possibility of degradation of network devices arranged in the communication path between each host computer and the target device.

[0078] (4) In some embodiments, in the configuration of (2) or (3) above, the parameter is the time from the transmission of the transmission packet to the target device for each host computer to the reception of the response packet from the target device corresponding to the transmission packet.

[0079] According to the configuration of (4) above, for each host computer, the time from the transmission of the transmission packet to the target device to the reception of the response packet from the target device corresponding to the transmission packet is obtained as the parameter indicating the above communication speed. Therefore, based on the parameter, it is possible to appropriately determine the possibility of deterioration of the network device arranged in the communication path between each host computer and the target device.

[0080] (5) In some embodiments, in any of the configurations of (2) to (4) above, the communication result acquisition unit is configured to acquire the parameter based on the execution result of the ping command executed with the target device as the destination at each host computer.

[0081] According to the configuration of (5) above, the parameter indicating the above communication speed is acquired based on the execution result of the ping command executed with the target device as the destination at each host computer. Therefore, the above parameter can be acquired by a simple procedure.

[0082] (6) In some embodiments, in any of the configurations of (2) to (4) above, the communication result acquisition unit is configured to acquire the parameter based on the time stamp included in the transmission packet to the target device for each host computer or the response packet from the target device corresponding to the transmission packet.

[0083] According to the configuration of (6) above, for each host computer, based on the timestamp included in the transmission packet to the target device or the response packet from the target device corresponding to the transmission packet, a parameter indicating the above-mentioned communication speed is acquired. Therefore, the above-mentioned parameter can be acquired by a simple procedure.

[0084] (7) In some embodiments, in any of the configurations of (1) to (6) above, the network diagnosis system includes an output unit (28) configured to output information indicating the diagnosis result by the deterioration site specifying unit.

[0085] According to the configuration of (7) above, since the information indicating the diagnosis result by the deterioration site specifying unit can be output to the terminal device, the detection of the sign of communication failure and the diagnosis result of the deterioration site etc. in the network can be easily and accurately recognized by an operator or the like.

[0086] (8) A network diagnosis method according to at least one embodiment of the present invention is a diagnosis method for a network to which two or more host computers and a target device are connected, comprising: a step of acquiring a communication result between each of the host computers and the target device; a step of acquiring information regarding a communication path between each of the host computers and the target device; a step of specifying a deterioration site on the communication path based on the communication result and the information regarding the communication path; and

[0087] In the method of (8) above, the communication results between two or more host computers and the target device, and information regarding the communication paths between two or more host computers and the target device are acquired. Therefore, based on this information, it is possible to determine the presence or absence of deterioration of network devices (such as cables or switching hubs, etc.) arranged in the communication paths between each host computer and the target device. Thus, according to the method of (8) above, it is possible to detect the sign of communication failure and identify the deterioration site in the network before the network device fails.

[0088] (9) The network diagnosis program according to at least one embodiment of the present invention is a diagnosis program for a network to which two or more host computers and a target device are connected, configured to cause a computer to execute a procedure for acquiring the communication results between each of the host computers and the target device, execute a procedure for acquiring information regarding the communication paths between each of the host computers and the target device, execute a procedure for identifying a deterioration site on the communication path based on the communication results and the information regarding the communication path, and is configured as such.

[0089] In the program of (9) above, the communication results between two or more host computers and the target device, and information regarding the communication paths between two or more host computers and the target device are acquired. Therefore, based on this information, it is possible to determine the presence or absence of deterioration of network devices (such as cables or switching hubs, etc.) arranged in the communication paths between each host computer and the target device. Thus, according to the program of (9) above, it is possible to detect the sign of communication failure and identify the deterioration site in the network before the network device fails.

[0090] As described above, the embodiments of the present invention have been described. However, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and includes forms obtained by modifying the above-described embodiments and forms obtained by appropriately combining these forms.

[0091] In this specification, expressions indicating relative or absolute arrangements such as "in a certain direction", "along a certain direction", "parallel", "orthogonal", "center", "concentric", or "coaxial" not only strictly represent such arrangements, but also represent a state in which there are tolerances or relative displacements with angles and distances that can obtain the same function. For example, expressions indicating that things such as "identical", "equal", and "homogeneous" are in an equal state not only strictly represent an equal state, but also represent a state in which there are tolerances or differences that can obtain the same function. In addition, in this specification, expressions indicating shapes such as a rectangular shape or a cylindrical shape not only represent shapes such as a rectangular shape or a cylindrical shape in a geometrically strict sense, but also represent shapes including concave and convex portions, chamfered portions, etc. within a range where the same effect can be obtained. In addition, in this specification, the expressions "comprising", "including", or "having" for one component are not exclusive expressions excluding the existence of other components.

Explanation of Reference Numerals

[0092] 1 Network 2 Switching Hub 4 Connection Cable 6 Router 8 Internet 10 Host Computer 12 Target Device 20 Network Diagnosis System 21 Analysis Unit 22 Communication Result Acquisition Unit 24 Route Information Acquisition Unit 26 Deterioration Site Identification Unit 28 Output Unit 30 Storage Unit 32 Terminal Device 100 Screen Display 102 Network Configuration Diagram 104 Graph

Claims

1. A diagnostic system for a network to which two or more host computers and target devices are connected, a communication result acquisition unit configured to acquire a parameter indicating a communication speed between each of the host computers and the target device as a communication result between each of the host computers and the target device; a path information acquisition unit configured to acquire information regarding a communication path between each of the host computers and the target device; a degradation site identification unit configured to identify a degradation site on the communication path based on the communication result and the information regarding the communication path; comprising the degradation site identification unit is configured to identify the degradation site based on a comparison between a parameter indicating a communication speed between each of the host computers and the target device and a threshold value individually set for each combination of the host computer and the target device, the degradation site identification unit is configured to obtain a difference between a network device arranged between one of the host computers among the two or more host computers and the target device and a network device arranged between another host computer among the two or more host computers and the target device when the parameter indicating the communication speed between one of the host computers among the two or more host computers and the target device exceeds the threshold value and the parameter indicating the communication speed between another host computer among the two or more host computers and the target device is below the threshold value, and to identify the difference as the degradation site on the communication path network diagnostic system.

2. The parameter is the time from transmission of a transmission packet to the target device for each of the host computers until reception of a response packet from the target device corresponding to the transmission packet The network diagnostic system according to claim 1.

3. The communication result acquisition unit is configured to acquire the parameter based on an execution result of a ping command executed with the target device as a destination at each of the host computers The network diagnostic system according to claim 1 or 2.

4. The communication result acquisition unit is configured to acquire the parameter based on a timestamp included in a transmission packet to the target device for each of the host computers or a response packet from the target device corresponding to the transmission packet The network diagnosis system according to any one of claims 1 to 3

5. An output unit configured to output information indicating a diagnosis result by the deterioration site specifying unit The network diagnosis system according to any one of claims 1 to 4

6. A method for diagnosing a network to which two or more host computers and a target device are connected, which is executed by a computer, A step of acquiring a parameter indicating a communication speed between each of the host computers and the target device as a communication result between each of the host computers and the target device A step of acquiring information regarding a communication path between each of the host computers and the target device A step of specifying a deterioration site on the communication path based on the communication result and the information regarding the communication path Comprising In the specifying step, the deterioration site is specified based on a comparison between a parameter indicating the communication speed between each of the host computers and the target device and a threshold value individually set for each combination of the host computer and the target device In the specifying step, when the parameter indicating the communication speed between one of the two or more host computers and the target device exceeds the threshold value and the parameter indicating the communication speed between another one of the two or more host computers and the target device is equal to or less than the threshold value, a difference between a network device disposed between the one host computer and the target device and a network device disposed between the another host computer and the target device is acquired, and the difference is specified as the deterioration site on the communication path Network diagnosis method

7. A diagnostic program for a network to which two or more host computers and a target device are connected, To the computer, A procedure for acquiring a parameter indicating a communication speed between each of the host computers and the target device as a communication result between each of the host computers and the target device A procedure for obtaining information regarding the communication path between each of the host computers and the target device; A procedure for identifying a deteriorated site on the communication path based on the communication result and the information regarding the communication path; configured to execute; In the identifying procedure, the deteriorated site is identified based on a comparison between a parameter indicating the communication speed between each of the host computers and the target device and a threshold value individually set for each combination of the host computer and the target device; In the identifying procedure, when the parameter indicating the communication speed between one of the two or more host computers and the target device exceeds the threshold value and the parameter indicating the communication speed between another one of the two or more host computers and the target device is equal to or less than the threshold value, a difference between the network device disposed between the one host computer and the target device and the network device disposed between the another host computer and the target device is obtained, and the difference is identified as the deteriorated site on the communication path; A network diagnosis program.

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