Control device, optical transmission system, determination method, and program

Abstract

The present invention provides a control device in an optical transmission system for connecting, via an optical signal multiplexing device, an optical user terminal that includes a transponder and another optical user terminal that includes a transponder, said control device comprising: a connection relation determination unit for determining a connection relation between the optical user terminal and the optical signal multiplexing device on the basis of a monitoring result obtained by the optical signal multiplexing device that receives an optical signal which has been transmitted from the optical user terminal; and an optical signal conformance determination unit for determining, on the basis of the monitoring result, whether or not a format of the optical signal conforms to a format of an optical signal that is transmittable by the optical signal multiplexing device.

Description

Control device, optical transmission system, verification method, and program

[0001] The present invention relates to an optical transmission system for transmitting optical signals.

[0002] In a conventional optical transmission system, a plurality of optical transmission devices are provided as carrier facilities, and the optical transmission devices are connected to user terminals via Ethernet (registered trademark) or the like.

[0003] Each optical transmission device includes a transponder and an optical signal multiplexing unit, and a carrier (telecommunications operator) establishes an optical wavelength path between a transponder of an optical transmission device at one location and a transponder of an optical transmission device at another location. When the transponder of the optical transmission device at a certain location receives a signal such as Ethernet (registered trademark) as an optical signal from a user terminal, it converts the optical signal into an electrical signal, adds an error correction code or the like for long-distance transmission, converts the electrical signal into an optical signal, and transmits the optical signal through the optical wavelength path (Non-Patent Document 1).

[0004] Gaku Kawasaki et al., "Practical Application of Beyond 100G Optical Cross-Connect (B100G-OXC) Systems," NTT Technical Journal (Web) ISSN 2758-7266 / (Booklet) ISSN 0915-2318, https: / / journal.ntt.co.jp / article / 14780

[0005] As described above, in the conventional technology, since the transponder in the optical transmission device is a carrier facility, it is possible to guarantee that the connection between the transponder and the optical signal multiplexing unit is error-free, and it is also possible to guarantee that the optical signal from the transponder complies with the format of the optical signal that can be transmitted by the optical signal multiplexing unit.

[0006] On the other hand, in an APN (All Photonics Network), for example, the optical transmission equipment is assumed to be separable and the transponder is built into the user terminal. In this configuration, user terminals are directly connected to each other via optical wavelength paths, which is expected to enable low-latency and wide-bandwidth communications.

[0007] However, when a transponder is incorporated into a user terminal (optical user terminal), the transponder becomes user equipment. Therefore, it may not be possible to guarantee that there are no errors in the connection between the transponder and the optical signal multiplexing unit, or that the optical signal from the transponder complies with the optical signal format that the optical signal multiplexing unit can transmit. If these cannot be guaranteed, the optical signal from one optical user terminal may interfere with the optical signal from another optical user terminal in the carrier equipment, which may prevent the optical signal from being transmitted properly.

[0008] The present invention has been made in consideration of the above points, and aims to provide a technology that enables appropriate transmission of optical signals even when an optical user terminal equipped with a transponder is used in an optical transmission system.

[0009] According to the disclosed technology, there is provided a control device in an optical transmission system for connecting an optical user terminal equipped with a transponder to another optical user terminal equipped with a transponder by an optical wavelength path via an optical signal multiplexing device, the control device comprising: a connection relationship confirmation unit that confirms the connection relationship between the optical user terminal and the optical signal multiplexing device based on a monitoring result by the optical signal multiplexing device that receives an optical signal transmitted from the optical user terminal; and an optical signal compliance confirmation unit that confirms, based on the monitoring result, whether the format of the optical signal complies with the format of an optical signal that can be transmitted by the optical signal multiplexing device.

[0010] The disclosed technology provides a technology that enables appropriate transmission of optical signals even when an optical user terminal equipped with a transponder is used in an optical transmission system.

[0011] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of a conventional optical transmission system. FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of the overall configuration of an optical transmission system according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a controller 100 according to a first embodiment. FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of an optical signal multiplexing device 10 according to the first embodiment. FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating a specific example of the configuration of the optical signal multiplexing device 10. FIG. 6 is a sequence diagram according to the first embodiment. FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a controller 100 according to a second embodiment. FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of an optical signal multiplexing device 10 according to the second embodiment. FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of an optical user terminal 20 according to the second embodiment. FIG. 10 is a sequence diagram according to the second embodiment. FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating an example of the hardware configuration of the controller 100.

[0012] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. The embodiment described below is merely an example, and the embodiment to which the present invention is applied is not limited to the following embodiment.

[0013] In the following embodiments, the optical signal multiplexing device is considered to be carrier equipment and the optical user terminal is considered to be user equipment, but this classification of equipment is merely an example. The technology according to the present invention is applicable regardless of the classification of equipment. First, the conventional technology and problems will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings, and then the technology according to the present embodiment will be described in detail.

[0014] (Regarding Prior Art) As described above, in a conventional optical transmission system (optical transmission network), optical transmission equipment is installed in carrier facilities, and the optical transmission equipment and user terminals are connected via Ethernet (registered trademark) or the like.

[0015] Fig. 1 shows an example of the configuration of a conventional optical transmission system. In the optical transmission system shown in Fig. 1, optical transmission equipment 1A and optical transmission equipment 1B are provided as carrier facilities. User terminals 2A and 2B are connected to the optical transmission equipment 1A and the optical transmission equipment 1B, respectively, via Ethernet (registered trademark) or the like. In the following explanation, when there is no need to distinguish between the two opposing equipment, the designations "A" and "B" will be omitted.

[0016] 1, the optical transmission device 1 includes a transponder 3 and an optical signal multiplexing unit 4. A carrier (telecommunications company) sets up an optical wavelength path between a transponder 3A of the optical transmission device 1A and a transponder 3B of the optical transmission device 1B. When the transponder 3 receives a signal (optical signal) such as Ethernet (registered trademark) from a user terminal 2, it converts the optical signal into an electrical signal, adds an error correction code or the like for long-distance transmission, converts the electrical signal into an optical signal, and transmits the optical signal through the optical wavelength path.

[0017] The optical signal multiplexing unit 4 in the optical transmission device 1 has a configuration including, for example, WDM, Add / Drop+WXC, etc. The optical transmission devices are connected by optical fibers, and in some cases, optical transmission devices for relaying are also provided.

[0018] The transponder 3 creates and transmits an optical signal in a predetermined optical signal format (frequency width, modulation method, optical signal intensity, etc.). Because the optical signal from the transponder 3 conforms to the predetermined optical signal format, the optical signal multiplexer 4 can multiplex optical signals from multiple transponders without interfering with each other, thereby enabling multiple optical signals to be transmitted over a single optical fiber.

[0019] (Regarding the Problems) In the above-described conventional technology, since the transponder 3 is a carrier facility, the following guarantees (1) and (2) are provided.

[0020] (1) The connection between the transponder 3 and the optical signal multiplexing unit 4 is constructed by the carrier itself, so that it is guaranteed that there will be no errors.

[0021] (2) Since the transponder 3 is a facility of the carrier itself, it is possible to guarantee that the optical signal from the transponder 3 conforms to an optical signal format that can be transmitted by the optical signal multiplexing unit 4 .

[0022] On the other hand, in an APN (All Photonic Network) or the like, it is assumed that the optical transmission device 1 is configured to be separable, and the transponder 11 is incorporated into the user terminal 2. In this configuration, the user terminals 2 are directly connected to each other via optical wavelength paths, which is expected to realize low-latency and wideband communication.

[0023] In this case, the transponder 3 becomes a user device, which poses a problem that the preconditions (1) and (2) no longer hold.

[0024] The configuration and operation for solving the above problems will be described in detail below.

[0025] (Overall Configuration Example) Fig. 2 shows an overall configuration example of an optical transmission system according to this embodiment. As shown in Fig. 2, an optical signal multiplexing device 10A and an optical signal multiplexing device 10B are provided as carrier facilities. Two optical user terminals 20A are connected to the optical signal multiplexing device 10A as user facilities, and two optical user terminals 20B are connected to the optical signal multiplexing device 10B as user facilities. Each optical user terminal 20 is provided with a transponder 25.

[0026] Also provided is a controller 100 that controls the optical user terminals 20 and the optical signal multiplexer 10. The controller may also be called a control device. The controller 100 is capable of communicating with each of the optical user terminals 20 and the optical signal multiplexer 10 via a control line.

[0027] (Outline of Operation) The controller 100 communicates with the optical user terminal 20, which is user equipment, and the optical signal multiplexer 10, which is carrier equipment, to check the following items (1) and (2).

[0028] (1) The controller 100 checks the connection relationship between the optical user terminal 20 and the optical signal multiplexer 10 .

[0029] (2) Confirm that the optical signal transmitted by the optical user terminal 20 conforms to the format of an optical signal that can be transmitted by the optical signal multiplexer 10.

[0030] The controller 100 checks (1) and (2) before setting an optical wavelength path, thereby enabling safe use of carrier facilities.

[0031] Hereinafter, as more specific examples of configuration and operation, examples 1 and 2 will be described. The outline of examples 1 and 2 is as follows.

[0032] Example 1: The optical signal multiplexing device 10 has a functional unit that monitors optical signals. The controller 100 sets a port (which may be called an IF (interface)) in the optical signal multiplexing device 10 that connects to the optical user terminal 20 to a monitoring mode, and the controller 100 instructs the optical user terminal 20 to transmit an optical signal. The controller 100 checks the received optical signal in the monitoring mode, thereby checking (1) and (2).

[0033] The effectiveness of the method of the first embodiment depends on how accurately the received optical signal can be inspected in the monitoring mode.

[0034] Example 2: As a simpler method than Example 1, only (1) is checked in the received optical signal. For example, only whether or not an optical signal is received is checked. On the other hand, for (2), the carrier specifies the transponder model type permitted for use, and the controller 100 checks whether the transponder 25 of the optical user terminal 20 complies with this specification. Specifically, the controller 100 acquires the serial number of the transponder 25, obtains the transponder model type from the serial number, and then checks the legitimacy of the optical user terminal 20 as a countermeasure against false serial numbers. The serial number is an example of identification information.

[0035] First Embodiment First, the first embodiment will be described in detail.

[0036] <Controller 100> Fig. 3 shows an example of the configuration of the controller 100 in Example 1. As shown in Fig. 3, the controller 100 includes an optical user terminal connection acceptance unit 110, a connection relationship confirmation unit 120, an optical signal compliance confirmation unit 130, an optical user terminal communication unit 140, and an optical signal multiplexing communication unit 150. The functions of each unit are as follows:

[0037] The optical user terminal connection acceptance unit 110 accepts requests for optical user terminal connections. The optical user terminal connection acceptance unit 110 also causes the connection relationship confirmation unit 120 to confirm whether the optical user terminal 20 attempting to connect is properly connected, and causes the optical signal compliance confirmation unit 130 to confirm whether the optical signal from the optical user terminal 20 is in a format that complies with the optical signal format that can be transmitted by the optical signal multiplexer 10. The optical user terminal connection acceptance unit 110 responds with the confirmation result to the request source.

[0038] The connection relationship confirmation unit 120 confirms whether the optical user terminal 20 to be connected is correctly connected to the optical signal multiplexer 10. A correct connection means, for example, that when the optical user terminal 20 should be connected to a specific IF of the optical signal multiplexer 10, the optical user terminal 20 is actually connected to the specific IF.

[0039] The optical signal compliance checking unit 130 checks whether the optical signal from the optical user terminal 20 to be connected is in a format that complies with the optical signal format that the optical signal multiplexer 10 can transmit.

[0040] The optical user terminal communication unit 140 performs various communications for controlling the optical user terminal 20, including issuing instructions for transmitting and receiving optical signals. Furthermore, when communicating with the optical user terminal 20, each functional unit in the controller 100 communicates via the optical user terminal communication unit 140.

[0041] The optical signal multiplexing communication unit 150 performs various communications for controlling the optical signal multiplexing device 10. This control includes setting the optical signal receiving unit 12 to a monitoring mode and issuing an instruction to perform monitoring by the optical signal monitoring unit 13. Furthermore, when communicating with the optical signal multiplexing device 10, each functional unit in the controller 100 communicates via the optical signal multiplexing communication unit 150.

[0042] <Optical Signal Multiplexing Device 10> Fig. 4 shows an example of the configuration of the optical signal multiplexing device 10 in Example 1. As shown in Fig. 4, the optical signal multiplexing device 10 includes a controller communication unit 11, an optical signal transmitting and receiving unit 12, an optical signal monitoring unit 13, an optical signal multiplexing and demultiplexing unit 14, and an optical signal transmitting and receiving unit 15.

[0043] The controller communication unit 11 performs various communications for receiving control from the controller 100 .

[0044] The optical signal transmitter / receiver 12 is connected to the optical user terminal 20 and transmits and receives optical signals. Generally, transmission and reception are performed at a specific wavelength. The specific wavelength refers to a frequency band along a frequency grid.

[0045] The optical signal monitoring unit 13 receives and monitors the optical signal from the optical signal transmitting / receiving unit 12. There are a number of possible monitoring levels, such as the received intensity and frequency width of the optical signal, and the modulation method and FEC method.

[0046] The optical signal multiplexer / demultiplexer 14 multiplexes or switches the path of optical signals between the optical signal transmitter / receiver 12 and the optical signal transmitter / receiver 15 .

[0047] The optical signal transmitting / receiving unit 15 is connected to other optical signal multiplexing devices 10 and transmits and receives optical signals. Generally, a plurality of wavelengths are multiplexed and transmitted / received.

[0048] <Optical User Terminal 20> Fig. 5 shows an example of the configuration of the optical user terminal 20 in Example 1. As shown in Fig. 5, the optical user terminal 20 includes a controller communication unit 21, an electrical-to-optical signal conversion unit 22, and an optical signal transmission / reception unit 23.

[0049] The controller communication unit 21 performs various communications to receive control from the controller 100. The electrical-to-optical signal conversion unit 22 converts electrical signals and optical signals. The optical signal transmission / reception unit 23 is connected to the optical signal multiplexer 10 and transmits and receives optical signals.

[0050] In general, the combination of the electrical-to-optical signal converter 22 and the optical signal transmitter / receiver 23 is called a transponder.

[0051] <Specific Example of Optical Signal Multiplexing Device 10> Fig. 6 shows a specific example of the configuration of the optical signal multiplexing device 10. As shown in Fig. 6, in this example, the optical signal transmitting / receiving unit 12 includes an IF and an FXC (Fiber Cross Connect), the optical signal multiplexing / demultiplexing unit 14 includes an Add / Drop and a WXC, and the optical signal transmitting / receiving unit 15 includes an IF.

[0052] In this configuration, only the IF set to the monitoring mode by FXC sends an optical signal to the optical signal monitoring unit 13. This eliminates the need for a monitoring function for all IFs, reducing costs. In addition, since the IF set to the monitoring mode does not send an optical signal to the optical signal multiplexing / demultiplexing unit 14, interference with other optical signals can be prevented.

[0053] <Operation Example: Example 1> Next, an operation example of the system in Example 1 will be described with reference to the sequence diagram shown in Fig. 7. In the example of Fig. 7, there is an external system 200 that is used by a user or an operator.

[0054] In S1, the external system 200 transmits a connection request for a new optical user terminal 20 to the controller 100. The connection request includes (A) information (such as an IP address) used by the controller 100 to communicate with the optical user terminal 20, and (B) provisional information indicating which IF connects the optical user terminal 20 to the optical signal multiplexer 10. The optical user terminal connection accepting unit 110 of the controller 100 acquires this information.

[0055] In S2, the optical user terminal communication unit 140 of the controller 100 uses (A) to communicate with the optical user terminal 20 and confirms that the optical user terminal 20 is present.

[0056] In S3, the optical user terminal communication unit 140 of the controller 100 communicates with the optical user terminal 20 and acquires the optical signal format supported by the optical user terminal 20 as provisional information.

[0057] In S4, the optical signal multiplexing communication unit 150 of the controller 100 communicates with the optical signal multiplexing device 10 and sets the IF of the optical signal multiplexing device 10 to the monitoring mode based on the information (B).

[0058] In S5, the optical user terminal communication unit 140 of the controller 100 communicates with the optical user terminal 20 and instructs it to transmit an optical signal in a supported optical signal format.

[0059] In S6, the optical user terminal 20 transmits an optical signal to the optical signal multiplexer 10 in accordance with the instruction in S5.

[0060] In S7, the optical signal monitoring unit 13 of the optical signal multiplexing device 10 monitors the optical signal received from the optical user terminal 20. At this time, the optical signal monitoring unit 13 can check whether the optical signal is actually connected to the correct IF by checking whether or not the optical signal is received, and can also check whether the format of the optical signal complies with transmission in the optical signal multiplexing device 10 by analyzing the content of the optical signal.

[0061] In S8 , the optical signal monitoring unit 13 of the optical signal multiplexing device 10 transmits the monitoring result to the controller 100 .

[0062] In S9, in the controller 100, the connection relationship confirmation unit 120 confirms the connection relationship (whether the connection is correct), and the optical signal compliance confirmation unit 130 confirms whether the format of the optical signal from the optical user terminal 20 complies with the format suitable for transmission by the optical signal multiplexer 10. The confirmation here includes confirmation of whether the provisional information is accurate.

[0063] In S10, the optical user terminal communication unit 140 of the controller 100 communicates with the optical user terminal 20 and instructs it to stop transmitting an optical signal.

[0064] In S11, the optical signal multiplexing communication unit 150 of the controller 100 communicates with the optical signal multiplexer 10 and instructs the optical signal multiplexer 10 to cancel the monitoring mode of the IF.

[0065] In S12 , the optical user terminal connection accepting unit 110 of the controller 100 transmits a connection response (OK / NG) to the external system 200 .

[0066] If the optical user terminal 20 supports multiple optical signal formats, steps S4 to S9 are repeated for each format.

[0067] In addition, to prevent the user from replacing the optical user terminal 20 or transponder 25 with a different one after the connection has been permitted, this process may be performed periodically or may be performed again immediately before the optical wavelength path is opened.

[0068] (Example 2) Next, Example 2 will be described. In Example 2, differences from Example 1 will be mainly described. Note that the controller 100, the optical user terminal 20, and the optical signal multiplexer 10 may each have the functions of both Example 1 and Example 2. In this case, each device can select either the operation of Example 1 or Example 2 in response to, for example, an instruction from a carrier.

[0069] <Controller 100> Fig. 8 shows a configuration example of the controller 100 in Example 2. As shown in Fig. 8, the controller 100 includes an optical user terminal connection accepting unit 110, a connection relationship checking unit 120, an optical user terminal communication unit 140, an optical signal multiplexing communication unit 150, and a transponder type checking unit 160. That is, the controller 100 in Example 2 has a configuration in which the optical signal compliance checking unit 130 in the controller 100 in Example 1 is replaced with the transponder type checking unit 160.

[0070] The transponder type confirmation unit 160 confirms whether the optical user terminal 20 attempting to connect is using a transponder 25 that complies with the regulations. As a confirmation method, rather than checking by monitoring the received optical signal in the optical signal monitoring unit 16, the transponder type confirmation unit 160 receives information on the transponder model type from the transponder type acquisition unit 24 of the optical user terminal 20 and confirms the validity of this information. An example of the validity confirmation method will be described below.

[0071] Prerequisites: Each transponder is assigned a unique serial number, which is set by the manufacturer, for example, like a MAC address.

[0072] The transponder model type, private key (which may also be called an encryption key), and public key are set corresponding to the serial number. The serial number, transponder model type, and public key are made public, but the private key is stored only within the transponder.

[0073] The published serial number, transponder model type, and public key can be obtained, for example, from a server on the Internet.

[0074] Procedure: The transponder type confirmation unit 160 acquires the serial number of the transponder 25 from the transponder type acquisition unit 24 of the optical user terminal 20 .

[0075] Next, the transponder type confirmation unit 160 acquires the transponder model type and public key from, for example, a server on the Internet, based on the serial number. The transponder type confirmation unit 160 confirms whether the acquired transponder model type complies with the regulations.

[0076] Next, the transponder type confirmation unit 160 confirms the validity of the transponder 25 of the optical user terminal 20. For example, the transponder type confirmation unit 160 communicates with the optical user terminal using a public key, and confirms whether the optical user terminal 20 can communicate with the controller 100 by performing decryption using a private key.

[0077] More specifically, for example, the transponder type confirmation unit 160 encrypts certain information using the acquired public key and transmits the encrypted information to the optical user terminal 20. The optical user terminal 20 decrypts the encrypted information using the private key stored in the transponder 25 and transmits the decrypted information to the controller 100. When the transponder type confirmation unit 160 of the controller 100 confirms that it has received correct information from the optical user terminal 20, it determines that it has successfully confirmed the authenticity of the transponder 25.

[0078] <Optical signal multiplexing device 10> Fig. 9 shows an example of the configuration of the optical signal multiplexing device 10 in Example 2. As shown in Fig. 9, the optical signal multiplexing device 10 includes a controller communication unit 11, an optical signal transmitting and receiving unit 12, an optical signal monitoring unit 16, an optical signal multiplexing and demultiplexing unit 14, and an optical signal transmitting and receiving unit 15.

[0079] The optical signal multiplexer 10 of the second embodiment has a configuration in which the optical signal monitoring unit 13 in the optical signal multiplexer 10 of the first embodiment is replaced with an optical signal monitoring unit 16 .

[0080] The optical signal monitoring unit 16 receives and monitors optical signals from the optical signal transmitting and receiving unit 12. The level of monitoring is simpler than in the first embodiment, and only connectivity is confirmed by checking whether or not an optical signal is received. Note that this method is just one example, and an alternative method may be used, such as sending a test signal from the optical signal multiplexer 10 to the optical user terminal 20.

[0081] 10 shows an example of the configuration of the optical user terminal 20 in Example 2. As shown in Fig. 10, the optical user terminal 20 includes a controller communication unit 21, an electrical-to-optical signal conversion unit 22, an optical signal transmission / reception unit 23, and a transponder type acquisition unit 24.

[0082] The optical user terminal 20 of the second embodiment has a configuration in which a transponder type acquisition unit 24 is added to the optical user terminal 20 of the first embodiment.

[0083] The transponder type acquisition unit 24 acquires the serial number of the transponder 25. The transponder type acquisition unit 24 is also capable of performing encryption and decryption processing corresponding to the serial number of the transponder 25.

[0084] <Operation Example: Second Embodiment> Next, an operation example of the system in the second embodiment will be described with reference to the sequence diagram shown in FIG.

[0085] In S1, the external system 200 transmits a connection request for a new optical user terminal 20 to the controller 100. The connection request includes (A) information (such as an IP address) used by the controller 100 to communicate with the optical user terminal 20, and (B) provisional information indicating which IF connects the optical user terminal 20 to the optical signal multiplexer 10. The optical user terminal connection accepting unit 110 of the controller 100 acquires this information.

[0086] In S2, the optical user terminal communication unit 140 of the controller 100 uses (A) to communicate with the optical user terminal 20 and confirms that the optical user terminal 20 is present.

[0087] In S3 , the optical user terminal communication unit 140 of the controller 100 communicates with the optical user terminal 20 and acquires the serial number of the transponder 25 from the transponder type acquisition unit 24 .

[0088] In S4, the transponder type confirmation unit 160 of the controller 100 acquires the transponder type and the public key from the serial number.

[0089] In S5, the transponder type confirmation unit 160 of the controller 100 confirms whether the type of the transponder 25 complies with the regulations.

[0090] In S6, the transponder type confirmation unit 160 of the controller 100 encrypts information using the public key and communicates with the optical user terminal 20, and the optical user terminal 20 decrypts the information using the private key stored in the transponder 25 and returns the information to the controller 100. Based on this response, the transponder type confirmation unit 160 confirms the legitimacy of the transponder 25 of the optical user terminal 20, determining whether it is the correct transponder 25 corresponding to the serial number acquired in S3.

[0091] In S7, the controller 100 checks the connection between the optical user terminal 20 and the optical signal multiplexer 10. Here, the procedures of S4 to S9 in the first embodiment can be used. However, the monitoring corresponding to S7 in the first embodiment may only check whether an optical signal is received.

[0092] In S8, the optical user terminal connection accepting unit 110 of the controller 100 transmits a connection response (OK / NG) to the external system 200.

[0093] In addition, to prevent the user from replacing the optical user terminal 20 or transponder 25 with a different one after the connection has been permitted, this process may be performed periodically or may be performed again immediately before the optical wavelength path is opened.

[0094] (Hardware Configuration Example) The controller 100 (control device) described in this embodiment can be realized, for example, by causing a computer to execute a program. This computer may be a physical computer or a virtual machine on a cloud.

[0095] That is, the controller 100 can be realized by using hardware resources such as a CPU and memory built into a computer to execute a program corresponding to the processing performed by the controller 100. The program can be recorded on a computer-readable recording medium (such as a portable memory) and can be saved or distributed. The program can also be provided via a network such as the Internet or email.

[0096] Fig. 12 is a diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of the computer. The computer in Fig. 12 includes a drive device 1000, an auxiliary storage device 1002, a memory device 1003, a CPU 1004, an interface device 1005, a display device 1006, an input device 1007, an output device 1008, and the like, all of which are interconnected by a bus BS. The computer may further include a GPU.

[0097] The program that realizes the processing on the computer is provided by a recording medium 1001, such as a CD-ROM or a memory card. When the recording medium 1001 storing the program is set in the drive device 1000, the program is installed from the recording medium 1001 to the auxiliary storage device 1002 via the drive device 1000. However, the program does not necessarily have to be installed from the recording medium 1001, but may be downloaded from another computer via a network. The auxiliary storage device 1002 stores the installed program as well as necessary files, data, etc.

[0098] The memory device 1003 reads and stores the program from the auxiliary storage device 1002 when an instruction to start the program is received. The CPU 1004 realizes functions related to the controller 100 in accordance with the program stored in the memory device 1003. The interface device 1005 is used as an interface for connecting to a network, etc. The display device 1006 displays a GUI (Graphical User Interface) or the like according to the program. The input device 1007 is composed of a keyboard, mouse, buttons, a touch panel, etc., and is used to input various operation instructions. The output device 1008 outputs the results of calculations.

[0099] (Summary, effects, etc. of the embodiment) As explained above, the technology explained in the present embodiment makes it possible to check the connection relationship between an optical user terminal and an optical signal multiplexing device in an optical transmission system that enables multiple optical user terminals, each equipped with a transponder, to be directly connected to each other via an optical wavelength path, and to check whether the optical signal transmitted by the optical user terminal complies with the optical signal format that can be transmitted by the optical signal multiplexing device.

[0100] Therefore, even if a user makes a simple mistake or makes an intentional mistake with malicious intent, it can be detected, and the carrier equipment can be used safely without affecting (interfering with) other optical signals.

[0101] The following additional notes are provided regarding the above-described embodiments.

[0102] <Notes> (Note 1) A control device in an optical transmission system for connecting an optical user terminal equipped with a transponder to another optical user terminal equipped with a transponder by an optical wavelength path via an optical signal multiplexing device, comprising: a memory; and at least one processor connected to the memory, wherein the processor checks the connection relationship between the optical user terminal and the optical signal multiplexing device based on a monitoring result by the optical signal multiplexing device that receives an optical signal transmitted from the optical user terminal, and checks, based on the monitoring result, whether the format of the optical signal complies with the format of an optical signal that can be transmitted by the optical signal multiplexing device. (Supplementary Item 2) A control device in an optical transmission system for connecting an optical user terminal equipped with a transponder to another optical user terminal equipped with a transponder by an optical wavelength path via an optical signal multiplexing device, comprising: a memory; and at least one processor connected to the memory, wherein the processor: checks a connection relationship between the optical user terminal and the optical signal multiplexing device based on a monitoring result by the optical signal multiplexing device that receives an optical signal transmitted from the optical user terminal; acquires identification information of the transponder equipped in the optical user terminal from the optical user terminal, and checks, based on the identification information, whether the type of the transponder is a type that can be used for the optical signal multiplexing device. (Supplementary Item 3) The control device according to Supplementary Item 1 or 2, wherein the processor sets a connection interface in the optical signal multiplexing device with the optical user terminal to a monitoring mode. (Supplementary Item 4) The control device according to Supplementary Item 2, wherein the processor checks the authenticity of the transponder by communicating with the optical user terminal using a public key corresponding to the identification information. (Supplementary Item 5) An optical transmission system comprising: a control device according to any one of Supplementary Items 1 to 4; a plurality of optical user terminals, each equipped with a transponder; and an optical signal multiplexing device that relays optical wavelength paths between the optical user terminals.(Supplementary Item 6) A confirmation method executed by a control device in an optical transmission system for connecting an optical user terminal equipped with a transponder to another optical user terminal equipped with a transponder by an optical wavelength path via an optical signal multiplexing device, the confirmation method comprising: a connection relationship confirmation step for confirming a connection relationship between the optical user terminal and the optical signal multiplexing device based on a monitoring result by the optical signal multiplexing device that receives an optical signal transmitted from the optical user terminal; and an optical signal compliance confirmation step for confirming, based on the monitoring result, whether the format of the optical signal complies with a format of an optical signal that can be transmitted by the optical signal multiplexing device. (Supplementary Item 7) A confirmation method executed by a control device in an optical transmission system for connecting an optical user terminal equipped with a transponder to another optical user terminal equipped with a transponder by an optical wavelength path via an optical signal multiplexing device, comprising: a connection relationship confirmation step of confirming a connection relationship between the optical user terminal and the optical signal multiplexing device based on a monitoring result by the optical signal multiplexing device that receives an optical signal transmitted from the optical user terminal, and a transponder type confirmation step of acquiring identification information of the transponder equipped in the optical user terminal from the optical user terminal, and confirming, based on the identification information, whether the type of the transponder is a type that can be used for the optical signal multiplexing device. (Supplementary Item 8) A non-transitory storage medium storing a program for causing a computer to function as each unit in a control device according to any one of Supplementary Items 1 to 4.

[0103] Although the present embodiment has been described above, the present invention is not limited to such a specific embodiment, and various modifications and changes are possible within the scope of the gist of the present invention described in the claims.

[0104] REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 1 Optical transmission device 2 User terminal 3 Transponder 4 Optical signal multiplexing unit 10 Optical signal multiplexing device 11 Controller communication unit 12 Optical signal transmitting and receiving unit 13 Optical signal monitoring unit 14 Optical signal multiplexing / demultiplexing unit 15 Optical signal transmitting and receiving unit 16 Optical signal monitoring unit 20 Optical user terminal 21 Controller communication unit 22 Electrical-optical signal conversion unit 23 Optical signal transmitting and receiving unit 24 Transponder type acquisition unit 100 Controller 110 Optical user terminal connection acceptance unit 120 Connection relationship confirmation unit 130 Optical signal compliance confirmation unit 140 Optical user terminal communication unit 150 Optical signal multiplexing communication unit 160 Transponder type confirmation unit 200 External system 1000 Drive device 1001 Recording medium 1002 Auxiliary storage device 1003 Memory device 1004 CPU 1005 Interface device 1006 Display device 1007 Input device 1008 Output device

Claims

1. A control device in an optical transmission system for connecting an optical user terminal equipped with a transponder to another optical user terminal equipped with a transponder by an optical wavelength path via an optical signal multiplexing device, the control device comprising: a connection relationship confirmation unit that confirms the connection relationship between the optical user terminal and the optical signal multiplexing device based on monitoring results by the optical signal multiplexing device that receives an optical signal transmitted from the optical user terminal; and an optical signal compliance confirmation unit that confirms, based on the monitoring results, whether the format of the optical signal complies with the format of an optical signal that can be transmitted by the optical signal multiplexing device.

2. A control device in an optical transmission system for connecting an optical user terminal equipped with a transponder to another optical user terminal equipped with a transponder by an optical wavelength path via an optical signal multiplexing device, comprising: a connection relationship confirmation unit that confirms a connection relationship between the optical user terminal and the optical signal multiplexing device based on a monitoring result by the optical signal multiplexing device that receives an optical signal transmitted from the optical user terminal; and a transponder type confirmation unit that obtains identification information of the transponder equipped in the optical user terminal from the optical user terminal, and confirms whether the type of the transponder is a type that can be used for the optical signal multiplexing device based on the identification information.

3. The control device according to claim 1, further comprising an optical signal multiplexing communication unit that sets a connection interface between said optical signal multiplexing device and said optical user terminal to a monitoring mode.

4. The control device according to claim 2, wherein the transponder type confirmation unit confirms the authenticity of the transponder by communicating with the optical user terminal using a public key corresponding to the identification information.

5. An optical transmission system comprising: a control device according to any one of claims 1 to 4; a plurality of optical user terminals, each of which has a transponder; and an optical signal multiplexing device for relaying optical wavelength paths between the optical user terminals.

6. A confirmation method executed by a control device in an optical transmission system for connecting an optical user terminal equipped with a transponder to another optical user terminal equipped with a transponder by an optical wavelength path via an optical signal multiplexing device, the confirmation method comprising: a connection relationship confirmation step of confirming a connection relationship between the optical user terminal and the optical signal multiplexing device based on a monitoring result by the optical signal multiplexing device that receives an optical signal transmitted from the optical user terminal; and an optical signal compliance confirmation step of confirming, based on the monitoring result, whether the format of the optical signal complies with the format of an optical signal that can be transmitted by the optical signal multiplexing device.

7. A confirmation method executed by a control device in an optical transmission system for connecting an optical user terminal equipped with a transponder to another optical user terminal equipped with a transponder by an optical wavelength path via an optical signal multiplexing device, the confirmation method comprising: a connection relationship confirmation step of confirming a connection relationship between the optical user terminal and the optical signal multiplexing device based on a monitoring result by the optical signal multiplexing device that receives an optical signal transmitted from the optical user terminal; and a transponder type confirmation step of acquiring identification information of the transponder equipped in the optical user terminal from the optical user terminal, and confirming, based on the identification information, whether the type of the transponder is a type that can be used for the optical signal multiplexing device.

8. A program for causing a computer to function as each unit in the control device according to any one of claims 1 to 4.

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