PBX, PBX control method, and program

Abstract

We provide a PBX that helps reduce the load on the server and the proxy server during PBX software updates. [Solution] The PBX (Private Branch eXchange) is a plurality of PBXs, each of which includes a load recording unit that records load information and a maintenance unit that sets maintenance information. At least one of these PBXs acquires load information and maintenance information from each PBX, and based on the acquired load information and maintenance information from each PBX, it further includes a proxy server that executes software updates on each PBX, and a schedule determination unit that determines the schedule for the software updates and notifies each PBX of the determined schedule.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a PBX (Private Branch eXchange), a control method of the PBX, and a program.

Background Art

[0002] Regarding reduction of the load of a server device, the following documents can be cited.

[0003] Patent Document 1 relates to an information distribution system that reduces the load of a server device by dispersing the load of the server device that increases due to concentration of download access or the like.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] The following analysis is provided by the inventor of the present invention.

[0006] Conventionally, in software updates of devices such as PBXs connected to a network, the load has concentrated on a server (software update server), and the distribution has taken time or has sometimes failed. Further, when the PBX is used as a proxy server as a countermeasure, even at night when the load is low, the load is not always low depending on the operation. Further, maintenance processes such as recording data of calls, call history, backup of logs, optimization of databases, and aggregation processing may operate, so the PBX used as a proxy server is loaded, and delays or failures may occur in the services being executed.

[0007] The present invention aims to provide a PBX, a PBX control method, and a program that contribute to reducing the load on the server and the proxy server during PBX software updates. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] According to the first aspect of the present invention, each PBX (Private Branch eXchange) is: A load recording unit that records load information, At least one of the multiple PBXs, which includes a maintenance unit for setting maintenance information, A PBX can be provided that further includes a proxy server that acquires the load information and maintenance information of each PBX from each PBX, and performs a software update on each PBX based on the acquired load information and maintenance information of each PBX, and a schedule determination unit that determines the schedule for the software update and notifies each PBX of the determined schedule.

[0009] According to a second aspect of the present invention, each PBX (Private Branch eXchange) is A load recording unit that records load information, At least one of the multiple PBXs, which includes a maintenance unit for setting maintenance information, The computer in at least one of the PBXs, The load information and maintenance information of each PBX are obtained from each PBX, respectively. Based on the acquired load information and maintenance information of each PBX, a proxy server to perform software updates on each PBX and the schedule for the software updates are determined. A method for controlling a PBX can be provided that notifies each of the aforementioned PBXs of the information of the determined schedule. This method is linked to a specific machine, namely a computer, which performs the above method.

[0010] According to a third aspect of the present invention, each PBX (Private Branch eXchange) is A load recording unit that records load information, At least one of the multiple PBXs, which includes a maintenance unit for setting maintenance information, A computer within at least one of the PBXs performs a process to acquire the load information and maintenance information of each PBX from each of the PBXs, respectively. Based on the acquired load information and maintenance information of each PBX, a proxy server executes a software update on each PBX, and a process determines the schedule for the software update. We can provide a program that executes a process to notify each of the aforementioned PBXs of the information of the determined schedule.

[0011] These programs can be recorded on a computer-readable storage medium. The storage medium can be non-transitory, such as semiconductor memory, hard disks, magnetic recording media, or optical recording media. The present invention can also be embodied as a computer program product. [Effects of the Invention]

[0012] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a PBX, a PBX control method, and a program that contribute to reducing the load on the server and the proxy server during PBX software updates. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0013] [Figure 1] This block diagram shows an example of the overall configuration of the system related to this disclosure. [Figure 2] This figure shows an example of a list of PBXs covered by this disclosure. [Figure 3]It is a diagram showing an example of a download reservation list of a server according to the present disclosure. [Figure 4] It is a diagram showing an example of load information of a PBX according to the present disclosure. [Figure 5] It is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of a backup of a call recording file according to the present disclosure. [Figure 6] It is a diagram showing an example of the setting of backup date and time according to the present disclosure. [Figure 7] It is a flowchart showing an example of the processing operation of a PBX of a proxy server according to the present disclosure. [Figure 8] It is a diagram showing an example of load information and maintenance information according to the present disclosure. [Figure 9] It is a diagram showing an example of information on the determined download schedule according to the present disclosure. [Figure 10] It is a diagram showing the configuration of a computer constituting a communication device according to the present disclosure.

Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0014] In the present disclosure, the drawings may be associated with one or more embodiments. Further, each of the embodiments described below can be combined with other embodiments as appropriate, and the present invention is not limited by each embodiment.

[0015] First, an overview of one embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings. Note that the reference numerals of the drawings appended to this overview are for convenience of each element as an example to assist understanding, and are not intended to limit the present invention to the illustrated aspects. Also, the connection lines between blocks such as the drawings referred to in the following description include both bidirectional and unidirectional ones. The one-way arrow schematically shows the flow of the main signal (data) and does not exclude bidirectionality.

[0016] Figure 1 is a block diagram showing an example of the overall configuration of the system relating to this disclosure. Referring to Figure 1, system 10 includes server 4 and multiple PBXs, namely PBX 1, PBX 2, and PBX 3.

[0017] Each of PBX1, PBX2, and PBX3 includes a load recording unit 11 for recording load information and a maintenance unit 12 for setting maintenance information. Of the multiple PBXs of PBX1, PBX2, and PBX3, at least one PBX1 includes a schedule determination unit 13.

[0018] The schedule determination unit 13 acquires load information and maintenance information for each of PBX1, PBX2, and PBX3, respectively, and determines a proxy server to execute the software update for each of PBX1, PBX2, and PBX3, as well as the schedule for the software update, based on the acquired load information and maintenance information for each of PBX1, PBX2, and PBX3. Next, the schedule determination unit 13 notifies each of PBX1, PBX2, and PBX3 of the information of the determined schedule.

[0019] According to one embodiment of the present invention, a PBX, a method for controlling the PBX, and a program can be provided that contribute to reducing the load on the server and the proxy server during a PBX software update.

[0020] [First Embodiment] Next, the first embodiment will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. Figure 1 is a block diagram showing an example of the overall configuration of the system according to this disclosure. Referring to Figure 1, the system 10 includes a server 4 and multiple PBXs, namely PBX 1, PBX 2, and PBX 3.

[0021] PBX1, PBX2, and PBX3 are assumed to be installed at multiple locations. While this explanation assumes three PBXs, the number of PBXs is not limited to these three. Server 4 is connected to PBX1, PBX2, and PBX3 via network 20. PBX1, PBX2, and PBX3 are connected via local network (or VPN) 30.

[0022] Figure 2 shows an example of a list of PBXs related to this disclosure. PBX1, PBX2, and PBX3 each hold a list 100 of PBXs, as shown in Figure 2 as an example, and are in a state where they can communicate with each other.

[0023] Server 4 is a software update server where the new update file 41 is placed along with version information 42. Server 4 limits the number of simultaneous connections to prevent the load from exceeding a certain level, and therefore allows the update file 41 to be downloaded only to reserved PBXs.

[0024] Figure 3 shows an example of a download reservation list for a server related to this disclosure. When Server 4 receives an inquiry from the PBX regarding available download times, it returns the available time (date and time) and records the available download time (date and time) and the PBX's IP address in the download reservation list 43, as shown in Figure 3. Server 4 may accept downloads from reserved PBXs and reject those that are not reserved.

[0025] PBX1 is assumed to have the role of determining the software update schedule in advance by the user, and includes a load recording unit 11, a maintenance unit 12, and a schedule determination unit 13. PBX2 and PBX3 each have a load recording unit 11 and a maintenance unit 12.

[0026] The load recording unit 11 records load information of the PBX. Figure 4 is a diagram showing an example of PBX load information according to this disclosure. Referring to Figure 4, the load recording unit 11, as an example, periodically measures CPU usage and network traffic as PBX load information 200 and records them along with the date and time of measurement. The load information 200 may also be the maximum value of the periodically measured values ​​within a given time. Load predictions may be made on an hourly basis based on the recorded load information 200. For example, load predictions may be made from load information 200 recorded for each day of the week. Load predictions may also be made using machine learning.

[0027] The maintenance unit 12 sets maintenance information (start and end times for maintenance services) and performs maintenance services. One example of maintenance services performed by the PBX is the backup process of call recording files. Figure 5 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of the call recording file backup related to this disclosure. Referring to Figure 5, as an example, a backup server 40 is connected to the PBX via the local network 30, and backup software (backup application) is installed on the backup server 40. The PBX stores the recording files 51 to be backed up. As an example, the backup of the recording files 51 is not performed regularly, but rather the backup process is scheduled when the number of recording files 51 in the PBX exceeds 90% of the maximum number of registered files, or when the available capacity of the area for recording files falls below 10%.

[0028] Figure 6 shows an example of setting the backup date and time according to this disclosure. Referring to Figure 6, the maintenance unit 12 is assumed to have the day of the week and time for backups set in advance by the user as setting item 300. The backup will start at the most recent date and time among the pre-set days and times. For example, if the backup date and time are set (setting item 300) as shown in Figure 6, the maintenance unit 12 will, for example, if it detects an excess in the number of audio files on Monday, November 18th, set the backup start time in the implementation item 310 to 1:00 on Saturday, November 23rd, which is the most recent Saturday at 1:00. The backup end time in implementation item 310 is set by estimating the time required for the backup based on the size of the files to be backed up. For example, when backing up a 2GB recording file 51, if the size that can be backed up per second is 1MB, for example, the time required for the backup will be approximately 30 minutes, so the end time will be set to 1:30.

[0029] The scheduling unit 13 of PBX1 determines the schedule for proxy servers and software updates for each PBX. For example, the scheduling unit 13 of PBX1 periodically queries server 4, such as once a day, to see if a new version of the update file 41 is available. If a new version of the update file 41 is available, it obtains the download date and time from server 4. It also obtains load information and maintenance information from other PBXs, PBX2 and PBX3, and determines the schedule for proxy servers and software updates for each PBX. It then notifies PBX2 and PBX3 of the determined schedule information.

[0030] Next, the operation of the first embodiment will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. Figure 7 is a flowchart showing an example of the processing operation of the PBX of the proxy server according to this disclosure. Referring to Figure 7, the processing starts in step S700.

[0031] In step S701, the scheduling unit 13 of PBX1 queries the server 4 periodically, for example, once a day, to see if a new version of the update file 41 is available. If there is no new update file 41 (step S702 NO), the process proceeds to step S703, where it terminates.

[0032] If a new version of update file 41 is available (step S702 YES), step S704 queries server 4 for available download time and obtains the download time from server 4.

[0033] In step S705, load information and maintenance information are requested from and obtained from PBX2 and PBX3. In step S706, based on the received load information and maintenance information, the schedule for the proxy server and software update for each PBX is determined, and the determined schedule information is notified to each PBX. In step S707, PBX1, PBX2, and PBX3 perform the download according to the determined schedule information.

[0034] Figure 8 shows an example of load information and maintenance information related to this disclosure. For example, if the download date and time obtained from server 4 is 11 / 23 01:00~01:30, and the load information (for example, CPU usage) and maintenance information indicating maintenance for PBX1, PBX2, and PBX3 are as shown in Figure 8 (load information and maintenance information 400), then a PBX that does not match the maintenance schedule indicated by the maintenance information at the time of the download obtained from server 4 (for example, 30% or less) will be selected as the substitute server.

[0035] In the example shown in Figure 8, at 01:00 on November 23rd, PBX1's maintenance information indicates maintenance is in progress, PBX2 has a CPU load of 20% and does not show maintenance, and PBX3 is performing call center operations as an example and has a CPU load of 40%. In this case, PBX2 is the only PBX whose load information is below a certain value (for example, below 30%) and does not match the schedule indicating maintenance, so PBX2 is selected as the proxy server.

[0036] Furthermore, among the load information and maintenance information 400, the time when the load information (for example, CPU usage) of both the proxy server PBX2 and the other PBXs is below a certain value and does not match the maintenance information schedule is determined as the download time from the proxy server PBX2 to each PBX.

[0037] In the example shown in Figure 8, the download from proxy server PBX2 to PBX1 is scheduled for 11 / 23 01:30~02:00, and the download from proxy server PBX2 to PBX3 is scheduled for 11 / 23 03:00~03:30, and the information of the decided download schedule is notified to each PBX. Figure 9 is a diagram showing an example of the information of the decided download schedule related to this disclosure. Each PBX sends a download request to the partner server (server 4 (software update server) or proxy server) according to the information 500 of the decided download schedule and executes the download.

[0038] In the example shown in information 500 of the download schedule in Figure 9, the proxy server PBX2 sends a download request to server 4 (software update server) at 01:00 on 11 / 23 and executes the download. At this time, it may also notify server 4 that it is a proxy server for PBX1.

[0039] PBX1 sends a download request to the proxy server PBX2 at 01:30 on 11 / 23 and executes the download. PBX3 sends a download request to the proxy server PBX2 at 03:00 on 11 / 23 and executes the download.

[0040] According to the first embodiment of the present invention, in PBX software updates, the number of PBXs that directly download from the server (software update server) can be reduced, and since the download is performed based on load information and maintenance information of the proxy server, the load on the server (software update server) and the proxy server can be reduced.

[0041] As described above, according to the first embodiment of the present invention, it is possible to provide a PBX, a PBX control method, and a program that contribute to reducing the load on the server and the proxy server during PBX software updates.

[0042] Although embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, and further modifications, substitutions, and adjustments can be made without departing from the basic technical idea of ​​the present invention. For example, the network configuration, the configuration of each element, and the message representation form shown in each drawing are examples to aid in understanding the present invention, and are not limited to the configurations shown in these drawings. Also, "A and / or B" is used to mean at least one of A or B.

[0043] Furthermore, the procedures described in the above-mentioned embodiment and the first embodiment can be implemented by a program that enables a computer (9000 in Figure 10) functioning as a PBX according to the present invention to perform PBX functions. Such a computer is exemplified by a configuration comprising a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 9010, a communication interface 9020, a memory 9030, and an auxiliary storage device 9040, as shown in Figure 10. That is, the CPU 9010 in Figure 10 executes a PBX control program and performs update processing of each calculation parameter held in its auxiliary storage device 9040, etc.

[0044] Memory 9030 refers to RAM (Random Access Memory), ROM (Read Only Memory), etc.

[0045] In other words, each part (processing means, function) of the PBX system shown in the above-described embodiment and the first embodiment can be realized by a computer program that causes the computer's processor to execute each of the above-described processes using its hardware.

[0046] Finally, preferred embodiments of the present invention are summarized. [First form] Each PBX (Private Branch eXchange) A load recording unit that records load information, Among the multiple PBXs, which include a maintenance unit for setting maintenance information, at least one of the PBXs is: The load information and maintenance information of each PBX may be obtained from each PBX, respectively. The at least one of the PBXs may determine a proxy server to perform software updates for each PBX and a schedule for the software updates based on the acquired load information and maintenance information for each PBX. The at least one of the PBXs may further include a schedule determination unit that notifies each of the PBXs of the determined schedule information. [Second form] In the PBX described in the first embodiment, it is preferable to designate one of the multiple PBXs as the proxy server. [Third form] In the PBX described in the first embodiment, the maintenance information preferably includes the start and end times of the maintenance service. [Fourth form] In the PBX described in the first embodiment, the load information preferably includes the CPU usage rate and network traffic of each PBX. [Fifth form] In the PBX described in the first embodiment, it is preferable that the proxy server downloads and obtains update files for each PBX from the software update server and performs the software update on each PBX. [Sixth form] In the PBX described in the first embodiment, it is preferable that the scheduling unit determines the download time for the update file from the proxy server to each of the PBXs when the load information of the proxy server and other PBXs is below a certain value and does not match the maintenance information, and notifies each of the PBXs of the schedule information. [Seventh form] In a PBX control method, Each PBX (Private Branch eXchange) A load recording unit that records load information, At least one of the multiple PBXs, which includes a maintenance unit for setting maintenance information, The computer in at least one of the PBXs, The load information and maintenance information of each PBX may be obtained from each PBX, respectively. The computer may determine a proxy server to perform software updates on each PBX and a schedule for the software updates based on the acquired load information and maintenance information of each PBX. The computer may notify each of the PBXs of the information of the determined schedule. [Eighth form] In the seventh embodiment of the PBX control method, it is preferable that the computer determines one of the multiple PBXs to be the proxy server. [Ninth form] Each PBX (Private Branch eXchange) A load recording unit that records load information, At least one of the multiple PBXs, which includes a maintenance unit for setting maintenance information, The program may cause a computer in at least one of the PBXs to perform a process to obtain the load information and maintenance information of each PBX from each PBX, respectively. The program may cause the computer to execute a process to determine a proxy server that performs software updates on each PBX and a schedule for the software updates, based on the acquired load information and maintenance information of each PBX. The program may cause the computer to execute a process to notify each of the PBXs of the information of the determined schedule. [Tenth form] The program preferably causes the computer to execute a process to determine which of the multiple PBXs the proxy server should be. The seventh and ninth embodiments described above can be expanded into the third to sixth embodiments, similar to the first embodiment.

[0047] Furthermore, the disclosures in the above-mentioned patent documents are incorporated into this work by reference. Within the framework of the full disclosure of the present invention (including the claims), further modifications and adjustments to the embodiments or examples are possible based on the fundamental technical concept. Also, within the framework of the disclosure of the present invention, various combinations or selections of various disclosure elements (including each element of each claim, each element of each embodiment or example, each element of each drawing, etc.) are possible. In other words, the present invention naturally includes the full disclosure, including the claims, and various modifications and alterations that a person skilled in the art could make in accordance with the technical concept. In particular, with respect to the numerical ranges described in this work, any numerical value or sub-range included within that range should be interpreted as being specifically described, even if not otherwise stated. Furthermore, each disclosure item of the above-mentioned cited documents may, if necessary, be used in combination with the items described in this work as part of the disclosure of the present invention, in accordance with the spirit of the present invention, in part or in whole, and this is also considered to be included in the disclosure of this application. [Explanation of symbols]

[0048] PBX1, PBX2, PBX3 PBX 4 servers 10 Systems 11 Load recording section 12 Maintenance Department 13. Schedule Determination Department 20 Networks 30. Local network (or VPN) 40 Backup servers 41 Update files 42 Version Information 43 Download Reservation List 51 Audio files List of 100 PBXs 200 Load information 201 Backup Application 300 setting items 310 Implementation Items 400 Load information and maintenance information Information on the schedule for 500 downloads 9000 Computers 9010 CPU 9020 Communication Interface 9030 memory 9040 Auxiliary storage device

Claims

1. Each PBX (Private Branch Exchange) A load recording unit that records load information, It has a maintenance unit for setting maintenance information, Of the multiple PBXs, at least one of the PBXs is It further includes a schedule determination unit, and the schedule determination unit is A PBX that obtains the load information and maintenance information of each PBX from each PBX, and performs a software update on each PBX based on the obtained load information and maintenance information of each PBX, determines at least one of the PBXs as a proxy server if the load information is below a certain value and does not match the maintenance schedule indicated in the maintenance information, determines the schedule for the software update, and notifies each PBX of the information of the determined schedule.

2. The PBX according to claim 1, wherein one of the multiple PBXs is designated as the proxy server.

3. The PBX according to claim 1, wherein the maintenance information includes the start time and end time of the maintenance service.

4. The PBX according to claim 1, wherein the load information includes the CPU usage rate and network traffic of each PBX.

5. The PBX according to claim 1, wherein the proxy server downloads and obtains update files for each PBX from the software update server and performs the software update on each PBX.

6. The PBX according to claim 1, wherein the schedule determination unit determines the time when the load information load between the proxy server and other PBXs is below a certain value and does not match the maintenance information schedule as the download time for update files from the proxy server to each of the PBXs, and notifies each of the PBXs of the schedule information.

7. Each PBX (Private Branch Exchange) A load recording unit that records load information, It has a maintenance unit for setting maintenance information, Of the multiple PBXs, at least one computer in the PBX, The load information and maintenance information of each PBX are obtained from each PBX, respectively. Based on the acquired load information and maintenance information of each PBX, a software update is performed on each PBX, at least one of the PBXs whose load information is below a certain value and whose maintenance information does not match the schedule indicating maintenance is performed is determined as the proxy server, and the schedule for the software update is determined. A control method for a system including multiple PBXs, which notifies each of the PBXs of the information of the determined schedule.

8. A method for controlling a system including a plurality of PBXs, according to claim 7, wherein the computer determines one of the plurality of PBXs to be the proxy server.

9. Each PBX (Private Branch Exchange) A load recording unit that records load information, It has a maintenance unit for setting maintenance information, A process to obtain the load information and maintenance information of each PBX from each PBX, on a computer in at least one of the multiple PBXs, Based on the acquired load information and maintenance information of each PBX, the process of executing a software update on each PBX, determining at least one of the PBXs as a proxy server if the load information is below a certain value and does not match the maintenance schedule indicated in the maintenance information, and determining the schedule for the software update, A program that executes a process to notify each of the aforementioned PBXs of the information of the determined schedule.

10. The program according to claim 9, which causes the computer to perform a process to determine which of the plurality of PBXs is the proxy server.

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