Optical path control device, optical path control method, and program

Abstract

This optical path controlling device 1 comprises: a conversion unit 323 that converts a connection source user ID and a connection destination user ID included in the connection request of an optical path transmitted from a service providing device 2 to the two optical path ends of the optical path; and a generation unit 324 that uses transfer system parameters of the optical path corresponding to the two optical path ends, thereby generating control information for a transfer device 5 placed in a carrier network.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an optical path control device, an optical path control method, and a program. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, optical path control has been performed by static path opening by telecommunications carrier operators. In the future, it is expected that there will be an increasing number of cases where third-party service companies dynamically connect optical paths on demand, such as for live sports broadcasts.

[0003] TAPI (Telephony Application Programming Interface) is a technology that uses APIs to control transmission devices and realize network connections including optical paths (Non-Patent Document 1). [Prior art documents] [Non-patent literature]

[0004] [Non-Patent Document 1] Karthik Sethuraman, Andrea Mazzini, Stephane St Laurent, Lyndon Ong, "ONF Transport API Opening up Disaggregated Optical Transport Applications", Dec 3, 2018,online,Internet <URL:https: / / opennetworking.org / wp-content / uploads / 2018 / 12 / TAPI-Intro-Concepts-ODTN.pdf> Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] TAPI is a technology targeted at network maintenance personnel with network knowledge, and its specifications handle parameters related to transmission system technology such as optical frequency, etc. For this reason, it is difficult for general users without knowledge of transmission networks to control optical paths using TAPI.

[0006] The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to provide a technology that enables even a user who has no knowledge of transmission system networks to control an optical path. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, one aspect of the present invention is an optical path control device, which includes a conversion unit that converts a source user ID and a destination user ID included in an optical path connection request sent from a service providing device into two optical path endpoints of the optical path, and a generation unit that generates control information for a transmission device located within a carrier network using transmission system parameters of the optical path corresponding to the two optical path endpoints.

[0008] One aspect of the present invention is an optical path control method performed by an optical path control device, which includes a conversion step of converting a source user ID and a destination user ID included in an optical path connection request sent from a service providing device into two optical path endpoints of the optical path, and a generation step of generating control information for a transmission device located within a carrier network using transmission system parameters of the optical path corresponding to the two optical path endpoints.

[0009] One aspect of the present invention is a program that causes a computer to function as the optical path control device. [Effects of the Invention]

[0010] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a technique that enables even a user who has no knowledge of transmission systems to control an optical path. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0011] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of a network system according to this embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of an optical path control device. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of the user information DB and the topology DB. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a sequence diagram showing the operation of the network system. [Figure 5] 1 is an example of a hardware configuration. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0012] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0013] Fig. 1 shows an example of the configuration of a network system according to this embodiment. The illustrated network system includes a user terminal 1 and a service providing device 2, which are located outside the carrier network. The network system also includes an optical path control device 3, a transmission device controller 4, and a transmission device 5, which are located within the carrier network. The network system also includes an optical endpoint 6. Specifically, the optical endpoint 6 is an optical terminal having an interface for an optical path, and is located at a base such as a building or a user's home.

[0014] The user terminal 1 is a terminal used by a user (a third-party user) who uses a service provided by the service providing device 2.

[0015] The service providing device 2 is a device that provides various application services. Examples of application services include online distribution of various events such as sports and games, and hybrid distribution in which an event is held both online and in person at the same time. The service providing device 2 is a device that is managed and operated by a service provider that provides the application services. The service providing device 2 accepts a request from a user terminal 1 and transmits a dynamic optical path connection request 71 to the optical path control device 3 of the carrier network.

[0016] The service provider in this embodiment is a third-party business other than a carrier (telecommunications carrier) that provides a carrier network, but may also be a carrier that provides a carrier network.

[0017] The optical path control device 3 converts an optical path connection request 71 sent from the service providing device 2 into control information 72 for the transmission device 5 and sends it to the transmission device controller 4 .

[0018] The transmission equipment controller 4 controls the transmission equipment 5 using the control information 72 sent from the optical path control device 3, and controls the connection of the dynamic optical path. The transmission equipment 5 dynamically sets the optical path according to the control of the transmission equipment controller 4.

[0019] The network system of this embodiment has an external API 81 and a transmission device API 82. The external API 81 is disposed between the service providing device 2 and the optical path control device 3, and is an API (first API) directed to the service providing device 2 outside the carrier network. The transmission device API 82 is disposed between the optical path control device 3 and the transmission device controller 4, and is an API (second API) directed to the transmission device 5.

[0020] 2 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of the optical path control device 3. The optical path control device 3 includes an API control unit 311, an optical path status management unit 321, an authentication unit 322, a conversion unit 323, a generation unit 324, an optical path management DB 331, a user information DB 332, and a topology DB 333.

[0021] The optical path controller 3 may be configured according to a Web three-layer model as shown in the figure. That is, the optical path controller 3 may include a Web server 310 (Web layer), an AP (application) server 320 (AP layer), and a DB server 330 (DB layer). In this case, the API control unit 311 is arranged in the Web server 310, the optical path status management unit 321, the authentication unit 322, the conversion unit 323, and the generation unit 324 are arranged in the AP server 320, and the optical path management DB 331, the user information DB 332, and the topology DB 333 are arranged in the DB server 330.

[0022] The authentication unit 322, the conversion unit 323, the generation unit 324, the user information DB 332, and the topology DB 333 function as an ID linking mechanism that links various IDs of an optical path connection request 71 sent from outside with the transmission system parameters of the optical path.

[0023] The API control unit 311 controls an API 81 (Web-API) directed to the outside of the carrier network and an API 82 directed to the transmission device 5. Specifically, the API control unit 311 activates the external API 81, which is an interface used by an external service providing device 2 to set an optical path in the carrier network. The API control unit 311 also activates the API 82, which is an interface to the transmission device controller 4 within the carrier network. That is, the API control unit 311 sets the control information generated by the generation unit 324 as transmission system parameters directed to the transmission device controller 4, and activates the API 82. This allows the user or service provider to easily control the dynamic optical path.

[0024] The optical path status manager 321 monitors and acquires the connection status of the set dynamic optical path, and stores the acquired connection status of the dynamic optical path in the optical path management DB 331 .

[0025] The authentication unit 322 authenticates the provider ID of the service providing device 2 and the user ID of the user terminal 1 using the user information DB 332 .

[0026] The converter 323 converts the source user ID and destination user ID included in the optical path connection request 71 transmitted from the service providing device 2 into two optical path endpoints of the optical path. Specifically, the converter 323 may convert each of the source user ID and destination user ID into two optical path endpoints by referring to a user information DB 332 in which user information is stored. The converter 323 receives the connection request 71 transmitted from the service providing device 2 via the API control unit 311.

[0027] The generation unit 324 generates control information 72 for the transmission device 5 located in the carrier network using the transmission system parameters of the optical paths corresponding to the two optical path endpoints converted by the conversion unit 323. Specifically, the generation unit 324 may refer to the topology DB 333 that stores the transmission system parameters of the optical paths, identify the transmission system parameters of the optical paths corresponding to the two optical path endpoints, and generate the control information 72 using the transmission system parameters and the two optical path endpoints. In this way, the generation unit 324 converts the connection request 71 (service requirements) transmitted from the service providing device 2 into parameters for the transmission device 5. The generation unit 324 transmits the control information 72 to the transmission device controller 4 via the API control unit 311.

[0028] The optical path management DB 331 stores the connection status (connecting, connected, etc.) of each dynamically connected optical path. When an optical path is connected, the optical path status management unit 321 registers information about the optical path in the optical path management DB 331, and when the connection of the optical path is terminated, deletes the information about the optical path from the optical path management DB 331. Therefore, the optical path management DB 331 stores only information about optical paths that are dynamically connected, and does not store information about optical paths that are not connected.

[0029] The user information DB 332 and the topology DB 333 will be described with reference to FIG.

[0030] The user information DB 332 stores information about each user who uses the user terminal 1. The user information DB 332 shown in FIG. 3 stores, for each user, the user name, provider ID, user ID (out-of-network user ID), carrier user ID (in-network user ID), line ID, optical path endpoint, address, etc. The provider ID is the provider ID of the service provider (third-party provider) of the service used by the user. The user ID is an out-of-network user ID assigned to the user by the service provider. The carrier user ID is an in-network user ID assigned to the user by the carrier. The optical path endpoint refers to the optical terminal at the end of the optical path.

[0031] The topology DB 333 stores the configuration of optical paths in a carrier network. The topology DB 333 shown in FIG. 3 stores, for each optical path (communication route) between two nodes, transmission system parameters (topology information) related to the optical path. Specifically, the topology DB 333 stores, for each optical path, transmission system parameters related to the optical path, such as the two nodes that are the start and end points of the optical path, the minimum usable frequency, the maximum usable frequency, delay requirements, and wavelength. The nodes are assumed to be buildings such as buildings, user homes, etc. Therefore, at least one optical path endpoint exists at one node.

[0032] Next, specific processing by the conversion unit 323 and the generation unit 324 will be described with reference to FIG.

[0033] In the example shown in FIG. 3, the service providing device 2 transmits a connection request 71 including service requirements such as a provider ID, a source user ID, a destination user ID, etc. to the optical path control device 3 via the external API 81.

[0034] The conversion unit 323 uses the user information DB 332 to acquire the source optical path endpoint and the destination optical path endpoint from the service provider ID, source user ID, and destination user ID of the connection request 71. That is, the conversion unit 323 extracts a record (user A's record) having the service provider ID and source user ID of the connection request 71 from the user information DB 323, and identifies optical path endpoint A. The conversion unit 323 also extracts a record (user B's record) having the service provider ID and destination ID of the connection request 71 from the user information DB 323, and identifies optical path endpoint B. In this way, the conversion unit 323 converts endpoints that identify the users (source user ID, destination user ID) into optical path endpoints (optical path endpoint A, optical path endpoint B).

[0035] Then, the conversion unit 323 converts each optical path endpoint into a base. Specifically, the conversion unit 323 refers to the user information DB 323, and uses the user address set in the extracted record to acquire the base corresponding to the address (for example, the building corresponding to the address, the user's home, etc.). In the example shown in Fig. 3, the conversion unit 323 identifies base α corresponding to the address in the record of user A and base β corresponding to the address in the record of user B.

[0036] Then, the generation unit 324 extracts from the topology DB 333 a record that has the identified points (point α, point β) as the end points of the optical path, and generates control information 72 that includes the transmission system parameters set in the record and the optical path end points identified by the conversion unit 323. The control information 72 shown in the figure includes, as transmission system parameters, delay requirements, maximum frequency, minimum frequency, wavelength, etc.

[0037] In this way, the conversion unit 323 and generation unit 324 of this embodiment can appropriately convert or complement the parameters included in the connection request 71 for the operator or user into transmission system parameters for the transmission device, thereby realizing parameter interworking.

[0038] Specifically, the conversion unit 323 converts the source user ID and destination user ID contained in the optical path connection request 71 sent from the service providing device 2 outside the carrier network into two optical path endpoints, thereby enabling users and external users such as operators to easily control the optical path.

[0039] Furthermore, the generation unit 324 can set transmission system parameters taking into account topology information. That is, the generation unit 324 can set transmission system parameters such as frequency and wavelength taking into account the state of the dynamic optical paths between each node.

[0040] The conversion unit 323 may convert the connecting user ID (out-of-network user ID) of the connection request 71 into a carrier user ID (out-of-network user ID) using the user information DB 332. This allows a customer system (not shown) to perform processes such as charging and billing the user using the carrier user ID.

[0041] FIG. 4 is a sequence diagram showing the operation of the network system of this embodiment.

[0042] The user terminal 1 transmits an authentication request including the user ID (off-network user ID) of the user using the user terminal 1 to the service providing device 2 (step S11). The service providing device 2 authenticates whether the user ID included in the authentication request is a valid user ID using an authentication DB (not shown), and transmits the authentication result to the user terminal 1 (step S12). Here, the service providing device 2 transmits the authentication result to the user terminal 1 indicating that the authentication was successful.

[0043] If the authentication is successful, the user terminal 1 transmits a dynamic optical path connection request to the service providing device 2 (step S13). The connection request includes the user ID (off-network user ID) of step S11 as the source user ID. If the user knows the destination user ID, the source ID and the destination user ID may be included in the connection request.

[0044] When the service providing device 2 receives a connection request from the user terminal 1, it transmits an authentication request for the provider ID to the optical path control device 3 (step S14). The provider ID is the provider ID of the service provider that operates and manages the service providing device 2, and is stored in the storage unit of the service providing device 2. When the optical path control device 3 receives the authentication request, it authenticates the provider ID by referring to the user information DB 332 etc., and transmits the authentication result to the service providing device 2 (step S15). For example, when the provider ID exists in the user information DB 332, the optical path control device 3 determines that the provider is a legitimate provider, and transmits an authentication result to the service providing device 2 indicating that the authentication was successful.

[0045] Then, the service providing device 2 transmits a user authentication request including the source user ID and the provider ID included in the connection request of step S13 to the optical path control device 3 (step S16). Upon receiving the user authentication request, the optical path control device 3 refers to the user information DB 332, authenticates the source user ID and the provider ID, and transmits the authentication result to the service providing device 2 (step S17). Specifically, if the user information DB 332 contains a record including the source user ID and the provider ID, the optical path control device 3 determines that the source user ID is a valid user ID, and transmits an authentication result to the service providing device 2 indicating that the authentication was successful.

[0046] If the authentication is successful, the service providing device 2 transmits a connection request 71 of the dynamic optical path to the optical path control device 3 via the external API 82 (step S18). This connection request 71 includes a provider ID, a source user ID, and a destination user ID. If the connection request of step S13 includes a destination user ID, the service providing device 2 adds the provider ID to the connection request of step S13 to generate the connection request 71. On the other hand, if the connection request of step S13 does not include a destination user ID, the service providing device 2 identifies the destination user ID corresponding to the source user ID and generates the connection request 71 including the destination user ID, the source user ID, and the provider ID. The service providing device 2 is assumed to hold a table in which the source user ID and the destination user ID are associated with each other.

[0047] The optical path control device 3 receives a dynamic optical path connection request 71 from the service providing device 2, and generates control information 72 for controlling the transmission device 5 based on the connection request 71 (step S19). The generation of the control information 72 is as described in FIG.

[0048] The optical path control device 3 transmits a dynamic optical path connection request including the control information 72 to the transmission device controller 4 via the transmission device API 82 (step S20). The transmission device controller 4 receives the connection request and transmits the connection request to each of the transmission devices 5 corresponding to the optical path endpoints set in the control information (step S21). Each transmission device 5 transmits a dynamic optical path connection request to the optical path endpoints 6 (source optical terminal, destination optical terminal) set in the control information of the connection request (steps S23, S25).

[0049] Each optical path endpoint 6 (source optical terminal, destination optical terminal) transmits a connection OK response indicating that the connection has been successful to the corresponding transmission device 5 (steps S24, S26). As a result, a dynamic optical path is established between the source optical terminal and the destination optical terminal (step S27).

[0050] When the transmission device 5 receives the connection OK response from each optical path endpoint 6, it transmits the connection OK response to the transmission device controller 4 (step S28). The transmission device controller 4 transmits the connection OK response to the optical path control device 3 (step S29), the optical path control device 3 transmits the connection OK response to the service providing device 2 (step S30), and the service providing device 2 transmits the connection OK response to the user terminal 1 (step S31).

[0051] The optical path control device 3 of this embodiment described above includes a conversion unit 323 that converts the source user ID and destination user ID included in the optical path connection request 71 sent from the service providing device 2 into two optical path endpoints of the optical path, and a generation unit 324 that generates control information 72 for the transmission device 5 located within the carrier network using transmission system parameters of the optical path corresponding to the two optical path endpoints.

[0052] Furthermore, the conversion unit 323 refers to a user information DB 332 in which user information is stored, and converts each of the source user ID and the destination user ID into the two optical path endpoints. The generation unit 324 refers to a topology DB 333 in which transmission system parameters of the optical path are stored, and identifies the transmission system parameters of the optical path corresponding to the two optical path endpoints, and generates control information 72 using the transmission system parameters and the two optical path endpoints.

[0053] As a result, in this embodiment, even a user who has no knowledge of transmission networks can control dynamic optical paths. Specifically, an easy-to-use interface is provided for end users and third-party operators who have no knowledge of optical path-related networks, allowing end users and third-party operators to easily open dynamic optical paths.

[0054] The optical path controller 3 described above can use, for example, a general-purpose computer system as shown in Fig. 5. The computer system shown in the figure includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit, processor) 901, a memory 902, a storage 903 (HDD: Hard Disk Drive, SSD: Solid State Drive), a communication device 904, an input device 905, and an output device 906. The memory 902 and the storage 903 are storage devices. In this computer system, the CPU 901 executes a program for the optical path controller 3 loaded on the memory 902, thereby realizing the functions of the optical path controller 3.

[0055] The optical path control device 3 may be implemented in one computer or in multiple computers. The optical path control device 3 may also be a virtual machine implemented in a computer. The program for the optical path control device 3 can be stored in a computer-readable recording medium such as a HDD, SSD, USB (Universal Serial Bus) memory, CD (Compact Disc), or DVD (Digital Versatile Disc), or can be distributed via a network.

[0056] The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various modifications are possible within the scope of the present invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0057] 1: User terminal 2: Service providing device 3: Optical path control device 311: API control section 321: Optical path status management unit 322: Authentication section 323: Conversion section 324: Generation part 331: Optical path management DB 332: User information DB 333: Topology DB 4: Transmission equipment controller 5: Transmission equipment 6: Optical path end point (optical terminal)

Claims

1. An optical path control device disposed in a carrier network, a conversion unit that converts a source user ID and a destination user ID included in an optical path connection request transmitted from a service providing device located outside the carrier network into two optical path endpoints of the optical path; a generation unit that generates control information for a transmission device disposed in the carrier network using transmission system parameters of the optical paths corresponding to the two optical path end points; a user information storage unit in which one optical path endpoint for each user ID is associated with the user ID; The conversion unit converts the source user ID into an optical path endpoint for the source user ID and converts the destination user ID into an optical path endpoint for the destination user ID by referring to the user information storage unit. Optical path control device.

2. The generation unit refers to a topology storage unit that stores transmission system parameters of optical paths, identifies transmission system parameters of optical paths corresponding to the two optical path endpoints, and generates the control information using the transmission system parameters and the two optical path endpoints. The optical path control device according to claim 1 .

3. an API control unit that controls a first API directed to an outside of the carrier network and a second API directed to the transmission device; the conversion unit receives the connection request transmitted from the service providing device via the API control unit; The generation unit transmits the control information to a transmission device controller that controls the transmission device via the API control unit. The optical path control device according to claim 2 .

4. The API control unit is disposed in a web layer, the conversion unit and the generation unit are arranged in an application layer; The user information storage unit and the topology storage unit are arranged in the DB layer. The optical path control device according to claim 3 .

5. An optical path control method performed by an optical path control device disposed in a carrier network, comprising: a conversion step of converting a source user ID and a destination user ID included in an optical path connection request transmitted from a service providing device located outside the carrier network into two optical path endpoints of the optical path; a generating step of generating control information for a transmission device disposed in the carrier network using transmission system parameters of the optical path corresponding to the two optical path end points; The conversion step refers to a user information storage unit in which one optical path endpoint for each user ID is associated with the user ID, and converts the source user ID into an optical path endpoint for the source user ID, and converts the destination user ID into an optical path endpoint for the destination user ID. Optical path control method.

6. A program that causes a computer to function as the optical path control device according to any one of claims 1 to 4.

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