Control device, control method, and program

Abstract

A control device (10) according to the present disclosure includes: a setting unit (132) which presets, between a plurality of optical transmission devices (3), an HO ODU path capable of accommodating an LO ODU path, which is an optical path between clients (2); and a management unit (134) which, upon receiving a request to set the LO ODU path between the clients (2), determines whether the LO ODU path requested to be set can be accommodated in the preset HO ODU path. When it is determined that the LO ODU path can be accommodated in the preset HO ODU path, the setting unit (132) sets the LO ODU path accommodated in the HO ODU path.

Description

Control Device, Control Method, and Program

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

[0002] An all-optical network that directly provides an optical path to a user (client) has been realized, and in the future, it is expected to improve the usability of the optical path for the user, particularly the responsiveness of opening an optical path service. For example, after the occurrence of user demand for using an optical path, it is required to complete the provision of the optical path requested by the user within several seconds from the opening request of the optical path. However, currently, a standby time is required for opening an optical path service that involves setting to an optical transmission device that transmits an optical signal between users.

[0003] In optical transmission devices such as a Muxponder and a ROADM (Reconfigurable Optical Add / Drop Multiplexer) that constitute an optical transmission network, when opening an optical path, it takes about several tens of seconds for the stability of the laser light and the amplifier output. Therefore, a lot of time (several tens of seconds × the number of optical transmission devices constituting the optical path) is required from the instruction of setting the optical path to the opening of the optical path. As a result, the user cannot use the optical path service in a short time (for example, about several seconds) from the opening request of the optical path.

[0004] As a technique for shortening the time from the opening request of an optical path to the start of using the optical path service, Patent Document 1 describes a technique for shortening the time required for command processing until the opening of an optical path by defining commands that can be processed in parallel.

[0005] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2012-253582

[0006] The technique described in Patent Document 1 aims to shorten the time required for setting up path construction after receiving an opening request for an optical path, and it takes time for path design and creation of path construction procedures after receiving the opening request for the optical path. Therefore, it is difficult to quickly provide an optical path service on demand with the technique described in Patent Document 1.

[0007] In light of the problems described above, the purpose of this disclosure is to provide a control device, a control method, and a program that can reduce the time required to set up ODU (Optical Channel Data Unit) paths between clients.

[0008] A control device according to one embodiment is a control device for setting an ODU path between clients via a plurality of optical transmission devices, comprising: a setting unit that pre-sets an HO ODU path between the plurality of optical transmission devices capable of accommodating the LO ODU path, which is an optical path between the clients; and a management unit that, upon receiving a request to set the LO ODU path between the clients, determines whether the requested LO ODU path can be accommodated in the pre-set HO ODU path, wherein the setting unit, upon determining that the LO ODU path can be accommodated in the pre-set HO ODU, sets the LO ODU path accommodated in the HO ODU.

[0009] One embodiment of the control method is a control method executed by a control device that sets up an ODU path between clients via a plurality of optical transmission devices, wherein an HO ODU path capable of accommodating the LO ODU path, which is an optical path between the clients, is set up in advance between the plurality of optical transmission devices, and when a request to set up the LO ODU path between the clients is received, the control device determines whether the requested LO ODU path can be accommodated in the advance set HO ODU path, and if it is determined that the LO ODU path can be accommodated in the advance set HO ODU path, the LO ODU path accommodated in the HO ODU path is set up.

[0010] In one embodiment of the control method, a computer is operated as the control device.

[0011] According to this disclosure, the time required to set up ODU paths between clients can be reduced.

[0012] This figure shows an example of the configuration of a control device according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. This figure shows an example of the configuration of an optical communication system including the control device shown in Figure 1. This figure shows an overview of the operation of the control device shown in Figure 1. This is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of the control device shown in Figure 1. This is a flowchart showing an example of the operation when setting the HO ODU path. This is a flowchart showing another example of the operation when setting the HO ODU path. This is a flowchart showing yet another example of the operation when setting the HO ODU path.

[0013] Embodiments of this disclosure will be described below with reference to the drawings.

[0014] Figure 1 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of a control device 10 according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. The control device 10 according to the present disclosure is a device that controls the optical transmission devices 3 and sets up an ODU path between the clients 2 via the multiple optical transmission devices 3 in an optical communication system 1 that transfers signals between clients 2 using a plurality of optical transmission devices 3, as shown in Figure 2.

[0015] One optical transmission technology is OTN (Optical Transport Network). OTN is a transmission technology that supports wavelength division multiplexing, which multiplexes light of different wavelengths. In OTN, an ODU path is set up above the OTU (Optical Channel Transport Unit) path, and the client signal is transmitted along the ODU path.

[0016] Standards for optical transmission are being developed with the aim of increasing capacity and multiplexing optical paths. Specifically, there are standards for clients such as server interfaces like Ethernet (registered trademark) or access to OTN (Lower Order ODU), and standards for optical switches that bundle and accommodate signals transmitted over multiple LO ODU paths (Higher Order ODU). A hierarchical structure of OTU, HO ODU, and LO ODU has been defined to efficiently transmit multiple LO ODU paths with different bandwidth requirements. An HO ODU path can accommodate multiple LO ODU paths as long as there is available bandwidth in the HO ODU path.

[0017] For comparison, we will describe the setting of optical paths between clients 2 using a conventional method in the optical communication system 1 shown in Figure 2. Below, we will describe the case in which one LO ODU path is set between clients 2 in response to an optical path setting request (Case 1), and the case in which three LO ODU paths are set on one HO ODU path (Case 2).

[0018] When configuring an ODU path, the control device 10 needs to perform an activation setting to allow optical signals to flow to the ports of each of the multiple optical transmission devices 3. The configuration process by the control device 10 is completed in a short time (a few seconds), but it takes several tens of seconds for the laser light and output to stabilize between the optical transmission devices 3. In the conventional method, the activation setting necessary for configuring the optical path is performed after receiving a request to configure the optical path, so in cases 1 and 2, configuring the ODU path takes time.

[0019] Now, consider the case where, as shown in Figure 2, three LO ODU paths, indicated by dotted hatches and solid lines, are housed in the HO ODU path, and then one more LO ODU path, indicated by dotted hatches and dotted lines, is added to the HO ODU path. In this case, the HO ODU path is already configured; that is, the laser light and amplifier output in each of the multiple optical transmission devices 3 are already stable, so adding the LO ODU path to the HO ODU path can be done in a short time. The inventors focused on this feature and conceived the idea that by pre-configuring the HO ODU path between the optical transmission devices 3 before the optical path configuration request, the time required to configure the optical path between the clients 2 can be reduced.

[0020] The configuration of the control device 10 according to this embodiment will be described below with reference to Figure 1.

[0021] As shown in Figure 1, the control device 10 according to this embodiment comprises a storage unit 11, a communication unit 12, and a control unit 13.

[0022] The storage unit 11 includes at least one semiconductor memory, at least one magnetic memory, at least one optical memory, or any combination thereof. The semiconductor memory is, for example, RAM (Random Access Memory), ROM (Read Only Memory), or flash memory. The RAM is, for example, SRAM (Static Random Access Memory) or DRAM (Dynamic Random Access Memory). The ROM is, for example, EEPROM (Electrically Erasable Programmable Read Only Memory). The flash memory is, for example, SSD (Solid-State Drive). The magnetic memory is, for example, HDD (Hard Disk Drive). The storage unit 11 functions, for example, as main memory, auxiliary memory, or cache memory. The storage unit 11 stores information used in the operation of the control device 10 and information obtained by the operation of the control device 10. For example, the storage unit 11 stores the network configuration of the optical communication system 1. Furthermore, the storage unit 11 stores information regarding ODU paths set between the optical transmission devices 3 (ODU path information). The ODU path information includes, for example, the available bandwidth for each HO ODU path set between the optical transmission devices 3. The ODU path information also includes information regarding LO ODU paths set between the clients 2. The storage unit 11 also stores the setting rules for HO ODU paths. The storage unit 11 also stores information regarding the activation settings of the optical transmission device 3 for setting ODU paths (configuration information).

[0023] The communication unit 12 includes at least one communication module. The communication module is, for example, a module compatible with a LAN communication standard such as Ethernet (registered trademark). The communication unit 12 communicates with the optical transmission device 3 and the like. The communication unit 12 receives information used for the operation of the control device 10 and transmits information obtained by the operation of the control device 10.

[0024] The control unit 13 includes at least one processor, at least one programmable circuit, at least one dedicated circuit, or any combination thereof. The processor is a general-purpose processor such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit) or GPU (Graphics Processing Unit), or a dedicated processor specialized for a specific process. The programmable circuit is, for example, an FPGA (Field-Programmable Gate Array). The dedicated circuit is, for example, an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit).

[0025] The control unit 13 controls each part of the control device 10 and executes processes related to the operation of the control device 10. As shown in Figure 1, the control unit 13 functions as a reception unit 131, a setting unit 132, a route determination unit 133, a management unit 134, a bandwidth determination unit 135, and a data collection unit 136.

[0026] The reception unit 131 receives requests to set the LO ODU path between clients 2 from other systems, which are not shown in Figure 1.

[0027] The configuration unit 132 pre-configures HO ODU paths between multiple optical transmission devices 3. The HO ODU path can accommodate the LO ODU path, which is the optical path between clients 2. For example, the configuration unit 132 configures the HO ODU path before starting to accept requests to configure the LO ODU path. The configuration unit 132 also configures the LO ODU path that is contained within the HO ODU path. Based on the configuration information stored in the storage unit 11, the configuration unit 132 performs opening settings for each of the multiple optical transmission devices 3 and configures the optical paths (HO ODU path and LO ODU path).

[0028] The route determination unit 133 determines the route of the requested LO ODU path based on the network configuration stored in the storage unit 11.

[0029] The management unit 134 determines whether the requested LO ODU path can be accommodated in a pre-configured HO ODU path. Specifically, the management unit 134 determines whether the LO ODU path can be accommodated in the HO ODU path using the route determined by the route determination unit 133. In this way, when the management unit 134 receives a request to configure an LO ODU path, it determines whether the requested LO ODU path can be accommodated in a pre-configured HO ODU path. If the management unit 134 determines that the LO ODU path can be accommodated in a pre-configured HO ODU path, the configuration unit 132 configures the LO ODU path accommodated in that HO ODU path.

[0030] The bandwidth determination unit 135 determines the bandwidth of the HO ODU path to be set based on the setting rules stored in the memory unit 11. The setting unit 132 sets the HO ODU path with the bandwidth determined by the bandwidth determination unit 135.

[0031] The collection unit 136 collects information regarding HO ODU paths that can be set in each of the multiple optical transmission devices 3, and outputs it to the management unit 134 and the bandwidth determination unit 135. The information regarding HO ODU paths that can be set in each of the multiple optical transmission devices 3 includes, for example, the available bandwidth for signal transmission in each of the multiple optical transmission devices 3, and the delay in each optical transmission device 3. By collecting this information, it is possible to accurately determine whether the HO ODU path has more available bandwidth than the bandwidth required for the requested LO ODU path. Furthermore, by collecting this information, it is possible to set the HO ODU path within the range that the optical transmission device 3 can transmit.

[0032] The functions of the control device 10 are realized by executing the program according to this embodiment on the processor acting as the control unit 13. In other words, the functions of the control device 10 are realized by software. The program causes the computer to perform the operations of the control device 10, thereby causing the computer to function as the control device 10. That is, the computer functions as the control device 10 by performing the operations of the control device 10 according to the program.

[0033] The program can be stored on a non-temporary computer-readable medium. Examples of non-temporary computer-readable mediums include flash memory, magnetic recording devices, optical discs, magneto-optical recording media, or ROM. The program can be distributed, for example, by selling, transferring, or leasing portable media such as SD (Secure Digital) cards, DVDs (Digital Versatile Discs), or CD-ROMs (Compact Disc Read Only Memory) on which the program is stored. The program may also be distributed by storing it in server storage and transferring it from the server to other computers. The program may also be provided as a program product.

[0034] A computer, for example, stores a program stored on a portable medium or a program transferred from a server in its main memory. Then, the computer reads the program stored in the main memory with its processor and executes the processing according to the read program. The computer may also read the program directly from the portable medium and execute the processing according to the program. The computer may also execute the processing according to the received program sequentially each time a program is transferred to it from a server. Processing may also be performed by a so-called ASP (Application Service Provider) type service, which does not transfer programs from the server to the computer, but realizes its function only through execution instructions and result retrieval. A program includes information used for processing by an electronic computer that is equivalent to a program. For example, data that is not a direct instruction to the computer but has the nature of defining the computer's processing falls under "equivalent to a program".

[0035] Some or all of the functions of the control device 10 may be implemented by a programmable circuit or a dedicated circuit as the control unit 13. In other words, some or all of the functions of the control device 10 may be implemented by hardware.

[0036] Next, the operation of the control device 10 according to the present embodiment will be described. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an outline of the operation of the control device 10 according to the present embodiment.

[0037] In the present embodiment, the control device 10 pre-sets a HO ODU path between the optical transmission devices 3. The bandwidth of the HO ODU path is a bandwidth capable of accommodating one or more LO ODU paths. That is, the HO ODU path may be capable of accommodating one LO ODU path or a plurality of LO ODU paths. The section in which the HO ODU path is set is a section in which, when there is a setting request, the LO ODU path is to be set in a shorter time without taking time as in the conventional method.

[0038] When the control device 10 receives a setting request for an LO ODU path, if the set LO ODU path and the HO ODU path are on the same route and the free bandwidth of the HO ODU path is greater than or equal to the bandwidth of the set LO ODU path, the LO ODU path is set in the HO ODU path. As set by referring to FIG. 2, the process of adding an LO ODU path to an already set HO ODU path can be executed in a short time. Therefore, as in the present embodiment, by pre-setting a HO ODU path between the optical transmission devices 3 and setting the LO ODU path accommodated in the HO ODU path when there is a setting request for the LO ODU path, it is possible to shorten the time required for setting the optical path (LO ODU path) between the clients 2.

[0039] FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of the control device 10 according to the present embodiment, and is a diagram for explaining the control method executed by the control device 10.

[0040] The setting unit 132 sets a HO ODU path between a plurality of optical transmission devices 3 (step S10).

[0041] The reception unit 131 receives a setting request for an LO ODU path from another system or the like (step S11).

[0042] The route determination unit 133 determines the route of the LO ODU path for which a setting request has been made based on the network configuration stored in the storage unit 11 (step S12). Here, the route determination unit 133 checks whether the available bandwidth of the optical transmission device 3 on the route of the LO ODU path for which a setting request has been made, the delay in the route, etc. satisfy predetermined conditions (step S13), and determines the route of the LO ODU path for which a setting request has been made.

[0043] The management unit 134 checks whether there is a HO ODU path capable of accommodating the LO ODU path for which a setting request has been made (step S14). Specifically, the management unit 134 checks whether there is a HO ODU path on the route determined by the route determination unit 133 whose available bandwidth is greater than or equal to the bandwidth of the LO ODU path for which a setting request has been made.

[0044] If it is determined that there is no HO ODU path capable of accommodating the LO ODU path for which a setting request has been made, the setting unit 132 sets a HO ODU path between the optical transmission devices 3 on the determined route (step S15). In this case, setting the HO ODU path takes the same processing time as the conventional method described with reference to FIG. 2.

[0045] If it is determined that there is a HO ODU path capable of accommodating the LO ODU path for which a setting request has been made, the setting unit 132 performs an opening setting of the LO ODU path for the optical transmission devices 3 at both ends of the route of the LO ODU path (step S16). Then, the setting unit 132 maps the set LO ODU path to the HO ODU path (accommodates it in the HO ODU path) (step S17). Thereby, the setting of the LO ODU path for which a setting request has been made is completed.

[0046] The management unit 134 checks the available bandwidth of the HO ODU path after setting the LO ODU path for which a setting request has been made for the purpose of preparing for the next setting request of the LO ODU path (step S18).

[0047] If it is determined that there is available bandwidth in the HO ODU path, the management unit 134 ends the process, and the operation of the control device 10 returns to the process of step S11.

[0048] If the management unit 134 determines that there is no available bandwidth in the HO ODU path, the setting unit 132 sets a new HO ODU path on the same route as the HO ODU path that accommodates the requested LO ODU path (step S20). Here, the bandwidth determination unit 135 determines the bandwidth of the newly set HO ODU path (step S19). For example, the bandwidth determination unit 135 determines that the bandwidth of the newly set HO ODU path is the same as that of the LO ODU path. Alternatively, the bandwidth determination unit 135 may determine that the bandwidth of the newly set HO ODU path is such that it can accommodate multiple LO ODU paths. The setting unit 132 sets the HO ODU path with the bandwidth determined by the bandwidth determination unit 135.

[0049] The operation of configuring the HO ODU path for the preliminary preparations for the above-mentioned configuration requests will be explained with three examples.

[0050] Figure 5A is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of setting up the HO ODU path in preparation for the following setting request. In the following description, it is assumed that an LO ODU path, which is contained within the HO ODU path, has been set up between optical transmission device 3a and optical transmission device 3b.

[0051] The management unit 134 determines whether the available bandwidth of the HO ODU path between optical transmission device 3a and optical transmission device 3b is X Gbps or greater (step S181A). X is a value set by, for example, the administrator of the optical communication system 1.

[0052] If the management unit 134 determines that the available bandwidth of the HO ODU path between optical transmission device 3a and optical transmission device 3b is XGbps or greater (step S181A: Yes), the management unit 134 terminates processing, and the operation of the control device 10 returns to the processing in step S11.

[0053] If the management unit 134 determines that the available bandwidth of the HO ODU path between optical transmission device 3a and optical transmission device 3b is less than X Gbps (step S181A: No), the bandwidth determination unit 135 determines the bandwidth of the newly set HO ODU path so that the available bandwidth of the HO ODU path between optical transmission device 3a and optical transmission device 3b is X Gbps or greater (191A). The setting unit 132 sets the HO ODU path with the bandwidth determined by the bandwidth determination unit 135 between optical transmission device 3a and optical transmission device 3b (step S201A).

[0054] Thus, after setting an LO ODU path in response to a setting request, the setting unit 132 may set a new HO ODU path on the same route as the HO ODU path that accommodates the LO ODU path if the available bandwidth of the HO ODU path accommodating the LO ODU path is below a predetermined threshold. This reduces the time required to set up the optical path even when a new LO ODU path is set up on the same route.

[0055] Figure 5B is a flowchart illustrating a second example of the operation of configuring the HO ODU path in preparation for the following configuration request.

[0056] The management unit 134 determines whether or not there is a planned future bandwidth demand between the optical transmission device 3a and the optical transmission device 3b (step S181B).

[0057] If there is no planned future bandwidth demand between optical transmission device 3a and optical transmission device 3b (step S181B: No), the management unit 134 terminates the process.

[0058] If there is a planned future bandwidth demand between optical transmission device 3a and optical transmission device 3b (step S181B: Yes), the management unit 134 obtains the planned bandwidth demand X Gbps (step S182B).

[0059] The management unit 134 determines whether the available bandwidth of the HO ODU path between optical transmission device 3a and optical transmission device 3b is equal to or greater than the acquired bandwidth demand of X Gbps (step S183B).

[0060] If the available bandwidth in the HO ODU path between optical transmission device 3a and optical transmission device 3b is greater than or equal to the acquired bandwidth demand of X Gbps (step S183B: Yes), the management unit 134 terminates the process.

[0061] If the management unit 134 determines that the available bandwidth of the HO ODU path between optical transmission device 3a and optical transmission device 3b is less than the acquired bandwidth demand XGbps (step S183B: No), the bandwidth determination unit 135 determines the bandwidth of a new HO ODU path between optical transmission device 3a and optical transmission device 3b. The bandwidth determination unit 135 determines a bandwidth of XGbps or greater as the bandwidth of the newly set HO ODU path (191B). The setting unit 132 sets the HO ODU path with the bandwidth determined by the bandwidth determination unit 135 between optical transmission device 3a and optical transmission device 3b (step S201B).

[0062] Figure 5C is a flowchart illustrating a third example of the operation of configuring the HO ODU path in preparation for the next configuration request.

[0063] The management unit 134 determines the future bandwidth demand X between optical transmission device 3a and optical transmission device 3b. _prediction The Gbps is predicted (step S181C). The management unit 134 analyzes, for example, the frequency of past bandwidth demand between optical transmission device 3a and optical transmission device 3b, and predicts the future bandwidth demand X _prediction We will perform a linear prediction.

[0064] The management unit 134 determines that the available bandwidth in the HO ODU path between optical transmission device 3a and optical transmission device 3b will meet future bandwidth demand X _prediction It is determined whether the speed is Gbps or higher (step S182C).

[0065] The management unit 134 determines that the available bandwidth in the HO ODU path between optical transmission device 3a and optical transmission device 3b will meet future bandwidth demand X _prediction If the speed is Gbps or higher (step S182C: Yes), the management unit 134 terminates the process.

[0066] The available bandwidth in the HO ODU path between optical transmission device 3a and optical transmission device 3b is the future bandwidth demand X _predictionIf the management unit 134 determines that the bandwidth is less than Gbps (step S182C: No), the bandwidth determination unit 135 determines the bandwidth of a new HO ODU path between optical transmission device 3a and optical transmission device 3b. The bandwidth determination unit 135 determines the future bandwidth demand X _prediction A bandwidth of Gbps or higher is determined to be the bandwidth of the newly set HO ODU path (191C). The setting unit 132 sets the HO ODU path of the bandwidth determined by the bandwidth determination unit 135 between the optical transmission device 3a and the optical transmission device 3b (step S201C).

[0067] Furthermore, if an HO ODU path capable of accommodating multiple LO ODU paths is configured, and the available bandwidth of the HO ODU path falls below a predetermined threshold, it can lead to wasted optical wavelengths. Therefore, the bandwidth determination unit 135 may reduce the bandwidth of the HO ODU path if the available bandwidth of the HO ODU path remains below a predetermined threshold for a predetermined period of time or longer. This prevents wasted optical wavelengths.

[0068] As described above, the control device 10 according to this embodiment comprises a setting unit 132 and a management unit 134. The setting unit 132 pre-sets HO ODU paths between a plurality of optical transmission devices 3 that can accommodate LO ODU paths, which are optical paths between clients 2. When the management unit 134 receives a request to set an LO ODU path between clients 2, it determines whether the requested LO ODU path can be accommodated in the pre-set HO ODU path. If the setting unit 132 determines that the LO ODU path can be accommodated in the pre-set HO ODU path, it sets the LO ODU path accommodated in the HO ODU path.

[0069] If an HO ODU path is set up between optical transmission devices 3, the laser light and output are already stable in the optical transmission device 3, so adding an LO ODU path to the HO ODU path can be done in a short time. Therefore, in this disclosure, by setting up an HO ODU path in advance and setting up the LO ODU path that is housed in the HO ODU path when a request to set up an LO ODU path is received, the time required to set up the optical path between clients can be reduced.

[0070] The following additional information is disclosed regarding the embodiments described above.

[0071] [Addendum 1] A control device for setting up an optical path between clients via a plurality of optical transmission devices, comprising a control unit, wherein the control unit pre-sets an HO ODU path between the plurality of optical transmission devices that can accommodate the LO ODU path, which is the ODU path between the clients, and when it receives a request to set up the LO ODU path between the clients, it determines whether the requested LO ODU path can be accommodated in the pre-set HO ODU path, and if it determines that the LO ODU path can be accommodated in the pre-set HO ODU path, it sets up the LO ODU path accommodated in the HO ODU path.

[0072] [Addendum 2] The control device described in Addendum 1, further comprising a storage unit, wherein the storage unit is configured to store the available bandwidth for each HO ODU path, and the control unit determines that the LO ODU path can accommodate the HO ODU path if the available bandwidth of the stored HO ODU path is greater than or equal to the bandwidth of the LO ODU path.

[0073] [Appendix 3] A control device according to Appendix 1 or 2, wherein the control unit reduces the bandwidth of the HO ODU path when the available bandwidth of the HO ODU path is below a predetermined threshold for a predetermined period of time or longer.

[0074] [Appendix 4] A control device according to any one of the appendix items 1 to 3, wherein the control unit collects information relating to the HO ODU path that can be set in each of the plurality of optical transmission devices from each of the optical transmission devices.

[0075] [Appendix 5] A control device according to any one of the appendix items 1 to 4, wherein the control unit sets an LO ODU path in response to the setting request, and then, if the available bandwidth of the HO ODU path accommodating the LO ODU path is below a predetermined threshold, sets a new HO ODU path on the same route as the HO ODU path accommodating the LO ODU path.

[0076] [Addendum 6] A control method executed by a control device that sets up an ODU path between clients via a plurality of optical transmission devices, wherein an HO ODU path capable of accommodating the LO ODU path, which is an optical path between the clients, is set up in advance between the plurality of optical transmission devices, and when a request to set up the LO ODU path between the clients is received, the control device determines whether the requested LO ODU path can be accommodated in the pre-set HO ODU path, and if it is determined that the LO ODU path can be accommodated in the pre-set HO ODU path, the control device sets up the LO ODU path accommodated in the HO ODU path.

[0077] [Appendix 7] A non-temporary storage medium storing a program executable by a computer, the non-temporary storage medium storing a program that causes the computer to function as a control device as described in any one of the appendix items 1 to 5.

[0078] Although the embodiments described above are representative examples, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that many modifications and substitutions are possible within the spirit and scope of this disclosure. Therefore, the present invention should not be construed as being limited by the embodiments described above, and various modifications or changes are possible without departing from the claims. For example, it is possible to combine multiple component blocks shown in the configuration diagram of the embodiments into one, or to divide one component block.

[0079] 1 Optical communication network 2 Client 3 Optical transmission device 10 Control unit 11 Memory unit 12 Communication unit 13 Control unit 131 Reception unit 132 Setting unit 133 Route determination unit 134 Management unit 135 Bandwidth determination unit 136 Data collection unit

Claims

1. A control device for setting up an ODU path between clients via a plurality of optical transmission devices, comprising: a setting unit that pre-sets an HO ODU path between the plurality of optical transmission devices capable of accommodating an LO ODU path, which is an optical path between the clients; and a management unit that, upon receiving a request to set up the LO ODU path between the clients, determines whether the requested LO ODU path can be accommodated in the pre-set HO ODU path, wherein the setting unit, upon determining that the LO ODU path can be accommodated in the pre-set HO ODU path, sets the LO ODU path accommodated in the HO ODU path.

2. The control device according to claim 1, further comprising a storage unit for storing the available bandwidth for each HO ODU path, wherein the management unit determines that the LO ODU path can be accommodated in the HO ODU path if the available bandwidth of the stored HO ODU path is equal to or greater than the bandwidth of the LO ODU path.

3. A control device according to claim 1, further comprising a bandwidth determination unit that reduces the bandwidth of the HO ODU path when the available bandwidth of the HO ODU path is less than or equal to a predetermined threshold for a predetermined period of time or longer.

4. A control device according to claim 1, further comprising a collection unit that collects information relating to the HO ODU path that can be set in each of the plurality of optical transmission devices.

5. A control device according to claim 1, wherein the setting unit sets an LO ODU path in response to the setting request, and then, if the available bandwidth of the HO ODU path accommodating the LO ODU path is below a predetermined threshold, sets a new HO ODU path on the same route as the HO ODU path accommodating the LO ODU path.

6. A control method executed by a control device that sets up an ODU path between clients via a plurality of optical transmission devices, wherein an HO ODU path capable of accommodating an LO ODU path, which is an optical path between clients, is set up in advance between the plurality of optical transmission devices, and when a request to set up the LO ODU path between the clients is received, the control device determines whether the requested LO ODU path can be accommodated in the pre-set HO ODU path, and if it is determined that the LO ODU path can be accommodated in the pre-set HO ODU path, the control method sets up the LO ODU path accommodated in the HO ODU path.

7. A program that causes a computer to operate as the control device described in claim 1.

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