Control device, control method, and program

Abstract

A control device according to one aspect of the present disclosure comprises: a determination unit that, upon receiving a request to set a time-divided transfer path, determines, from among time-divided transmission paths, a transmission path that is to serve as the accommodation destination of the transfer path; and a setting unit that sets the transfer path for which the determined transmission path serves as the accommodation destination.

Description

Control Device, Control Method, and Program

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a control device, a control method, and a program.

[0002] Generally, when multiple terminals communicate, congestion occurs in L2 switches or routers on the communication path, resulting in increased communication delays and jitter. For this reason, many techniques such as QoS control in L2 / L3 and congestion control in the TCP protocol have been proposed (Non-Patent Document 1). In recent years, a protocol called TSN (Time Sensitive Network) that can suppress communication delays and jitter has been proposed for communication using industrial networks, etc. (Non-Patent Document 2).

[0003] TSN is generally used in an environment where the transmission path is fixed (e.g., local network within a base, inter-base communication using dedicated lines, etc.). On the other hand, an environment where the transmission path can be controlled on demand, such as an all-photonic network (Non-Patent Document 3), is also known.

[0004] TCP Congestion Control, Internet <URL: https: / / www.rfc-editor.org / rfc / rfc5681.txt> Time-Sensitive Networking (TSN) Task Group, Internet <URL: https: / / 1.ieee802.org / tsn / > Open All-Photonic Network Functional Architecture, Internet <URL: https: / / iowngf.org / wp-content / uploads / formidable / 21 / IOWN-GF-RD-Open_APN_Functional_Architecture-2.0.pdf>

[0005] However, there is no technology that can dynamically accommodate the time-division transfer path by TSN or the like for a transmission path controlled on demand.

[0006] This disclosure has been made in view of the above points and aims to provide a technology for dynamically accommodating a transfer path to a dynamically controlled transmission path.

[0007] A control device according to one aspect of the present disclosure, upon receiving a request to set a time-divisible transfer path, includes a determination unit that determines from among the time-divisible transmission paths which will be the destination of the transfer path, and a setting unit that sets the transfer path with the determined transmission path as the destination.

[0008] This technology can provide a method for dynamically accommodating transfer paths to dynamically controlled transmission paths.

[0009] This figure shows an example of the overall configuration of the system according to this embodiment. This figure shows an example of accommodating a transfer path on a transmission path. This figure shows an example of the functional configuration of the transmission controller according to this embodiment. This figure shows an example of the functional configuration of the transfer controller according to this embodiment. This figure shows an example of the functional configuration of the transmission device according to this embodiment. This figure shows an example of the functional configuration of the transfer device according to this embodiment. This figure shows an example of transmission path information. This figure shows an example of transfer path information. This figure shows an example of transfer path accommodation information. This is a sequence diagram showing an example of transmission path setting processing. This is a sequence diagram showing an example of transmission path information acquisition processing. This is a sequence diagram showing an example of transfer path setting processing. This figure shows an example of the computer hardware configuration.

[0010] One embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings.

[0011] <Conventional Technology and its Challenges> Conventionally, in networks, terminal-to-terminal communication is achieved by connecting terminals using L2 switches and routers, and then forwarding packets between terminals. Hereinafter, L2 / L3 will be collectively referred to as the "transfer layer," and the path or communication route on the transfer layer will be referred to as the "transfer path." Furthermore, devices that perform various processes on the transfer layer (e.g., packet forwarding) will be referred to as "transfer devices." Examples of transfer devices include L2 switches (L2 SWs) and routers (including relay routers).

[0012] Furthermore, routers are connected by devices called transmission devices, and the routes or communication paths between routers are formed by the routes or communication paths provided by the transmission devices (hereinafter referred to as "transmission paths"). Examples of transmission paths include optical wavelength paths and OTN paths. Examples of transmission devices include devices that perform frame processing and wavelength switching within optical wavelength paths and OTN paths. Hereafter, the layer in which frame processing and wavelength switching are performed within optical wavelength paths will be referred to as the "transmission layer."

[0013] In normal packet forwarding, the forwarding device processes packets in the order they arrive. Therefore, communication delays between terminals are not always constant, and even packets between the same terminal experience jitter (i.e., fluctuations in communication delay). Furthermore, when multiple terminals communicate, congestion occurs in the forwarding device, increasing communication delay and jitter.

[0014] One protocol known for suppressing communication delay and jitter is called TSN. TSN is primarily used for communications using industrial networks, and it achieves the suppression of communication delay and jitter through a mechanism called time-division multiplexing.

[0015] On the other hand, in recent years, environments that allow for on-demand control of transmission paths have become known. In such environments, the transmission path that accommodates the transfer paths is dynamically constructed. Furthermore, multiple transfer paths may be accommodated on the same transmission path.

[0016] However, TSN is generally used in environments where the transmission path is fixed (e.g., local networks within a site, inter-site communication using dedicated lines, etc.) and cannot be applied to environments where the transmission path is controlled on demand (dynamically).

[0017] Therefore, in the following embodiment, a system 1 that can dynamically accommodate time-division transfer paths by a TSN or the like for a dynamically controlled transmission path will be described.

[0018] <Overall Configuration Example> An example of the overall configuration of System 1 according to this embodiment will be described with reference to Figure 1. Figure 1 is a diagram showing an example of the overall configuration of System 1 according to this embodiment.

[0019] As shown in Figure 1, the system 1 according to this embodiment includes a transmission controller 10, a transfer controller 20, and a target network 30. The target network 30 also includes terminals 31a to 31e, transmission devices 32a to 32g, and transfer devices 33a to 33h. Hereinafter, terminals 31a to 31e will be collectively referred to as "terminal 31," transmission devices 32a to 32g will be collectively referred to as "transmission device 32," and transfer devices 33a to 33h will be collectively referred to as "transfer device 33."

[0020] The transmission controller 10 is a control device that dynamically sets up transmission paths (time-division multiplexed transmission paths) on the target network 30 based on transmission path requests for setting up transmission paths. The transmission controller 10 is implemented, for example, by a general-purpose server or a system composed of such servers. A transmission path is a route or communication path for enabling communication between transmission devices 32 during a certain time period.

[0021] The transfer controller 20 is a control device that dynamically sets a transfer path (a time-division transfer path, such as a TSN) on the transmission path of the target network based on a transfer path request for setting a transfer path. The transfer controller 20 is implemented, for example, by a general-purpose server or a system composed of such servers. A transfer path is a route or communication path that enables end-to-end communication between terminals 31 during a certain time period, and is accommodated on the transmission path between transmission devices 32. It is possible to accommodate multiple transfer paths on the same transmission path, and each transfer path is accommodated on the transmission path independently using technologies such as VPN or VLAN.

[0022] Terminal 31 is a type of terminal that communicates with other terminals 31 via a transfer path. Examples of terminals 31 include PCs (personal computers), smartphones, tablet devices, IoT devices, and game devices.

[0023] The transmission device 32 is a device that realizes a transmission path between other transmission devices 32 based on settings made by the transmission controller 10. Examples of transmission devices 32 include devices that perform frame processing and wavelength switching within optical wavelength paths and OTN paths.

[0024] The forwarding device 33 is a device that establishes a forwarding path between other forwarding devices 33 based on settings made by the forwarding controller 20. Examples of forwarding devices 33 include L2 switches, routers (including relay routers), and the like.

[0025] Note that the overall configuration of System 1 shown in Figure 1 is just one example and is not limited thereto. For example, the transmission controller 10 and the transfer controller 20 may be configured as a single unit. Also, at least one of the transmission controller 10 and the transfer controller 20 may be included in the target network 30.

[0026] <Example of accommodating a transfer path on a transmission path> An example of accommodating a transfer path on a transmission path will be explained with reference to Figure 2. Figure 2 is a diagram showing an example of accommodating a transfer path on a transmission path.

[0027] As shown in Figure 2, transmission paths 1000a to 1000d are set by the transmission controller 10. Transmission path 1000a is the transmission path between transmission device 32a and transmission device 32c, transmission path 1000b is the transmission path between transmission device 32b and transmission device 32c, transmission path 1000c is the transmission path between transmission device 32d and transmission device 32f, and transmission path 1000d is the transmission path between transmission device 32e and transmission device 32g.

[0028] At this time, the transfer controller 20 determines the transmission path to which the transfer path related to the transfer path request will be accommodated, based on the transfer path request which includes the bandwidth and usage time of the time-division transfer path, and information such as the bandwidth and usage time of the transmission paths 1000a to 1000d, and then sets that transfer path.

[0029] For example, suppose the transfer controller 20 receives a transfer path request requesting the establishment of a transfer path between terminal 31a or 31b and terminal 31e. In this case, suppose that transmission path 1000c does not meet the bandwidth and usage time requirements of the transfer path request, while transmission paths 1000a and 1000d do. In this case, the transfer controller 20 determines transmission paths 1000a and 1000d as the destination transmission paths and then sets up the transfer path 2000 to be accommodated by transmission paths 1000a and 1000d. This sets up the transfer path 2000 that enables end-to-end communication between terminal 31a or 31b and terminal 31e.

[0030] <Example of Functional Configuration> <Example of Functional Configuration of Transmission Controller 10> An example of the functional configuration of the transmission controller 10 according to this embodiment will be explained with reference to Figure 3. Figure 3 is a diagram showing an example of the functional configuration of the transmission controller 10 according to this embodiment.

[0031] As shown in Figure 3, the transmission controller 10 according to this embodiment includes a transfer controller communication unit 101, a transmission path request reception unit 102, a transmission path setting unit 103, and a transmission path information management unit 104. Each of these units is realized, for example, by processing that one or more programs installed in the transmission controller 10 cause a computing device such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit) to execute.

[0032] The transfer controller communication unit 101 receives a transmission path information request sent from the transfer controller 20. A transmission path information request is a request to obtain the transmission path information described later.

[0033] Furthermore, the transfer controller communication unit 101 transmits transmission path information to the transfer controller 20, the source of the transmission path information request.

[0034] The transmission path request receiving unit 102 receives transmission path requests. Transmission path requests are sent from, for example, a user (e.g., terminal 31), an orchestrator that controls the setting of the transmission path, etc.

[0035] The transmission path setting unit 103 sets a transmission path on the target network 30 based on the transmission path request. That is, the transmission path setting unit 103 transmits the transmission path setting to the transmission device 32 based on the transmission path request. The transmission path setting refers to setting information for setting a transmission path between the transmission devices 32.

[0036] The transmission path information management unit 104 manages transmission path information that represents information about the transmission path. Transmission path information includes, for example, the transmission path ID, which is the identification information of the transmission path, the constituent nodes of the transmission path (i.e., the identification information of the transmission devices 32 located at both ends of the transmission path), bandwidth, usage time, etc. Transmission path information is stored in a storage area such as an HDD (Hard Disk Drive), SSD (Solid State Drive), or flash memory. Examples of transmission path information will be described later.

[0037] <<Example of Functional Configuration of Transfer Controller 20>> An example of the functional configuration of the transfer controller 20 according to this embodiment will be explained with reference to Figure 4. Figure 4 is a diagram showing an example of the functional configuration of the transfer controller 20 according to this embodiment.

[0038] As shown in Figure 4, the transfer controller 20 according to this embodiment includes a transmission controller communication unit 201, a transfer path request reception unit 202, a transmission path information management unit 203, a transfer path information management unit 204, a transfer path destination determination unit 205, a transfer path accommodation information management unit 206, and a transfer path setting unit 207. Each of these units is realized, for example, by a process executed by a processing unit such as a CPU, which is run by one or more programs installed on the transfer controller 20.

[0039] The transmission controller communication unit 201 sends a transmission path information request to the transmission controller 10. The transmission controller communication unit 201 also receives the transmission path information sent from the transmission controller 10.

[0040] The transfer path request receiving unit 202 receives transfer path requests. Transfer path requests are sent from, for example, a user (e.g., terminal 31), an orchestrator that controls the transfer path settings, etc.

[0041] The transmission path information management unit 203 manages transmission path information. The transmission path information is stored in a storage area such as an HDD, SSD, flash memory, etc.

[0042] The transfer path information management unit 204 manages transfer path information. The transfer path information includes, for example, a transfer path ID which is identification information of the transfer path, constituent nodes of the transfer path (i.e., identification information of each transfer device 33 existing on the transfer path), bandwidth, usage time, etc. The transfer path information is stored in a storage area such as an HDD, SSD, flash memory, etc. Examples of the transfer path information will be described later.

[0043] The transfer path accommodation destination determination unit 205 determines a transmission path that is the accommodation destination of the transfer path related to the transfer path request based on the transfer path request and the transmission path information, etc.

[0044] The transfer path accommodation information management unit 206 manages transfer path accommodation information. The transfer path accommodation information is information that associates a transmission path with the transfer path accommodated in the transmission path. The transfer path accommodation information is stored in a storage area such as an HDD, SSD, flash memory, etc. Examples of the transfer path accommodation information will be described later.

[0045] The transfer path setting unit 207 sets a transfer path based on the transfer path request and information on the transmission path that is the accommodation destination of the transfer path related to the transfer path request. That is, the transfer path setting unit 207 transmits the transfer path setting of the transfer path accommodated on the transmission path to the transfer device 33 based on the transfer path request and information on the transmission path that is the accommodation destination of the transfer path related to the transfer path request. The transfer path setting is setting information for setting a transfer path between transfer devices 33.

[0046] <<Example of functional configuration of transmission device 32>> An example of the functional configuration of the transmission device 32 according to this embodiment will be described while referring to FIG. 5. FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of the functional configuration of the transmission device 32 according to this embodiment.

[0047] As shown in FIG. 5, the transmission device 32 according to the present embodiment includes a transmission controller communication unit 321 and a transmission processing unit 322. Each of these units is realized, for example, by a process executed by an arithmetic device such as a CPU for one or more programs installed in the transmission device 32.

[0048] The transmission controller communication unit 321 receives transmission path settings and the like from the transmission controller 10.

[0049] Based on the transmission path settings received from the transmission controller 10, the transmission processing unit 322 sets a transmission path with another transmission device 32. Further, the transmission processing unit 322 performs transmission processing such as frame processing and wavelength switching of the transmission path set with another transmission device 32.

[0050] <<Functional configuration example of transfer device 33>> An example of the functional configuration of the transfer device 33 according to the present embodiment will be described while referring to FIG. 6. FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of the functional configuration of the transfer device 33 according to the present embodiment.

[0051] As shown in FIG. 6, the transfer device 33 according to the present embodiment includes a transfer controller communication unit 331 and a transfer processing unit 332. Each of these units is realized by a process executed by an arithmetic device such as a CPU for one or more programs installed in the transfer device 33.

[0052] The transfer controller communication unit 331 receives transfer path settings and the like from the transfer controller 20.

[0053] Based on the transfer path settings received from the transfer controller 20, the transfer processing unit 332 sets a transfer path with another transfer device 33. Further, the transfer processing unit 332 performs transfer processing such as packet processing of the transfer path set with another transfer device 33.

[0054] <<Example of transmission path information>> An example of transmission path information will be described while referring to FIG. 7. FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of transmission path information.

[0055] As shown in FIG. 7, the transmission path information includes a transmission path ID, constituent nodes, bandwidth, delay, jitter, usage time, and the like.

[0056] Note that the transmission path information shown in Figure 7 is just an example and is not limited to this. For example, the transmission path information does not need to include delay or jitter.

[0057] ≪Example of Transfer Path Information≫ An example of transfer path information will be explained with reference to Figure 8. Figure 8 is a diagram showing an example of transfer path information.

[0058] As shown in Figure 8, the transfer path information includes the transfer path ID, configuration nodes, bandwidth, delay tolerance, jitter tolerance, usage time, etc.

[0059] Note that the transfer path information shown in Figure 8 is just an example and is not limited to this. For example, the transfer path information does not need to include delay tolerance ranges or jitter tolerance ranges.

[0060] ≪Example of Transfer Path Containment Information≫ An example of transfer path containment information will be explained with reference to Figure 9. Figure 9 is a diagram showing an example of transfer path containment information.

[0061] As shown in Figure 9, the transfer path accommodation information includes the transmission path ID, transfer path ID, and accommodation time. In other words, the transfer path accommodation information associates the transmission path ID of a transmission path with the transfer path IDs of the transfer paths accommodated within that transmission path, and their accommodation times. Here, the accommodation time is, for example, a pair of the start time when a transfer path is accommodated within the transmission path and the scheduled end time of its accommodation.

[0062] Note that the transfer path accommodation information shown in Figure 9 is just one example and is not limited to this. For example, the transfer path accommodation information does not necessarily have to include accommodation time, etc.

[0063] <Examples of various processes> <Example of transmission path setting process> An example of the transmission path setting process will be explained with reference to Figure 10. Figure 10 is a sequence diagram showing an example of the transmission path setting process.

[0064] The transmission path request receiving unit 102 of the transmission controller 10 receives a transmission path request (step S101). The transmission path request includes, for example, identification information of the transmission devices 32 that constitute the transmission path nodes, the bandwidth of the transmission path, and the usage time of the transmission path (e.g., a pair of start time and end time of use).

[0065] The transmission path setting unit 103 of the transmission controller 10 transmits the transmission path setting to the corresponding transmission device 32 based on the transmission path request received in step S101 (step S102). That is, the transmission path setting unit 103 transmits the transmission path setting, which includes the bandwidth and usage time of the transmission path, to the transmission device 32 that will be a constituent node of the transmission path.

[0066] When the transmission processing unit 322 of the transmission device 32 receives the transmission path setting from the transmission controller communication unit 321, it sets a transmission path with the corresponding transmission device 32 based on that transmission path setting (step S103). As a result, a transmission path is set between certain transmission devices 32 according to the transmission path setting.

[0067] The transmission path information management unit 104 of the transmission controller 10 creates and manages transmission path information for the transmission path set in step S103 (step S104). That is, the transmission path information management unit 104 creates and manages transmission path information that includes the transmission path ID, the constituent nodes of the transmission path, bandwidth, usage time, etc. If delay or jitter is included in the transmission path information, the transmission path information management unit 104 may calculate or measure the delay or jitter by any method. For example, one method for calculating delay or jitter is to calculate it based on the distance between transmission paths.

[0068] As described above, transmission path information is managed for each transmission path. When the use of a transmission path ends (e.g., when the scheduled end time for use of the transmission path has elapsed), the transmission path information for that transmission path is deleted (or a flag or other value indicating the end of use may be set).

[0069] ≪Example of Transmission Path Information Acquisition Process≫ An example of the transmission path information acquisition process will be explained with reference to Figure 11. Figure 11 is a sequence diagram showing an example of the transmission path information acquisition process. The following steps S201 to S203 are executed repeatedly, for example, at a predetermined period.

[0070] The transmission controller communication unit 201 of the transfer controller 20 sends a transmission path information request to the transmission controller 10 (step S201).

[0071] When the transfer controller communication unit 101 of the transmission controller 10 receives a transmission path information request, it transmits the transmission path information managed by the transmission path information management unit 104 to the transfer controller 20 (step S202).

[0072] When the transmission path information management unit 203 of the transfer controller 20 receives transmission path information from the transmission controller communication unit 201, it manages the transmission path information (step S203). At this time, the transmission path information management unit 203 deletes the transmission path information stored in the storage area and then stores the transmission path information received by the transmission controller communication unit 201 in the storage area.

[0073] As a result, transmission path information is synchronized between the transmission controller 10 and the transfer controller 20. Note that the above steps S201 to S203 are repeated at a predetermined interval, which is just one example. For example, steps S201 to S203 may be executed when transmission path information is added or deleted in the transmission controller 10.

[0074] ≪Example of Transfer Path Setting Process≫ An example of the transfer path setting process will be explained with reference to Figure 12. Figure 12 is a sequence diagram showing an example of the transfer path setting process.

[0075] The transfer path request receiving unit 202 of the transfer controller 20 receives a transfer path request (step S301). The transfer path request includes, for example, identification information of the transfer devices 33 that will be the starting and ending nodes of the transfer path, the bandwidth of the transfer path, and the usage time of the transfer path (e.g., a pair of start time and end time).

[0076] The transfer path destination determination unit 205 of the transfer controller 20 determines the transmission path to which the transfer path related to the transfer path request will be accommodated, based on the transfer path request received in step S301 and the transmission path information, etc. (step S302). Below, an example of a method for determining the transmission path to which a transfer path from a starting point to an ending point will be accommodated will be described, with two transfer devices 33 as the starting point and ending point nodes, respectively.

[0077] (1) Example of a method for determining the transmission path to which a transfer path will be accommodated (Part 1) The transfer path accommodation determination unit 205 determines the transmission path to which the transfer path will be accommodated based on the bandwidth and usage time included in the transfer path request and the bandwidth and usage time included in the transmission path information. Specifically, when it is necessary to accommodate the transfer path in a transmission path, if there is only one transmission path that can serve as the accommodation destination, the transfer path accommodation determination unit 205 determines that transmission path as the accommodation destination. On the other hand, if there are multiple transmission paths that can serve as the accommodation destination, the transfer path accommodation determination unit 205 selects one transmission path that has a bandwidth equal to or greater than the bandwidth included in the transfer path request and whose usage time includes the usage time included in the transfer path request, and then determines that transmission path as the accommodation destination.

[0078] (2) Example of a method for determining the transmission path to which a transfer path will be accommodated (Part 2) The transfer path accommodation determination unit 205 determines the transmission path to which the transfer path will be accommodated based on the bandwidth and usage time included in the transfer path request, the bandwidth and usage time included in the transmission path information, the transfer path information, and the transfer path accommodation information. Specifically, when it is necessary to accommodate the transfer path in a transmission path, if there is only one transmission path that can serve as the destination, the transfer path accommodation determination unit 205 determines that transmission path as the destination. On the other hand, if there are multiple transmission paths that can serve as the destination, the transfer path accommodation determination unit 205 determines the transmission path to be accommodated according to the following procedure 1 to 3.

[0079] Step 1: The transfer path destination determination unit 205 selects a transmission path with a bandwidth equal to or greater than the bandwidth included in the transfer path request, and a usage time that includes the usage time included in the transfer path request.

[0080] Step 2: The transfer path destination determination unit 205 selects one optimal transmission path from among the transmission paths selected in Step 1 based on the transfer path information and the transfer path accommodation information. Here, the optimal transmission path is a transmission path that optimizes the resources of the entire target network 30 by considering, for example, the number of transfer paths accommodated in the transmission path selected in Step 1, the bandwidth of the transfer path, the usage time of the transfer path, etc. For example, the transmission path with the fewest number of transfer paths accommodated in the transmission path selected in Step 1 may be selected as the optimal transmission path, or the transmission path with the smallest total bandwidth may be selected as the optimal transmission path. Alternatively, for example, the transmission path with the smallest average number of transfer paths in terms of usage time of the transfer path related to the transfer path request may be selected as the optimal transmission path, or the transmission path with the smallest average total bandwidth may be selected as the optimal transmission path.

[0081] Step 3: The transfer path destination determination unit 205 determines the transmission path selected in Step 2 above as the destination. This determines the transmission path that optimizes the current and future resources of the entire target network 30 as the destination.

[0082] (3) Example of a method for determining the transmission path to which a transfer path will be accommodated (Part 3) In the determination method shown in (1) above, the transfer path accommodation determination unit 205 also determines the transmission path to which the transfer path will be accommodated based on the delay. Specifically, if there are multiple candidate transmission paths for accommodation, the transfer path accommodation determination unit 205 selects one transmission path that has a bandwidth equal to or greater than the bandwidth included in the transfer path request, has an usage time that includes the usage time included in the transfer path request, and has a delay that satisfies the delay tolerance range included in the transfer path request, and then determines that transmission path as the accommodation.

[0083] (4) Example of a method for determining the transmission path to which a transfer path will be accommodated (Part 4) In the determination method shown in (1) above, the transfer path accommodation determination unit 205 determines the transmission path to which the transfer path will be accommodated based on jitter as well. Specifically, if there are multiple candidate transmission paths for accommodation, the transfer path accommodation determination unit 205 selects one transmission path that has a bandwidth equal to or greater than the bandwidth included in the transfer path request, has an usage time that includes the usage time included in the transfer path request, and has jitter that satisfies the jitter tolerance range included in the transfer path request, and then determines that transmission path as the accommodation.

[0084] (5) Example of a method for determining the transmission path to which a transfer path will be accommodated (No. 5) The determination method shown in (3) above and the determination method shown in (4) above may be combined. That is, if there are multiple candidate transmission paths for the destination, the transfer path destination determination unit 205 selects one transmission path that has a bandwidth equal to or greater than the bandwidth included in the transfer path request, has an usage time that includes the usage time included in the transfer path request, and further satisfies both the delay tolerance range and the jitter tolerance range included in the transfer path request, and then determines that transmission path as the destination.

[0085] (6) Example of a method for determining the transmission path to which a transfer path will be accommodated (Part 6) The determination method shown in (2) above and the determination method shown in (3) above may be combined. That is, in step 1 above, the transfer path accommodation destination determination unit 205 selects a transmission path that has a bandwidth equal to or greater than the bandwidth included in the transfer path request, and a usage time that includes the usage time included in the transfer path request, and a delay that satisfies the delay tolerance range included in the transfer path request.

[0086] (7) Example of a method for determining the transmission path to which a transfer path will be accommodated (No. 7) The determination method shown in (2) above and the determination method shown in (4) above may be combined. That is, in step 1 above, the transfer path accommodation destination determination unit 205 selects a transmission path that has a bandwidth equal to or greater than the bandwidth included in the transfer path request, and that has an operating time that includes the operating time included in the transfer path request, and further has a jitter that satisfies the jitter tolerance range included in the transfer path request.

[0087] (8) Example of a method for determining the transmission path to which the transfer path will be accommodated (No. 8) The determination method shown in (2) above, the determination method shown in (3) above, and the determination method shown in (4) above may be combined. That is, in the above procedure 1, the transfer path accommodation destination determination unit 205 selects a transmission path that has a bandwidth equal to or greater than the bandwidth included in the transfer path request, and a usage time that includes the usage time included in the transfer path request, and furthermore, a delay and jitter that satisfies both the delay tolerance range and the jitter tolerance range included in the transfer path request.

[0088] The transfer path setting unit 207 of the transfer controller 20 transmits the transfer path setting for the transfer path to be accommodated on that transmission path to the corresponding transfer device 33 (step S303), based on the transfer path request received in step S301 and the transmission path information of the destination transmission path determined in step S302. That is, the transfer path setting unit 207 transmits, for example, the transfer path setting, which includes the bandwidth and usage time of the transfer path, to the transfer device 300 that will be a constituent node of the transfer path.

[0089] When the transfer processing unit 332 of the transfer device 33 receives the transfer path setting from the transfer controller communication unit 331, it sets a transfer path with the corresponding transfer device 33 based on that transfer path setting (step S304). As a result, a transfer path is set from the starting transfer device 33 to the ending transfer device 33 according to the transfer path setting.

[0090] The transfer path information management unit 204 of the transfer controller 20 creates and manages transfer path information for the transfer path set in step S304 (step S305). That is, the transfer path information management unit 204 creates and manages transfer path information that includes the transfer path ID, the configuration nodes of the transfer path, bandwidth, usage time, etc. The transfer path information may also include, for example, a delay tolerance range and a jitter tolerance range.

[0091] The transfer path accommodation information management unit 206 of the transfer controller 20 creates and manages transfer path accommodation information based on the transmission path information of the destination transmission path determined in step S302 and the transfer path information created in step S306 (step S306). That is, the transfer path accommodation information management unit 206 creates and manages transfer path accommodation information that includes the transmission path ID of the destination transmission path determined in step S302 and the transfer path ID of the transfer path information created in step S306. The transfer path accommodation information may also include the usage time included in the transfer path information as accommodation information.

[0092] As described above, time-divided transfer paths (e.g., time-divided transfer paths using protocols such as TSN) are set up according to usage time, and these transfer paths are accommodated in transmission paths that are similarly time-divided according to usage time. When the use of a time-divided transfer path ends (e.g., when the end time for using the transfer path has elapsed), the transfer path information for that transfer path and the transfer path accommodation information containing the transfer path ID for that transfer path are deleted (or, a value such as a flag indicating the end of use may be set).

[0093] <Hardware Configuration Example> The transmission controller 10 and the transfer controller 20 can be implemented, for example, by the hardware configuration of the computer 500 shown in Figure 13. The transmission device 32 and the transfer device 33 may also be implemented, for example, by the hardware configuration of the computer 500 shown in Figure 13.

[0094] The computer 500 shown in Figure 13 includes an input device 501, a display device 502, an external interface 503, a communication interface 504, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 505, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 506, an auxiliary storage device 507, and a processor 508. Each of these hardware components is connected to the others via a bus 509 for communication.

[0095] The input device 501 is, for example, a keyboard, mouse, touch panel, physical buttons, etc. The display device 502 is, for example, a display, display panel, etc. Note that the computer 500 does not necessarily have to have at least one of the input device 501 and the display device 502.

[0096] The external I / F 503 is an interface with external devices such as the recording medium 503a. Examples of the recording medium 503a include CD (Compact Disc), DVD (Digital Versatile Disk), SD memory card (Secure Digital memory card), and USB (Universal Serial Bus) memory card.

[0097] The communication interface 504 is an interface for communicating with other devices and equipment. The RAM 505 is a volatile semiconductor memory (storage device) that temporarily holds programs and data. The ROM 506 is a non-volatile semiconductor memory (storage device) that can retain programs and data even when the power is turned off. The auxiliary storage device 507 is a non-volatile storage device such as an HDD, SSD, or flash memory. The processor 508 is an arithmetic unit such as a CPU.

[0098] Note that the hardware configuration of the computer 500 shown in Figure 13 is just one example and is not limited to it. For example, the computer 500 may have multiple auxiliary storage devices 507 and multiple processors 508, it may not have some of the hardware shown, or it may have various other hardware components besides the hardware shown.

[0099] The present invention is not limited to the embodiments specifically disclosed above, and various modifications, changes, and combinations with known technologies are possible without departing from the scope of the claims.

[0100] 1 System 10 Transmission Controller 20 Transfer Controller 30 Target Network 31 Terminal 32 Transmission Device 33 Transfer Device 101 Transfer Controller Communication Unit 102 Transmission Path Request Reception Unit 103 Transmission Path Setting Unit 104 Transmission Path Information Management Unit 201 Transmission Controller Communication Unit 202 Transfer Path Request Reception Unit 203 Transmission Path Information Management Unit 204 Transfer Path Information Management Unit 205 Transfer Path Destination Determination Unit 206 Transfer Path Destination Information Management Unit 207 Transfer Path Setting Unit 321 Transmission Controller Communication Unit 322 Transmission Processing Unit 331 Transfer Controller Communication Unit 332 Transfer Processing Unit 500 Computer 501 Input Device 502 Display Device 503 External I / F 503a Recording Medium 504 Communication I / F 505 RAM 506 ROM 507 Auxiliary Storage Device 508 Processor 509 bus

Claims

1. A control device having: a determination unit that, upon receiving a request to set a time-divisified transfer path, determines from among the time-divisified transmission paths which will be the destination of the transfer path; and a setting unit that sets the transfer path with the determined transmission path as the destination.

2. The control device according to claim 1, wherein the setting request includes the bandwidth of the transfer path and the usage time of the transfer path, and the determination unit determines the transmission path to which the transfer path will be accommodated based on the bandwidth and usage time included in the setting request and the bandwidth and usage time of the transmission path.

3. The control device according to claim 2, wherein the setting request further includes a delay tolerance range for the transfer path, and the determination unit determines the transmission path to which the transfer path will be accommodated based on the delay tolerance range included in the setting request and the delay of the transmission path.

4. The control device according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the setting request further includes a jitter tolerance range for the transfer path, and the determination unit determines the transmission path to which the transfer path will be accommodated based on the jitter tolerance range included in the setting request and the jitter of the transmission path.

5. A control method in which, upon receiving a request to set a time-division transfer path, the computer executes a determination procedure to determine from among the time-division transfer paths which will be the destination of the transfer path, and a setting procedure to set the transfer path with the determined transfer path as the destination.

6. A program that, upon receiving a request to configure a time-division transfer path, causes a computer to execute a determination procedure for determining which transmission path will be the destination of the transfer path from among the time-division transfer paths, and a configuration procedure for configuring the transfer path with the determined transmission path as the destination.

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