Control device, communication system, and control method

Abstract

Provided is a control device comprising: an available-resource management unit that acquires, as an available resource, a resource that can be used in a specific service, such resource being acquired from each of one or more control devices that manage different sectors; and a parser unit that uses the available resources acquired by the available-resource management unit to allocate resources to one or more objects under control across sectors.　

Description

Control device, communication system, and control method

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

[0002] Conventionally, a Software Defined Networking (SDN) architecture has been proposed as shown in Non-Patent Document 1 (see, for example, Non-Patent Document 1). The SDN architecture shown in Non-Patent Document 1 proposes control management using three layers of controllers: a service orchestrator, a sector controller, and a domain controller. In such an SDN architecture, centralized management of large-scale resources by the service orchestrator can achieve quality assurance and consistent automation across domains and sectors. A method for performing end-to-end quality management or optimization control has also been proposed (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

[0003] International Publication No. 2023 / 157399

[0004] Cisco, “The Emerging Service Provider Control Hierarchy White Paper”, [online], [Retrieved November 6, 2023], Internet <URL: https: / / www.cisco.com / c / en / us / products / collateral / cloud-systems-management / crosswork-hierarchical-controller / emerging-sp-ctr-hierarchy-wp.html >

[0005] As described above, in existing SDNs, management across sectors is performed by a service orchestrator. Because functions are concentrated in the service orchestrator, which manages all resources, the following problems arise when using existing SDNs to provide various function-dedicated networks (FDNs). The first problem is that when the resource destination is far from the service orchestrator, the number of controllers via which the resource is provided increases, resulting in increased latency in management and control communications. The second problem is that, because resources are shared across the entire system, the service orchestrator itself requires a large number of resources for low-latency management and control.

[0006] In view of the above circumstances, an object of the present invention is to provide a technology that allows management and control of resources while providing low-latency services.

[0007] One aspect of the present invention is a control device that includes an available resource management unit that acquires resources that can be used for a specific service as available resources from one or more control devices that manage different sectors, and an analysis unit that uses the available resources acquired by the available resource management unit to allocate resources to one or more control objects across sectors.

[0008] One aspect of the present invention is a communication system comprising one or more first control devices and a second control device, wherein the one or more first control devices assign resources available for a specific service to the second control device as available resources, and the second control device comprises an available resource management unit that acquires the available resources assigned from each of the one or more first control devices, and an analysis unit that uses the available resources acquired by the available resource management unit to assign resources to one or more control objects across sectors.

[0009] One aspect of the present invention is a control method in which resources available for a specific service are acquired as available resources from one or more control devices that manage different sectors, and the acquired available resources are used to allocate resources to one or more control objects across the sectors.

[0010] The present invention makes it possible to provide low-latency services while managing and controlling resources.

[0011] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of a communication system in a first embodiment. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing example configurations of a service orchestrator, a sector controller group, and an integrated controller in the first embodiment. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of available resources managed by an available resource management unit in the first embodiment. FIG. 4 is a sequence diagram showing the processing flow of a communication system in a first embodiment. FIG. 5 is a sequence diagram showing the processing flow of a communication system in a second embodiment. FIG. 6 is a sequence diagram showing the processing flow of a communication system in a third embodiment. FIG. 7 is a sequence diagram showing the processing flow of a communication system in a third embodiment.

[0012] An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. (First Embodiment) Fig. 1 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of a communication system 100 in the first embodiment. The communication system 100 includes a service orchestrator 10, a sector controller group 20, an integrated controller 30, a plurality of domain controllers 40-1 to 40-3, and a plurality of control objects 50-1 to 50-3. Fig. 1 shows a case where there are three domain controllers 40 and three control objects 50, but the number of domain controllers 40 and three control objects 50 is not particularly limited.

[0013] In Fig. 1, the service orchestrator 10 is connected to at least a sector controller group 20. In Fig. 1, the sector controller group 20 is connected to at least the service orchestrator 10, an integrated controller 30, and a plurality of domain controllers 40-1 to 40-3. In Fig. 1, the integrated controller 30 is connected to at least the sector controller group 20 and a plurality of domain controllers 40-1 to 40-3. In Fig. 1, each domain controller 40 is connected to at least the sector controller group 20, the integrated controller 30, and each control target 50.

[0014] 1, the integrated controller 30 may be provided between the sector controller group 20 and the domain controllers 40-1 to 40-3. In this configuration, the sector controller group 20 is connected to the domain controllers 40-1 to 40-3 via the integrated controller 30.

[0015] The service orchestrator 10 is a control device that manages the entire communication system 100. Specifically, the service orchestrator 10 performs end-to-end service management and resource management in a Software Defined Networking (SDN) architecture.

[0016] The service orchestrator 10 notifies the sector controller group 20 of available resources. Here, the resources notified by the service orchestrator 10 are resources available for a specific service. For example, if the control target 50 is a communication device, the resources are the communication bandwidth (bit rate) and number of wavelengths available for each network section. If the control target 50 is a cloud resource, the resources are the number of processors (e.g., CPUs (Central Processing Units) or GPUs (Graphics Processing Units)) and memory capacity available for each base station. Note that the resources are not limited to these and may be any resources available for a specific service. Here, the specific service is, for example, a low-latency FDN service. The service orchestrator 10 is one aspect of a first control device.

[0017] In the SDN architecture, the sector controller group 20 includes multiple sector controllers for topology or connection management and optimization control within each sector (e.g., customer premises, network, data center). The topology is, for example, connection relationship information on how communication devices and cloud resources are connected. The sector controller group 20 includes, for example, a first sector controller 20-1, a second sector controller 20-2, and a third sector controller 20-3. The first sector controller 20-1, the second sector controller 20-2, and the third sector controller 20-3 each manage a different sector. In the following description, when there is no particular distinction between the first sector controller 20-1, the second sector controller 20-2, and the third sector controller 20-3 included in the sector controller group 20, they are also simply referred to as sector controllers.

[0018] The number of sector controllers included in the sector controller group 20 is not limited to the number shown in Fig. 1. For example, the sector controller group 20 may include multiple units of some or all of the first sector controller 20-1, second sector controller 20-2, and third sector controller 20-3, or may include other sector controllers.

[0019] The first sector controller 20-1 is a control device that manages topology or connections within a customer premises and performs optimization control. The first sector controller 20-1 is, for example, a CPE (Customer Premises Equipment) controller in an SDN architecture. The first sector controller 20-1 holds resources notified by the service orchestrator 10. The first sector controller 20-1, for example, allocates necessary resources from among the resources held by the first sector controller 20-1 to one or more domain controllers 40-1 that it manages. Furthermore, the first sector controller 20-1 allocates resources that can be arbitrarily used by the integrated controller 30 as available resources. The first sector controller 20-1 is one aspect of the first control device.

[0020] The second sector controller 20-2 is a control device that manages topology or connections within the network and performs optimization control. The second sector controller 20-2 is, for example, a NW (Network) controller in an SDN architecture. The second sector controller 20-2 holds resources notified by the service orchestrator 10. The second sector controller 20-2, for example, allocates necessary resources from among the resources held by the device itself to one or more domain controllers 40-2 that it manages. Furthermore, the second sector controller 20-2 allocates, for example, resources that the integrated controller 30 can use arbitrarily as available resources. The second sector controller 20-2 is one aspect of the first control device.

[0021] The third sector controller 20-3 is a control device that performs topology or connection management and optimization control within a data center. The third sector controller 20-3 is, for example, a DC (Data Center) controller in an SDN architecture. The third sector controller 20-3 holds resources notified by the service orchestrator 10. The third sector controller 20-3, for example, allocates necessary resources from among the resources held by the device itself to one or more domain controllers 40-3 that it manages. Furthermore, the third sector controller 20-3 allocates, for example, resources that can be arbitrarily used by the integrated controller 30 as available resources. The third sector controller 20-3 is one aspect of the first control device.

[0022] The integrated controller 30 acquires and manages resources required for providing the low-latency FDN service from each sector controller. Specifically, the integrated controller 30 uses available resources allocated from each sector controller to allocate resources to control targets 50-1 to 50-3 via domain controllers 40-1 to 40-3, respectively. In this way, the integrated controller 30 controls allocation of resources required for providing the low-latency FDN service across sectors. The integrated controller 30 is one aspect of a second control device.

[0023] The available resources are a group of resources that the integrated controller 30 can use at its discretion, and are information to which authority is delegated for each topology from the sector controller group 20. The integrated controller 30 is a functional unit designed for real-time control, and performs control over a more limited area than the service orchestrator 10.

[0024] The domain controllers 40-1 to 40-3 are control devices that perform resource management and optimization control within a domain (e.g., each transport or IP (Internet Protocol) domain). The domain controller 40-1 performs resource management and optimization control for each domain within a customer premises managed by the first sector controller 20-1, for example. The domain controller 40-2 performs resource management and optimization control for each domain within a network managed by the second sector controller 20-2, for example. The domain controller 40-3 performs resource management and optimization control for each domain within a data center managed by the third sector controller 20-3, for example.

[0025] The domain controllers 40 - 1 to 40 - 3 control the control target 50 using resources allocated by the sector controller group 20 or the integrated controller 30 .

[0026] The control targets 50-1 to 50-3 are targets controlled by the domain controllers 40-1 to 40-3, and are, for example, communication devices or cloud resources.

[0027] 2 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of the service orchestrator 10, the sector controller group 20, and the integrated controller 30 in the first embodiment. In FIG. 2, each sector controller included in the sector controller group 20 has the same functional unit, and therefore is referred to as a sector controller.

[0028] The service orchestrator 10 includes a resource manager 110. The resource manager 110 manages resources in the entire communication system 100. The resource manager 110 notifies, for example, each sector controller of available resources.

[0029] The sector controller includes a topology management unit 210. The topology management unit 210 manages the topology within the sector. For example, the topology management unit 210 manages the connection relationships between the devices included in the sector. Furthermore, the topology management unit 210 allocates resources notified by, for example, the service orchestrator 10 to one or more domain controllers 40, or allocates the resources to the integrated controller 30.

[0030] The integrated controller 30 includes an available resource management unit 310 and an analysis unit 320. The available resource management unit 310 manages available resources allocated by each sector controller for each topology. The analysis unit 320 selects and allocates resources to each domain controller 40 from the available resources managed by the available resource management unit 310.

[0031] 3 is a diagram showing an example of available resources managed by the available resource manager 310 in the first embodiment. As shown in Fig. 3, the available resource manager 310 manages information on available resources for each network section indicated by the topology. The available resources shown in Fig. 3 are available resources.

[0032] 4 is a sequence diagram showing the flow of processing in the communication system 100 according to the first embodiment. For ease of explanation, in FIG. 4, the sector controllers included in the sector controller group 20 are collectively referred to as sector controllers, and one domain controller 40 will be used as an example for explanation.

[0033] The resource management unit 110 of the service orchestrator 10 notifies the sector controller of available resources (step S101). The topology management unit 210 of the sector controller manages the resources notified from the service orchestrator 10. The topology management unit 210 allocates, to the integrated controller 30, resources that the integrated controller 30 can arbitrarily manage or use from among the resources it manages (step S102). The topology management unit 210 notifies the integrated controller 30 of the allocated resources as available resources (step S103).

[0034] The available resource management unit 310 of the integrated controller 30 receives a notification including information about available resources notified from a sector controller. The available resource management unit 310 manages the information about available resources included in the received notification by associating it with a network section indicated by the topology as shown in FIG. 3. If there are multiple sector controllers, the available resource management unit 310 receives information about available resources from each sector controller. The available resource management unit 310 then manages the information about available resources received from each sector controller by associating it with a network section indicated by the topology within the sector managed by each sector controller.

[0035] Based on the information on available resources managed by the available resource management unit 310, the analysis unit 320 allocates resources appropriate for each control target 50 from among the available resources identified by the information on available resources (step S104). Note that the determination of appropriate resource allocation for each control target 50 uses system quality information (telemetry from the control target 50) and requirements for each user (notification from the service orchestrator 10).

[0036] The analysis unit 320 transmits to the domain controller 40 a setting instruction including the resource setting values ​​allocated to each control target 50 and information for identifying the control target 50 to which the resources are to be set (step S105). Here, if the analysis unit 320 can identify the domain controller 40 that manages the control target 50 to which the resources are to be set, it is sufficient to transmit the setting instruction only to the domain controller 40 that manages the control target 50 to which the resources are to be set. If the analysis unit 320 cannot identify the domain controller 40 that manages the control target 50 to which the resources are to be set, it may transmit the setting instruction to all domain controllers 40.

[0037] The domain controller 40 receives the setting instruction transmitted from the integrated controller 30. The domain controller 40 determines whether the resource setting target exists under its own device based on information for identifying the control target 50 contained in the received setting instruction. If the resource setting target exists under its own device, the domain controller 40 sets the resource setting value contained in the received setting instruction to each control target 50 (step S106). On the other hand, if the resource setting target does not exist under its own device, the domain controller 40 discards the received setting instruction.

[0038] The communication system 100 configured as described above includes an integrated controller 30, separate from the service orchestrator 10, that allocates resources across sectors. Specifically, the integrated controller 30 includes an available resource manager 310 that acquires resources available for a specific service from one or more sector controllers that manage different sectors, and an analyzer 320 that allocates resources across sectors using the available resources acquired by the available resource manager 310. This eliminates the need for the service orchestrator 10 to centrally manage all resources in the communication system 100. Therefore, the service orchestrator 10 itself does not require many resources. Furthermore, since the integrated controller 30 can allocate resources to the domain controller 40 connected to the control target 50 to which the resources are to be allocated, the number of controllers through which the resources must be routed can be reduced even if the resource destination is far away. As a result, delays in management and control communications can be reduced. This enables resource management and control while providing low-latency services.

[0039] Furthermore, the integrated controller 30 can manage the group of available resources, thereby enabling switching to redundant resources due to quality fluctuations or the like.

[0040] Second Embodiment In a second embodiment, a configuration will be described in which an integrated controller determines whether allocated available resources are insufficient or excessive, and if there is a shortage, requests a sector controller to add or change resources.

[0041] The system configuration and the functional units of each device in the second embodiment are similar to those in the first embodiment, but there are some differences in the operations of the service orchestrator 10, the sector controller group 20, and the integrated controller 30. The following will mainly describe the differences from the first embodiment.

[0042] The integrated controller 30 performs the same processing as the integrated controller 30 in the first embodiment. Furthermore, the integrated controller 30 appropriately monitors the status (e.g., quality and failure status) of the available resources allocated to each domain controller 40. In this way, the integrated controller 30 determines whether the available resources allocated to each domain controller 40 are in excess or insufficient.

[0043] The integrated controller 30 does not perform any particular processing if it determines that the available resources allocated to each domain controller 40 are sufficient. Here, sufficient available resources means that there are less than a certain number of unused available resources whose quality does not satisfy a specific condition (for example, a specific user's requirement).

[0044] On the other hand, if the integrated controller 30 determines that some of the available resources allocated to each domain controller 40 are insufficient, it requests any of the sector controllers belonging to the sector controller group 20 to add or change the available resources. For example, if the integrated controller 30 determines that some of the available resources allocated to domain controller 40-1 are insufficient, it requests the first sector controller 20-1 to add or change the available resources. For example, if the integrated controller 30 determines that some of the available resources allocated to domain controller 40-2 are insufficient, it requests the second sector controller 20-2 to add or change the available resources. For example, if the integrated controller 30 determines that some of the available resources allocated to domain controller 40-3 are insufficient, it requests the third sector controller 20-3 to add or change the available resources. Insufficient available resources means that a certain number or more of the unused available resources do not meet certain conditions (e.g., the requirements of a specific user).

[0045] Here, the integrated controller 30 may request the addition of available resources when there is a shortage of available resources required to satisfy a specific quality condition. The situation in which the integrated controller 30 requests the addition of available resources is not limited to this, and other cases may also be possible. In this case, the integrated controller 30 requests the addition of available resources to make up the shortage required to satisfy the specific quality condition.

[0046] The integrated controller 30 may request a change in available resources in any of the following cases: (Case 1) A change in the status of the available resources causes the available resources allocated by the integrated controller 30 to become ineffective as redundant resources. A change in the status of the available resources may occur, for example, in a shared infrastructure scenario, when the CPU usage and memory usage of cloud resources become extremely high due to the influence of other services, or when traffic volume on the network (such as an existing L2 / L3 network) becomes extremely high.

[0047] (Case 2) In this case, in a cloud environment, the number of servers allocated as resources to the control target 50 is scaled up.

[0048] (Case 3) When parallel processing increases in calculations, etc., it is necessary to switch the processor allocated as a resource to the control target 50 from a CPU to a GPU (Graphics Processing Unit).

[0049] The sector controller performs the same processing as the sector controller in the first embodiment. Furthermore, when the integrated controller 30 requests addition or modification of available resources, the sector controller determines whether the addition or modification of available resources is possible.

[0050] The sector controller determines that it is possible to add or change the available resources when it can allocate the amount of available resources requested to be added or changed by the integrated controller 30 using the resources it has (e.g., resources notified by the service orchestrator 10). In other words, the sector controller determines that it is possible to add or change the available resources when the amount of resources it has can satisfy the request from the integrated controller 30.

[0051] The sector controller determines that it is impossible to add or change the available resources when, for example, it cannot allocate the amount of available resources requested to be added or changed by the integrated controller 30 with its own resources (e.g., resources notified by the service orchestrator 10). In other words, the sector controller determines that it is impossible to add or change the available resources when the amount of resources it has is insufficient to satisfy the request from the integrated controller 30. When it determines that it is impossible to add or change the available resources, the sector controller requests the service orchestrator 10 to add or change the available resources requested by the integrated controller 30.

[0052] The service orchestrator 10 performs the same processing as the service orchestrator 10 in the first embodiment. Furthermore, the service orchestrator 10 determines whether or not the addition or change of available resources is possible in response to a request for addition or change of available resources transmitted from a sector controller.

[0053] Fig. 5 is a sequence diagram showing the flow of processing in the communication system 100 according to the second embodiment. For the sake of simplicity, in Fig. 5, the sector controllers included in the sector controller group 20 are collectively referred to as sector controllers, and the processing will be described using one domain controller 40 as an example. The processing in Fig. 5 may be performed after the processing in Fig. 4, for example.

[0054] The available resource management unit 310 of the integrated controller 30 appropriately monitors the status of available resources (e.g., quality and failure status) and determines whether there is an excess or shortage of available resources (step S201). If the available resource management unit 310 determines that there are insufficient available resources, it transmits a resource request to the sector controller requesting that the sector controller add or change available resources (step S202).

[0055] If the available resources are insufficient to satisfy the user's requirements, the available resource management unit 310 requests the sector controller to add the insufficient resources to satisfy the user's requirements. For example, if there are insufficient resources to be allocated to the control target 50-2 under the control of the domain controller 40-2, the available resource management unit 310 requests the second sector controller 20-2 to add the insufficient resources.

[0056] The topology management unit 210 of the sector controller receives the resource request transmitted from the integrated controller 30. Based on the received resource request, the topology management unit 210 determines whether the amount of resources possessed by the sector controller is sufficient to add or change the available resources requested by the integrated controller 30 (step S203). Here, it is assumed that the topology management unit 210 determines that the available resources requested by the integrated controller 30 can be added or changed.

[0057] The topology management unit 210 allocates the resources requested in the resource request sent from the integrated controller 30 to the integrated controller 30 (step S204). The topology management unit 210 notifies the integrated controller 30 of the allocated resources as available resources (step S205). After allocating the resources according to the resource request sent from the integrated controller 30, the topology management unit 210 notifies the service orchestrator 10 of information indicating the allocated resources (step S206).

[0058] The available resource management unit 310 of the integrated controller 30 receives the notification including the information on available resources notified from the sector controllers. Based on the information on available resources included in the notification received by the available resource management unit 310, the analysis unit 320 allocates resources appropriate for each control target 50 from among the available resources identified by the information on available resources (step S207).

[0059] The analysis unit 320 transmits to the domain controller 40 a setting instruction including the resource setting values ​​allocated to each control target 50 and information for identifying the control target 50 to which the resources are to be set (step S208). Here, if the analysis unit 320 can identify the domain controller 40 that manages the control target 50 to which the resources are to be set, it is sufficient to transmit the setting instruction only to the domain controller 40 that manages the control target 50 to which the resources are to be set. If the analysis unit 320 cannot identify the domain controller 40 that manages the control target 50 to which the resources are to be set, it may transmit the setting instruction to all domain controllers 40.

[0060] The domain controller 40 receives the setting instruction transmitted from the integrated controller 30. The domain controller 40 determines whether the resource setting target exists under its own device based on information for identifying the control target 50 contained in the received setting instruction. If the resource setting target exists under its own device, the domain controller 40 sets the resource setting value contained in the received setting instruction to each control target 50 (step S209). On the other hand, if the resource setting target does not exist under its own device, the domain controller 40 discards the received setting instruction.

[0061] Figure 6 is a sequence diagram showing the flow of processing in the communication system 100 in the second embodiment. In Figure 6, the same processes as those in Figure 5 are denoted by the same reference numerals as in Figure 5, and descriptions thereof will be omitted. For simplicity of explanation, in Figure 6, the sector controllers included in the sector controller group 20 are collectively referred to as sector controllers, and the explanation will be given using one domain controller 40 as an example. The processing in Figure 6 may be performed, for example, after the processing in Figure 4 has been performed.

[0062] Assume that the processes from step S201 to step S203 have been executed. Here, it is assumed that the topology management unit 210 determines in the process of step S203 that the addition or change of available resources requested by the integrated controller 30 is not possible. In this case, the topology management unit 210 transmits the resource request transmitted from the integrated controller 30 to the service orchestrator 10 (step S301).

[0063] The resource manager 110 of the service orchestrator 10 receives the resource request transmitted from the sector controller. The resource manager 110 determines whether the resource requested in the resource request can be added or changed in accordance with the received resource request (step S302). Here, it is assumed that the resource manager 110 determines that the resource requested by the integrated controller 30 can be added or changed.

[0064] The resource management unit 110 notifies the sector controller of available resources (step S303). The resources notified by the resource management unit 110 in the processing of step S303 are resources that satisfy the resources requested in the resource request. The topology management unit 210 of the sector controller manages the resources notified by the service orchestrator 10. The topology management unit 210 allocates the resources requested by the integrated controller 30 from the resources it manages to the integrated controller 30 (step S304). The topology management unit 210 notifies the integrated controller 30 of the allocated resources as available resources (step S305).

[0065] The available resource management unit 310 of the integrated controller 30 receives a notification including information on available resources notified from the sector controller. Based on the available resource information included in the notification received by the available resource management unit 310, the analysis unit 320 allocates resources appropriate for each control target 50 from among the available resources identified by the available resource information (step S306). Note that the determination of appropriate resource allocation for each control target 50 uses system quality information (telemetry from the control target 50) and requirements for each user (notification from the service orchestrator 10).

[0066] The analysis unit 320 transmits to the domain controller 40 a setting instruction including the resource setting values ​​allocated to each control target 50 and information for identifying the control target 50 to which the resources are to be set (step S307). The domain controller 40 receives the setting instruction transmitted from the integrated controller 30. The domain controller 40 determines whether the resource setting target exists under its own device based on the information for identifying the control target 50 included in the received setting instruction. If the resource setting target exists under its own device, the domain controller 40 sets the resource setting values ​​included in the received setting instruction to each control target 50 (step S308).

[0067] According to the communication system 100 of the second embodiment configured as above, it is possible to obtain the same effects as those of the first embodiment.

[0068] Furthermore, in the communication system 100 of the second embodiment, the integrated controller 30 determines whether there is a surplus or shortage of resources and requests the sector controller to add or change resources as necessary. The sector controller then determines whether the resource addition or change requested by the integrated controller 30 is possible, and if the resource addition or change is possible, allocates the added or changed resources to the integrated controller 30. Note that if the sector controller cannot add or change the resource requested by the integrated controller 30, it receives the added or changed resources from the service orchestrator 10 and allocates them to the integrated controller 30. This makes it possible to prevent available resources from being depleted in advance and improve service availability.

[0069] In the second embodiment, a configuration was described in which the determination of whether or not an available resource needs to be added or changed is made by the integrated controller 30. In contrast, in the third embodiment, a configuration will be described in which the determination of whether or not an available resource needs to be added or changed is made by the sector controller.

[0070] The system configuration and functional units of each device in the third embodiment are similar to those in the first and second embodiments, but there are some differences in the operation of the sector controller and integrated controller 30. The following description will focus on the differences from the first and second embodiments.

[0071] The integrated controller 30 performs the same processing as the integrated controller 30 in the first embodiment. Furthermore, the integrated controller 30 notifies the sector controllers of the usage status of available resources. The usage status of available resources indicates, for example, the history of available resources allocated by the integrated controller 30 and the ratio of allocated available resources.

[0072] Each sector controller belonging to the sector controller group 20 performs the same processing as each sector controller in the first embodiment. Furthermore, the sector controller determines whether the integrated controller 30 has a shortage of free resources based on information on the usage status of available resources notified from the integrated controller 30. If the sector controller determines that the integrated controller 30 has a shortage of free resources, it adds or changes the available resources.

[0073] In the third embodiment, the following situations are assumed as situations in which available resources are added or changed. For example, an example of a situation in which available resources are added is a case in which there is a shortage of available resources required to satisfy a specific quality condition, based on the usage status of available resources notified by the integrated controller 30. Note that the situation in which available resources are added is not limited to this and may be other cases. In this case, the integrated controller 30 requests the addition of available resources to make up the shortage required to satisfy the specific quality condition.

[0074] In the third embodiment, the following situations are assumed as situations in which available resources are changed. Depending on the usage status of the available resources notified by the integrated controller 30, any of the cases (Case 1) to (Case 3) shown in the second embodiment is assumed. The sector controller may be configured to increase the ratio of processors (e.g., GPUs or CPUs) allocated as available resources depending on the information (history, ratio, etc.) on the usage status of the available resources received from the integrated controller 30. For example, when the allocation of processors is increased by referring to the information on the usage status of the available resources received from the integrated controller 30, the sector controller may increase the number of processors (e.g., GPUs or CPUs) allocated to the integrated controller 30 as available resources, taking into account the possibility of a shortage of processors allocated to the integrated controller 30. This makes it possible to prevent a situation in which resources are insufficient.

[0075] The sector controller determines that it is possible to add or change the available resources if, for example, it is possible to allocate resources that are insufficient in the integrated controller 30 using resources that it has (e.g., resources notified by the service orchestrator 10) to make up for the available resources that are insufficient in the integrated controller 30. In other words, the sector controller determines that it is possible to add or change the available resources if the amount of resources that it has is sufficient.

[0076] The sector controller determines that it is impossible to add or change the available resources, for example, if it cannot allocate the resources it possesses (e.g., the resources notified by the service orchestrator 10) to make up for the lack of free resources in the integrated controller 30. In other words, the sector controller determines that it is impossible to add or change the available resources if the amount of resources it possesses is insufficient. If it determines that it is impossible to add or change the available resources, it requests the service orchestrator 10 to add or change the resources.

[0077] The service orchestrator 10 performs the same processing as the service orchestrator 10 in the first embodiment. Furthermore, the service orchestrator 10 determines whether or not the addition or change of available resources is possible in response to a request for addition or change of available resources transmitted from a sector controller.

[0078] 7 is a sequence diagram showing the flow of processing in the communication system 100 according to the third embodiment. For the sake of simplicity, in FIG. 7, the sector controllers included in the sector controller group 20 are collectively referred to as sector controllers, and the description will be given using one domain controller 40 as an example.

[0079] The available resource management unit 310 of the integrated controller 30 generates a report including information on the usage status of available resources allocated to the integrated controller 30 (hereinafter referred to as "usage status information"). The available resource management unit 310 transmits the generated report to the sector controller (step S401). While Fig. 7 illustrates an example in which there is one sector controller, if there are multiple sector controllers, the available resource management unit 310 generates a report for each sector including usage status information for each sector managed by each sector controller, and transmits the generated report for each sector to the corresponding sector controller.

[0080] The topology management unit 210 of the sector controller receives the report sent from the integrated controller 30. Based on the usage status information included in the received report, the topology management unit 210 determines whether the available resources allocated to the integrated controller 30 are insufficient (step S402). Specifically, the topology management unit 210 references the usage status information and determines that there is a shortage of available resources when there is a shortage of available resources or there is a possibility of a shortage. The topology management unit 210 may determine that there is a shortage of available resources or there is a possibility of a shortage when the available resources are less than a threshold, or may determine this based on other criteria. On the other hand, the topology management unit 210 references the usage status information and determines that there is no shortage of available resources when there is no shortage of available resources or there is no possibility of a shortage. Here, it is assumed that the topology management unit 210 determines that there is a shortage of available resources.

[0081] The topology management unit 210 determines whether the amount of resources possessed by the device itself can be used to add or change the available resources to make up for the shortage (step S403). Here, it is assumed that the topology management unit 210 determines that the amount of available resources can be added or changed to make up for the shortage. The topology management unit 210 allocates the shortage of resources to the integrated controller 30 (step S404). The topology management unit 210 notifies the integrated controller 30 of the allocated resources as available resources (step S405). After allocating resources according to the usage status information included in the report sent from the integrated controller 30, the topology management unit 210 notifies the service orchestrator 10 of information indicating the allocated resources (step S406).

[0082] The available resource management unit 310 of the integrated controller 30 receives the notification including the information on available resources notified from the sector controllers. Based on the information on available resources included in the notification received by the available resource management unit 310, the analysis unit 320 allocates resources appropriate for each control target 50 from among the available resources identified by the information on available resources (step S407).

[0083] The analysis unit 320 transmits to the domain controller 40 a setting instruction including the resource setting values ​​allocated to each control target 50 and information for identifying the control target 50 to which the resources are to be set (step S408). Here, if the analysis unit 320 can identify the domain controller 40 that manages the control target 50 to which the resources are to be set, it is sufficient to transmit the setting instruction only to the domain controller 40 that manages the control target 50 to which the resources are to be set. If the analysis unit 320 cannot identify the domain controller 40 that manages the control target 50 to which the resources are to be set, it may transmit the setting instruction to all domain controllers 40.

[0084] The domain controller 40 receives the setting instruction transmitted from the integrated controller 30. The domain controller 40 determines whether the resource setting target exists under its own device based on information for identifying the control target 50 contained in the received setting instruction. If the resource setting target exists under its own device, the domain controller 40 sets the resource setting value contained in the received setting instruction to each control target 50 (step S409). On the other hand, if the resource setting target does not exist under its own device, the domain controller 40 discards the received setting instruction.

[0085] Fig. 8 is a sequence diagram showing the flow of processing in the communication system 100 according to the third embodiment. In Fig. 8, the same processes as those in Fig. 7 are denoted by the same reference numerals as in Fig. 7, and the description thereof will be omitted. Note that, for the sake of simplicity, in Fig. 8, the sector controllers included in the sector controller group 20 are collectively referred to as sector controllers, and the description will be given using one domain controller 40 as an example.

[0086] Assume that the processes from step S401 to step S403 have been executed. Here, it is assumed that the topology management unit 210 determines in the process of step S403 that it is not possible to add or change resources according to the usage status information included in the report notification sent from the integrated controller 30. In this case, the topology management unit 210 sends a resource request including information on the shortage of resources to the service orchestrator 10 (step S501).

[0087] The resource manager 110 of the service orchestrator 10 receives a resource request transmitted from a sector controller. The resource manager 110 determines whether the resource requested in the resource request can be added or changed in accordance with the received resource request (step S502). Here, it is assumed that the resource manager 110 determines that the resource requested by the sector controller can be added or changed.

[0088] The resource management unit 110 notifies the sector controller of available resources (step S503). The resources notified by the resource management unit 110 in the processing of step S503 are resources that satisfy the resources requested in the resource request. The topology management unit 210 of the sector controller manages the resources notified by the service orchestrator 10. The topology management unit 210 allocates to the integrated controller 30, among the resources it manages, resources that are in short supply in the integrated controller 30 (step S504). The topology management unit 210 notifies the integrated controller 30 of the allocated resources as available resources (step S505).

[0089] The available resource management unit 310 of the integrated controller 30 receives a notification including information about available resources notified from the sector controller. Based on the available resource information included in the notification received by the available resource management unit 310, the analysis unit 320 allocates resources appropriate for each control target 50 from among the available resources identified by the available resource information (step S506). Note that the determination of appropriate resource allocation for each control target 50 uses system quality information (telemetry from the control target 50) and requirements for each user (notification from the service orchestrator 10).

[0090] The analysis unit 320 transmits to the domain controller 40 a setting instruction including the resource setting values ​​allocated to each control target 50 and information for identifying the control target 50 to which the resources are to be set (step S507). The domain controller 40 receives the setting instruction transmitted from the integrated controller 30. The domain controller 40 determines whether the resource setting target exists under its own device based on the information for identifying the control target 50 included in the received setting instruction. If the resource setting target exists under its own device, the domain controller 40 sets the resource setting values ​​included in the received setting instruction to each control target 50 (step S508).

[0091] According to the communication system 100 of the third embodiment configured as above, it is possible to obtain the same effects as those of the first embodiment.

[0092] Furthermore, in the communication system 100 of the third embodiment, the integrated controller 30 notifies the sector controller of the resource usage status, and the sector controller determines whether the resources allocated to the integrated controller 30 are in excess or shortage. The sector controller then determines whether resources can be added or changed from the resources it manages, and if so, allocates the added or changed resources to the integrated controller 30. Note that if the sector controller cannot add or change resources from the resources it manages, it receives the added or changed resources from the service orchestrator 10 and allocates them to the integrated controller 30. This makes it possible to prevent available resources from being depleted in advance and improve service availability.

[0093] (Variant 1 common to the first to third embodiments) In each of the above-described embodiments, the service orchestrator 10 manages resources and each sector controller manages topology, but resource management and topology management may be performed by the same device.

[0094] (Variation 2 common to the first to third embodiments) In order to improve the decision-making by the sector controller, the integrated controller 30 may report the collected system quality to the sector controller in addition to the usage status of available resources.

[0095] (Modification 3 common to the first to third embodiments) The communication system 100 in each of the above-described embodiments can be applied to networks other than optical networks. For example, the communication system 100 in each of the above-described embodiments can be applied to any network that constitutes a system that allocates resources.

[0096] Some or all of the functional units of the service orchestrator 10, the first sector controller 20-1, the second sector controller 20-2, the third sector controller 20-3, and the integrated controller 30 are realized as software by a processor such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit) executing a program stored in a storage device having a non-volatile storage medium (non-transitory storage medium) and a storage unit. The program may be recorded on a computer-readable non-transitory storage medium. Examples of computer-readable non-transitory storage media include portable media such as flexible disks, magneto-optical disks, ROMs (Read Only Memory), and CD-ROMs (Compact Disc Read Only Memory), and storage devices such as hard disks built into computer systems.

[0097] Some or all of the functional units of the service orchestrator 10, the first sector controller 20-1, the second sector controller 20-2, the third sector controller 20-3 and the integrated controller 30 may be realized using hardware including electronic circuits (electronic circuits or circuitry) using, for example, an LSI (Large Scale Integrated circuit), an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit), a PLD (Programmable Logic Device) or an FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array).

[0098] 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.

[0099] The present invention can be applied to a communication system using SDN.

[0100] REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 10...service orchestrator, 20...sector controller group, 20-1...first sector controller, 20-2...second sector controller, 20-3...third sector controller, 30...integrated controller, 40-1 to 40-3...domain controllers, 50-1 to 50-3...control target, 110...resource management unit, 210...topology management unit, 310...available resource management unit, 320...analysis unit, 100...communication system

Claims

1. A control device comprising: an available resource management unit that acquires, as available resources, resources available for a specific service from each of one or more control devices that manage different sectors; and an analysis unit that allocates resources to one or more control targets across sectors using the available resources acquired by the available resource management unit.

2. The control device according to claim 1, wherein the analysis unit allocates resources to the one or more control targets via one or more domain controllers that are located under the one or more control devices and manage resources within a domain.

3. The control device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the available resource management unit requests addition or change of resources to the one or more control devices when the available resources are insufficient, and the analysis unit allocates resources to the one or more control targets using the added or changed resources when addition or change of resources is made by the one or more control devices.

4. The control device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the available resource management unit notifies the one or more control devices of the usage status of the available resources, and the analysis unit allocates resources to the one or more control targets using the added or changed resources when addition or change of resources is made by the one or more control devices in response to the notification of the usage status of the available resources.

5. The control device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the available resources are the communication bandwidth or the number of wavelengths available for each network section when the one or more control targets are communication devices, or the number of processors or the memory amount available for each site when the one or more control targets are cloud resources.

6. A communication system comprising one or more first control devices and a second control device, wherein the one or more first control devices allocate, as available resources, resources available for a specific service to the second control device, and the second control device comprises: an available resource management unit that acquires the available resources allocated from each of the one or more first control devices; and an analysis unit that allocates resources to one or more control targets across sectors using the available resources acquired by the available resource management unit.

7. The communication system according to claim 6, wherein when addition or change of resources is possible based on a request from the second control device or information on the usage status of the available resources notified from the second control device, the one or more first control devices allocate the added or changed resources to the second control device.

8. A control method, comprising: obtaining available resources that can be used for a specific service from each of one or more control devices that manage different sectors; and allocating resources to one or more control targets across sectors using the obtained available resources.

Images