Relay device, program, and communication method

Abstract

To provide a first subscriber-side relay device, a program, and a communication method that enable batch management of a plurality of functional configuration units by an upper-level device while maintaining freedom of choice in a device configuration.SOLUTION: A first subscriber-side relay device 1 is located between a second subscriber-side relay device 4 connected to a subscriber's terminal device 5, and upper-level devices 2 and 3 located at an upstream side of a processing device 4. The first subscriber-side relay device 1 includes: a second I / F unit 12 that is connected to the second subscriber-side relay device 4; a determination unit 101 that determines whether the second subscriber-side relay device 4 is a predetermined device when it is connected to the second subscriber-side relay device 4 via the second I / F unit 12; and a switching unit 102 that switches to a special management mode in which the first subscriber-side relay device operates in cooperation with the second subscriber-side relay unit 4 and is managed by the upper-level devices 2 and 3 in unison with the second subscriber-side relay unit 4 when the determination unit 101 determines that the second subscriber-side relay device 4 is the predetermined device.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a relay device, a program, and a communication method.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, there is known a relay device such as an ONU (optical network unit) that is managed by a higher-level device installed in a communication carrier's station or the like and relays communication between networks. For example, Patent Document 1 describes an ONU that forms an optical transmission system together with an OLT (optical line terminal) and includes a router unit or the like together with an optical reception unit and a PON control unit. Patent Document 2 describes an ONU that forms an optical transmission system together with an OLT and includes a module that is inserted into a slot of an external node such as an L2 switch, an L3 switch, or a router.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Patent Document 2

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] Incidentally, various functions exist for relaying communication between networks, such as functions for converting signals, including analog-to-digital conversion (A / D conversion) and photoelectric conversion, functions for changing communication protocols, and functions for distributing signals to their destinations. According to the technology described in Patent Document 1, although the components responsible for each function can be managed collectively from a higher-level device, since multiple components are formed as a single unit, each component cannot be changed individually, thus limiting the selection of the device configuration. On the other hand, according to the technology described in Patent Document 2, although the degree of freedom in selecting the device configuration is improved because each component can be made separate, there was room for improvement in terms of manageability by the higher-level device.

[0005] The present invention aims to provide a relay device, program, and communication method that offer a high degree of freedom in selecting the device configuration and enable centralized management of multiple components by a higher-level device. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] (1) The relay device is a relay device arranged between a processing device connected to a subscriber's terminal device and a higher-level device arranged upstream of the processing device, and comprises a connection unit connected to the subscriber-side relay device, a determination unit that determines whether the processing device is a predetermined device when connected to the processing device via the connection unit, and a switching unit that, when the determination unit determines that the processing device is a predetermined device, operates in cooperation with the processing device and switches to a special management mode in which it is managed by the higher-level device as an integral part of the processing device.

[0007] (2) In the relay device described in (1), if the determination unit determines that the processing device is not a predetermined device, the switching unit switches to a general-purpose management mode in which the device is managed by the higher-level device without cooperating with the processing device.

[0008] (3) The relay device described in (1) or (2) includes an execution unit that performs processing according to the mode switched by the switching unit.

[0009] (4) The relay device described in any one of (1) to (4) is an optical line termination device that is connected to the above-level device by an optical line and communicates with the above-level device by optical signals.

[0010] (5) In the relay device described in any one of (1) to (5), the determination unit determines that the processing device is the predetermined device when the relay device is connected to the processing device and receives a predetermined signal from the processing device within a predetermined time.

[0011] (6) The program includes a computer in a relay device located between a processing device connected to a subscriber's terminal device and a higher-level device located upstream of the processing device, which performs a determination function to determine whether the processing device is a predetermined device when connected to the processing device via a connection part connected to the processing device, and a switching process to switch to a special management mode in which the processing device works in cooperation with the processing device and is managed by the higher-level device together with the processing device, if the determination function determines that the processing device is a predetermined device.

[0012] (7) A communication method is a communication method performed by a relay device positioned between a processing device connected to a subscriber's terminal device and a higher-level device positioned upstream of the processing device, and includes a determination step of determining whether the processing device is a predetermined device when connected to the processing device via a connection part connected to the processing device, and a switching step of switching to a special management mode in which the relay device operates in cooperation with the processing device and is managed by the higher-level device together with the processing device, if the determination step determines that the processing device is a predetermined device. [Effects of the Invention]

[0013] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a relay device, program, and communication method that offer a high degree of freedom in selecting the device configuration and enable centralized management of multiple components by a higher-level device. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0014] [Figure 1] This is a schematic diagram showing a communication system relating to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] This is a block diagram showing the configuration of the hardware and functional blocks of a higher-level monitoring server for a communication system according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 3] This is a block diagram showing the configuration of the hardware and functional blocks of the higher-level communication device of a communication system according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 4] This is a block diagram showing the configuration of the hardware and functional blocks of a first subscriber-side relay device in a communication system according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 5] This table shows the correspondence between the type of control frame and the processing destination that handles the control frame in special management modes. [Figure 6] This flowchart shows an example of the flow of mode switching processing performed by the first subscriber-side relay device of a communication system according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 7] This flowchart shows an example of processing performed by a first subscriber-side relay device in a communication system according to one embodiment of the present invention in special management mode. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0015] The following describes a communication system S according to an embodiment of the present invention. However, the present invention is not limited to the following embodiments. Furthermore, the figures referenced in the following description merely provide a schematic representation of the shape, size, and positional relationships to the extent that the contents of this disclosure can be understood. In other words, the present invention is not limited to the shapes, sizes, and positional relationships exemplified in the figures.

[0016] The overall configuration of the communication system S according to one embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to Figure 1. Figure 1 is a schematic diagram showing the communication system S according to this embodiment.

[0017] The communication system S according to this embodiment is a system that forms a network and provides various communication services such as video content to subscribers. The communication system S includes an upper monitoring server 2 as an upper device, an upper communication device 3 as an upper device, a relay device (hereinafter referred to as the first subscriber-side relay device) 1, and a processing device (hereinafter referred to as the second subscriber-side relay device) 4 connected to the terminal device 5 of the subscriber. In this specification, a subscriber is a user who uses the communication services provided by the communication system S according to this embodiment.

[0018] The upper monitoring server 2 is a device that controls the operations of the upper communication device 3, the first subscriber-side relay device 1, etc. The upper monitoring server 2 is connected to the upper communication device 3 via the communication line P1.

[0019] The upper communication device 3 is a communication device installed in the premises of a communication carrier that provides communication services. The upper communication device 3 is, for example, an OLT (optical line terminal) as an optical line termination device that communicates by optical signals. The upper communication device 3 is connected to the upper communication network NW and the upper monitoring server 2 via the communication line P1, and is connected to a plurality of first subscriber-side relay devices 1 via the communication line P2 and the optical splitter 6. The communication line P1 is composed of, for example, a communication cable that conducts electrical signals. The communication line P2 is an optical line composed of, for example, an optical fiber cable. Note that the upper communication device 3 is not limited to an OLT.

[0020] The first subscriber-side relay device 1 is a communication device installed on the facility side of the subscriber receiving the communication service and managed by the upper-level monitoring server 2 and the upper-level communication device 3. Examples of the first subscriber-side relay device 1 include an L2 switch, a modem that modulates and demodulates signals, and an ONU (optical network unit). An L2 switch is a network relay device that determines the destination of a frame based on the data link layer communication data of the OSI (Open Systems Interconnection) reference model and performs data transfer. In this embodiment, the first subscriber-side relay device 1 is an ONU, which is an optical line termination device that communicates with the upper-level communication device 3 using optical signals.

[0021] As shown in Figure 1, in the communication system S according to this embodiment, multiple first subscriber-side relay devices 1, which function as an ONU, are connected to the upper-level communication device 3, which is an OLT, via an optical splitter 6 and a communication line P2 that has been branched into multiple paths by the optical splitter 6. A PON access system S1 using a PON (passive optical network) is formed by this upper-level communication device 3, the multiple first subscriber-side relay devices 1, the optical splitter 6, the communication line P2, etc.

[0022] Furthermore, the first subscriber-side relay device 1 is connected to the second subscriber-side relay device 4 downstream of the network formed by the communication system S. That is, the first subscriber-side relay device 1 is positioned between the upper-level communication device 3 and upper-level monitoring server 2, which are located upstream of the second subscriber-side relay device 4 in the network, and the second subscriber-side relay device 4. In this embodiment, the ONU as the first subscriber-side relay device 1 is described as being formed in a stick shape that can be attached to and detached from the second subscriber-side relay device 4, but it is not limited to this form.

[0023] The second subscriber-side relay device 4 is connected to the first subscriber-side relay device 1 and also to multiple terminal devices 5 via the communication line P3. The second subscriber-side relay device 4 is a component device that has a route selection function for relaying communication between the PON access system S1 and the subscriber's terminal devices 5. The second subscriber-side relay device 4 performs the process of forwarding data received from the first subscriber-side relay device 1 to the destination terminal device 5 and forwarding data received from the terminal devices 5 to the first subscriber-side relay device 1.

[0024] The communication line P3 may be a wired communication line or a wireless communication line. The subscriber's terminal device 5 may be, for example, a desktop computer or a laptop computer (PC), a mobile device such as a smartphone or tablet, a television with a tuner, or a simple display without a tuner.

[0025] Examples of the second subscriber-side relay device 4 include L2 switches, L3 switches, and routers. L3 switches and routers are network relay devices that determine the destination of packets and transfer data based on the communication data of the network layer of the OSI reference model.

[0026] Here, we will describe an example of the configuration of the second subscriber-side relay device 4 connected to the first subscriber-side relay device 1 of the communication system S of this embodiment.

[0027] The second subscriber-side relay device 4 is a router comprising, for example, a housing (not shown) having a slot section (not shown) capable of accommodating the first subscriber-side relay device 1, a first port section 41 formed in the slot section, a second port section 42, a storage section (not shown), and a display section (not shown). The first port section 41 is an interface for communicating with the first subscriber-side relay device 1, and the second port section 42 is an interface for communicating with the terminal device 5.

[0028] The first subscriber-side relay device 1 is inserted into the slot of the second subscriber-side relay device 4, and the second I / F section 12 of the first subscriber-side relay device 1 (described later) is connected to the first port section 41 of the second subscriber-side relay device 4, thereby integrating it with the second subscriber-side relay device 4. This makes it possible to save space for the installation of the relay devices. The second subscriber-side relay device 4 may not be directly connected to the first subscriber-side relay device 1, but may be connected via a wired communication line or via a wireless communication line. With such a configuration, the first subscriber-side relay device 1 and the second subscriber-side relay device 4 can be connected at a certain distance apart, improving the flexibility of installation.

[0029] Furthermore, the storage unit of the second subscriber-side relay device 4 stores a routing table that shows the correspondence between each second port unit 42 and the terminal device 5 connected to the second port unit 42. The display unit is provided with a display device such as an LED to show the connection status of external devices via the first port unit 41 and the second port unit 42. For example, the display unit may be configured so that LEDs corresponding to the ports to which the first subscriber-side relay device 1 or the terminal device 5 is connected light up to reflect data transmission and reception.

[0030] Next, we will describe an example of the hardware configuration included in the communication system S. First, we will describe the upper-level monitoring server 2 with reference to Figure 2. Figure 2 is a block diagram showing the hardware and functional block configuration of the upper-level monitoring server 2.

[0031] The upper-level monitoring server 2 comprises an I / F unit 21, a storage unit 22, and a processing unit 20.

[0032] The I / F unit 21 is an interface for the upper-level monitoring server 2 to communicate with the upper-level communication device 3 and the first subscriber-side relay device 1 via the communication line P1. The upper-level monitoring server 2 may have multiple I / F units 21 and be configured to communicate with multiple upper-level communication devices 3 via the I / F units 21 and the communication line P1.

[0033] The storage unit 22 stores information about the multiple connected higher-level communication devices 3 and information about the multiple first subscriber-side relay devices 1 connected to those higher-level communication devices 3. For example, the storage unit 22 stores the MAC addresses of the higher-level communication devices 3 and the first subscriber-side relay devices 1 connected to the higher-level communication devices 3, as well as routing information within the PON access system S1.

[0034] The processing unit 20 is an arithmetic unit composed of a processor, which reads various programs and data from the storage unit 22 and performs predetermined data processing. The processor is, for example, a CPU (central processing unit), MPU (micro processing unit), SoC (system on a chip), DSP (digital signal processor), GPU (graphics processing unit), VPU (vision processing unit), ASIC (application specific integrated circuit), PLD (programmable logic device), or FPGA (field-programmable gate array). The processing unit 20 includes a management unit 201 and a transmission processing unit 202.

[0035] The management unit 201 performs processes to manage the upper-level communication device 3, the multiple first subscriber-side relay devices 1 connected to the upper-level communication device 3, and the multiple second subscriber-side relay devices 4 connected to the first subscriber-side relay devices 1. For example, the management unit 201 may acquire information regarding the upper-level communication device 3, the first subscriber-side relay devices 1, and the second subscriber-side relay devices 4 connected to the first subscriber-side relay devices 1, and determine the content of the processes to control the operation of the upper-level communication device 3, the first subscriber-side relay devices 1, and the second subscriber-side relay devices 4 based on the acquired information. Alternatively, for example, the management unit 201 may determine the content of the processes to control the operation of the upper-level communication device 3, the first subscriber-side relay devices 1, and the second subscriber-side relay devices 4 based on operations performed by an administrator such as a telecommunications carrier.

[0036] The transmission processing unit 202 generates control signals to control the operation of the upper-level communication device 3, the first subscriber-side relay device 1, and the second subscriber-side relay device 4 based on the processing content determined by the management unit 201, and executes the process of transmitting these signals to the upper-level communication device 3, the first subscriber-side relay device 1, and the second subscriber-side relay device 4.

[0037] Next, the higher-level communication device 3 will be explained with reference to Figure 3. Figure 3 is a block diagram showing the hardware and functional block configuration of the higher-level communication device 3.

[0038] The higher-level communication device 3 comprises a first I / F unit 31, a second I / F unit 32, a photoelectric conversion unit 33, a storage unit 34, and a processing unit 30.

[0039] The first interface section 31 is an interface for the higher-level communication device 3 to communicate with other communication devices via the higher-level monitoring server 2 and the higher-level communication network NW.

[0040] The second I / F section 32 is an interface for communicating with the first subscriber-side relay device 1, etc., via the optical splitter 6, etc.

[0041] The photoelectric conversion unit 33 is an optical transceiver that converts electrical signals to optical signals and optical signals to electrical signals. The photoelectric conversion unit 33 converts the optical signal transmitted from the first subscriber-side relay device 1 via the second I / F unit 32 into an electrical signal and transmits it to the processing unit 30. The photoelectric conversion unit 33 also converts the electrical signal transmitted from the processing unit 30 into an optical signal and transmits it to the first subscriber-side relay device 1 via the second I / F unit 32.

[0042] The storage unit 34 stores information about multiple first subscriber-side relay devices 1 connected via the optical splitter 6, and information about multiple second subscriber-side relay devices 4 connected to these first subscriber-side relay devices 1. More specifically, the storage unit 34 stores, for example, the MAC address of the first subscriber-side relay device 1 connected to the higher-level communication device 3, routing information within the PON access system S1, the MAC address of the second subscriber-side relay device 4 connected to the first subscriber-side relay device 1, and routing information such as routing tables stored by the second subscriber-side relay device 4.

[0043] The processing unit 30 is an arithmetic unit composed of a processor, which reads various programs and data from the storage unit 34 and performs predetermined data processing. The processor is, for example, a CPU (central processing unit), MPU (micro processing unit), SoC (system on a chip), DSP (digital signal processor), GPU (graphics processing unit), VPU (vision processing unit), ASIC (application specific integrated circuit), PLD (programmable logic device), or FPGA (field-programmable gate array). The processing unit 30 includes an authentication function unit 301, a management unit 302, and a transmission processing unit 303.

[0044] The authentication function unit 301, upon connecting to the first subscriber-side relay device 1 via the second I / F unit 32, determines whether the establishment of the data link between the upper-level communication device 3 and the first subscriber-side relay device 1 is normal and executes an authentication process. Specifically, when the first subscriber-side relay device 1 is connected via the second I / F unit 32, the authentication function unit 301 sends and receives signals with the first subscriber-side relay device 1 and determines that the establishment of the data link is normal if predetermined conditions are met. After the PON link is established, the authentication function unit 301 accesses the first subscriber-side relay device 1 to identify the connection partner of the first subscriber-side relay device 1, obtains the authentication mode data within it, and performs authentication. Authentication modes include MAC address authentication mode and automatic authentication mode.

[0045] The MAC address authentication mode manages each first subscriber-side relay device 1 based on its MAC address, and each first subscriber-side relay device 1 can be identified by pre-registering its MAC address in the authentication function unit 301. The automatic authentication mode authenticates all connected logical links and allows the communication of the main signal, and does not require tasks such as registering the MAC address of the first subscriber-side relay device 1. For example, it can be managed using the value of the ONU number switch implemented in the first subscriber-side relay device 1.

[0046] The management unit 302 performs processing to manage a plurality of first subscriber-side relay devices 1 connected via the second I / F unit 32, a plurality of second subscriber-side relay devices 4 connected to the first subscriber-side relay devices 1, and a plurality of terminal devices 5 connected to the second subscriber-side relay devices 4. For example, the management unit 302 may acquire information about the first subscriber-side relay devices 1 and the second subscriber-side relay devices 4 connected to the first subscriber-side relay devices 1, and determine the content of the processing to control the operation of the first subscriber-side relay devices 1 and the second subscriber-side relay devices 4 based on the acquired information. Alternatively, for example, the management unit 302 may determine the content of the processing to control the operation of the first subscriber-side relay devices 1 and the second subscriber-side relay devices 4 based on operations by an administrator such as a telecommunications carrier.

[0047] The transmission processing unit 303 generates control signals to control the operation of the first subscriber-side relay device 1 and the second subscriber-side relay device 4 based on the processing content determined by the management unit 302, and executes the process of transmitting these signals to the first subscriber-side relay device 1 and the second subscriber-side relay device 4. The control signals may be, for example, signals that cause a firmware update process to be executed or signals that cause a device to reboot, or signals that cause a process to be executed to transmit information regarding the connection status of the first subscriber-side relay device 1 with the second subscriber-side relay device 4 or information regarding the connection status of the second subscriber-side relay device 4 with terminal devices 5, etc., to the higher-level communication device 3.

[0048] Next, the first subscriber-side relay device 1 will be described with reference to Figure 4. Figure 4 is a block diagram showing the hardware and functional block configuration of the first subscriber-side relay device 1.

[0049] The first subscriber-side relay device 1 comprises a first I / F unit 11, a second I / F unit 12 as a connection unit, a photoelectric conversion unit 13, a storage unit 14, and a processing unit 10.

[0050] The first I / F unit 11 is an interface for the first subscriber-side relay device 1 to communicate with the higher-level communication device 3 and the higher-level monitoring server 2 via the communication line P2 and the optical splitter 6. In other words, the first I / F unit 11 is connected to the higher-level communication device 3 and the higher-level monitoring server 2 via the communication line P2 and the like.

[0051] The second interface unit 12 is an interface for the first subscriber-side relay device 1 to communicate with the second subscriber-side relay device 4 via the communication line P3, etc. In other words, the second interface unit 12 is connected to the second subscriber-side relay device 4.

[0052] The photoelectric conversion unit 13 is an optical transceiver that converts electrical signals to optical signals and optical signals to electrical signals. For example, the photoelectric conversion unit 13 converts an optical signal transmitted from the host communication device 3 via the first I / F unit 11 into an electrical signal and transmits it to the processing unit 10. The photoelectric conversion unit 13 also converts electrical signals transmitted from the first subscriber-side relay device 1 and electrical signals transmitted from the processing unit 10 via the second I / F unit 12 into optical signals and transmits them to the host communication device 3 via the first I / F unit 11.

[0053] The memory unit 14 stores information about the first subscriber-side relay device 1 itself and information about multiple second subscriber-side relay devices 4 connected to the first subscriber-side relay device 1. Information about the first subscriber-side relay device 1 includes, for example, the MAC address of the first subscriber-side relay device 1, its connection status with the higher-level communication device 3, and the connection status of the second subscriber-side relay devices 4 at the first subscriber-side relay device 1. Information about the second subscriber-side relay devices 4 includes, for example, the MAC address of the second subscriber-side relay device 4, the MAC address of the terminal device 5 connected to the second subscriber-side relay device 4, and routing information such as the routing table stored by the second subscriber-side relay device 4.

[0054] The processing unit 10 is an arithmetic unit composed of a processor, which reads various programs and data from the storage unit 14 and performs predetermined data processing. One of the main processes performed by the processing unit 10 is to switch the operating mode of the first subscriber-side relay device 1 between two modes, which will be described later. The processor is, for example, a CPU (central processing unit), MPU (micro processing unit), SoC (system on a chip), DSP (digital signal processor), GPU (graphics processing unit), VPU (vision processing unit), ASIC (application specific integrated circuit), PLD (programmable logic device), or FPGA (field-programmable gate array). The processing unit 10 includes a determination unit 101, a switching unit 102, a control frame acquisition unit 103, and an execution unit 104.

[0055] The determination unit 101 performs a process to determine whether the second subscriber-side relay device 4 is a predetermined device when connected to the second subscriber-side relay device 4 via the second I / F unit 12. For example, the determination unit 101 determines that the second subscriber-side relay device 4 is a predetermined device if it receives an identification signal from the second subscriber-side relay device 4 within a predetermined time when connected to the second subscriber-side relay device 4 via the second I / F unit 12. On the other hand, the determination unit 101 determines that the second subscriber-side relay device 4 is not a predetermined device if it does not receive an identification signal from the second subscriber-side relay device 4 within a predetermined time when connected to the second subscriber-side relay device 4 via the second I / F unit 12. The identification signal is a signal used to identify whether the second subscriber-side relay device 4 is a predetermined device. The second subscriber-side relay device 4, being a predetermined device, transmits an identification signal when connected to the first subscriber-side relay device 1 via the second I / F unit 12 and the first port unit 41. The predetermined device is a dedicated device corresponding to the first subscriber-side relay device 1. The determination unit 101 may also be configured to determine whether the second subscriber-side relay device 4 is a predetermined device without relying on an identification signal. For example, the first subscriber-side relay device 1 may have a first connection part of a first shape and a second connection part of a second shape different from the first shape, and if the second subscriber-side relay device 4 is connected to the first connection part, it may be determined that the second subscriber-side relay device 4 is a predetermined device, and if the second subscriber-side relay device 4 is connected to the second connection part, it may be determined that the second subscriber-side relay device 4 is not a predetermined device.

[0056] The switching unit 102 executes a process to switch the operating mode of the first subscriber-side relay device 1 between special management mode and general management mode based on the determination result by the determination unit 101. In special management mode, the first subscriber-side relay device 1 operates in cooperation with the second subscriber-side relay device 4 and is managed by higher-level devices such as the higher-level monitoring server 2 and the higher-level communication device 3 as an integrated unit with the second subscriber-side relay device 4. In general management mode, the first subscriber-side relay device 1 operates without cooperation with the second subscriber-side relay device 4 and is managed by higher-level devices such as the higher-level monitoring server 2 and the higher-level communication device 3. The switching unit 102 switches to special management mode when the determination unit 101 determines that the second subscriber-side relay device 4 is a predetermined device, and switches to general management mode when the determination unit 101 determines that the second subscriber-side relay device 4 is not a predetermined device.

[0057] The control frame acquisition unit 103 performs the process of acquiring control frames based on control signals transmitted from higher-level devices such as the upper-level monitoring server 2 and the upper-level communication device 3 via the first I / F unit 11. Specifically, the control frame acquisition unit 103 acquires control frames by performing electrical processing to convert the control signals, which have been converted into electrical signals by the photoelectric conversion unit 13, into frames based on the communication protocol used between the upper-level communication device 3 and the first subscriber-side relay device 1. A control frame is a frame that can be read by the first subscriber-side relay device 1 and the second subscriber-side relay device 4, and contains information for controlling the operation of the first subscriber-side relay device 1 and the second subscriber-side relay device 4.

[0058] The execution unit 104 performs predetermined data processing according to the mode selected by the switching unit 102. In special management mode, the execution unit 104 causes the first subscriber-side relay device 1 to operate in coordination with the second subscriber-side relay device 4.

[0059] An example of processing performed by the execution unit 104 in special management mode will be described. The execution unit 104 performs a process of sending and receiving communication confirmation data with the second subscriber-side relay device 4 at predetermined time intervals. Examples of communication confirmation data include OAM (Operation Administration and Maintenance) packets. The predetermined time interval may be, for example, 1 second, a shorter interval than 1 second, or a longer interval than 1 second. The first subscriber-side relay device 1 and the second subscriber-side relay device 4 can confirm whether the connection between them is maintained by sending and receiving communication confirmation data. In addition, the first subscriber-side relay device 1 and the second subscriber-side relay device 4 can share information about themselves by transmitting it in the communication confirmation data. For example, the first subscriber-side relay device 1 may receive information about the terminal device 5 connected to the second subscriber-side relay device 4, the routing table held by the second subscriber-side relay device 4, the update status of various software, power information indicating the ON / OFF status of the device's power, etc., and update the information about the second subscriber-side relay device 4 stored in the storage unit 14. Also, if the second subscriber-side relay device 4 does not receive communication confirmation data from the first subscriber-side relay device 1 inserted into the slot after a predetermined time has elapsed, for example, it may notify the first subscriber-side relay device 1 that communication has been disconnected by voice or LED illumination.

[0060] In the special management mode, the execution unit 104 either processes the control frame at the first subscriber-side relay device 1 or forwards the control frame to the second subscriber-side relay device 4, depending on the type of control frame acquired by the control frame acquisition unit 103. Figure 5 is Table T, which shows the correspondence between the type of control frame and the processing destination that processes the control frame. Specifically, Table T shows information about the processing name, a summary of the processing, and the processing destination where the processing is executed, starting from the left column of the page.

[0061] When the execution unit 104 obtains a control frame, for example, by the control frame acquisition unit 103, it refers to the table T stored in the storage unit 14 and determines the processing destination of the control frame. If the processing destination of the control frame is the first subscriber-side relay device 1, the execution unit 104 executes processing based on the control frame itself, and if the processing destination of the control frame is the second subscriber-side relay device 4, it forwards the control frame to the second subscriber-side relay device 4.

[0062] For example, if the control frame is a frame relating to process A, the execution unit 104 sends a response frame to the higher-level communication device 3 that includes information about process A from the first subscriber-side relay device 1 and information about process A from the second subscriber-side relay device 4 obtained through the transmission and reception of communication confirmation data. On the other hand, if the control frame is a frame relating to process B, the execution unit 104 forwards the control frame to the second subscriber-side relay device 4. The execution unit 104 then transmits the response frame for process B from the second subscriber-side relay device 4 to the higher-level communication device 3. At this time, the execution unit 104 rewrites the source MAC address shown in the header of the response frame from the MAC address of the second subscriber-side relay device 4 to the MAC address of the first subscriber-side relay device 1 and transmits it to the higher-level communication device 3. This makes it possible to make the higher-level device see a response frame originating from the second subscriber-side relay device 4 as a frame processed by the first subscriber-side relay device 1 and transmitted from the first subscriber-side relay device 1. In other words, from the perspective of the higher-level device, the first subscriber-side relay device 1 and the second subscriber-side relay device 4 can appear as if they were a single device. Therefore, the first subscriber-side relay device 1, which is managed by the higher-level device, can relay communication between itself and communication devices located on different networks than the second subscriber-side relay device 4 and terminal devices 5 under its control, using MAC addresses instead of IP addresses. In other words, the higher-level communication device 3 can manage communication with the first subscriber-side relay device 1 and its subordinate devices based on the communication protocol of Layer 2 of the OSI reference model.

[0063] For example, if the execution unit 104 receives a control frame that triggers a process to update the device's firmware, it executes the process to update the firmware of the first subscriber-side relay device 1 and also executes the process to forward the control frame to the second subscriber-side relay device 4. As a result, the second subscriber-side relay device 4 executes the process to update its firmware based on the control frame. This allows the firmware of both the first subscriber-side relay device 1 and the second subscriber-side relay device 4 to be updated simultaneously.

[0064] On the other hand, in general-purpose management mode, the execution unit 104 does not perform any processing that cooperates with the second subscriber-side relay device 4. Specifically, the execution unit 104 does not perform any processing such as sending and receiving OAM packets with the second subscriber-side relay device 4, distributing the destination of control frames according to the type of control frame, or rewriting the MAC address of the second subscriber-side relay device 4 to the MAC address of the first subscriber-side relay device 1. As a result, for example, when data is sent upstream from the second subscriber-side relay device 4, the source of the MAC address of this frame will remain that of the second subscriber-side relay device 4 when it is delivered to the upper-level monitoring server 2 or upper-level communication device 3. As a result, upper-level devices such as the upper-level monitoring server 2 and upper-level communication device 3 recognize the existence of the second subscriber-side relay device 4 and will send control frames not only to the first subscriber-side relay device 1 but also to the second subscriber-side relay device 4 as the destination. In other words, the upper-level devices will manage the first subscriber-side relay device 1 and the second subscriber-side relay device 4 separately.

[0065] Next, an example of the mode switching process performed by the processing unit 10 of the first subscriber-side relay device 1 will be explained with reference to Figure 6. Figure 6 is a flowchart showing an example of the flow of the mode switching process performed by the first subscriber-side relay device 1 of the communication system S. The mode switching process starts, for example, when the first subscriber-side relay device 1 is started up while the first subscriber-side relay device 1 is connected to the second subscriber-side relay device 4.

[0066] As shown in Figure 6, in step S10, the determination unit 101 determines whether or not it has received an identification signal from the second subscriber-side relay device 4. If the determination unit 101 receives an identification signal from the second subscriber-side relay device 4 within a predetermined time after receiving a connection signal indicating that it has been connected to the second subscriber-side relay device 4 via the second I / F unit 12 (YES in step S10), it proceeds to step S11. On the other hand, if the determination unit 101 has not received an identification signal from the second subscriber-side relay device 4 within a predetermined time after receiving a connection signal indicating that it has been connected to the second subscriber-side relay device 4 via the second I / F unit 12 (NO in step S10), it proceeds to step S13.

[0067] In step S11, the switching unit 102 switches the mode of the first subscriber-side relay device 1 to special management mode and proceeds to step S12.

[0068] In step S12, the execution unit 104 performs processing in special management mode. An example of processing in special management mode will be described later.

[0069] In step S13, the switching unit 102 switches the mode of the first subscriber-side relay device 1 to general-purpose management mode according to the determination result in step S10. As a result, the first subscriber-side relay device 1 operates in general-purpose management mode (step ST14).

[0070] Next, an example of processing performed by the first subscriber-side relay device 1 of the communication system S in special management mode will be described. Figure 7 is a flowchart showing an example of processing performed by the first subscriber-side relay device 1 of the communication system S in special management mode.

[0071] In step S20, the execution unit 104 performs the process of sending and receiving OAM packets with the second subscriber-side relay device 4 connected via the second I / F unit 12. At this time, the first subscriber-side relay device 1 and the second subscriber-side relay device 4 send and receive device configuration information and the like in the OAM packets.

[0072] In step S21, the execution unit 104 determines whether or not it has received a control frame from the higher-level communication device 3. If the execution unit 104 determines that it has received a control frame from the higher-level communication device 3 (YES in step S21), it proceeds to step S22. On the other hand, if the execution unit 104 determines that it has not received a control frame from the higher-level communication device 3, it returns to step S20 and executes the process of step S20 after a predetermined time has elapsed.

[0073] In step S22, the execution unit 104 determines whether the second subscriber-side relay device 4 is included as a processing destination for the control frame acquired in step S21. For example, the execution unit 104 may determine the processing destination for the control frame by referring to table T, which shows the correspondence between the type of acquired control frame and the processing destination for the control frame. If the execution unit 104 determines that the second subscriber-side relay device 4 is not included as a processing destination for the control frame (NO in step S22), it proceeds to step S23. Then, in step S23, the execution unit 104 executes processing based on the control frame acquired in step S21, and in step S24 transmits the response frame generated based on the processing result to the higher-level communication device 3. After completing the processing in step S24, the execution unit 104 returns to step S20. On the other hand, if the execution unit 104 determines that the second subscriber-side relay device 4 is included as a processing destination for the control frame (YES in step S22), it proceeds to step S25.

[0074] In step S25, the execution unit 104 forwards the control frame to the second subscriber-side relay device 4. At this time, if the execution unit 104 determines that the first subscriber-side relay device 1 is also included as a destination for processing the control frame, it performs processing based on the control frame acquired in step S21, similar to step S23, and generates a response frame based on the processing result.

[0075] In step S26, the execution unit 104 receives a response frame generated by the second subscriber-side relay device 4 from the second subscriber-side relay device 4.

[0076] In step S27, the execution unit 104 rewrites the MAC address of the second subscriber-side relay device 4, which is shown in the response frame received in step S26, to the MAC address of the first subscriber-side relay device 1.

[0077] In step S28, the execution unit 104 transmits the response frame with the MAC address rewritten in step S26 to the higher-level communication device 3. After completing the processing in step S28, the execution unit 104 returns the process to step S20. If the first subscriber-side relay device 1 is included as a processing destination for the control frame determined in step S22, the execution unit 104 also transmits the response frame generated by the first subscriber-side relay device 1 to the higher-level communication device 3.

[0078] According to the embodiments described above, the following effects are achieved.

[0079] The first subscriber-side relay device 1 according to this embodiment is a relay device 1 positioned between a second subscriber-side relay device 4 connected to a subscriber's terminal device 5 and a higher-level monitoring server 2 and / or a higher-level communication device 3 positioned upstream of the second subscriber-side relay device 4, and comprises a second I / F unit 12 connected to the second subscriber-side relay device 4, a determination unit 101 that determines whether the second subscriber-side relay device 4 is a predetermined device when connected to the second subscriber-side relay device 4 via the second I / F unit 12, and a switching unit 102 that, if the determination unit 101 determines that the second subscriber-side relay device 4 is a predetermined device, operates in cooperation with the second subscriber-side relay device 4 and switches to a special management mode in which it is managed by the higher-level monitoring server 2 and / or a higher-level communication device 3 as an integral part of the second subscriber-side relay device 4.

[0080] As a result, the first subscriber-side relay device 1 is configured to be connectable to and disconnectable from the second subscriber-side relay device 4. This allows for the separate exchange of components, for example, the second subscriber-side relay device 4, which has router functionality, and the first subscriber-side relay device 1, which functions as an ONU, enabling greater flexibility in selecting the device configuration. Therefore, the functions of the second subscriber-side relay device 4 and the first subscriber-side relay device 1 can be updated to match the frequency of updates to their respective standards and technological trends as technology advances. Furthermore, if the second subscriber-side relay device 4 connected to the first subscriber-side relay device 1 is a predetermined device, centralized management of the first subscriber-side relay device 1 and the second subscriber-side relay device 4 becomes possible by a higher-level device such as a higher-level communication device 3. Thus, it becomes possible to achieve both manageability of the relay devices by a higher-level device and freedom in selecting the device configuration.

[0081] Furthermore, in the first subscriber-side relay device 1 according to this embodiment, if the determination unit 101 determines that the second subscriber-side relay device 4 is not a predetermined device, the switching unit 102 switches to a general-purpose management mode managed by the higher-level monitoring server 2 and / or higher-level communication device 3 without cooperating with the second subscriber-side relay device 4.

[0082] This ensures that even if the second subscriber-side relay device 4 is not the designated device corresponding to the first subscriber-side relay device 1, it can still be reliably managed by the higher-level device.

[0083] Furthermore, the first subscriber-side relay device 1 according to this embodiment includes an execution unit 104 that performs processing according to the mode switched by the switching unit 102.

[0084] This allows the higher-level device to more reliably centrally manage both the first subscriber-side relay device 1 and the second subscriber-side relay device 4, provided that the second subscriber-side relay device 4 is a predetermined device corresponding to the first subscriber-side relay device 1.

[0085] Furthermore, the first subscriber-side relay device 1 according to this embodiment is connected to the upper-level monitoring server 2 and / or upper-level communication device 3 by an optical line, and is an optical line termination device that communicates with the upper-level monitoring server 2 and / or upper-level communication device 3 using optical signals.

[0086] This simplifies the management of equipment in high-speed, economical optical signal communication, and allows for greater flexibility in equipment configuration.

[0087] Furthermore, in the first subscriber-side relay device 1 according to this embodiment, the determination unit 101 determines that the second subscriber-side relay device 4 is a predetermined device when the first subscriber-side relay device 1 is connected to the second subscriber-side relay device 4 and receives an identification signal from the second subscriber-side relay device 4 within a predetermined time.

[0088] This makes it possible to easily determine whether the connected second subscriber-side relay device 4 is a device that operates in cooperation with the first subscriber-side relay device 1.

[0089] Furthermore, the program according to this embodiment includes a computer included in the first subscriber-side relay device 1, which is located between the second subscriber-side relay device 4 connected to the subscriber's terminal device 5 and the upper-level monitoring server 2 and / or upper-level communication device 3 located upstream of the second subscriber-side relay device 4. This computer is connected to the second subscriber-side relay device 4 via a second I / F unit 12 connected to the second subscriber-side relay device 4 and performs a determination function to determine whether the second subscriber-side relay device 4 is a predetermined device. If the determination function determines that the second subscriber-side relay device 4 is a predetermined device, the computer performs a switching process that operates in cooperation with the second subscriber-side relay device 4 and switches to a special management mode in which it is managed by the upper-level monitoring server 2 and / or upper-level communication device 3 as an integrated unit with the second subscriber-side relay device 4.

[0090] Furthermore, the communication method according to this embodiment is a communication method executed by a first subscriber-side relay device 1, which is positioned between a second subscriber-side relay device 4 connected to a subscriber's terminal device 5 and a higher-level monitoring server 2 and / or a higher-level communication device 3 positioned upstream of the second subscriber-side relay device 4, and includes a determination step of determining whether the second subscriber-side relay device 4 is a predetermined device when connected to the second subscriber-side relay device 4 via a second I / F unit 12 connected to the second subscriber-side relay device 4, and a switching step of switching to a special management mode in which the first subscriber-side relay device 1 operates in cooperation with the second subscriber-side relay device 4 and is managed by the higher-level monitoring server 2 and / or a higher-level communication device 3 as an integral part of the second subscriber-side relay device 4, if the determination step determines that the second subscriber-side relay device 4 is a predetermined device.

[0091] Although embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above and can be modified as appropriate.

[0092] In the above embodiment, a plurality of first subscriber-side relay devices 1, which are ONUs, were connected to an upper-level communication device 3, which is an OLT, to form a PON access system S1. However, for example, the upper-level communication device 3 may be a DSLAM (Digital Subscriber Line Access Multiplexer), the first subscriber-side relay devices 1 may be ADSL (Asymmetric Digital Subscriber Line) modems, and the second subscriber-side relay devices 4 may be a router, L3 switch, L2 switch, etc., to perform ADSL communication. [Explanation of symbols]

[0093] 1. First subscriber-side relay device (relay device) 2. Higher-level monitoring server (higher-level device) 3. Higher-level communication device (higher-level device) 4. Second subscriber-side relay device (processing device) 5 Terminal devices 12. Second Interface Section (Connection Section) 101 Judgment section 102 Switching section

Claims

1. A relay device positioned between a processing device connected to a subscriber's terminal device and a higher-level device located upstream of the said processing device, A connection part connected to the aforementioned processing device, A determination unit that determines whether the processing device is configured to operate in coordination with the relay device when connected to the processing device via the connection unit, A relay device comprising: a selection unit that, when the determination unit determines that the processing device is configured to operate in coordination with the processing device, selects a special management mode as the operating mode of the relay device, in which the relay device operates in coordination with the processing device and is managed by the higher-level device in conjunction with the processing device.

2. The relay device according to claim 1, wherein, if the determination unit determines that the processing device is not configured to operate in cooperation with the processing device, the selection unit selects a general-purpose management mode in which the relay device is managed by the higher-level device without operating in cooperation with the processing device as the operating mode of the relay device.

3. The relay device according to claim 2, further comprising an execution unit that performs processing according to the mode selected by the selection unit.

4. The relay device according to claim 3, which is an optical line termination device that is connected to the aforementioned higher-level device by an optical line and communicates with the aforementioned higher-level device by optical signals.

5. The relay device according to claim 3, wherein the determination unit determines that the processing device is a device configured to operate in a coordinated manner when the relay device is connected to the processing device and receives a predetermined signal from the processing device within a predetermined time.

6. A computer included in a relay device positioned between a processing unit connected to a subscriber's terminal device and a higher-level device positioned upstream of the said processing unit, A determination process to determine whether the processing device is configured to operate in coordination with the relay device when connected to the processing device via a connection part connected to the processing device, A program that, if the determination process determines that the processing device is configured to operate in cooperation with the processing device, executes a selection process to select a special management mode as the operating mode of the relay device, in which the relay device operates in cooperation with the processing device and is managed by the higher-level device in conjunction with the processing device.

7. A communication method performed by a relay device positioned between a processing device connected to a subscriber's terminal device and a higher-level device positioned upstream of the said processing device, A determination step to determine whether the device is configured to operate in coordination with the relay device when connected to the device via a connection part connected to the device, A communication method comprising: if the determination step determines that the processing device is configured to operate in coordination with the processing device, a selection step of selecting a special management mode as the operating mode of the relay device, in which the relay device operates in coordination with the processing device and is managed by the higher-level device in conjunction with the processing device.

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