JP2004320390A - Communication control unit and mounting method used for the same - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a communication control unit capable of making information link among control functions smooth and adding a new function easily. <P>SOLUTION: In the communication control unit 1, a variety of functions including a routing function 22, a signaling function 21, a link management function 24, a path computing function 23 and the like of a control function module 2 operate in cooperation. In order for these functions to share necessary information and maintain concession compatibility, a platform part 4 performs integration management with the information to be shared by the respective functions by using a cross-connect information table 41, a path information table 42, a link information table 43, a topology information table 44, and an address information table 45. A common interface part 3 performs acquisition/operation/alternation notification of information at an interface which is integrated between the respective functions of the control function module 2 and the platform part 4. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a communication control device and a mounting method used for the communication control device, and more particularly to a mounting method for realizing a GMPLS (Generalized Multi Protocol Label Switching) communication control device.
[0002]
[Prior art]
GMPLS is a technology for controlling a switch network such as a packet network, a TDM (Time Division Multiplexing) network, and an OXC (Optical Crossconnect) network using a unified framework (for example, see Non-Patent Document 1).
[0003]
The GMPLS network includes a communication device (hereinafter, referred to as a node) and a communication line (hereinafter, referred to as a link). In the communication control device that controls each node, each control function module of GMPLS operates. These functions are collectively called the GMPLS control plane.
[0004]
Control functions for supporting the GMPLS control plane include a signaling function, a routing function, a link management function, a path calculation function, and the like. When the communication control device is activated, the link management function exchanges link information held by the own node with an adjacent node, and detects an adjacent node and detects a link state.
[0005]
The routing function advertises link information of its own node to other nodes, collects link information of all nodes on the network, and constructs a network topology graph (for example, see Non-Patent Document 2).
[0006]
When the communication control device receives the path setting request, the path calculation function calculates the path of the path using the topology graph constructed by the routing function. When the calculation of the path is completed, the signaling function sets a path to a node on the path (for example, see Non-Patent Document 3).
[0007]
As described above, in the GMPLS control plane, a plurality of control functions operate while sharing information. When the control functions of the GMPLS control plane perform cooperative operations, the control functions themselves manage information, and exchange information between control function modules.
[0008]
[Non-patent document 1]
Eric Mannie et al. , "Generalized Multi-Protocol Label Switching (GMPLS) Architecture", Internet Draft, Workin Progress, draft-ietf-ccamp-gmpls-architecture-03. txt, August 2002.
[Non-patent document 2]
K. Kompella et al. , "Routing Extensions in Support of Generalized MPLS", Internet Draft, Work in Progress, draft-ietf-ccamp-gmpls-routing-05. txt, August 2002.
[Non-Patent Document 3]
Lou Berger et al. , "Generalized MPLS-Signaling Functional Description", Internet Draft, Work in Progress, draft-ietf-ccamp-gmpls-signaling-09. txt, August 2002.
[0009]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
In the conventional GMPLS control plane described above, when the control functions perform cooperative operations, the control functions themselves perform information management, and exchange information between the control function modules. In addition, the new function module must access all control function modules having information necessary for operation, and it is difficult to add a new function.
[0010]
Further, in the conventional GMPLS control plane, when there are a plurality of functions that need to know information change, the control function having the information needs to notify all the control functions that need the information, The load for processing different from the original control function increases, which affects the processing speed of the main function.
[0011]
Further, in the conventional GMPLS control plane, when a part of the functions is to be ported to another communication device or the like, all the unnecessary control functions having necessary information must be ported. It is a target.
[0012]
Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a communication control device that solves the above-mentioned problems, can smoothly link information between control functions, and can easily add a new function, and a mounting method used therefor. Is to do.
[0013]
Another object of the present invention is to provide a communication control device capable of enhancing the portability of functions, reducing the load on the control function module and simplifying the structure, and a mounting method used therefor. is there.
[0014]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
A communication control device according to the present invention is a communication control device that supports GMPLS (Generalized Multi Protocol Label Switching) for controlling a switch network with a unified framework, and information to be shared by the control function modules of the GMPLS. And a common interface for operating information managed by the platform unit.
[0015]
A method for mounting a communication control device according to the present invention is a method for mounting a communication control device that supports GMPLS (Generalized Multi Protocol Label Switching) for controlling a switch network with a unified framework, wherein the platform unit includes the above-described method. The information to be shared by the control function modules of the GMPLS is managed in a unified manner, and the information managed by the platform unit is operable through a common interface.
[0016]
That is, the communication control device of the present invention is a Generalized Multiprotocol Labeling Multiprotocol Labeling (GMPLS) for controlling a switch network such as a packet network, a TDM (Time Division Multiplexing) network, and an OXC (Optical Crossconnect) network with a unified framework. It is a communication control device.
[0017]
In the communication control device of the present invention, each control function in the GMPLS control plane indicating each control function module of GMPLS has a platform for unifying management of information necessary for cooperation, and provides a unified interface for accessing information, It has a mechanism to notify the control function of information changes.
[0018]
More specifically, the communication control device of the present invention has a platform unit for managing information required by the GMPLS control plane, and registers information collected by each control function module and set information in the platform unit. I have.
[0019]
The control function module performs operations such as registration, deletion, change, search, and the like on the information held by the platform unit using a common interface. The platform unit notifies the control module of the changed information according to the information change notification request registered in advance by the control function module.
[0020]
As described above, in the GMPLS communication control device of the present invention, the information required by the GMPLS control plane is unifiedly managed by the platform unit, so that the information linkage between the control functions is smooth and the addition of new functions is facilitated. Thus, the portability of functions can be improved, the load on the control function module can be reduced, and the structure can be simplified.
[0021]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
Next, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a generalized multi-protocol label switching (GMPLS) communication control device (hereinafter, referred to as a communication control device) according to an embodiment of the present invention.
[0022]
In FIG. 1, a communication control device 1 includes a control function module 2, a common interface unit 3 for performing information acquisition, operation, and change notification with a unified interface, a platform unit 4, and a hardware-dependent operation interface unit. 5 and a device-dependent processing unit 6, and are connected to a communication device (control target device) 7 via the device-dependent processing unit 6.
[0023]
The control function module 2 includes a signaling function 21, a routing function 22, a line calculation function 23, a link management function 24, other additional functions 25, and the like.
[0024]
The platform unit 4 includes a cross-connect information table 41, a path information table 42, a link information table 43, a topology information table 44, and an address information table 45.
[0025]
FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of a network according to an embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 2, a network according to an embodiment of the present invention connects nodes (communication devices) 11 to 15 including communication control devices 1-1 to 1-5, clients 31 and 32, and nodes 11 to 15 respectively. The system includes links (communication lines) 201 to 205 and links 206 and 207 connecting the nodes 11 to 15 and the clients 31 and 32. Addresses 211 and 212 are assigned to the clients 31 and 32, respectively.
[0026]
FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an information sharing operation between communication control functions according to an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an operation at the time of path setting according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a change notification operation at the time of information change according to one embodiment. The outline of the operation of the communication control device 1 according to the embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.
[0027]
FIG. 3 shows an operation in the communication control apparatus 1-1 until the communication control apparatus 1-1 starts up and shares link information, topology information, and address information in the network. That is, when the communication control device 1-1 is activated, the device-dependent processing unit 6 acquires available link information from the communication device 7.
[0028]
The platform unit 4 acquires link information from the device-dependent processing unit 6. The link management function 24 acquires link information from the platform unit 4, exchanges link information with the adjacent node 1-2 to acquire link information of the connection destination node, and registers the link information in the platform unit 4.
[0029]
The routing function 22 acquires link information and address information from the platform unit 4, creates topology information of its own node from the acquired link information, and transmits the topology information and address information of the entire network via the adjacent node 1-2. Make a replacement. The routing function 22 registers the acquired topology information and address information of the other node in the platform unit 4. The route calculation function 23 acquires topology information from the platform unit 4 and constructs a topology graph of the entire network.
[0030]
FIG. 4 shows an operation of the communication control apparatus 1-1 when setting a path in a state where link information, topology information, and address information are exchanged throughout the network. In this case, a path setting request is sent to the signaling function 21 from a user or the like.
[0031]
The signaling function 21 requests the path calculation function 23 to calculate a path that satisfies the path setting requirement. The route calculation function 23 calculates a route based on the address information of the platform unit 4 and the topology information acquired from the platform unit 4 in response to the route calculation request requested by the signaling function 21. For example, address resolution is performed for a path setting request such as “path start point: address 41”, “path end point: address 42”, and “required bandwidth: 2.4 Gbps”.
[0032]
The address information table 45 of the platform unit 4 stores the address information collected by the routing function 22 such as “address 41: client of node 11”, “address 42: client of node 15”, and so on. ing.
[0033]
The route calculation function 23 searches for the path start point and the path end point from these pieces of information, and determines the start point node and the end point node. Then, the route calculation function 23 creates a route from the start node to the end node by searching for a link that satisfies attributes such as the required bandwidth.
[0034]
For example, the topology information is “Link 201: Node 11-12 Reservable Band 2.4 Gbps”, “Link 202: Node 12-13 Reservable Band 1.0 Gbps”, “Link 203: Node 12-14 Reservable Band 2. It is assumed that the information is “4 Gbps”, “link 204: node 13-15 reservable bandwidth 1.0 Gbps”, and “link 205: node 14-15 reservable bandwidth 2.4 Gbps”.
[0035]
In this case, the route calculation function 23 calculates {node 11-link 201-node 12-link 203-node 14-link 205-node 15} as a route satisfying the required bandwidth of 2.4 Gbps, and responds to the signaling function 21.
[0036]
The signaling function 21 sets a path using a signaling protocol along the route received from the route calculation function 23. The path setting is to specifically perform band reservation and XC (switch) setting. The signaling function 21 registers path information in the platform unit 4 and requests XC information setting and band reservation setting. The platform unit 4 stores the information received from the signaling function 21 in a table, and requests the device-dependent processing unit 6 to set hardware (HW).
[0037]
FIG. 5 shows an operation in which the platform unit 4 notifies information changed by the path setting to a necessary function. In this case, the routing function 22, the link management function 24, the route calculation function 23, and the like register the type of information that needs to be notified to the platform unit 4 when a change is made at the time of startup. When there is a change in the registered information, the platform unit 4 notifies the control function that has requested the change notification.
[0038]
For example, when the reservable bandwidth information in the link information table 43 changes due to the bandwidth reservation performed by the signaling function 21, the platform unit 4 notifies the routing function 22 and the link management function 24 of the change.
[0039]
The routing function 22 updates the change as topology information, notifies the adjacent node 1-2, and changes the topology information of the own node of the platform unit 4. The change of the topology information is notified from the platform unit 4 to the route calculation function 23.
[0040]
As described above, in the present embodiment, by adopting the implementation architecture as described above, information sharing between the control function modules is unified, and when a new function is added, information acquisition, updating, and ensuring of consistency are easy. Become.
[0041]
FIGS. 6 and 7 are block diagrams showing a configuration example of a communication control device according to another embodiment of the present invention. 6, in the communication control apparatus 1 according to another embodiment of the present invention, a signaling function 21, a routing function 22, a line calculation function 23, a link management function 24, other additional functions 25, a platform unit 4, a device-dependent processing unit 6 is operated by a single CPU (central processing unit) 50, except for the configuration and operation of the embodiment of the present invention shown in FIG.
[0042]
However, when the processing capacity is insufficient with a single CPU 50, in the architecture of the present invention, each function of the control function module 2 shares information with the platform unit 4, and each function and the platform unit 4 use a common interface that can communicate with each other. Because of the connection, each function can be operated on a plurality of CPUs 51 to 54 as shown in FIG.
[0043]
As described above, in the present embodiment, the functions of the control function module 2 and the platform unit 4 are connected by the common interface that can communicate with each other. Can be easily improved.
[0044]
FIG. 8 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of a communication control device according to another embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 8 shows a configuration of a portable function in the communication control devices 1a and 1b according to another embodiment of the present invention.
[0045]
The communication control function of GMPLS includes SONET (Synchronous Optical Network), SDH (Synchronous Digital Hierarchy), OXC (Optical CrossConnect), and MPLS (Multi-protocol) that controls various types of communication.
[0046]
Therefore, in order to facilitate porting to any device, in the architecture of the present invention, only processes depending on the communication devices (control target devices) 7a and 7b such as acquisition of link information, band reservation, and switch setting are device-dependent processes. The parts are separated as parts 6a and 6b. As a result, in the present embodiment, porting between the communication control devices 1a and 1b becomes possible with minimum work for various communication devices (control target devices) 7a and 7b.
[0047]
When the required functions differ depending on the communication devices (control target devices) 7a and 7b, only the platforms 4a and 4b and the necessary functions (in FIG. 8, the signaling function 21b and the link management function 24b) are ported. And there is no need to port other unnecessary functions.
[0048]
As described above, in the present embodiment, portability of each function can be improved by separating information and processing depending on the communication devices (control target devices) 7a and 7b.
[0049]
Further, in the present embodiment, since the information is unifiedly managed by the platform unit 4 and the information is provided and the change is notified, the load for the information management and the change notification of the control function module 2 is reduced, and the structure is simplified. Becomes possible.
[0050]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, the communication control device of the present invention can smoothly link information between control functions and easily add new functions by adopting the above configuration and operation. The effect is obtained.
[0051]
Further, the other communication control device of the present invention can improve the portability of functions by adopting the above-described configuration and operation, and can reduce the load on the control function module and simplify the structure. The effect that can be obtained is obtained.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a GMPLS communication control device according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration example of a network according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an information sharing operation between communication control functions according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an operation at the time of setting a path according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a change notification operation when information is changed according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 6 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration example of a GMPLS communication control device according to another embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 7 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration example of a GMPLS communication control device according to another embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 8 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration example of a GMPLS communication control device according to another embodiment of the present invention.
[Explanation of symbols]
1, 1a, 1b Communication control device 2 Control function modules 4, 41, 4b Platform unit 5 Hardware-dependent operation interface unit 6, 6a, 6b Device-dependent processing unit 7, 7a, 7b Communication device (control target device)
11 to 15 nodes 21, 21a,
21b Signaling function 22, 22a Routing function 23, 23a Line calculation function 24, 24a,
24b Link management function 25, 25a Other additional functions 31, 32 Client 41 Cross-connect information table 42 Path information table 43 Link information table 44 Topology information table 45 Address information tables 50 to 54 CPU
201-205 links

Claims (10)

A communication control device that supports GMPLS (Generalized Multi Protocol Label Switching) for controlling a switch network with a unified framework, wherein a platform unit that unifiedly manages information to be shared by the control function modules of the GMPLS; And a common interface for operating information managed by the platform unit. The communication control device according to claim 1, wherein the platform unit notifies information changed in the control function module. 3. The communication control device according to claim 1, wherein information and control functions that depend on the communication device to be controlled by the GMPLS are separated from information and control functions that do not depend on the communication device. 4. The communication control device according to claim 1, wherein a central processing unit that realizes the platform unit and a central processing unit that realizes each control function of the control function module are different from each other. The device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the platform unit includes at least a cross-connect information table, a path information table, a link information table, a topology information table, and an address information table. Communication control device. A method for mounting a communication control device supporting GMPLS (Generalized Multi Protocol Label Switching) for controlling a switch network with a unified framework, wherein information to be shared by the control function modules of the GMPLS is unified in a platform unit. Mounting method wherein information managed by the platform unit is operably operated by a common interface. 7. The mounting method according to claim 6, wherein information changed in the control function module is notified from the platform unit. 8. The mounting method according to claim 6, wherein information and control functions that depend on a communication device to be controlled by the GMPLS are separated from information and control functions that do not depend on the communication apparatus. 9. The mounting method according to claim 6, wherein a central processing unit that implements the platform unit and a central processing unit that implements each control function of the control function module are different from each other. 10. The platform according to claim 6, wherein the platform unit includes at least a cross-connect information table, a path information table, a link information table, a topology information table, and an address information table. Implementation method.

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