Communication system, communication device, and communication method

Abstract

One aspect of the present invention is a communication system for propagating target information, which is information transmitted by a transmission source device, to a destination device, the communication system comprising: a route controller that outputs the propagated target information along a predetermined route; a communication controller that is connected to the route controller and performs a predetermined process on the target information propagated to the route controller; a first control unit that executes a reconfigured route information acquisition process for acquiring reconfigured route information that is information indicating a route reconfigured on the basis of communication state information indicating the state of communication, a route configuration process for controlling the operation of the route controller to configure the route indicated by the reconfigured route information acquired from the reconfigured route information acquisition process, and a linking process for making a predetermined acquisition destination acquire the reconfigured route information acquired from the reconfigured route information acquisition process; and a second control unit that executes a communication controller control process for controlling the operation of the communication controller on the basis of the reconfigured route information acquired from the reconfigured route information acquisition process, wherein the acquisition destination is the second control unit.

Description

Communication system, communication device, and communication method

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

[0002] In recent years, the demand for communication has been increasing.

[0003] International Publication No. 2021 / 152670

[0004] In communication systems, communication problems can occur for a variety of reasons, including communication failures caused by failures such as fiber breakage, communication failures caused by increased traffic on a specific route, and communication failures caused by operators manipulating lines during system repairs.

[0005] When a problem occurs, the route that caused the problem has been detected and the route has been reconfigured based on the detection results. However, even if the route is reconfigured, the problem will not be resolved unless the behavior of the communication devices on the route is also reconfigured.

[0006] Therefore, until now, the behavior of communication devices has been reconfigured manually. However, because this was done manually, a person had to go to the communication device and reconfigure it every time a malfunction occurred. As a result, it could take a long time to restore communication.

[0007] In view of the above circumstances, an object of the present invention is to provide a technique for shortening the time required to recover from a communication failure.

[0008] One aspect of the present invention is a communication system that propagates target information, which is information sent by a source device, to a destination device, and includes: a route controller that outputs the propagated target information to a predetermined route; a communication controller that is connected to the route controller and performs predetermined processing on the target information that has propagated to the route controller; a first control unit that executes a reconfigured route information acquisition process that acquires reconfigured route information, which is information indicating a route that has been reconfigured based on communication status information that indicates a communication status; a route configuration process that controls the operation of the route controller to configure a route indicated by the reconfigured route information obtained in the reconfigured route information acquisition process; and a coordination process that causes a predetermined acquisition destination to acquire the reconfigured route information obtained in the reconfigured route information acquisition process; and a second control unit that executes a communication controller control process that controls the operation of the communication controller based on the reconfigured route information obtained in the reconfigured route information acquisition process, wherein the acquisition destination is the second control unit.

[0009] One aspect of the present invention is a communication system that propagates target information, which is information sent by a source device, to a destination device, and the communication device in the communication system includes: a route controller that outputs the propagated target information to a predetermined route; a communication controller that is connected to the route controller and performs predetermined processing on the target information that has propagated to the route controller; and a second control unit that executes a communication controller control process to control the operation of the communication controller.The communication device includes: a first control unit that executes a reconfigured route information acquisition process that acquires reconfigured route information, which is information indicating a route that has been reconfigured based on communication status information that indicates the status of communication; a route configuration process that controls the operation of the route controller to configure a route indicated by the reconfigured route information obtained in the reconfigured route information acquisition process; and a coordination process that causes a predetermined acquisition destination to acquire the reconfigured route information obtained in the reconfigured route information acquisition process.The acquisition destination is the second control unit, and the second control unit controls the operation of the communication controller based on the reconfigured route information obtained in the reconfigured route information acquisition process.

[0010] One aspect of the present invention is a communication system that propagates target information, which is information transmitted from a source device, to a destination device, the system comprising: a route controller that outputs the propagated target information to a predetermined route; a communication controller that is connected to the route controller and performs predetermined processing on the target information that has propagated to the route controller; a reconfigured route information acquisition process that acquires reconfigured route information, which is information indicating a route that has been reconfigured based on communication status information that indicates a communication status; a route configuration process that controls the operation of the route controller to configure a route indicated by the reconfigured route information obtained in the reconfigured route information acquisition process; a first control unit that executes a coordination process to cause a predetermined acquisition destination to acquire the reconfigured route information; and a second control unit that executes a communication controller control process to control the operation of the communication controller based on the reconfigured route information obtained in the reconfigured route information acquisition process, wherein the acquisition destination is the second control unit, the communication method being executed by a communication system having a reconfigured route information acquisition step in which the first control unit executes the reconfigured route information acquisition process, a route configuration step in which the first control unit executes the route configuration process, a coordination step in which the first control unit executes the coordination process, and a communication controller control step in which the second control unit executes the communication controller control process.

[0011] The present invention makes it possible to shorten the time required to recover from a communication failure.

[0012] An explanatory diagram for explaining a communication system of an embodiment. A diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of a route controller in an embodiment. A diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of a communication controller in an embodiment. A diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of a first communication device in an embodiment. A diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of a second communication device in an embodiment. A flowchart showing an example of the flow of processing executed in the communication system of an embodiment. A diagram showing an application example of the communication system of an embodiment.

[0013] (Embodiment) FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a communication system 100 according to an embodiment. The communication system 100 is a communication system that propagates information transmitted by a source device (hereinafter referred to as "target information") to a destination device. The source device and the destination device are base stations that wirelessly communicate with terminals such as smartphones and personal computers. Therefore, the communication system 100 forwards, for example, a signal received by the source base station to the destination base station. As a result, the signal received by the source base station is transmitted to a terminal that communicates with the destination base station.

[0014] The communication system 100 includes a route controller 1, a communication controller 2, a first communication device 3 including a first control unit 31, and a second communication device 4 including a second control unit 41. In the example of Fig. 1, the communication system 100 includes four route controllers 1, route controllers 1-1 to 1-4, as examples of the route controller 1.

[0015] 1, the communication system 100 includes four communication controllers 2, communication controllers 2-1 to 2-4, as examples of the communication controller 2. In the example of Fig. 1, the communication controller 2-1 is an example of a source device, and the communication controller 2-4 is an example of a destination device.

[0016] As shown in the example of FIG. 1 , a route controller 1 is connected to other route controllers 1. The route controllers 1 are connected to each other by a transmission path such as an optical fiber. When target information is propagated, the route controller 1 outputs the propagated target information to a predetermined route. Here, the predetermined route is, for example, a route determined in advance by the first control unit 31 or the route controller 1 itself. More specifically, it is a route derived in advance by a route derivation process described later. Furthermore, outputting information to a route means transmitting information to a device such as the route controller 1 at the end of the route.

[0017] The communication controller 2 is connected to the route controller 1, and performs predetermined processing on target information propagated to the connected route controller 1. The predetermined processing is, for example, predetermined signal processing on a signal propagated to the connected route controller 1. The predetermined signal processing may be, for example, wireless digital signal processing in a wireless base station, or processing for authenticating or allocating bandwidth to a user or terminal connected via the communication controller 2.

[0018] The first communication device 3 is a device that includes a first control unit 31 and is capable of communicating with the second communication device 4 and the route controller 1. The second communication device 4 is a device that includes a second control unit 41 and is capable of communicating with the first communication device 3 and the communication controller 2.

[0019] The first control unit 31 includes a processor 91 such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a GPU (Graphics Processing Unit), or an NPU (Neural Network Processing Unit) and a memory 92 connected by a bus, and executes a program. The first control unit 31 executes the program to perform, for example, a reset route information acquisition process. The first control unit 31 executes the program to perform, for example, a route configuration process. The first control unit 31 executes the program to perform, for example, a linkage process.

[0020] <Regarding the Reconfigured Route Information Acquisition Process> The reconfigured route information acquisition process is a process for acquiring reconfigured route information. The reconfigured route information is information indicating a route that has been reconfigured based on communication status information, which is information indicating the status of communication.

[0021] The communication status information is, for example, information indicating a position on the path along which the target information propagates where the possibility of a communication failure occurring exceeds a predetermined standard. The communication failure may be, for example, a communication failure caused by a physical failure such as a broken fiber, a communication failure caused by an increase in traffic on a specific path, or a communication failure caused by an operator operating a line during system repairs.

[0022] Note that if a communication failure has already occurred due to, for example, fiber breakage, the probability of a communication failure occurring is 100%. Furthermore, if there is a location where the traffic volume has increased to 80% of the allowable traffic volume due to, for example, an increase in traffic, the probability of a communication failure occurring is, for example, 80%. For example, if the predetermined standard is set to 50%, 80% exceeds the standard, and so the communication status information indicates a location where the probability of a communication failure occurring is 80%.

[0023] The communication status information is acquired, for example, according to a predetermined communication protocol. The predetermined communication protocol is, for example, TCP (Transmission Control Protocol). When the first control unit 31 acquires the communication status information, the first control unit 31 acquires it, for example, via the route controller 1, according to TCP. Therefore, when the first control unit 31 acquires the communication status information, for example, the route controller 1 acquires the communication status information according to TCP, and the first control unit 31 acquires the communication status information acquired by the route controller 1. When the route controller 1 acquires the communication status information, for example, it acquires the communication status information according to TCP.

[0024] The reconfigured route information acquisition process executed by the first control unit 31 may be any process that acquires reconfigured route information. Therefore, for example, the process may be a process in which the first control unit 31 acquires communication status information, reconfigures a route based on the acquired communication status information, and then acquires information indicating the reconfigured route as reconfigured route information.

[0025] Furthermore, the reconfigured route information acquisition process performed by the first control unit 31 may be a process in which a device different from the first control unit 31, such as the route controller 1, that is capable of communicating with the first control unit 31 reconfigures the route based on communication status information, and the first control unit 31 acquires information indicating the reconfigured route.

[0026] The route indicated by the reset route information is an example of the above-mentioned predetermined route.

[0027] More specifically, the reset route information indicates a route that bypasses the location indicated by the communication status information. Therefore, the process of deriving the reset route (hereinafter referred to as the "route derivation process") is a process of deriving a route that bypasses the location indicated by the communication status information based on the communication status information.

[0028] The algorithm executed in the route derivation process may be any algorithm that can derive a route that bypasses the location indicated by the communication status information. For example, it may be OSPF (Open Shortest Path First), a routing protocol, automatic routing by NE (Network Equipment), or an algorithm for control of SDN (Software Defined Network). As described above, the route derivation process may be executed by the first control unit 31, or may be executed by a device different from the first control unit 31 and connected to the first control unit 31 so as to be able to communicate with it.

[0029] <Regarding Route Configuration Processing and Collaboration Processing> The route configuration processing is processing for controlling the operation of the route controller 1 so as to configure a route indicated by the reconfigured route information obtained in the reconfigured route information acquisition processing. Therefore, it can be said that the first control unit 31 controls the route controller 1.

[0030] The linking process is a process in which the reconfigured route information obtained in the reconfigured route information acquisition process is acquired by a predetermined acquisition destination. Specifically, the predetermined acquisition destination is the second control unit 41. Therefore, by executing the linking process, the first control unit 31 and the second control unit 41 share the reconfigured route information. The linking process is a process in which, for example, the first control unit 31 and the second control unit 41 communicate with each other via a communication interface, and the second control unit 41 acquires the reconfigured route information through this communication.

[0031] In the technique described in Non-Patent Document 1, no linking process is performed, and reconfigured route information is manually input to the second control unit 41. The description of the communication system 100 will be returned to.

[0032] The second control unit 41 includes a processor 93 such as a CPU, GPU, or NPU, and a memory 94, which are connected by a bus, and executes a program. The second control unit 41 executes, for example, a communication controller control process by executing the program. The communication controller control process is a process for controlling the operation of the communication controller 2 based on the reconfigured route information.

[0033] Controlling the operation of the communication controller 2 is, for example, a process of setting the configuration of the communication controller 2 on the previous route to the communication controller 2 on the new route indicated by the reconfigured route information. Therefore, the process of resetting the configuration of the communication controller 2 is an example of a communication controller control process. In this way, it can be said that the second control unit 41 controls the communication controller 2.

[0034] <Example of a Newly Set Route> An example of a new route indicated by the reconfigured route information will be described below, taking as an example a case where a communication failure occurs on the route connecting the route controller 1-2 and the route controller 1-4 in the example of Fig. 1. The communication failure in this case may be a communication failure caused by a physical failure such as a broken fiber, a communication failure caused by an increase in traffic on a specific route, or a communication failure caused by an operator operating the line during system repairs.

[0035] In such a case, as a communication path from the communication controller 2-1 to the communication controller 2-4, for example, a path connecting the path controller 1-1 and the path controller 1-4 via the path controller 1-3 is derived as a new path. In such a case, the configuration of the communication controller 2-2 is set in the communication controller 2-3.

[0036] The configuration setting is, for example, a process of reading the configuration of the communication controller 2-2 and setting the read result in the communication controller 2-3. If, for example, the second communication device 4 is provided with a storage device and the configuration of the communication controller 2-2 is recorded in the storage device in advance, the configuration setting may be a process of reading the configuration of the communication controller 2-2 from the storage device and setting the read result in the communication controller 2-3.

[0037] 1, there is no path that directly connects the route controller 1-2 and the route controller 1-3. However, if there is a path that directly connects the route controller 1-2 and the route controller 1-3, the new path for communication from the communication controller 2-1 to the communication controller 2-4, which is indicated by the reconfigured route information, may be a path that uses the path that directly connects the route controller 1-2 and the route controller 1-3.

[0038] Specifically, the path indicated by the reconfigured path information is a path along which the target information propagates from the path controller 1-1 to the path controller 1-2, then from the path controller 1-2 to the path controller 1-3, and from the path controller 1-3 to the path controller 1-4. If a path directly connecting the path controller 1-2 and the path controller 1-3 exists and a communication failure occurs on the path connecting the path controller 1-2 and the path controller 1-4, such a path may be derived as a new path.

[0039] When there are multiple new route candidates (i.e., routes that bypass the location indicated by the communication status information), the route derivation process calculates a predetermined value that indicates the priority of the route, such as low path cost or low delay time, and the route with the highest priority indicated by the calculation result is derived as the new route. Therefore, when deriving a route that bypasses the location indicated by the communication status information, for example, when there are multiple candidates, the candidate with the shortest delay time is derived as the new route.

[0040] The delay time may be the delay time from the source device to the destination device, or may be the delay time in a section located between the source device and the destination device.

[0041] The communication controller 2 is, for example, a base station of a source device or a destination device. The communication controller 2 may be implemented as software executed on a general-purpose server. The communication controller 2 may have the function of a core network that accommodates base stations such as a 5th Generation Core network (5GC).

[0042] The communication controller 2 may perform, for example, user connection control and bandwidth allocation. The communication controller 2 may be a centralized station or a distributed station having a base station function such as a centralized unit (CU) or a distributed unit (DU). For example, if the communication system 100 is a mobile system, the communication controller 2 may process radio signals in the mobile system.

[0043] For example, if the communication system 100 is a mobile system, the route controller 1 is a switch or router that accommodates the CU and DU. The route controller 1 may perform processing such as route calculation in cooperation with other route controllers 1 to calculate settings required to connect route controllers. In a mobile system, the communication controller has base station functionality as described in paragraph 0042 above. In this case, the communication controllers are represented by a communication network such as UPF-CU / CU-DU (MBH section) depending on the connected communication controller 2, or CU-DU (MMH) / DU-RU (MFH) if the switching target is DU.

[0044] 1, a route controller 1 is provided for each communication controller 2, but it is not necessary that a route controller 1 is provided for each communication controller 2. It is sufficient that one route controller 1 exists between communication controllers 2.

[0045] For simplicity, the following description will be given taking as an example a case where the route controller 1 executes the route derivation process.

[0046] 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of the hardware configuration of the route controller 1 in an embodiment. The route controller 1 includes a route control unit 11 including a processor 95 such as a CPU, GPU, or NPU, and a memory 96, which are connected by a bus, and executes a program. By executing the program, the route controller 1 functions as a device including the route control unit 11, an interface unit 12, and a storage unit 13 (third storage unit).

[0047] More specifically, the processor 95 reads the program stored in the storage unit 13 and stores the read program in the memory 96. When the processor 95 executes the program stored in the memory 96, the route controller 1 functions as a device including a route control unit 11 (third control unit), an interface unit 12, and a storage unit 13.

[0048] The route control unit 11 controls the operation of each functional unit included in the route controller 1. The route control unit 11 communicates with the first communication device 3, for example, via the interface unit 12. The route control unit 11 acquires communication status information, for example, based on information sent and received by the interface unit 12. The route control unit 11 executes, for example, a route derivation process. The route control unit 11 transmits information indicating the route derived by executing the route derivation process (i.e., reconfigured route information) to the first communication device 3, via the interface unit 12.

[0049] When the first control unit 31 executes the route derivation process, the route control unit 11 does not execute the route derivation process, but transmits the communication status information to the first communication device 3 via the interface unit 12 .

[0050] For example, the route control unit 11 acquires information stored in the storage unit 13. Specifically, the process of acquiring information stored in the storage unit 13 is a read process.

[0051] The interface unit 12 includes a communication interface for connecting the route controller 1 to an external device. The interface unit 12 communicates with the external device via wired or wireless communication. The external device is, for example, the first communication device 3.

[0052] The external device is, for example, another route controller 1 of the connection destination. In such a case, the interface unit 12 transmits information to the other route controller 1 of the connection destination and receives information from the other route controller 1 of the connection destination. Therefore, the interface unit 12 in such a case operates as a router. Furthermore, by communicating with such another route controller 1 via the interface unit 12, the route controller 1 can obtain communication status information.

[0053] The interface unit 12 may include, for example, a switch for switching another connected route controller 1. When the interface unit 12 includes such a switch, the other route controller 1 to which the route controller 1 is connected is switched by switching the switch. The switching of the switch is performed by the route control unit 11 under the control of the first communication device 3. Therefore, such a switch switching process is an example of a route configuration process.

[0054] The external device is, for example, the connected communication controller 2. The interface unit 12 communicates with the connected communication controller 2 to transmit the target information to the communication controller 2. The communication controller 2 that receives the target information performs predetermined signal processing on the target information.

[0055] The storage unit 13 is configured using a computer-readable storage medium device (non-transitory computer-readable recording medium) such as a magnetic hard disk device or a semiconductor storage device. The storage unit 13 stores various information related to the route controller 1. The storage unit 13 stores, for example, various information generated by the operation of the route control unit 11. The storage unit 13 stores, for example, information input to the interface unit 12.

[0056] 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of the hardware configuration of the communication controller 2 in an embodiment. The communication controller 2 includes a communication control unit 21 including a processor 97 such as a CPU, GPU, or NPU, and a memory 98, which are connected via a bus, and executes a program. By executing the program, the communication controller 2 functions as a device including the communication control unit 21 (fourth control unit), an interface unit 22, and a storage unit 23 (fourth storage unit).

[0057] More specifically, the processor 97 reads the program stored in the storage unit 23 and stores the read program in the memory 98. When the processor 97 executes the program stored in the memory 98, the communication controller 2 functions as a device including the communication control unit 21, the interface unit 22, and the storage unit 23.

[0058] The communication control unit 21 controls the operation of each functional unit included in the communication controller 2. The communication control unit 21 communicates with the second communication device 4, for example, via the interface unit 22. The communication control unit 21 communicates with the connected route controller 1, for example, via the interface unit 22. The communication control unit 21 acquires, for example, target information obtained by the connected route controller 1 through communication with the connected route controller 1. The communication control unit 21 performs, for example, predetermined signal processing on the target information. The communication control unit 21 acquires, for example, information stored in the memory unit 23. The process of acquiring the information stored in the memory unit 23 is specifically reading.

[0059] The interface unit 22 includes a communication interface for connecting the communication controller 2 to an external device. The interface unit 22 communicates with the external device via wired or wireless communication. The external device is, for example, the second communication device 4. The external device is, for example, the route controller 1 to which the communication controller 2 is connected.

[0060] The storage unit 23 is configured using a computer-readable storage medium device such as a magnetic hard disk device or a semiconductor storage device. The storage unit 23 stores various information related to the communication controller 2. The storage unit 23 stores, for example, various information generated by the operation of the communication control unit 21. The storage unit 23 stores, for example, information input to the interface unit 22.

[0061] 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration of the first communication device 3 in an embodiment. The first communication device 3 includes the above-described first control unit 31 and executes a program. By executing the program, the first communication device 3 functions as a device including the first control unit 31, an interface unit 32, and a storage unit 33 (first storage unit).

[0062] More specifically, the processor 91 reads a program stored in the storage unit 33 and stores the read program in the memory 92. The processor 91 executes the program stored in the memory 92, causing the first communication device 3 to function as a device including the first control unit 31, the interface unit 32, and the storage unit 33.

[0063] The first control unit 31 controls the operation of each functional unit included in the first communication device 3. As described above, the first control unit 31 executes, for example, a reset route information acquisition process. The first control unit 31 executes, for example, a route configuration process. The first control unit 31 executes, for example, a linkage process. Note that if the first control unit 31 cannot obtain reset route information from an external device, such as when the route control unit 11 does not execute a route derivation process, the first control unit 31 executes a route derivation process, for example, in the reset route information acquisition process.

[0064] The first control unit 31 transmits the reconfigured route information obtained by executing the reconfigured route information acquisition process to the second communication device 4 via the interface unit 32. The first control unit 31 acquires, for example, information stored in the memory unit 33. The process of acquiring the information stored in the memory unit 33 is specifically reading.

[0065] The interface unit 32 includes a communication interface for connecting the first communication device 3 to an external device. The interface unit 32 communicates with the external device via wired or wireless communication. The external device is, for example, the second communication device 4. The external device is, for example, the route controller 1.

[0066] The storage unit 33 is configured using a computer-readable storage medium device such as a magnetic hard disk device or a semiconductor storage device. The storage unit 33 stores various information related to the first communication device 3. The storage unit 33 stores, for example, various information generated by the operation of the first control unit 31. The storage unit 33 stores, for example, information input to the interface unit 32.

[0067] 5 is a diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration of the second communication device 4 in an embodiment. The second communication device 4 includes the second control unit 41 described above and executes a program. By executing the program, the second communication device 4 functions as a device including the second control unit 41, an interface unit 42, and a storage unit 43 (second storage unit).

[0068] More specifically, the processor 93 reads the program stored in the storage unit 43 and stores the read program in the memory 94. The processor 93 executes the program stored in the memory 94, causing the second communication device 4 to function as a device including the second control unit 41, the interface unit 42, and the storage unit 43.

[0069] The second control unit 41 controls the operation of each functional unit included in the second communication device 4. As described above, the second control unit 41 executes, for example, a communication controller control process. The second control unit 41 acquires reconfigured route information via the interface unit 42 through the collaboration process executed by the first control unit 31. The second control unit 41 acquires, for example, information stored in the memory unit 43. The process of acquiring the information stored in the memory unit 43 is specifically a read process.

[0070] The interface unit 42 includes a communication interface for connecting the second communication device 4 to an external device. The interface unit 42 communicates with the external device via wired or wireless communication. The external device is, for example, the first communication device 3. The external device is, for example, the communication controller 2.

[0071] The storage unit 43 is configured using a computer-readable storage medium device such as a magnetic hard disk device or a semiconductor storage device. The storage unit 43 stores various information related to the second communication device 4. The storage unit 43 stores, for example, various information generated by the operation of the second control unit 41. The storage unit 43 stores, for example, information input to the interface unit 42.

[0072] <Example of Processing Flow> Figure 6 is a flowchart showing an example of the flow of processing executed in the communication system 100 of the embodiment. The first control unit 31 executes a reset route information acquisition process (step S101). Next, the first control unit 31 executes a route configuration process (step S102). Next, the first control unit 31 executes a collaboration process (step S103). Next, the second control unit 41 executes a communication controller control process (step S104).

[0073] The order of processing steps S102 to S104 shown in Figure 6 is just an example, and the steps may be executed in any order as long as the processing of step S101 is executed and the processing of step S103 is executed before the processing of step S104.

[0074] The communication system 100 configured in this manner executes a linking process. Therefore, by executing the linking process, information about the reconfigured route is shared between the first control unit 31 and the second control unit 41 without human intervention. Therefore, the communication system 100 can shorten the time required to recover from a communication failure.

[0075] The first communication device 3 configured as above also includes a first control unit 31 that executes the linking process, thereby reducing the time required for the first communication device 3 to recover from a communication failure.

[0076] <Application Example> FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating an application example of the communication system 100 according to the embodiment. The communication system 100 is, for example, the optical transmission system illustrated in FIG. 7. In the example of FIG. 7, the "accommodating device" is an example of a route controller 1, the "general-purpose server" is an example of a communication controller 2, the "network function management control unit" is an example of a first communication device 3, and the "RAN management control unit" is an example of a second communication device 4. The accommodating device performs network control with the opposing accommodating device via an optical transmission path having an optical transceiver, a wavelength aggregation device, a wavelength conversion device, and the like. The network control includes control for performing route control with the opposing accommodating device. The network control also includes processing for performing bandwidth control and the like for an IF (Interface) for the opposing accommodating device. The network control also includes control for creating a virtual path such as a VPN (Virtual Private Network).

[0077] (Variation) When the communication controller 2 fails, the second control unit 41 can determine the failure of the communication controller 2 based on an abnormality in communication with the communication controller 2. In such a case, the second control unit 41 may transmit information indicating the failed communication controller 2 to the first control unit 31 as communication status information. When the first control unit 31 acquires communication status information indicating the failed communication controller 2, the first control unit 31 may execute a route derivation process to derive a route that bypasses the communication controller 2 that the communication status information indicates has failed.

[0078] The first control unit 31 may be implemented using a plurality of information processing devices connected to each other via a network so as to be able to communicate with each other. In this case, the processes executed by the first control unit 31 may be distributed and executed by the plurality of information processing devices.

[0079] The second control unit 41 may be implemented using a plurality of information processing devices communicably connected via a network. In this case, the processes executed by the second control unit 41 may be distributed and executed by the plurality of information processing devices.

[0080] The first control unit 31 and the second control unit 41 do not necessarily have to be mounted in different devices, but may be mounted in a single housing.

[0081] Note that all or part of the functions of communication system 100 may be realized using hardware such as an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit), a PLD (Programmable Logic Device), or an FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array). The program may be recorded on a computer-readable recording medium. Examples of computer-readable recording media include portable media such as flexible disks, optical magnetic disks, ROMs, and CD-ROMs, and storage devices such as hard disks built into computer systems. The program may be transmitted via a telecommunications line.

[0082] The first communication device 3 is an example of a communication device.

[0083] Although an embodiment of the present invention has been described above in detail with reference to the drawings, the specific configuration is not limited to this embodiment, and includes designs within the scope of the gist of the present invention.

[0084] 100...communication system, 1-1 to 1-4...route controllers, 2-1 to 2-4...communication controllers, 3...first communication device, 4...second communication device, 11...route control unit, 12...interface unit, 13...storage unit, 21...communication control unit, 22...interface unit, 23...storage unit, 31...first control unit, 32...interface unit, 33...storage unit, 41...second control unit, 42...interface unit, 43...storage unit, 91...processor, 92...memory, 93...processor, 94...memory, 95...processor, 96...memory, 97...processor, 98...memory

Claims

1. A communications system that propagates target information, which is information transmitted by a source device, to a destination device, comprising: a route controller that outputs the propagated target information to a predetermined route; a communications controller connected to the route controller and performing predetermined processing on the target information that has propagated to the route controller; a first control unit that executes a reconfigured route information acquisition process that acquires reconfigured route information, which is information indicating a route that has been reconfigured based on communication status information that indicates a communication status, a route configuration process that controls the operation of the route controller to configure a route indicated by the reconfigured route information acquired in the reconfigured route information acquisition process, and a coordination process that causes a predetermined acquisition destination to acquire the reconfigured route information acquired in the reconfigured route information acquisition process; and a second control unit that executes a communications controller control process that controls the operation of the communications controller based on the reconfigured route information acquired in the reconfigured route information acquisition process, wherein the acquisition destination is the second control unit.

2. The communication system according to claim 1, wherein the communication status information is information indicating a position on a path along which the target information propagates, where the possibility of a communication failure occurring exceeds a predetermined standard.

3. The communication system according to claim 2, wherein the route indicated by the reconfigured route information is a route that bypasses the location indicated by the communication status information.

4. The communication system according to claim 3, wherein the route that bypasses the location indicated by the communication status information is a route derived by the route controller based on the communication status information.

5. The communication system according to claim 3, wherein the route that bypasses the location indicated by the communication status information is a route derived by the first control unit based on the communication status information.

6. The communication system according to claim 3, wherein, in deriving a route that bypasses a location indicated by said communication status information, if there are multiple candidate routes that bypass said location, the candidate with the shortest delay time is derived as the new route.

7. A communications system that propagates target information, which is information transmitted by a source device, to a destination device, comprising: a route controller that outputs the propagated target information to a predetermined route; a communications controller that is connected to the route controller and performs predetermined processing on the target information that has propagated to the route controller; and a second control unit that executes a communications controller control process to control the operation of the communications controller. The communications device comprises: a first control unit that executes a reconfigured route information acquisition process that acquires reconfigured route information, which is information indicating a route that has been reconfigured based on communication status information that indicates a communication status; a route configuration process that controls the operation of the route controller to configure a route indicated by the reconfigured route information acquired in the reconfigured route information acquisition process; and a coordination process that causes a predetermined acquisition destination to acquire the reconfigured route information acquired in the reconfigured route information acquisition process, wherein the acquisition destination is the second control unit, and the second control unit controls the operation of the communications controller based on the reconfigured route information acquired in the reconfigured route information acquisition process.

8. A communication system that propagates target information, which is information transmitted from a source device, to a destination device, comprising: a route controller that outputs the propagated target information to a predetermined route; a communication controller that is connected to the route controller and performs a predetermined process on the target information that has propagated to the route controller; a first control unit that executes a reconfigured route information acquisition process to acquire reconfigured route information, which is information indicating a route that has been reconfigured based on communication status information that indicates a communication status; a route configuration process that controls the operation of the route controller to configure a route indicated by the reconfigured route information acquired in the reconfigured route information acquisition process; and a linkage process that causes a predetermined acquisition destination to acquire the reconfigured route information acquired in the reconfigured route information acquisition process; and a second control unit that executes a communication controller control process to control the operation of the communication controller based on the reconfigured route information acquired in the reconfigured route information acquisition process, the acquisition destination being the second control unit. A communication method executed by a communication system, comprising: a reconfigured route information acquisition step in which the first control unit executes the reconfigured route information acquisition process; and a route configuration step in which the first control unit executes the route configuration process. A communication method comprising: a coordination step in which the first control unit executes the coordination process; and a communication controller control step in which the second control unit executes the communication controller control process.

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