Control for switching communication path

Abstract

The present invention enables an appropriate response to the occurrence of a silent failure in communication between elements via a ring network. A monitoring function unit (72) monitors each of a plurality of routers forming a ring network in terms of communication quality of a communication network under this router. A policy manager unit (90) determines, for each of the plurality of routers, whether or not the communication quality of the communication network under this router has decreased. When it is determined that the communication quality of the communication network under a predetermined number, which is two or more, of routers continuous from the router on the most upstream side of a communication path connecting the plurality of routers has decreased and it is determined that the communication quality of the communication network under the remaining routers has not decreased, a slice manager unit (92) switches the communication path between the plurality of routers to an alternative path.

Description

Communication path switching control

[0001] The present invention relates to communication path switching control.

[0002] As an example of a technology relating to the construction of elements such as functional units in response to the purchase of a network service, Patent Document 1 describes a technology in which an order for a product purchased by a customer is broken down into virtualized network functions (VNFs) and deployed on a network functions virtualization infrastructure (NFVI). Patent Document 1 also describes the monitoring of NFVI failures and the monitoring of customer network traffic.

[0003] International Publication No. 2018 / 181826

[0004] When monitoring communications between routers that make up a ring network, a degradation in communication performance (so-called silent failure) may occur in communications between elements such as functional units that pass through the ring network, without any abnormalities such as failures being detected.

[0005] The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and one of its objects is to be able to appropriately deal with the occurrence of silent failures in communication between elements passing through a ring network.

[0006] In order to solve the above problem, the communication path control system of the present disclosure includes a monitoring means for monitoring the communication quality of the communication network under each of multiple routers that make up a ring network; a determination means for determining, for each of the multiple routers, whether the communication quality of the communication network under each of the multiple routers has deteriorated; and a switching means for switching the communication path between the multiple routers to an alternative path when it is determined that the communication quality of the communication networks under two or more predetermined number of the routers consecutive from the most upstream router in the communication path connecting the multiple routers has deteriorated, and when it is determined that the communication quality of the communication networks under the remaining routers has not deteriorated.

[0007] In addition, the communication path control method according to the present disclosure includes monitoring the communication quality of the communication network subordinate to each of a plurality of routers constituting a ring network; determining, for each of the plurality of routers, whether the communication quality of the communication network subordinate to the router has deteriorated; and, when it is determined that the communication quality of the communication networks subordinate to two or more predetermined number of routers consecutive from the most upstream router in the communication path connecting the plurality of routers has deteriorated, and when it is determined that the communication quality of the communication networks subordinate to the remaining routers has not deteriorated, switching the communication path between the plurality of routers to an alternative path.

[0008] 1 is a diagram showing an example of a communication system according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of a communication system according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of a network service according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of an association between elements constructed in a communication system according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 5 is a functional block diagram showing an example of a function implemented in a platform system according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of a data structure of physical inventory data. FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of a ring network configuration. FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an example of a DU arrangement. FIG. 9 is a diagram showing an example of a ring network configuration. FIG. 10 is a flow diagram showing an example of a processing flow performed in a platform system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0009] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

[0010] 1 and 2 are diagrams illustrating an example of a communication system 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 1 is a diagram focusing on the locations of a group of data centers included in the communication system 1. Fig. 2 is a diagram focusing on various computer systems implemented in the group of data centers included in the communication system 1.

[0011] As shown in FIG. 1 , the data centers included in the communication system 1 are classified into a central data center 10 , regional data centers 12 , and edge data centers 14 .

[0012] For example, several central data centers 10 are distributed and located within the area covered by the communication system 1 (for example, within Japan).

[0013] For example, several tens of regional data centers 12 are distributed and placed within the area covered by the communication system 1. For example, if the area covered by the communication system 1 is the entire country of Japan, one or two regional data centers 12 may be placed in each prefecture.

[0014] For example, several thousand edge data centers 14 are distributed within the area covered by the communication system 1. Each edge data center 14 is capable of communicating with communication equipment 18 equipped with an antenna 16. As shown in FIG. 1 , one edge data center 14 may be capable of communicating with several pieces of communication equipment 18. The communication equipment 18 may include a computer such as a server computer. The communication equipment 18 according to this embodiment performs wireless communication with a UE (User Equipment) 20 via the antenna 16. The communication equipment 18 equipped with the antenna 16 is provided with, for example, a radio unit (RU) (described later).

[0015] In this embodiment, the central data center 10, the regional data center 12, and the edge data center 14 each have a plurality of servers arranged therein.

[0016] In this embodiment, for example, the central data center 10, the regional data centers 12, and the edge data centers 14 are capable of communicating with each other. Furthermore, the central data centers 10, the regional data centers 12, and the edge data centers 14 are also capable of communicating with each other.

[0017] 2, the communication system 1 according to this embodiment includes a platform system 30, multiple radio access networks (RANs) 32, multiple core network systems 34, and multiple UEs 20. The core network systems 34, the RANs 32, and the UEs 20 cooperate with each other to realize a mobile communication network.

[0018] The RAN 32 is a computer system equipped with an antenna 16, which corresponds to an eNodeB (eNB) in a fourth-generation mobile communication system (hereinafter referred to as 4G) or a gNB (NR base station) in a fifth-generation mobile communication system (hereinafter referred to as 5G). The RAN 32 according to this embodiment is mainly implemented by a group of servers and communication equipment 18 arranged in an edge data center 14. Note that part of the RAN 32 (for example, a distributed unit (DU), a central unit (CU), a virtual distributed unit (vDU), and a virtual central unit (vCU)) may be implemented in the central data center 10, the regional data center 12, or the communication equipment 18, rather than in the edge data center 14.

[0019] The core network system 34 is a system equivalent to an EPC (Evolved Packet Core) in 4G or a 5G Core (5GC) in 5G. The core network system 34 according to this embodiment is implemented mainly by a group of servers arranged in the central data center 10 and the regional data centers 12.

[0020] The platform system 30 according to this embodiment is configured, for example, on a cloud platform and includes a processor 30a, a storage unit 30b, and a communication unit 30c, as shown in FIG. 2 . The processor 30a is a program-controlled device such as a microprocessor that operates according to a program installed in the platform system 30. The storage unit 30b is, for example, a storage element such as a ROM or RAM, a solid-state drive (SSD), or a hard disk drive (HDD). The storage unit 30b stores programs executed by the processor 30a. The communication unit 30c is, for example, a communication interface such as a network interface controller (NIC) or a wireless local area network (LAN) module. Note that software-defined networking (SDN) may be implemented in the communication unit 30c. The communication unit 30c exchanges data with the RAN 32 and the core network system 34.

[0021] In this embodiment, the platform system 30 is implemented by a group of servers located in the central data center 10. Note that the platform system 30 may also be implemented by a group of servers located in the regional data centers 12.

[0022] In this embodiment, for example, in response to a purchase request for a network service (NS) by a purchaser, the requested network service is constructed in the RAN 32 or the core network system 34. Then, the constructed network service is provided to the purchaser.

[0023] For example, a purchaser such as an MVNO (Mobile Virtual Network Operator) is provided with network services such as voice communication services and data communication services. The voice communication services and data communication services provided by this embodiment are ultimately provided to customers (end users) of the purchaser (MVNO in the above example) who use the UE 20 shown in Figures 1 and 2. The end users can perform voice communication and data communication with other users via the RAN 32 and the core network system 34. The UE 20 of the end user can also access a data network such as the Internet via the RAN 32 and the core network system 34.

[0024] In addition, in this embodiment, an IoT (Internet of Things) service may be provided to an end user who uses a robot arm, a connected car, etc. In this case, for example, the end user who uses the robot arm, the connected car, etc. may become a purchaser of the network service according to this embodiment.

[0025] In this embodiment, a container-type virtualized application execution environment such as Docker (registered trademark) is installed on servers located in the central data center 10, the regional data centers 12, and the edge data center 14, allowing containers to be deployed and run on these servers. A cluster consisting of one or more containers generated by such virtualization technology may be constructed on these servers. For example, a Kubernetes cluster managed by a container management tool such as Kubernetes (registered trademark) may be constructed. Then, a processor on the constructed cluster may execute a container-type application.

[0026] In this embodiment, the network service provided to the purchaser is composed of one or more functional units (for example, network functions (NFs)). In this embodiment, the functional units are implemented as NFs realized by virtualization technology. NFs realized by virtualization technology are called VNFs (Virtualized Network Functions). It does not matter what virtualization technology is used for virtualization. For example, in this description, a CNF (Containerized Network Function) realized by container-type virtualization technology is also included in the VNF. In this embodiment, the network service is described as being implemented by one or more CNFs. Furthermore, the functional units according to this embodiment may correspond to network nodes.

[0027] Fig. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of a network service in operation. The network service illustrated in Fig. 3 includes, as software elements, NFs such as a plurality of RUs 40, a plurality of DUs 42, a plurality of CUs 44 (CU-CPs (Central Unit - Control Plane) 44a and CU-UPs (Central Unit - User Plane) 44b), a plurality of AMFs (Access and Mobility Management Functions) 46, a plurality of SMFs (Session Management Functions) 48, and a plurality of UPFs (User Plane Functions) 50.

[0028] In the example of Figure 3, RU 40, DU 42, CU-CP 44a, AMF 46, and SMF 48 correspond to elements of the control plane (C-Plane), and RU 40, DU 42, CU-UP 44b, and UPF 50 correspond to elements of the user plane (U-Plane).

[0029] The network service may include other types of NF as software elements. The network service is implemented on computer resources (hardware elements) such as multiple servers.

[0030] In this embodiment, for example, a communication service in a certain area is provided by the network service shown in FIG.

[0031] In this embodiment, it is assumed that the multiple RUs 40, multiple DUs 42, multiple CU-UPs 44b, and multiple UPFs 50 shown in Figure 3 belong to one end-to-end network slice.

[0032] 4 is a diagram schematically illustrating an example of associations between elements established in the communication system 1 in this embodiment. The symbols M and N shown in FIG. 4 represent any integers equal to or greater than 1, and indicate the relationship between the numbers of elements connected by a link. When both ends of a link are a combination of M and N, the elements connected by the link have a many-to-many relationship, and when both ends of a link are a combination of 1 and N or a combination of 1 and M, the elements connected by the link have a one-to-many relationship.

[0033] As shown in FIG. 4, the network service (NS), network function (NF), CNFC (Containerized Network Function Component), pod, and container have a hierarchical structure.

[0034] The NS corresponds to, for example, a network service configured from a plurality of NFs. Here, the NS may correspond to, for example, a granular element such as 5GC, EPC, 5G RAN (gNB), or 4G RAN (eNB).

[0035] In 5G, NFs correspond to elements with granularity such as RU, DU, CU-CP, CU-UP, AMF, SMF, and UPF. In 4G, NFs correspond to elements with granularity such as MME (Mobility Management Entity), HSS (Home Subscriber Server), S-GW (Serving Gateway), vDU, and vCU. In this embodiment, for example, one NS includes one or more NFs. In other words, one or more NFs are under the control of one NS.

[0036] CNFC corresponds to a granularity element such as DU mgmt or DU Processing, for example. CNFC may be a microservice deployed on a server as one or more containers. For example, a certain CNFC may be a microservice that provides some of the functions of DU, CU-CP, CU-UP, etc. Also, a certain CNFC may be a microservice that provides some of the functions of UPF, AMF, SMF, etc. In this embodiment, for example, one NF includes one or more CNFCs. In other words, one or more CNFCs are under the control of one NF.

[0037] A pod is the smallest unit for managing a Docker container in Kubernetes. In this embodiment, for example, one CNFC includes one or more pods. In other words, one CNFC has one or more pods under its control.

[0038] In this embodiment, for example, one pod includes one or more containers, that is, one or more containers are subordinate to one pod.

[0039] Also, as shown in Figure 4, network slices (NSIs) and network slice subnet instances (NSSIs) have a hierarchical structure.

[0040] The NSI can also be considered an end-to-end virtual circuit spanning multiple domains (e.g., from the RAN 32 to the core network system 34). The NSI may be a slice for high-speed, large-capacity communication (e.g., for enhanced Mobile Broadband (eMBB)), a slice for high-reliability and low-latency communication (e.g., for Ultra-Reliable and Low Latency Communications (URLLC)), or a slice for connecting a large number of terminals (e.g., for massive Machine Type Communication (mMTC)). The NSSI can also be considered a virtual circuit of a single domain obtained by dividing the NSI. The NSSI may be a slice of the RAN domain, a slice of a transport domain such as a Mobile Back Haul (MBH) domain, or a slice of the core network domain.

[0041] In this embodiment, for example, one NSI includes one or more NSSIs. That is, one or more NSSIs are subordinate to one NSI. Note that in this embodiment, multiple NSIs may share the same NSSI.

[0042] Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 4, NSSIs and NSs generally have a many-to-many relationship.

[0043] Furthermore, in this embodiment, for example, one NF can belong to one or more network slices. Specifically, for example, one NF can be configured with NSSAI (Network Slice Selection Assistance Information) including one or more S-NSSAI (Sub Network Slice Selection Assist Information). Here, S-NSSAI is information associated with a network slice. Note that an NF does not necessarily have to belong to a network slice.

[0044] Fig. 5 is a functional block diagram showing an example of functions implemented in the platform system 30 according to this embodiment. Note that the platform system 30 according to this embodiment does not need to implement all of the functions shown in Fig. 5, and functions other than the functions shown in Fig. 5 may also be implemented.

[0045] As shown in FIG. 5 , the platform system 30 according to this embodiment functionally includes, for example, an operations support system (OSS) unit 60, an orchestration (E2EO: End-to-End-Orchestration) unit 62, a service catalog storage unit 64, a big data platform unit 66, a data bus unit 68, an AI (Artificial Intelligence) unit 70, a monitoring function unit 72, an SDN controller 74, a configuration management unit 76, a container management unit 78, and a repository unit 80. The OSS unit 60 includes an inventory database 82, a ticket management unit 84, a fault management unit 86, and a performance management unit 88. The E2EO unit 62 includes a policy manager unit 90, a slice manager unit 92, and a lifecycle management unit 94. These elements are implemented primarily using a processor 30 a, a storage unit 30 b, and a communication unit 30 c.

[0046] The functions shown in Figure 5 may be implemented by installing a program including instructions corresponding to the functions in a platform system 30, which is one or more computers, on the platform system 30 and having the processor 30a execute the program. This program may be supplied to the platform system 30 via a computer-readable information storage medium, such as an optical disk, a magnetic disk, a magnetic tape, a magneto-optical disk, or a flash memory, or via the Internet. The functions shown in Figure 5 may also be implemented using circuit blocks, memory, or other LSIs. Those skilled in the art will understand that the functions shown in Figure 5 can be realized in various forms, such as hardware alone, software alone, or a combination thereof.

[0047] The container management unit 78 manages the life cycle of a container, including processes related to the construction of the container, such as the deployment and configuration of the container.

[0048] Here, the platform system 30 according to the present embodiment may include a plurality of container management units 78. A container management tool such as Kubernetes and a package manager such as Helm may be installed in each of the plurality of container management units 78. Each of the plurality of container management units 78 may execute container construction, such as container deployment, for a server group (e.g., a Kubernetes cluster) associated with the corresponding container management unit 78.

[0049] The container management unit 78 does not need to be included in the platform system 30. The container management unit 78 may be provided, for example, in a server managed by the container management unit 78 (i.e., the RAN 32 or the core network system 34), or may be provided in another server that is annexed to the server managed by the container management unit 78.

[0050] In this embodiment, the repository unit 80 stores, for example, container images of containers included in a group of functional units (for example, a group of NFs) that realize a network service.

[0051] The inventory database 82 is a database that stores inventory information, which includes, for example, information about servers that are placed in the RAN 32 and the core network system 34 and that are managed by the platform system 30.

[0052] In this embodiment, inventory data is stored in the inventory database 82. The inventory data indicates the configuration of the elements included in the communication system 1 and the current status of the associations between the elements. The inventory data also indicates the status of resources managed by the platform system 30 (e.g., resource usage status). The inventory data may be physical inventory data or logical inventory data. Physical inventory data and logical inventory data will be described later.

[0053] Fig. 6 is a diagram showing an example of the data structure of physical inventory data. The physical inventory data shown in Fig. 6 is associated with one server. The physical inventory data shown in Fig. 6 includes, for example, a server ID, location data, building data, floor data, rack data, specification data, network data, an operating container ID list, a cluster ID, and the like.

[0054] The server ID included in the physical inventory data is, for example, an identifier of the server associated with the physical inventory data.

[0055] The location data included in the physical inventory data is, for example, data indicating the location (for example, the address of the location) of the server associated with the physical inventory data.

[0056] The building data included in the physical inventory data is, for example, data indicating the building (for example, the building name) in which the server associated with the physical inventory data is located.

[0057] The floor number data included in the physical inventory data is, for example, data indicating the floor number on which the server associated with the physical inventory data is located.

[0058] The rack data included in the physical inventory data is, for example, an identifier of the rack in which the server associated with the physical inventory data is located.

[0059] The specification data included in the physical inventory data is, for example, data indicating the specifications of the server associated with the physical inventory data, and the specification data indicates, for example, the number of cores, memory capacity, hard disk capacity, etc.

[0060] The network data included in the physical inventory data is, for example, data indicating information about the network of the server associated with the physical inventory data, and the network data indicates, for example, the NIC equipped in the server, the number of ports equipped in the NIC, the port ID of the port, etc.

[0061] The operating container ID list included in the physical inventory data is, for example, data that indicates information about one or more containers operating on a server associated with the physical inventory data, and the operating container ID list indicates, for example, a list of identifiers (container IDs) of instances of the containers.

[0062] The cluster ID included in the physical inventory data is, for example, an identifier of the cluster (for example, a Kubernetes cluster) to which the server associated with the physical inventory data belongs.

[0063] The logical inventory data includes topology data indicating the current state of associations between multiple elements included in the communication system 1, such as those shown in Figure 4. For example, the logical inventory data includes topology data including an identifier of a certain NS and identifiers of one or more NFs under the NS. Also, for example, the logical inventory data includes topology data including an identifier of a certain network slice and identifiers of one or more NFs belonging to the network slice.

[0064] The inventory data may also include data indicating the current status of geographical relationships and topological relationships between elements included in the communication system 1. As described above, the inventory data includes location data indicating the locations where the elements included in the communication system 1 are operating, i.e., the current locations of the elements included in the communication system 1. From this, it can be said that the inventory data indicates the current status of the geographical relationships between elements (e.g., the geographical proximity between elements).

[0065] The logical inventory data may also include NSI data indicating information about the network slice. The NSI data indicates attributes such as an identifier of an instance of the network slice and a type of the network slice. The logical inventory data may also include NSSI data indicating information about the network slice subnet. The NSSI data indicates attributes such as an identifier of an instance of the network slice subnet and a type of the network slice subnet.

[0066] The logical inventory data may also include NS data indicating information about NS. The NS data indicates attributes such as an NS instance identifier and an NS type, for example. The logical inventory data may also include NF data indicating information about NF. The NF data indicates attributes such as an NF instance identifier and an NF type, for example. The logical inventory data may also include CNFC data indicating information about CNFC. The CNFC data indicates attributes such as an instance identifier and a CNFC type, for example. The logical inventory data may also include pod data indicating information about pods included in the CNFC. The pod data indicates attributes such as a pod instance identifier and a pod type, for example. The logical inventory data may also include container data indicating information about containers included in the pod. The container data indicates attributes such as a container ID of a container instance and a container type, for example.

[0067] The container ID of the container data included in the logical inventory data and the container ID included in the operating container ID list included in the physical inventory data associate a container instance with the server on which the container instance is running.

[0068] Furthermore, the logical inventory data may include data indicating various attributes such as a host name and an IP address. For example, the container data may include data indicating an IP address of a container corresponding to the container data. For example, the NF data may include data indicating an IP address and a host name of the NF indicated by the NF data.

[0069] The logical inventory data may also include data indicating an NSSAI, including one or more S-NSSAIs, that is set in each NF.

[0070] The inventory database 82 is also able to grasp the resource status as needed in cooperation with the container management unit 78. The inventory database 82 then updates the inventory data stored therein as needed based on the latest resource status.

[0071] In addition, in response to actions being performed, such as constructing a new element included in the communication system 1, changing the configuration of an element included in the communication system 1, scaling an element included in the communication system 1, or replacing an element included in the communication system 1, the inventory database 82 updates the inventory data stored in the inventory database 82.

[0072] The service catalog storage unit 64 stores service catalog data. The service catalog data may include, for example, service template data indicating logic used by the life cycle management unit 94. This service template data includes information necessary for building a network service. For example, the service template data includes information defining NS, NF, and CNFC, and information indicating the correspondence between NS, NF, and CNFC. Furthermore, for example, the service template data includes a workflow script for building a network service.

[0073] An example of service template data is an NSD (NS Descriptor). The NSD is associated with a network service and indicates the types of multiple functional units (e.g., multiple CNFs) included in the network service. The NSD may also indicate the number of each type of functional unit, such as a CNF, included in the network service. The NSD may also indicate the file name of a CNFD (described later) related to the CNF included in the network service.

[0074] An example of service template data is a CNF Descriptor (CNFD). The CNFD may indicate computer resources (e.g., a CPU, memory, hard disk, etc.) required by the CNF. For example, the CNFD may indicate, for each of multiple containers included in the CNF, the computer resources (e.g., a CPU, memory, hard disk, etc.) required by the container.

[0075] The service catalog data may also include information about thresholds (for example, anomaly detection thresholds) that are used by the policy manager 90 to compare with the calculated performance index values. The performance index values ​​will be described later.

[0076] The service catalog data may also include, for example, slice template data, which includes information necessary to perform instantiation of a network slice, including, for example, logic utilized by the slice manager unit 92.

[0077] The slice template data includes information on the "Generic Network Slice Template" defined by the GSM Association (GSMA) ("GSM" is a registered trademark). Specifically, the slice template data includes network slice template data (NST), network slice subnet template data (NSST), and network service template data. The slice template data also includes information indicating the hierarchical structure of these elements, as shown in FIG. 4.

[0078] In this embodiment, for example, the life cycle management unit 94 constructs a new network service in response to a purchase request for an NS from a purchaser.

[0079] For example, in response to a purchase request, the lifecycle management unit 94 may execute a workflow script associated with the network service to be purchased. By executing this workflow script, the lifecycle management unit 94 may instruct the container management unit 78 to deploy a container included in the new network service to be purchased. The container management unit 78 may then obtain a container image of the container from the repository unit 80 and deploy the container corresponding to the container image to a server.

[0080] In addition, in this embodiment, the life cycle management unit 94 executes, for example, scaling and replacement of elements included in the communication system 1. Here, the life cycle management unit 94 may output a container deployment instruction or deletion instruction to the container management unit 78. Then, the container management unit 78 may execute processing such as container deployment or container deletion in accordance with the instruction. In this embodiment, the life cycle management unit 94 is capable of executing scaling and replacement that cannot be handled by a tool such as Kubernetes in the container management unit 78.

[0081] Furthermore, the life cycle management unit 94 may output an instruction to create a communication path to the SDN controller 74. For example, the life cycle management unit 94 presents two IP addresses at both ends of the communication path to be created to the SDN controller 74, and the SDN controller 74 creates a communication path connecting these two IP addresses. The created communication path may be managed in association with these two IP addresses.

[0082] Furthermore, the life cycle management unit 94 may output to the SDN controller 74 an instruction to create a communication path between the two IP addresses that is associated with the two IP addresses.

[0083] In this embodiment, for example, the slice manager unit 92 performs instantiation of a network slice. In this embodiment, for example, the slice manager unit 92 performs instantiation of a network slice by executing logic indicated by a slice template stored in the service catalog storage unit 64.

[0084] The slice manager unit 92 is configured to include the functions of the NSMF (Network Slice Management Function) and the NSSMF (Network Slice Sub-network Management Function), for example, as described in the specification "TS28 533" of the 3GPP (registered trademark) (Third Generation Partnership Project). The NSMF is a function that generates and manages network slices and provides NSI management services. The NSSMF is a function that generates and manages network slice subnets that constitute part of the network slice and provides NSSI management services.

[0085] Here, the slice manager unit 92 may output a configuration management instruction related to the instantiation of the network slice to the configuration management unit 76. Then, the configuration management unit 76 may perform configuration management such as setting in accordance with the configuration management instruction.

[0086] The slice manager unit 92 may also present two IP addresses to the SDN controller 74 and output an instruction to create a communication path between these two IP addresses.

[0087] In this embodiment, the configuration management unit 76 performs configuration management such as setting of element groups such as NFs in accordance with configuration management instructions received from the life cycle management unit 94 and the slice manager unit 92, for example.

[0088] In this embodiment, the SDN controller 74 creates a communication path between two IP addresses associated with a communication path creation instruction received from, for example, the life cycle management unit 94 or the slice manager unit 92. The SDN controller 74 may create a communication path between two IP addresses using a known path calculation method such as Flex Algo.

[0089] Here, for example, the SDN controller 74 may use a segment routing technology (for example, SRv6 (Segment Routing IPv6)) to construct NSIs and NSSIs for aggregation routers, servers, and the like present along the communication paths. Furthermore, the SDN controller 74 may generate NSIs and NSSIs across multiple NFs to be configured by issuing commands to configure a common VLAN (Virtual Local Area Network) for multiple NFs to be configured, and commands to assign the bandwidth and priority indicated in the configuration information to the VLAN.

[0090] In addition, the SDN controller 74 may perform operations such as changing the maximum bandwidth available for communication between two IP addresses without constructing a network slice.

[0091] The platform system 30 according to this embodiment may include multiple SDN controllers 74. Each of the multiple SDN controllers 74 may execute processing such as creating a communication path for a group of network devices, such as an aggregation router, associated with the SDN controller 74.

[0092] In this embodiment, for example, the monitoring function unit 72 monitors the group of elements included in the communication system 1 in accordance with a given management policy. Here, the monitoring function unit 72 may monitor the group of elements in accordance with a monitoring policy specified by a purchaser when purchasing a network service, for example.

[0093] In this embodiment, the monitoring function unit 72 performs monitoring at various levels, such as the slice level, the NS level, the NF level, the CNFC level, and the hardware level of a server or the like.

[0094] For example, in order to perform monitoring at the various levels described above, the monitoring function unit 72 may set a module that outputs metric data in hardware such as a server or in a software element included in the communication system 1. Here, for example, an NF may output metric data indicating metrics that are measurable (identifiable) in the NF to the monitoring function unit 72. Also, a server may output metric data indicating metrics related to hardware that is measurable (identifiable) in the server to the monitoring function unit 72.

[0095] Furthermore, for example, the monitoring function unit 72 may deploy a sidecar container on the server that aggregates metric data indicating metrics output from multiple containers on a CNFC (microservice) basis. This sidecar container may include an agent called an exporter. The monitoring function unit 72 may repeatedly execute, at a given monitoring interval, a process of acquiring metric data aggregated on a microservice basis from the sidecar container using a mechanism of a monitoring tool such as Prometheus, which can monitor container management tools such as Kubernetes.

[0096] The monitoring function unit 72 may monitor performance indicator values ​​for performance indicators described in, for example, “TS 28.552, Management and orchestration; 5G performance measurements” or “TS 28.554, Management and orchestration; 5G end to end Key Performance Indicators (KPI).” Then, the monitoring function unit 72 may acquire metric data indicating the monitored performance indicator values.

[0097] In this embodiment, the monitoring function unit 72 performs a process (enrichment) of aggregating metric data, for example, in a predetermined aggregation unit, thereby generating performance index value data indicating the performance index values ​​of the elements included in the communication system 1 in that aggregation unit.

[0098] For example, for one gNB, performance index value data for the gNB is generated by aggregating metric data indicating the metrics of elements (e.g., network nodes such as DU42 and CU44) under the control of the gNB. In this way, performance index value data indicating communication performance in the area covered by the gNB is generated. Here, for example, performance index value data indicating multiple types of communication performance, such as traffic volume (throughput) and latency, may be generated for each gNB. Furthermore, performance index value data indicating the communication performance of a certain element (e.g., DU42) for a predetermined period may be generated by aggregating metric data indicating the metrics of the element for the predetermined period. Note that the communication performance indicated by the performance index value data is not limited to traffic volume and latency.

[0099] Then, the monitoring function unit 72 outputs the performance index value data generated by the above-mentioned enrichment to the data bus unit 68.

[0100] In this embodiment, for example, the data bus unit 68 receives performance index value data output from the monitoring function unit 72. Then, based on the received one or more pieces of performance index value data, the data bus unit 68 generates a performance index value file including the one or more pieces of performance index value data. Then, the data bus unit 68 outputs the generated performance index value file to the big data platform unit 66.

[0101] In addition, elements such as network slices, NS, NF, CNFC, etc. included in the communication system 1, and hardware such as servers, notify the monitoring function unit 72 of various alerts (for example, notification of an alert triggered by the occurrence of a failure).

[0102] Then, for example, when the monitoring function unit 72 receives the above-mentioned alert notification, it outputs alert message data indicating the notification to the data bus unit 68. Then, the data bus unit 68 generates an alert file in which alert message data indicating one or more notifications are compiled into a single file, and outputs the alert file to the big data platform unit 66.

[0103] In this embodiment, the big data platform unit 66 accumulates, for example, performance index value files and alert files output from the data bus unit 68 .

[0104] In this embodiment, for example, a plurality of trained machine learning models are stored in advance in the AI ​​unit 70. The AI ​​unit 70 uses the various machine learning models stored in the AI ​​unit 70 to perform estimation processing such as future prediction processing of the usage status and service quality of the communication system 1. The AI ​​unit 70 may generate estimation result data indicating the results of the estimation processing.

[0105] The AI ​​unit 70 may perform estimation processing based on the files stored in the big data platform unit 66 and the above-mentioned machine learning model. This estimation processing is suitable for low-frequency prediction of long-term trends.

[0106] The AI ​​unit 70 is also capable of acquiring performance index value data stored in the data bus unit 68. The AI ​​unit 70 may perform estimation processing based on the performance index value data stored in the data bus unit 68 and the above-described machine learning model. This estimation processing is suitable for performing short-term predictions frequently.

[0107] In this embodiment, for example, the performance management unit 88 calculates a performance index value (e.g., KPI) based on metrics indicated by multiple metric data. The performance management unit 88 may calculate a performance index value that is an overall evaluation of multiple types of metrics (e.g., a performance index value related to an end-to-end network slice) that cannot be calculated from a single metric data. The performance management unit 88 may generate overall performance index value data that indicates the performance index value that is the overall evaluation.

[0108] The performance management unit 88 may acquire the above-mentioned performance index value file from the big data platform unit 66. The performance management unit 88 may also acquire estimation result data from the AI ​​unit 70. Then, performance index values ​​such as KPIs may be calculated based on at least one of the performance index value file and the estimation result data. The performance management unit 88 may also directly acquire metric data from the monitoring function unit 72. Then, performance index values ​​such as KPIs may be calculated based on the metric data.

[0109] In this embodiment, the fault management unit 86 detects the occurrence of a fault in the communication system 1 based on, for example, at least one of the above-mentioned metric data, the above-mentioned alert notification, the above-mentioned estimation result data, and the above-mentioned overall performance index value data. The fault management unit 86 may detect the occurrence of a fault that cannot be detected from a single piece of metric data or a single alert notification, for example, based on a predetermined logic. The fault management unit 86 may generate detected fault data that indicates the detected fault.

[0110] The fault management unit 86 may obtain metric data and alert notifications directly from the monitoring function unit 72. The fault management unit 86 may also obtain performance index value files and alert files from the big data platform unit 66. The fault management unit 86 may also obtain alert message data from the data bus unit 68.

[0111] In this embodiment, the policy manager unit 90 executes a predetermined judgment process based on, for example, at least one of the above-mentioned metric data, the above-mentioned performance index value data, the above-mentioned alert message data, the above-mentioned performance index value file, the above-mentioned alert file, the above-mentioned estimation result data, the above-mentioned overall performance index value data, and the above-mentioned detected fault data.

[0112] The policy manager unit 90 may then execute an action according to the result of the determination process. For example, the policy manager unit 90 may output an instruction to construct a network slice to the slice manager unit 92. Also, for example, the policy manager unit 90 may output an instruction to switch a communication path to the slice manager unit 92. Also, the policy manager unit 90 may output an instruction to scale or replace an element to the life cycle management unit 94 according to the result of the determination process.

[0113] The policy manager unit 90 according to this embodiment is capable of acquiring performance index value data stored in the data bus unit 68. The policy manager unit 90 may then execute a predetermined determination process based on the performance index value data acquired from the data bus unit 68. The policy manager unit 90 may also execute a predetermined determination process based on alert message data stored in the data bus unit 68.

[0114] In this embodiment, for example, the ticket management unit 84 generates a ticket indicating the content to be notified to the administrator of the communication system 1. The ticket management unit 84 may generate a ticket indicating the content of the occurred fault data. The ticket management unit 84 may also generate a ticket indicating the value of performance index data or metric data. The ticket management unit 84 may also generate a ticket indicating the determination result by the policy manager unit 90.

[0115] Then, the ticket management unit 84 notifies the administrator of the communication system 1 of the generated ticket. For example, the ticket management unit 84 may send an email with the generated ticket attached to the email address of the administrator of the communication system 1.

[0116] In the communication system 1 according to the present embodiment, a degradation in communication performance (so-called silent failure) may occur in communication between elements such as functional units without an abnormality such as a failure being detected.

[0117] An example of a response to the occurrence of a silent failure, which is executed in the platform system 30 according to this embodiment, will be described below.

[0118] FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a schematic example of the configuration of a ring network that is part of the communication system 1 according to this embodiment.

[0119] FIG. 7 shows a lower ring 100 (100a, 100b, and 100c) and a middle ring 102, which are an example of a ring network included in the communication system 1.

[0120] The lower ring 100a shown in Fig. 7 is configured, for example, by a plurality of routers 104 (routers 104a to 104e in the example of Fig. 7). These routers 104 are each located in an edge data center 14. For example, the routers 104a to 104e are located in the edge data centers 14a to 14e, respectively.

[0121] The lower ring 100b is configured by a plurality of routers 104, including a router 104f located in an edge data center 14f, for example. The lower ring 100c is configured by a plurality of routers 104, including a router 104g located in an edge data center 14g, for example.

[0122] The middle ring 102 is a ring network immediately above the lower ring 100. As shown in Fig. 7, the middle ring 102 is configured by a plurality of routers 104, including, for example, a router 104e that is a node between the middle ring 102 and the lower ring 100a, a router 104f that is a node between the middle ring 102 and the lower ring 100b, a router 104g that is a node between the middle ring 102 and the lower ring 100c, and a router 104h that is located in a regional data center 12 (regional data center 12a in the example of Fig. 7). Note that the routers 104 that make up the middle ring 102 do not necessarily have to include the router 104 that is located in the regional data center 12.

[0123] In this embodiment, the CU 44 is implemented by a group of servers located in the regional data center 12a.

[0124] In this embodiment, the server groups located in the regional data center 12a and edge data center 14 shown in FIG. 7 are able to communicate with the server groups located in the central data center 10 via the intermediate ring 102 and a ring network higher than the intermediate ring 102.

[0125] In this embodiment, for example, the monitoring function unit 72 monitors the communication quality of the communication network under each of the routers 104 that constitute the ring network.

[0126] For example, with respect to the lower ring 100a, the monitoring function unit 72 monitors the communication quality of the communication network under each of the routers 104a to 104e.

[0127] 8, for example, the DU 42 may be implemented by a group of servers located in the edge data center 14. In this case, the monitoring function unit 72 may acquire, from the DU 42, metric data indicating metrics measured by the DU 42 implemented by the group of servers located in the edge data center 14.

[0128] The monitoring function unit 72 may then calculate a performance index value indicating the communication performance of elements included in the communication network under the router 104 located in the edge data center 14, based on metric data acquired from the DU 42 implemented by the server group located in the edge data center 14. The monitoring function unit 72 may then generate performance index value data indicating the calculated performance index value. Note that the router 104 may or may not be included in the elements included in the communication network under the router 104.

[0129] 9, for example, the DU 42 may be implemented by the communication equipment 18 capable of communicating with the edge data center 14 shown in Fig. 7. In this case, the monitoring function unit 72 may acquire, from the DU 42, metric data indicating metrics measured by the DU 42 implemented by the communication equipment 18 capable of communicating with the edge data center 14.

[0130] The monitoring function unit 72 may then calculate a performance index value indicating the communication performance of an element included in the communication network under the router 104 located in the edge data center 14, based on metric data acquired from the DU 42 implemented by the communication equipment 18. The monitoring function unit 72 may then generate performance index value data indicating the calculated performance index value.

[0131] In addition, when DU42 is implemented by both the server group located in the edge data center 14 and the communication equipment 18 that can communicate with the edge data center 14, a performance index value indicating the communication performance of the elements included in the communication network under the router 104 located in the edge data center 14 may be calculated based on metric data obtained from the DU42 implemented by the server group located in the edge data center 14 and the DU42 implemented by the communication equipment 18.

[0132] Furthermore, the monitoring function unit 72 may calculate, at predetermined time intervals for each of the multiple routers 104 constituting the ring network, a performance index value indicating the communication performance of an element included in the communication network under the router 104 at the predetermined time based on metric data measured by a DU 42 under the router 104 at the most recent predetermined time. Then, in response to the calculation of the performance index value, the monitoring function unit 72 may generate performance index value data indicating the calculated performance index value.

[0133] The monitoring function unit 72 may monitor, as the communication quality of the communication network subordinate to the router 104, the communication quality of communication between at least one element (e.g., NF) included in the communication network subordinate to the router 104 and at least one element (e.g., NF) subordinate to the router 104 that constitutes a ring network higher than the ring network. For example, the monitoring function unit 72 may monitor, as the communication quality of the communication network subordinate to the router 104, the communication quality of communication between at least one element (e.g., DU 42) that constitutes the communication network subordinate to the router 104 and a CU 44 subordinate to a router that constitutes a ring network higher than the ring network.

[0134] Furthermore, the monitoring function unit 72 may monitor the communication quality of a UE (User Equipment) 20 within an area covered by at least one element under the router 104 as the communication quality of the communication network under the router 104 .

[0135] Examples of performance index values ​​indicating the communication performance of elements included in the communication network under the router 104 include an RRC connection completion rate, an RRC connection abnormal disconnection count, a registration completion rate, a bearer connection completion rate, etc. Furthermore, a comprehensive index value (e.g., a weighted average value of multiple types of values) calculated according to a predetermined calculation formula based on multiple types of values ​​may be calculated as a performance index value indicating the communication performance of elements included in the communication network under the router 104 arranged in the edge data center 14.

[0136] In addition, the monitoring function unit 72 may calculate a performance index value indicating the communication performance of an element included in the communication network under the router 104 based on at least one of the type of element included in the communication network under the router 104 or the topology of the element.

[0137] For example, a calculation formula associated with each router 104 may be determined based on at least one of the type of at least one element included in the communication network under the router 104 and the topology of the element. Then, a performance index value indicating the communication performance of the element included in the communication network under the router 104 may be calculated by applying the calculation formula associated with the router 104 to the value of the metric data.

[0138] For example, assume that the edge data center 14e does not have an NF installed and there is no communication equipment 18 that can communicate with the edge data center 14e. In this case, a performance index value indicating the communication performance of the elements included in the communication network under the router 104e may be calculated based on the relay success rate of packets passing through the router 104e. In this case, the performance index value calculated in this manner corresponds to the performance index value indicating the communication performance of the elements included in the communication network under the router 104e.

[0139] Furthermore, for example, when a CU 44 is implemented in an edge data center 14, the communication quality of communication between the CU 44 and an element (such as the AMF 46) that communicates with the CU 44 and is arranged in the middle ring 102 or in a ring network higher than the middle ring 102 may be monitored as the communication quality of the communication network under the router 104 arranged in the edge data center 14. In this case, for example, a value indicating the number of occurrences of SCTP flapping may be monitored as a performance index value indicating the communication performance of the element included in the communication network under the router 104.

[0140] In this embodiment, for example, the policy manager unit 90 determines, for each of the multiple routers 104 constituting the ring network, whether the communication quality of the communication network under the router 104 has deteriorated. Here, the policy manager unit 90 may determine whether the communication quality of the communication network under the router 104 has deteriorated based on the above-mentioned performance index value. Hereinafter, the process of determining whether the communication quality of the communication network under the router 104 has deteriorated will be referred to as a communication quality deterioration determination process.

[0141] For example, as described above, the monitoring function unit 72 may output performance index value data to the data bus unit 68. Then, for example, in response to the performance index value data being output to the data bus unit 68, the policy manager unit 90 may acquire the performance index value data. Then, the policy manager unit 90 may execute a communication quality degradation determination process based on the acquired performance index value data.

[0142] For example, when a performance index value that increases as the communication quality increases is monitored, the policy manager unit 90 may determine whether the performance index value is equal to or less than a threshold value. In this case, if the performance index value is equal to or less than the threshold value, it is determined that the communication quality of the communication network under the router 104 has deteriorated. Conversely, when a performance index value that increases as the communication quality decreases is monitored, the policy manager unit 90 may determine whether the performance index value is equal to or greater than a threshold value. In this case, if the performance index value is equal to or greater than the threshold value, it is determined that the communication quality of the communication network under the router 104 has deteriorated.

[0143] In this embodiment, for example, when a predetermined condition is satisfied, the slice manager unit 92 switches the communication path between the plurality of routers 104 to an alternative path. Here, the slice manager unit 92 may switch the communication path in cooperation with the SDN controller 74.

[0144] Hereinafter, the above-mentioned predetermined conditions will be referred to as communication path switching conditions, and the process of switching the communication path when the communication path switching conditions are met will be referred to as communication path switching process.

[0145] Here, an example of a communication path switching condition is: (1) in a communication quality degradation determination process for a predetermined number of routers 104, two or more of which are consecutive from the most upstream router 104 in a communication path connecting multiple routers 104 that make up a ring network, it is determined that the communication quality of the communication network under that router 104 has deteriorated, and (2) in a communication quality degradation determination process for the remaining routers 104 that make up the ring network, it is determined that the communication quality of the communication network under that router 104 has not deteriorated.

[0146] Then, when a communication path switching condition is satisfied, the slice manager unit 92 may switch the communication path between the multiple routers 104 constituting the ring network to an alternative path. That is, when it is determined that the communication quality of the communication networks subordinate to two or more predetermined number of routers 104 continuing from the most upstream router 104 in the communication path connecting the multiple routers 104 has deteriorated, and it is determined that the communication quality of the communication networks subordinate to the remaining routers 104 has not deteriorated, the slice manager unit 92 may switch the communication path between the multiple routers 104 to an alternative path.

[0147] For example, suppose that a communication path for transmitting data clockwise and a communication path for transmitting data counterclockwise are set between multiple routers 104 that make up the lower ring 100a, and that these two communication paths are physically separate communication paths.

[0148] 7, it is assumed that data is transmitted clockwise in communication between the multiple routers 104 that make up the lower ring 100a. That is, it is assumed that the clockwise communication path is the active communication path, and the counterclockwise communication path is the standby communication path.

[0149] In this case, for example, data transmitted from a UE 20 within an area covered by a DU 42 under router 104a to a CU 44 implemented in a regional data center 12a passes through the DU 42 under router 104a, router 104a, router 104b, router 104c, router 104d, and router 104e.

[0150] In addition, data transmitted from a UE 20 within an area covered by a DU 42 under router 104b to a CU 44 implemented in a regional data center 12a passes through a DU 42 under router 104b, router 104b, router 104c, router 104d, and router 104e.

[0151] In addition, data transmitted from a UE 20 within an area covered by a DU 42 under router 104c to a CU 44 implemented in a regional data center 12a passes through a DU 42 under router 104c, router 104c, router 104d, and router 104e.

[0152] In addition, data transmitted from a UE 20 within the area covered by a DU 42 under router 104d to a CU 44 implemented in a regional data center 12a passes through the DU 42 under router 104d, router 104d, and router 104e.

[0153] In this case, the router 104 located most upstream on the communication path for upstream communication from the UE 20 to the CU 44, which connects the plurality of routers 104 constituting the lower ring 100a, is the router 104a.

[0154] Here, it is assumed that the predetermined number is 2. In this case, the communication path switching condition is (1) in the communication quality degradation determination process for a predetermined number of routers 104, two or more consecutive routers 104 from the router 104a, in upstream communication, it is determined that the communication quality of the communication network subordinate to the router 104 has deteriorated, and (2) in the communication quality degradation determination process for the remaining routers 104, it is determined that the communication quality of the communication network subordinate to the router 104 has not deteriorated.

[0155] Therefore, if it is determined that the communication quality of the communication networks under router 104a and router 104b has deteriorated, and it is determined that the communication quality of the communication networks under router 104c, router 104d, and router 104e has not deteriorated, the communication path between the multiple routers 104 that make up the lower ring 100a will be switched to an alternative path.

[0156] In addition, if it is determined that the communication quality of the communication networks under routers 104a, 104b, and 104c has deteriorated, but it is determined that the communication quality of the communication networks under routers 104d and 104e has not deteriorated, the communication path between the multiple routers 104 that make up the lower ring 100a will be switched to an alternative path.

[0157] In addition, if it is determined that the communication quality of the communication network under router 104a, router 104b, router 104c, and router 104d has deteriorated, but it is determined that the communication quality of the communication network under router 104e has not deteriorated, the communication path between the multiple routers 104 that make up the lower ring 100a will be switched to an alternative path.

[0158] In this case, the communication quality degradation determination process may determine whether the communication quality in the upstream communication has deteriorated. The communication path switching condition may be (1) in the communication quality degradation determination process for a predetermined number of routers 104 (two or more) consecutive from the router 104a, it is determined that the communication quality in the upstream communication of the communication network subordinate to the router 104 has deteriorated, and (2) in the communication quality degradation determination process for the remaining routers 104 constituting the ring network, it is determined that the communication quality in the upstream communication of the communication network subordinate to the router 104 has not deteriorated.

[0159] In addition, when the communication path switching conditions are met, the slice manager unit 92 may execute a communication path switching process to switch the communication path between multiple routers 104 that make up the ring network, which is unidirectional either clockwise or counterclockwise, to a communication path in the opposite direction.

[0160] For example, as described above, assume that the clockwise communication path is the active communication path and the counterclockwise communication path is the standby communication path. Here, when the communication path switching condition is satisfied, the slice manager unit 92 may switch the communication path between the multiple routers 104 constituting the lower ring 100a from the clockwise communication path, which is the active communication path, to the counterclockwise communication path, which is the standby communication path, as shown in Figure 10. In this case, data will be transmitted counterclockwise in subsequent communications between the routers 104 constituting the lower ring 100a.

[0161] In this embodiment, a communication path switching process may be executed that focuses on downstream communication.

[0162] For example, as described above, the clockwise communication path is the active communication path, and the counterclockwise communication path is the standby communication path.

[0163] In this case, for example, data transmitted from a CU 44 implemented in a regional data center 12a to a UE 20 within an area covered by a DU 42 under router 104a passes through router 104e, router 104a, and a DU 42 under router 104a.

[0164] In addition, data transmitted from a CU 44 implemented in the regional data center 12a to a UE 20 within an area covered by a DU 42 under router 104b passes through router 104e, router 104a, router 104b, and a DU 42 under router 104b.

[0165] In addition, data transmitted from a CU 44 implemented in a regional data center 12a to a UE 20 within an area covered by a DU 42 under router 104c passes through router 104e, router 104a, router 104b, router 104c, and a DU 42 under router 104c.

[0166] In addition, data transmitted from a CU 44 implemented in the regional data center 12a to a UE 20 within an area covered by a DU 42 under router 104d passes through router 104e, router 104a, router 104b, router 104c, router 104d, and a DU 42 under router 104d.

[0167] In this case, the router 104 located most upstream on the communication path for downstream communication from the CU 44 to the UE 20, which connects the plurality of routers 104 constituting the lower ring 100a, is the router 104e.

[0168] Taking this into consideration, the communication path switching condition may be (1) in downstream communication, in the communication quality degradation determination process for a predetermined number of routers 104, two or more of which are consecutive from router 104e, it is determined that the communication quality of the communication network subordinate to that router 104 has deteriorated, and (2) in the communication quality degradation determination process for the remaining routers 104, it is determined that the communication quality of the communication network subordinate to that router 104 has not deteriorated.

[0169] In this case, the communication quality degradation determination process may determine whether the communication quality in the downstream communication has deteriorated, and the communication path switching process may be executed when a communication path switching condition related to whether the communication quality in the downstream communication has deteriorated is satisfied.

[0170] It is possible to execute the communication path switching process in a similar manner to the lower ring 100a in ring networks other than the lower ring 100a. For example, it is possible to execute the communication path switching process in the lower ring 100b or the lower ring 100c in a similar manner to the lower ring 100a.

[0171] Furthermore, the communication path switching process can be performed in the same manner as the lower ring 100a for the middle ring 102. In this case, for example, the communication quality degradation determination process and the communication path switching process can be performed for each of the multiple routers 104 constituting the middle ring 102 based on the communication quality of the communication network subordinate to that router 104.

[0172] For example, suppose that the clockwise communication path between the plurality of routers 104 constituting the lower ring 100a is duplicated, and there is an active clockwise communication path and a standby clockwise communication path. In this situation, if a communication path switching condition is satisfied, the slice manager unit 92 may switch the communication path between the plurality of routers 104 from one of the duplicated communication paths, that is, the active communication path, to the other, that is, the standby communication path.

[0173] When monitoring communications between routers 104 that make up a ring network, a degradation in communication performance (so-called silent failure) may occur in communications between elements such as functional units that pass through the ring network, without any abnormalities such as failures being detected.

[0174] For example, if a failure occurs in the communication path between router 104c and router 104d, there is a high possibility that the communication quality of the communication network subordinate to router 104a, router 104b, and router 104c will decrease in upstream communication. In this case, the communication quality of the communication network subordinate to router 104b and router 104c will decrease, and it is unlikely that the communication quality of the communication network subordinate to router 104a will not decrease.

[0175] In this way, if the communication quality of the communication networks under a predetermined number of routers 104, two or more of which are consecutive from the most upstream router 104 in the communication path connecting multiple routers 104, is degraded, but the communication quality of the communication networks under the remaining routers 104 is not degraded, it is suspected that a fault has occurred in the ring network itself.

[0176] On the other hand, if there is no degradation in communication quality in the communication network under the router 104 that is most upstream in the communication path connecting multiple routers 104, it is unlikely that a failure has occurred in the ring network itself. For example, if there is a degradation in communication quality in the communication networks under the routers 104b and 104c, but there is no degradation in communication quality in the communication network under the router 104a, it is suspected that there may be a failure (for example, a node failure) in an element under the router 104b and 104c.

[0177] Furthermore, if the communication quality of the communication network under a single router 104 is degraded, it is suspected that a failure (e.g., node failure) has occurred in an element under that router 104. Furthermore, if the communication quality of the communication network under that router 104 is degraded in all routers 104 that make up a ring network, it is suspected that a failure (e.g., node failure) has occurred in an element under a router 104 that makes up a higher-level ring network. In these cases, too, it is unlikely that a failure has occurred in the ring network itself.

[0178] In light of the above, in this embodiment, when it is determined that the communication quality of the communication networks subordinate to a predetermined number of routers 104, two or more of which are consecutive from the most upstream router 104 in a communication path connecting the plurality of routers 104, has deteriorated, and when it is determined that the communication quality of the communication networks subordinate to the remaining routers 104 has not deteriorated, the communication path between the plurality of routers 104 is switched to an alternative path. In this way, if a fault has occurred in the ring network, the fault is resolved.

[0179] As described above, according to this embodiment, it is possible to appropriately deal with the occurrence of a silent failure in communication between elements passing through a ring network.

[0180] Here, an example of the flow of processing related to communication path switching control performed in the platform system 30 according to this embodiment will be described with reference to the flow diagram shown in FIG.

[0181] In this processing example, it is assumed that the timing for determining whether or not to switch the communication path arrives at a predetermined time interval (for example, every 15 minutes).

[0182] Then, the policy manager unit 90 waits for the arrival of the determination timing (S101).

[0183] When the determination timing arrives, the policy manager unit 90 executes a communication quality degradation determination process for each of the plurality of routers 104 constituting the lower ring 100a (S102). As described above, the communication quality degradation determination process shown in S102 refers to the process of determining whether or not the communication quality of the communication network subordinate to the router 104 has deteriorated. Here, for example, the policy manager unit 90 may acquire performance index value data indicating the communication performance of elements included in the communication network subordinate to the router 104, and determine whether or not the communication quality of the communication network subordinate to the router 104 has deteriorated based on the acquired performance index value data.

[0184] The policy manager unit 90 then determines whether or not the execution result of the communication quality degradation determination process shown in S102 for each of the plurality of routers 104 satisfies the communication path switching condition (S103). In the process shown in S103, for example, it is determined whether or not the following communication path switching condition is satisfied: (1) in the communication quality degradation determination process for a predetermined number of routers 104, two or more consecutive routers 104 from the most upstream router 104, it is determined that the communication quality of the communication network subordinate to that router 104 has deteriorated, and (2) in the communication quality degradation determination process for the remaining routers 104, it is determined that the communication quality of the communication network subordinate to that router 104 has not deteriorated.

[0185] If it is not determined in the process shown in S103 that the communication path switching condition is satisfied (S103: N), the process returns to the process shown in S101.

[0186] If it is determined in the process shown in S103 that the communication path switching condition is satisfied (S103: Y), the slice manager unit 92 executes communication path switching processing (S104) and returns to the process shown in S101. In the communication path switching processing shown in S104, for example, the communication path between the multiple routers 104 constituting the lower ring 100a is switched to an alternative path.

[0187] The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment.

[0188] For example, the functional units according to this embodiment are not limited to those shown in FIG.

[0189] Furthermore, the functional unit according to this embodiment does not need to be a NF in 5G. For example, the functional unit according to this embodiment may be a network node in 4G, such as an eNodeB, a vDU, a vCU, a Packet Data Network Gateway (P-GW), a Serving Gateway (S-GW), a Mobility Management Entity (MME), or a Home Subscriber Server (HSS).

[0190] Furthermore, the communication quality may be monitored by a function other than the monitoring function unit 72 shown in Fig. 5. For example, the communication quality may be monitored by the policy manager unit 90. Furthermore, the communication quality degradation determination process may be executed by a function other than the policy manager unit 90 shown in Fig. 5. Furthermore, the communication path switching process may be executed by a function other than the slice manager unit 92 shown in Fig. 5.

[0191] Furthermore, the functional units according to the present embodiment may be realized using hypervisor-type or host-type virtualization technology instead of container-type virtualization technology. Furthermore, the functional units according to the present embodiment do not need to be implemented by software, but may be implemented by hardware such as electronic circuits. Furthermore, the functional units according to the present embodiment may be implemented by a combination of electronic circuits and software.

[0192] The technology described in the present disclosure can also be expressed as follows: [1] A communication path control system comprising: monitoring means for monitoring, for each of a plurality of routers constituting a ring network, the communication quality of a communication network subordinate to the router; determining means for determining, for each of the plurality of routers, whether the communication quality of the communication network subordinate to the router has deteriorated; and switching means for switching the communication path between the plurality of routers to an alternative path when it is determined that the communication quality of the communication networks subordinate to two or more predetermined number of routers continuing from the most upstream router in a communication path connecting the plurality of routers has deteriorated, and when it is determined that the communication quality of the communication networks subordinate to the remaining routers has not deteriorated. [2] The communication path control system described in [1], wherein the monitoring means monitors, as the communication quality of the communication network subordinate to the router, the communication quality of communication between at least one element included in the communication network subordinate to the router and at least one element subordinate to a router constituting a ring network higher than the ring network. [3] The communication path control system according to [2], characterized in that the monitoring means monitors, as the communication quality of the communication network subordinate to the router, the communication quality of communication between at least one element constituting the communication network subordinate to the router and a CU (Central Unit) under the router constituting a ring network higher than the ring network. [4] The communication path control system according to [1], characterized in that the monitoring means monitors, as the communication quality of the communication network subordinate to the router, the communication quality of communication between at least one element constituting the communication network subordinate to the router and a CU (Central Unit) under the router constituting a ring network higher than the ring network.[5] The communication path control system according to any one of [1] to [4], further comprising: performance index value calculation means for calculating a performance index value indicating the communication performance of an element included in the communication network subordinate to the router based on at least one of the type of at least one element included in the communication network subordinate to the router or the topology of the element, wherein the monitoring means monitors the performance index value, and the determining means determines whether the communication quality of the communication network subordinate to the router has deteriorated based on the performance index value. [6] The communication path control system according to any one of [2] to [5], wherein the element is a network function. [7] The communication path control system according to any one of [1] to [6], wherein the switching means switches a communication path between the plurality of routers constituting the ring network, which is unidirectional either clockwise or counterclockwise, to a communication path in the opposite direction. [8] A communication path control method comprising: for each of a plurality of routers constituting a ring network, monitoring the communication quality of a communication network under the router; determining, for each of the plurality of routers, whether the communication quality of the communication network under the router has deteriorated; and, when it is determined that the communication quality of the communication networks under two or more predetermined number of routers consecutive from the most upstream router in a communication path connecting the plurality of routers has deteriorated, and when it is determined that the communication quality of the communication networks under the remaining routers has not deteriorated, switching the communication path between the plurality of routers to an alternative path.

Claims

1. A monitoring process for monitoring the communication quality of a communication network under each of a plurality of routers constituting a ring network; a determination process for determining whether or not the communication quality of the communication network under each of the plurality of routers is degraded; a switching process for switching the communication path between the plurality of routers to an alternative path when it is determined that the communication quality of the communication networks subordinate to two or more predetermined number of routers continuing from the most upstream router in the communication path connecting the plurality of routers has deteriorated and it is determined that the communication quality of the communication networks subordinate to the remaining routers has not deteriorated; A communication path control system that executes the above.

2. In the monitoring process, as the communication quality of the communication network subordinate to the router, a communication quality of communication between at least one element included in the communication network subordinate to the router and at least one element subordinate to a router constituting a ring network higher than the ring network is monitored.

2. The communication path control system according to claim 1.

3. In the monitoring process, as the communication quality of the communication network under the router, a communication quality of communication between at least one element constituting the communication network under the router and a CU (Central Unit) under the router constituting a ring network higher than the ring network is monitored.

3. The communication path control system according to claim 2.

4. In the monitoring process, a communication quality of a UE (User Equipment) in an area covered by at least one element under the router is monitored as the communication quality of the communication network under the router.

2. The communication path control system according to claim 1.

5. Further executing a performance index value calculation process for calculating a performance index value indicating communication performance of an element included in the communication network under the router based on at least one of the type of at least one element included in the communication network under the router or the topology of the element, In the monitoring process, the performance index value is monitored; In the determination process, it is determined whether or not the communication quality of the communication network under the router is degraded based on the performance index value.

2. The communication path control system according to claim 1.

6. The element is a network function.

3. The communication path control system according to claim 2.

7. In the switching process, a communication path between the plurality of routers constituting the ring network, which is either clockwise or counterclockwise, is switched to a communication path in the opposite direction.

2. The communication path control system according to claim 1.

8. monitoring communication quality of a communication network under each of a plurality of routers constituting a ring network; determining whether or not the communication quality of the communication network under each of the plurality of routers is degraded; switching the communication path between the plurality of routers to an alternative path when it is determined that the communication quality of the communication networks under two or more predetermined number of routers consecutive from the most upstream router in the communication path connecting the plurality of routers has deteriorated and it is determined that the communication quality of the communication networks under the remaining routers has not deteriorated; A communication path control method comprising: