JP2008160557A - Receiving device, transmitting device, and relay device - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide a receiving device, a transmitting device, and a relay device capable of controlling a transfer speed so that a specific file is transferred with priority over other files.
A node includes a file transmission / reception unit that performs control related to transmission / reception of a file. The file transmission / reception unit includes a transmission management unit that manages and controls a transfer rate of a file to be transmitted, and a file that is received. A reception management unit 12 for managing and controlling the transfer rate of the file, and when receiving the normal file and the priority file, the reception management unit 12 waits for a predetermined time to receive the normal file and receive the normal file. By setting the reception standby state to be performed and switching control between the reception state and the reception standby state, the normal file transfer speed is suppressed, and the transfer speed of the priority file and the normal file is controlled to give priority to the transfer of the priority file. I tried to do it.
[Selection] Figure 1

Description

  The present invention relates to a receiving device, a transmitting device, and a relay device that control the transfer rate of data exchanged over a network.

  Conventionally, a technique for simultaneously transferring a plurality of files having different transmission source nodes and transmission destination nodes between nodes connected to a network has been proposed, and this technique has already been realized in the Internet, for example. However, since there is no node that manages the entire network and each node operates independently, a specific file cannot be transferred with priority over other files.

  In conventional networks, file transfer with no restriction on transfer time (hereinafter referred to as “normal file transfer”) and streaming transfer for transferring data such as video and audio in real time are performed. In normal file transfer, although there is no restriction on transfer time, it is desirable to transfer at the highest possible speed. On the other hand, in streaming transfer, it is necessary to secure a transmission band above a certain value. Therefore, in a network in which normal file transfer and streaming transfer are mixed, it is necessary to give priority to streaming transfer over normal file transfer.

  As described above, there is a case where it is required to transfer a specific file with priority over other files between nodes connected to the network. A relay system has been proposed.

The one disclosed in Patent Document 1 includes a wireless terminal that performs wireless communication, a wireless relay station that relays communication of the wireless terminal, and a stream server that manages communication performed by the wireless terminal. It has a priority table that registers identifiers of communications that are preferentially relayed among communications managed by the server, and a priority management unit that manages the priority order of priority communications registered in this priority table, and is registered in the priority table. The communication specified by the specified communication identifier is relayed preferentially over other communications.
JP 2005-80157 A

  However, in the prior art disclosed in Patent Document 1, the priority order management unit usually determines the priority order in the order of arrival, and when multiple priority communications occur at the same time, determines which one has priority over the other. Because of the configuration, there is a problem that the transfer speed cannot be controlled so that a specific file specified by the user is transferred with priority over other files.

  Therefore, in the conventional method, priority is given to a specific file transfer, while other file transfers cannot be transferred as fast as possible, and the transfer speed specified by the user is maintained for the specific file transfer with priority. There is a problem that the transfer cannot be completed by the time specified by the user.

  The present invention has been made to solve the conventional problems, and provides a receiving device, a transmitting device, and a relay device capable of controlling a transfer speed so that a specific file is transferred with priority over other files. The purpose is to do.

  The receiving device of the present invention is a receiving device that receives at least one of a priority file having a transfer speed determined in advance and a normal file having a transfer priority lower than that of the priority file, the priority file and the normal file being File receiving means for receiving at least one, transfer speed information receiving means for receiving transfer speed information indicating the transfer speed of the priority file, and when the file receiving means receives the priority file and the normal file, A receiving side transfer rate control means for controlling the transfer rate of the priority file and the normal file so that the transfer rate of the normal file is controlled based on transfer rate information and the transfer of the priority file is prioritized. have.

  With this configuration, when receiving the priority file and the normal file, the receiving device of the present invention suppresses the transfer speed of the normal file based on the transfer speed information and prioritizes the transfer of the priority file and the normal file. You can control the file transfer rate. As a result, the receiving device of the present invention enables normal file transfer while giving priority to priority file transfer over normal file transfer even in a situation where file transfer is performed between multiple nodes connected to the network. It can be transferred as fast as possible.

  In the receiving apparatus of the present invention, the transfer rate control means on the receiving side sets the reception state for receiving the normal file and the reception standby state for waiting for the reception of the normal file for a predetermined time. It has a configuration for controlling the transfer rate.

  With this configuration, the receiving apparatus of the present invention can control the transfer speed of the priority file and the normal file so as to suppress the transfer speed of the normal file and give priority to the transfer of the priority file. Even in a situation where files are transferred between the nodes, the normal file can be transferred as fast as possible while giving priority to the priority file transfer over the normal file transfer.

  Furthermore, in the receiving apparatus of the present invention, the receiving-side transfer rate control means includes a predetermined number of buffers for storing the priority file and the normal file data, a number of buffers for storing the priority file data, and the normal file. And a buffer number ratio setting unit for setting a ratio with the number of buffers in which file data is stored.

  With this configuration, the receiving device of the present invention sets the ratio between the number of buffers storing priority file data and the number of buffers storing normal file data, thereby receiving the priority file and the normal file. In addition, based on the transfer rate information, it is possible to control the transfer rate of the priority file and the normal file so as to suppress the transfer rate of the normal file and give priority to the transfer of the priority file. As a result, the receiving device of the present invention enables normal file transfer while giving priority to priority file transfer over normal file transfer even in a situation where file transfer is performed between multiple nodes connected to the network. It can be transferred as fast as possible.

  Further, the receiving device of the present invention includes a reception deadline time information acquisition unit that acquires reception deadline time information indicating a reception deadline of the priority file, a file size information acquisition unit that acquires file size information of the priority file, Configuration comprising: current time information acquisition means for acquiring time information; and file transfer speed calculation means for calculating a transfer speed of the priority file based on the reception deadline time information, the file size information, and the current time information have.

  With this configuration, the receiving device of the present invention calculates the transfer rate of the priority file so that the reception of the priority file is completed by the reception deadline time. Therefore, even in the situation where the priority file and the normal file are received, the priority file is received. It can be received before the deadline time.

  The transmission device of the present invention includes a file transmission unit that transmits at least one of the priority file and the normal file, a transfer rate information reception unit that receives transfer rate information indicating a transfer rate of the priority file, and the transfer rate information Transfer rate information notification means for notifying the receiving device, and when transmitting the priority file and the normal file, the transfer rate of the normal file is suppressed based on the transfer rate information, and the transfer of the priority file is performed. And a transmission-side transfer rate control means for controlling the transfer rate of the priority file and the normal file to give priority to the file.

  With this configuration, when transmitting the priority file and the normal file, the transmission device of the present invention suppresses the transfer speed of the normal file based on the transfer speed information and prioritizes the transfer of the priority file and the normal file. You can control the file transfer rate. As a result, the transmission device of the present invention enables normal files while giving priority to priority file transfer over normal file transfer even in a situation where file transfer is performed between multiple nodes connected to the network. It can be transferred as fast as possible.

  In the transmission apparatus of the present invention, the transmission-side transfer rate control means sets the transmission state for transmitting the normal file and the transmission standby state for waiting for a predetermined time for transmission of the normal file. It has a configuration for controlling the transfer rate.

  With this configuration, the transmission device of the present invention can control the transfer speed of the priority file and the normal file so as to suppress the transfer speed of the normal file and give priority to the transfer of the priority file. Even in a situation where files are transferred between the nodes, the normal file can be transferred as fast as possible while giving priority to the priority file transfer over the normal file transfer.

  Further, the transmission device of the present invention includes a transmission deadline time information acquisition unit that acquires transmission deadline time information indicating a transmission deadline of the priority file, a file size information acquisition unit that acquires file size information of the priority file, Configuration comprising: current time information acquisition means for acquiring time information; and file transfer speed calculation means for calculating a transfer speed of the priority file based on the transmission deadline time information, the file size information, and the current time information have.

  With this configuration, the transmission device of the present invention calculates the transfer speed of the priority file so that the transmission of the priority file is completed by the transmission deadline time, so the priority file can be transmitted even in a situation where the priority file and the normal file are transmitted. It can be sent before the deadline time.

  The relay device of the present invention includes a receiving device and a transmitting device, and has a configuration for relaying the priority file and the normal file.

  With this configuration, when relaying the priority file and the normal file, the relay apparatus of the present invention suppresses the transfer speed of the normal file based on the transfer speed information and prioritizes the transfer of the priority file and the normal file. You can control the file transfer rate. As a result, the relay device of the present invention enables normal files while giving priority to priority file transfer over normal file transfer even in a situation where file transfer is performed between multiple nodes connected to the network. It can be transferred as fast as possible.

  The present invention can provide a receiving apparatus, a transmitting apparatus, and a relay apparatus having an effect that the transfer speed can be controlled so that a specific file is transferred with priority over other files.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. An example in which the receiving apparatus, transmitting apparatus, and relay apparatus of the present invention are applied to a node that transfers files on a network will be described. Here, each node uses a full-duplex Gigabit Ethernet (registered trademark) (compliant with IEEE 802.3z, the maximum communication speed is 1000 Mbps for both transmission and reception), and the communication protocol of the network between the nodes is TCP / IP (Transmission Control Protocol). / Internet Protocol).

(First embodiment)
First, the configuration of the node according to the first embodiment of the present invention will be described.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the node 1 in the present embodiment includes a file transmission / reception means 10 that performs control related to file transmission / reception, a communication unit 16 that communicates with the nodes 2 and 3, and a storage device 17 that stores files. It has.

  Note that the files transmitted and received by the node 1 include a file whose transfer rate is not particularly defined (hereinafter referred to as “normal file”) and a file whose transfer rate is determined in advance (hereinafter referred to as “priority file”). is there. Although not shown, the node 1 has a clock (hereinafter referred to as “internal clock”) that outputs time information.

  Further, the node 1 in the present embodiment is configured by, for example, a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a ROM (Read-Only Memory), a RAM (Random-Access Memory), and the like, and is connected to the nodes 2 and 3 via a network. It shall be. Further, as shown in FIG. 1, the configurations of the nodes 2 and 3 are the same as those of the node 1, and are denoted by reference numerals corresponding to the nodes 1, respectively. Illustration of the configuration corresponding to the device 17 is omitted.

  The communication unit 16 functions necessary for communication, for example, if the transmitting side, the data is divided into TCP / IP packets, and if the receiving side, the TCP / IP packets are reconfigured and communicated using the TCP / IP protocol. It has a function and can communicate with one or more nodes. Further, the transmission side has a buffer for temporarily storing TCP / IP-translated packets waiting for transmission, and the reception side temporarily stores the transmitted packet until it is reconstructed. It has.

  The storage device 17 is composed of, for example, a semiconductor memory, a single HDD (hard disk drive), or a plurality of HDDs configured with RAID (Redundant Arrays of Inexpensive Disks), and is capable of reading and writing sufficiently faster than the transfer rate of the network. In addition, it is a device capable of high-speed random access.

  The file transmission / reception means 10 performs a transmission management unit 11 that manages and controls the transfer rate of a file to be transmitted, a reception management unit 12 that manages and controls the transfer rate of a file to be received, and controls the transmission / reception of the file. A file transmission / reception unit 13, a storage device control unit 14 that controls the operation of the storage device 17, and a user interface unit (hereinafter referred to as “user IF unit”) 15 that transmits control information from the user. The file transmitting / receiving means 10 corresponds to the file receiving means and the file transmitting means of the present invention.

  The file transmission / reception means 10 performs control related to file transmission / reception by application software operating in the application layer of the OSI (Open System Interconnection) reference model, and one thread is activated for one network connection. It is supposed to be. The file transmission / reception means 10 controls operations of the communication unit 16 and the storage device 17. With the above configuration, the file transmitting / receiving means 10 can store the file transferred from at least one of the nodes 2 and 3 in the storage device 17, and can store the file stored in the storage device 17 in the nodes 2 and 3. It can be transferred to at least one of them.

  The transmission manager 11 can individually set the maximum transfer rate that can be transmitted to the nodes 2 and 3, and can transmit a file with the set maximum transfer rate as an upper limit. . Although not shown, the transmission management unit 11 includes a memory (hereinafter referred to as “transfer rate memory”) that stores data of the set transfer rate. The transfer speed memory can be referred to from any thread even when the file transmission / reception means 10 is activated by a plurality of threads. Further, the transmission management unit 11 can notify the node 2 or 3 of the transfer rate information acquired by the user IF unit 15 via the communication unit 16. The transmission management unit 11 can acquire time information from the internal clock. The transmission manager 11 corresponds to the transmission-side transfer rate control unit and the transfer rate information notification unit of the present invention.

  The reception management unit 12 can individually set the maximum transfer rate that can be received for the nodes 2 and 3 and can receive a file with the set maximum transfer rate as an upper limit. . Although not shown, the reception management unit 12 includes a transfer rate memory that stores data of the set transfer rate. The transfer speed memory can be referred to from any thread even when the file transmission / reception means 10 is activated by a plurality of threads. The reception management unit 12 can receive transfer rate information from the node 2 or 3 via the communication unit 16. The reception management unit 12 can acquire time information from the internal clock. The reception management unit 12 corresponds to the receiving side transfer rate control unit and the transfer rate information receiving unit of the present invention.

  The transmission management unit 11 and the reception management unit 12 can sequentially change the maximum transfer rate at the time of transmission / reception by a control signal from the user IF unit 15 or the node 2 or 3.

  Next, the transmission management units 11, 21, and 31 and the reception management units 12, 22, and 32 will be described in more detail.

  The transmission management unit 11 and the reception management unit 12 included in the node 1 manage the upper limit of the transfer rate when the node 1 is the file transmission side and the reception side, respectively, and further, for each connection Two parameters of a desired value and an actual value of the transfer rate are managed for each of the transmission side and the reception side. The transmission management unit 11 and the reception management unit 12 can individually set an upper limit value of the transfer rate, and can suppress the transfer rate within the upper limit value. The same applies to the transmission management unit 21 and the reception management unit 22 included in the node 2, and the transmission management unit 31 and the reception management unit 32 included in the node 3.

  Therefore, for example, when transferring a file from node 1 to node 2, if the transmission management unit 11 of node 1 or the reception management unit 22 of node 2 sets a transfer rate, the file is transferred from node 1 to node 2 at the transfer rate. Can be transferred to. Further, for example, even when files are simultaneously transferred from the nodes 2 and 3 to the node 1, the transmission management unit or the reception management unit of each node may set the transfer rate. Hereinafter, functions of the transmission management unit 11 and the reception management unit 22 of the node 2 will be described with two specific examples.

  The first specific example is a case where a file is transferred from the node 1 to the node 2 at a transfer rate of 500 Mbps, and the mode is as shown in FIG. In the table shown in FIG. 2, the numerical values described in the “transmission side” and “reception side” columns are stored in the transfer rate memories of the transmission management unit and the reception management unit of the nodes 1 and 2, respectively. The data of the transfer rate memorize | stored is shown.

  First, since IEEE 802.3z is used as a communication standard in the present embodiment, the upper limit value of the transfer rate is set in advance on the transmission side and the reception side as a transfer rate of 1000 Mbps before file transfer (for example, when an application is started). Is done.

  Next, the transmission management unit 11 of the node 1 sets the desired transfer rate at the time of file transmission to 500 Mbps based on, for example, a control signal from the user IF unit 15.

  Furthermore, since the desired transfer rate does not exceed the upper limit value, the transmission management unit 11 requests the node 2 to transmit a file at 500 Mbps. The node 2 receives this request, stores a value of 500 Mbps as a desired value in the transfer rate memory of the reception management unit 22, and confirms that this desired value does not exceed the upper limit of the transfer rate at the time of reception. This request is accepted (FIG. 2 (a)).

  Thereafter, the node 2 stores a value of 500 Mbps as the implementation value in the transfer rate memory of the reception management unit 22 and instructs the node 1 to transfer the file at 500 Mbps. In response to this instruction, the node 1 stores a value of 500 Mbps in the transfer rate memory of the transmission management unit 11 as an actual value of the transfer rate at the time of transmission (FIG. 2B). Then, the node 1 transfers the file to the node 2 at 500 Mbps (FIG. 2 (c)).

  There are two methods for controlling the file transfer rate: a method performed by the transmission management unit 11 of the node 1 and a method performed by the reception management unit 22 of the node 2. When the reception management unit 22 controls the transfer rate, if the transmission side node does not need to know the transfer rate, the operation of the transmission instruction as shown in FIG. It is not essential to manage values and actual values.

  The second specific example is a case where a normal file is transferred from the node 2 to the node 1 and at the same time, a priority file is transferred from the node 3 to the node 1 at a transfer rate of 800 Mbps, as shown in FIG. It becomes. In the table shown in FIG. 3A, the numerical values described in the columns “transmission side” and “reception side” are the values of the transmission management unit and the reception management unit respectively included in the nodes 1 to 3. It shows transfer rate data stored in the speed memory.

  As shown in FIG. 3A, the desired value of the transfer rate is “automatic” in the node 2, and 800 Mbps is set as the desired value of the transfer rate in the node 3. In this case, the node 1 determines that the file from the node 3 is designated as a priority file because the transfer rate is designated, and the file from the node 2 is designated as a normal file because the transfer rate is not designated. deal with. As a result, 800 Mbps is set as the file transfer rate execution value from the node 3, and 200 Mbps obtained by subtracting 800 Mbps from the upper limit value of 1000 Mbps is set as the file transfer rate execution value from the node 2.

  The communication unit 16 in the present embodiment identifies, for example, the port number of a node that transmits a file, and the priority file or the normal file is intermittently received and accumulated by the threads of the separate file transmission / reception means 10 for the input file. It is output to the device 11. The thread of the file transmission / reception means 10 receiving the normal file receives t from the node 2 for the time 5t, and the thread of the file transmission / reception means 10 receiving the priority file receives only 4t from the node 3 for the time 5t. To do. Even if the reception timings of the two threads are different, the reception of the node 1 is approximately as shown in the conceptual diagram of FIG. 3B by the flow control of TCP / IP. As a result, the transfer rates of the files from the nodes 2 and 3 are 200 Mbps and 800 Mbps, respectively.

  That is, the reception management unit 12 of the node 1 sets a reception state for receiving a normal file and a reception standby state for waiting for reception of the normal file for a predetermined time, and performs switching control between the reception state and the reception standby state, The transfer speed of the normal file is controlled to control the transfer speed of the priority file and the normal file so as to give priority to the transfer of the priority file.

  In the above description, the file transfer rate is controlled on the reception management unit 12 of the node 1, that is, on the priority file reception side. However, the file transfer rate may be controlled on the priority file transmission side. For example, when the node 3 transmits the priority file to the node 1 and transmits the normal file to the node 2 at the same time, the transmission management unit 31 of the node 3 determines the transmission state for transmitting the normal file and the transmission of the normal file. By setting the transmission standby state to wait for the time, and controlling the switching between the transmission state and the transmission standby state, the normal file transfer speed is suppressed, and the priority file and normal file transfer speeds are given priority to the priority file transfer. To control.

Returning to FIG. 1, the description of the configuration of the node 1 will be continued.
The file transmitting / receiving unit 13 includes a ring buffer that temporarily stores data of a file to be transmitted / received, and grasps the state of the ring buffer. The state of the ring buffer can be grasped also by the transmission management unit 11 and the reception management unit 12.

  Further, the file transmission / reception unit 13 transmits or receives a file according to a preset communication protocol. This communication protocol preferably includes at least a command transfer phase in which a command and an argument associated with the command are transmitted and a status for the command is returned, and a data transfer phase in which data is transmitted and received.

  For example, in the command transfer phase, the desired transmission / reception data transfer rate of the transmission / reception source node can be sent as an argument of the command, and the transmit / receive data transfer rate of the transmission / reception destination node corresponding to the request can be returned as a part of the status. Keep it in good working order. When the size of the file to be transferred is relatively large, the data transmission / reception unit is set small, and the command transfer phase and the data transfer phase are performed for each data transmission / reception unit. If the data transmission / reception unit is too small, the file transfer speed will be slow, and if it is too large, the response to the data transfer speed change command or data transfer stop command will be slow, so the file transfer speed will be low. It is preferable to reduce the data transmission / reception unit within a range that does not slow down.

  Here, an example of the above-described communication protocol is shown in FIG. FIG. 4 shows an example of a communication protocol on the TCP when the node 1 transfers the file stored in the storage device 17 to the node 2. In FIG. 4, processing in layers below TCP, for example, processing such as transmission of ACK (ACKnowledgement) packets and retransmission packets, is omitted.

  As shown in FIG. 4, first, in the command transfer phase, the command and command arguments are transmitted from the node 1 to the node 2, and the command response is returned from the node 2 to the node 1. Next, when the command response is returned, the node 1 sequentially transmits the files divided into predetermined sizes one block at a time in the data transfer phase. Note that the node 1 transmits a command to the node 2 to suspend the transfer. Further, when the node 1 wants to change the transmission rate, the node 1 transmits information on the desired transmission rate to the node 2 as an argument of the command, and the node 2 returns information on the receivable rate to the node 1 in the command response.

  As described above, even during file transfer, the file transmission / reception unit 13 can interrupt file transfer or change the transfer rate, for example, according to a user instruction.

  Returning to FIG. 1 again, the description of the configuration of the node 1 will be continued.

  The storage device control unit 14 operates based on a control signal from the file transmission / reception unit 13 and controls an operation of reading a file from the storage device 17 and an operation of writing a file to the storage device 17.

  The user IF unit 15 is connected to an input / output device such as a keyboard or a display, for example, and transmits control information including transfer speed information input by the user to the transmission management unit 11, the reception management unit 12, and the file transmission / reception unit 13. It has become.

  Next, the operation of the nodes 1 to 3 in the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.

  First, an operation example when the node 1 stores the file transferred from the node 2 in the storage device 17 according to the instruction of the node 2 will be described. In this case, the nodes 1 and 2 correspond to the receiving device and the transmitting device of the present invention, respectively.

  First, the file transmitting / receiving unit 23 of the node 2 issues a put command for requesting transmission of a predetermined file to be transferred to the node 1. The signal including the put command is input to the file transmission / reception unit 13 of the node 1 via the transmission management unit 21 and the communication unit 26 of the node 2 and the communication unit 16 and the reception management unit 12 of the node 1 sequentially.

  Next, the file transmission / reception unit 13 that has received the transmission command designates the storage device control unit 14 as a file destination. In addition, the file transmitting / receiving unit 13 generates and transmits a status signal to notify the node 2 that the transmission command has been correctly received. The status signal is input to the file transmission / reception unit 23 of the node 2 via the transmission management unit 11 and the communication unit 16 of the node 1 and the communication unit 26 and the reception management unit 22 of the node 2 sequentially.

  Subsequently, the file data transferred from the communication unit 26 of the node 2 is received by the communication unit 16 of the node 1 and then sent to the reception management unit 12. In the reception management unit 12, a maximum transfer rate that can be received is set in advance by, for example, the user IF unit 15, and the reception management unit 12 passes file data to the file transmission / reception unit 13 so as not to exceed the maximum transfer rate. . The file data entering the file transmission / reception unit 13 is transferred to the storage device control unit 14 as it is and stored in the storage device 17 under the control of the storage device control unit 14.

  Next, an operation example in the case where a file stored in the storage device 17 of the node 1 is transferred from the node 1 to the node 2 in accordance with the instruction of the node 2 will be described. In this case, the nodes 1 and 2 correspond to the transmission device and the reception device of the present invention, respectively.

  First, the file transmitting / receiving unit 23 of the node 2 issues a get command for requesting reception of a predetermined file transferred from the node 1. The signal including the get command is input to the file transmission / reception unit 13 of the node 1 via the transmission management unit 21 and the communication unit 26 of the node 2 and the communication unit 16 and the reception management unit 12 of the node 1 sequentially.

  Next, the file transmission / reception unit 13 that has received the reception command designates the storage device control unit 14 as a file extraction destination. Further, the file transmitting / receiving unit 13 generates and transmits a status signal to notify the node 2 that the reception command has been correctly received. The status signal is input to the file transmission / reception unit 23 of the node 2 via the transmission management unit 11 and the communication unit 16 of the node 1 and the communication unit 26 and the reception management unit 22 of the node 2 sequentially.

  Subsequently, the file transmission / reception unit 13 instructs the storage device control unit 14 to take out a predetermined file. The storage device control unit 14 takes out a predetermined file from the storage device 17 and receives it by the file transmission / reception unit 13. The data of the predetermined file is sent to the transmission management unit 11 of the node 1 as it is. In the transmission management unit 11, the maximum transfer rate that can be transmitted is set in advance by, for example, the user IF unit 15, and the data of the predetermined file is transferred to the communication unit 16 of the node 1 so as not to exceed the maximum transfer rate. The data is transferred to the communication unit 26 of the node 2 as it is.

  Next, an operation example when the node 1 relays the file transferred from the node 2 and transfers it to the node 3 in accordance with the instruction of the node 2 will be described. In this case, the nodes 2 and 3 correspond to the transmission device and the reception device of the present invention, respectively, and the node 1 corresponds to the relay device of the present invention.

  First, the file transmitting / receiving unit 23 of the node 2 issues a put command for requesting transmission of a predetermined file to be transferred to the node 3 via the node 1. The signal including the put command is input to the file transmission / reception unit 13 of the node 1 via the transmission management unit 21 and the communication unit 26 of the node 2 and the communication unit 16 and the reception management unit 12 of the node 1 sequentially.

  The file transmission / reception unit 13 that has received the put command designates the node 3 as a file destination. The put command is further sent from the node 1 to the node 3 in the same procedure as the procedure sent from the node 2 to the node 1. The file transmitting / receiving unit 13 receives the status signal returned from the node 3 and notifies the node 1 as it is in order to notify the node 2 that the command has been correctly received. The status signal is transmitted from the file transmission / reception unit 33 of the node 3 to the transmission management unit 31 and the communication unit 36 of the node 3, the communication unit 16 of the node 1, the reception management unit 12, the file transmission / reception unit 13, the transmission management unit 11, and the communication unit 16. The data is transmitted to the file transmission / reception unit 23 of the node 2 via the communication unit 26 and the reception management unit 22 of the node 2 sequentially.

  Subsequently, the data of the predetermined file transferred from the communication unit 26 of the node 2 is received by the communication unit 16 of the node 1, and the data of the predetermined file is sent as it is to the reception management unit 12 of the node 1. In the reception management unit 12, a maximum transfer rate that can be received is set in advance by, for example, the user IF unit 15, and data of a predetermined file is transferred to the file transmission / reception unit 13 so as not to exceed the maximum transfer rate.

  The data of the predetermined file that has arrived at the file transmission / reception unit 13 further passes through the transmission management unit 11 and the communication unit 16 of the node 1 and the communication unit 36 and the reception management unit 32 of the node 3 in order, and then the file transmission / reception unit of the node 3 33. Here, in the transmission management unit 11, a maximum transfer rate that can be transmitted is set in advance by the user IF unit 15, for example, and the transmission management unit 11 sends a predetermined file to the communication unit 16 so as not to exceed the maximum transfer rate. Pass data.

  As is apparent from the above description of the operation, the node according to the present invention includes a receiving device that receives and accumulates files transferred from a plurality of nodes, and a transmitting device that transmits accumulated files to the plurality of nodes. The present invention can be applied to a receiving device that also serves as a relay device that transmits a file to another node while accumulating the file transferred from a certain node.

  Next, details of the operation when the transmission management unit 11 controls the transfer rate will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 5. It is assumed that the transfer speed at the time of file transmission is r.

  FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing an operation example of the file transmission / reception unit 13 and the transmission management unit 11. As shown in FIG. 5, the file transmission / reception unit 13 and the transmission management unit 11 operate in parallel with different threads. As described above, the file transmission / reception unit 13 includes a ring buffer. The file transmission / reception unit 13 can grasp the state of the ring buffer and can also refer to the transmission management unit 11. Reading from and writing to the ring buffer is performed in units of blocks. The block size is arbitrary, but considering the free capacity of the main memory in the node 1 and the transfer performance, the order of several kilobytes to several megabytes is usually preferable. In FIG. 5, it is assumed that the ring buffer initialization and communication with other nodes have already been established at the start time, and communication with the node is disconnected at the end time.

  The file transfer request from the user is sequentially recorded in a command value which is a variable prepared in an application processed by the file transmitting / receiving means 10 via the user IF unit 15 shown in FIG. For example, when the node 1 transfers the file stored in the node 1 to the node 2, a value indicating the put command is recorded in the command value. When the put command is interrupted, a value indicating the stop command is recorded in the command value. In FIG. 5, it is assumed that a put command has already been issued at the start time, and a value indicating the put command has already been recorded in the command value.

  First, the file transmission / reception unit 13 confirms whether the command value is a put command or a stop command in the command confirmation process (S11). If the command value is a put command, the process proceeds to the ring buffer free space confirmation process (S12). Then, the process proceeds to the end flag setting process (S16).

  Next, in the ring buffer free area confirmation process (S12), the ring buffer free area is confirmed, and if there is a free area, the process proceeds to the file reading process (S13), and if there is no free area, the process proceeds to the sleep process (S15). The process returns to the command confirmation process (S11). Here, the sleep process (S15) is a process of pausing for a certain period of time from several microseconds to several milliseconds.

  Further, in the file reading process (S 13), the file data is read from the storage device 17 by one block and written into the ring buffer of the file transmitting / receiving unit 13.

  Subsequently, in the data reading confirmation process (S14), it is confirmed whether or not the reading of the file data is completed. If the reading is completed, the process proceeds to the end flag setting process (S16), and when the reading is not completed. The process returns to the command confirmation process (S11).

  On the other hand, the transmission management unit 11 acquires current time information from the internal clock with an accuracy of microseconds to milliseconds in the current time acquisition process (S21) immediately after the start, and substitutes it for a variable t prepared in the application. Here, the integration time ts whose initial value is 0 is defined, and the value of ts is updated by ts: = ts + (t−t0). Note that t0 is the value of t obtained after the previous execution of the current time acquisition process (S21), and there is no value of t0 after the first execution of the current time acquisition process (S21). Let t0 = 0. Further, after updating the value of ts, the value of t0 is also updated by t0: = t.

  Next, in the ring buffer data presence / absence confirmation process (S22), it is confirmed whether or not there is data in the ring buffer. If there is data, the data amount is substituted into the variable b and then the process proceeds to the transmission determination process (S23). If there is not, the process returns to the current time acquisition process (S21) through the sleep process (S26). Here, the sleep process (S26) is a process of pausing for a certain period of time from several microseconds to several seconds. This pause time is assumed to be tp. The pause time tp is not the same value as the above-mentioned t−t0, but is a value that is smaller by the time required for the current time acquisition process (S21), the ring buffer data presence / absence confirmation process (S22), and the like.

  If the accuracy of the time acquired in the current time acquisition process (S21) is rough, the pause time tp and t−t0 may be the same value. Further, as the pause time tp is decreased, the data transfer rate can be controlled in fine time units, but the load on the CPU increases.

  Here, an integrated data amount bs whose initial value is 0 is defined, and the value of bs is updated by bs: = bs + (b−b0). b0 is the value of b obtained after the previous execution of the ring buffer data presence / absence confirmation processing (S22), and b0 = 0 after the first execution of the ring buffer data presence / absence confirmation processing (S22). . After updating the value of the integrated data amount bs, the value of b0 is also updated by b0: = b. Since the file data is handled in units of blocks, the values of b, b0 and bs are multiples of the data amount bu of one block. In the transmission determination process (S23), the process proceeds to the file transmission process (S24) when ts × r> bu is satisfied, and to the current time acquisition process (S21) via the sleep process (S26) when the above condition is not satisfied. Return.

  In the file transmission process (S24), for example, one block of data is transmitted to the file transmission destination node in accordance with the file transfer protocol shown in FIG. 4, and according to bs: = bs-bu, ts: = ts-bu / r. The values of the variables bs and ts are updated. In the end flag confirmation process (S25), it is confirmed whether or not the end flag is set in the end flag setting process (S16) in the file transmission / reception unit 13. If the end flag is set, a stop command transmission process (S27). If the end flag is not set, the process returns to the current time acquisition process (S21). In the stop command transmission process (S27), the stop command is transmitted to the node that is the file transmission destination.

  As described above, when the transmission management unit 11 controls the transfer rate, the file transmission can be intermittently performed by providing the transmission determination process (S23) and the sleep process (S26). Therefore, by causing the transmission management unit 11 to execute a plurality of processing steps shown in FIG. 5 in parallel, the node 1 according to the present embodiment shows the priority file and the normal file, for example, as shown in FIG. The priority file can be transmitted to a predetermined node at a designated transfer rate, and the normal file can be transmitted at a transfer rate as high as possible.

  Next, details of the operation when the reception management unit 12 controls the transfer rate will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 6. It is assumed that the transfer speed when receiving a file is r.

  FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing an operation example of the file transmission / reception unit 13 and the reception management unit 12. As shown in FIG. 6, the file transmission / reception unit 13 and the reception management unit 12 operate in parallel with different threads. As described above, the file transmission / reception unit 13 includes a ring buffer. The file transmission / reception unit 13 can grasp the state of the ring buffer and can also refer to the reception management unit 12. Reading from and writing to the ring buffer is performed in units of blocks. The block size is arbitrary, but considering the free space of the main memory in the node 1 and the transfer performance, a block size on the order of several kilobytes to several megabytes is usually preferable. In FIG. 6, it is assumed that initialization of the ring buffer and communication with other nodes have already been established at the start time, and communication with other nodes is disconnected at the end time.

  The file transfer request from the user is sequentially recorded in a command value which is a variable in the application processed by the file transmitting / receiving means 10 via the user IF unit 15 shown in FIG. For example, when the node 1 transfers the file stored in the node 1 to the node 2, a value indicating the put command is recorded in the command value. When the put command is interrupted, a value indicating the stop command is recorded in the command value. In FIG. 6, it is assumed that a put command has already been issued at the start time, and a value indicating the put command has already been recorded as the command value.

  First, the file transmission / reception unit 13 confirms whether the command value is a put command or a stop command in the command confirmation process (S31). If the command value is a put command, the process proceeds to the ring buffer data presence / absence confirmation process (S32). Then, the process proceeds to the end flag setting process (S36).

  Next, in the ring buffer data presence / absence confirmation processing (S32), the presence / absence of data in the ring buffer is confirmed. If there is data, the flow proceeds to the storage device remaining amount confirmation processing (S33), and if there is no data, the sleep processing (S35). After that, the process returns to the command confirmation process (S31). Here, the sleep process (S35) is a process of pausing for a certain period of time from several microseconds to several milliseconds.

  In the storage device remaining amount confirmation process (S33), it is confirmed whether or not the storage device 17 has a remaining amount. If there is no remaining amount, the process proceeds to an end flag setting process (S36). The process returns to the command confirmation process (S31) through the loading process (S34). In the file writing process (S34), one block of data in the ring buffer is read and written to the storage device 17 of the node 1.

  On the other hand, the reception management unit 12 acquires the current time from the internal clock with an accuracy of microseconds to milliseconds in the current time acquisition process (S41) immediately after the start, and substitutes it for the variable t prepared in the application. Here, an integration time ts having an initial value of 0 is defined, and the value of ts is updated by ts: = ts + (t−t0). Note that t0 is the value of t obtained after the previous execution of the current time acquisition process (S21), and there is no value of t0 after the first execution of the current time acquisition process (S21). Let t0 = 0. Further, after updating the value of ts, the value of t0 is also updated by t0: = t.

  Next, in the ring buffer free space confirmation process (S42), it is confirmed whether or not there is a free space in the ring buffer. If there is a free space, the data amount is substituted into the variable b prepared in the application. The process proceeds to the reception determination process (S43). If there is no free space, the process returns to the current time acquisition process (S41) through the sleep process (S46). Here, the sleep process (S46) is a process of pausing for a certain period of time from several microseconds to several seconds. This pause time is assumed to be tp. The pause time tp is not the same value as the above-mentioned t−t0, and is a value that is smaller by the time required for the current time acquisition process (S41), the ring buffer free space confirmation process (S42), and the like.

  Note that when the time accuracy of the current time acquisition process (S41) is rough, the pause time tp and t−t0 may be the same value. Further, the data transfer speed can be controlled in finer time units as the pause time is made smaller, but the load on the CPU increases.

  Here, an integrated data amount bs whose initial value is 0 is defined, and the value of bs is updated by bs: = bs + (b−b0). b0 is the value of b obtained after the previous ring buffer empty area confirmation process (S42) is executed, and b0 = 0 after the ring buffer empty area confirmation process (S42) is executed for the first time. . After updating the value of the integrated data amount bs, the value of b0 is also updated by b0: = b. Since the file data is handled in units of blocks, the values of b, b0 and bs are multiples of the data amount bu of one block. In the reception determination process (S43), the process proceeds to the file reception process (S44) when ts × r> bu is satisfied, and to the current time acquisition process (S41) via the sleep process (S46) when the above condition is not satisfied. Return.

  In the file reception process (S44), for example, one block of data is received from the file transmission source node according to the file transfer protocol shown in FIG. 4, and according to bs: = bs-bu, ts: = ts-bu / r. The values of the variables bs and ts are updated. In the end flag confirmation process (S45), it is confirmed whether or not the end flag is set in the end flag setting process (S36) in the file transmitting / receiving unit 13. If the end flag is set, the stop command transmission process (S47). If the end flag is not set, the process returns to the current time acquisition process (S41). In the stop command transmission process (S47), the stop command is transmitted to the node that is the file transmission source.

  As described above, when the reception management unit 12 controls the transfer rate, the file transmission can be intermittently performed by providing the reception determination process (S43) and the sleep process (S46). Therefore, by causing the reception management unit 12 to execute a plurality of processing steps shown in FIG. 6 in parallel, the node 1 according to the present embodiment shows the priority file and the normal file, for example, as shown in FIG. The priority file can be transmitted to a predetermined node at a designated transfer rate, and the normal file can be transmitted at a transfer rate as high as possible.

  Next, a control example for changing the transfer speed during file transfer when transferring a file from two nodes to one node at the same time will be described with reference to FIGS. In the following description, as shown in FIG. 7, there are a total of three nodes, two clients 41 and 42 and one server 43, which are connected via one network switch 44. And Here, the clients 41 and 42 and the server 43 shown in FIG. 7 correspond to the nodes 2, 3 and 1 shown in FIG. 1, respectively. In the tables shown in FIGS. 8 to 10, the numerical values described in the “transmission side” and “reception side” columns are the values of the transmission management unit and the reception management unit respectively included in the clients 41 and 42 and the server 43. The transfer rate data stored in each transfer rate memory is shown.

Hereinafter, file transfer between three nodes when the control in the following three steps is performed in order will be described.
(1) First step: The file stored in the client 41 is transferred from the client 41 to the server 43 in accordance with an instruction from the client 41.
(2) Second step: Subsequently, the file stored in the client 42 is transferred from the client 42 to the server 43 in accordance with an instruction from the client 41.
(3) Third step: Furthermore, the transfer rate of the file from the client 42 is changed to a desired transfer rate according to an instruction from the client 41, and the file is transferred as a priority file.

  In the following description, in order to make maximum use of the network bandwidth, it is assumed that data is transferred at the maximum speed when no transfer speed is specified by the node. If the transfer rate is specified, the file transferred at the transfer rate is set as the priority file. Since IEEE802.3z is used, the upper limit of the transfer rate is set in advance to 1000 Mbps before the file transfer (for example, when the application is started) on both the transmission side and the reception side.

  First, FIG. 8 shows a procedure for transferring files stored in the client 41 from the client 41 to the server 43.

  First, the desired transfer rate on the transmission side of the client 41 is set to “automatic”. The transmission side of the client 41 requests the server 43 to transmit automatically. The server 43 receives this request and stores data indicating “automatic” in the desired value on the receiving side (FIG. 8A). Thereafter, the server 43 stores a value of 1000 Mbps, which is the upper limit value of reception of the server 43, in the execution value on the receiving side of the server 43, and instructs the client 41 to transfer at 1000 Mbps. In response to this instruction, the client 41 stores a value of 1000 Mbps as the actual value on the transmission side (FIG. 8B). The client 41 transfers the file to the server 43 at 1000 Mbps (FIG. 8C).

  Next, FIG. 9 shows a procedure for transferring files stored in the client 42 from the client 42 to the server 43 in the state shown in FIG.

  First, the desired transfer rate on the transmission side of the client 42 is set to “automatic”. The transmission side of the client 42 requests the server 43 to transmit “automatically”. The server 43 receives this request and stores data indicating “automatic” in the desired value on the receiving side (FIG. 9A). Thereafter, the server 43 divides the value of 1000 Mbps, which is the reception upper limit value of the server 43, by 2, which is the number at which the desired value on the receiving side is “automatic”, and calculates the value of 500 Mbps as the value of the server 43 The data is stored in both execution values on the receiving side, and the client 41 and 42 are each instructed to transfer at 500 Mbps. In response to this instruction, the clients 41 and 42 each store a value of 500 Mbps as the actual value on the transmission side (FIG. 9B). Each of the client 41 and the client 42 transfers the file to the server 43 at 500 Mbps (FIG. 9C).

  Next, FIG. 10 shows a procedure for changing the file transfer rate from the client 42 from 500 Mbps to 800 Mbps in the state shown in FIG.

  First, the desired transfer rate on the transmission side of the client 42 is set to 800 Mbps. The transmission side of the client 42 requests the server 43 to transmit at 800 Mbps. The server 43 receives this request and stores a value of 800 Mbps in the desired value on the receiving side (FIG. 10 (a)). Thereafter, the server 43 confirms that this desired value does not exceed the upper limit value on the receiving side, stores the value of 800 Mbps in the implementation value for the client 42 on the receiving side of the server 43, A value of 200 Mbps obtained by subtracting 800 Mbps from a certain 1000 Mbps is stored in an execution value for the client 42 on the receiving side of the server 43, and the clients 41 and 42 are instructed to transfer files at transfer rates of 200 Mbps and 800 Mbps, respectively. In response to this instruction, the clients 41 and 42 store values of 200 Mbps and 800 Mbps in the actual values on the transmission side, respectively (FIG. 10B). The clients 41 and 42 respectively transfer files to the server 43 at 200 Mbps and 800 Mbps (FIG. 10C).

  When the transfer ends, the node that ends sets the desired transfer rate to 0, so that network resources can be transferred to another transfer. For example, if the transfer from the client 42 to the server 43 is completed first, the file transfer rate from the client 41 returns from 200 Mbps to 1000 Mbps. Further, in the above description, when the transfer rate is controlled by the reception management unit, the transmission instruction is not essential, and it is not essential to manage the desired value and the actual value on the transmission side of the node 1.

  As described above, according to the node 1 in the present embodiment, when the priority file and the normal file are received or transmitted, the transfer speed of the priority file is set to a predetermined transfer speed, and the transfer speed of the normal file is set. Since the transfer speed is set according to the transfer speed of the priority file, the transfer speed can be controlled so that the priority file is transferred with priority over the normal file.

  Therefore, the node 1 according to the present embodiment performs normal file transfer while giving priority to priority file transfer over normal file transfer even in a situation where file transfer is performed between a plurality of nodes connected to the network. Can be transferred as fast as possible.

  Further, the node 1 in the present embodiment can transfer the priority file with the above-described configuration, for example, while maintaining the transfer speed designated by the user.

  Further, the node 1 in the present embodiment can also transfer the priority file as a streaming transfer file by the above-described configuration.

  In addition, according to the node 1 in the present embodiment, when receiving or transmitting the priority file and the normal file, the data of the priority file and the normal file is intermittently received or transmitted. A file can be transmitted or received without increasing the load.

  In the above-described embodiment, the configuration in which the node 1 includes one communication unit 16 and the communication unit 16 communicates with the two nodes 2 and 3 has been described as an example. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the communication units may be provided by the number of nodes connected to the node 1 so that each communication unit communicates with each node separately. In this case, each communication unit is provided with a transmission management unit and a reception management unit.

(Second Embodiment)
The main part of the second embodiment of the node according to the present invention is configured as shown in FIG. That is, the node in the present embodiment is obtained by changing the configuration of the reception management unit 12 (see FIG. 1) and the communication unit 16 of the node 1 in the first embodiment. The description will be made using the same reference numerals as those of the node 1 in the first embodiment. Further, since the configuration is the same as that of the node 1 in the first embodiment except for the configuration of the main part shown in FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 11, the reception management unit 12 of the node according to the present embodiment is configured to receive a priority file and a normal file from the communication unit 16, and has a ring buffer that temporarily stores the priority file. A priority file ring buffer 12a, a normal file ring buffer 12b having a ring buffer for temporarily storing a normal file, and a buffer number setting unit 12c for setting the number of the priority file ring buffer 12a and the normal file ring buffer 12b. I have.

  The communication unit 16 in the present embodiment identifies, for example, the port number of a node that transmits a file, sorts the input file into a priority file or a normal file, and outputs the file to the reception management unit 12.

  The priority file ring buffer 12a is constituted by, for example, a FIFO (First In First Out) type memory, and includes a plurality of storage areas. The priority file ring buffer 12a receives and stores only priority files from the communication unit 16, and outputs them to the file transmission / reception unit 13 in the input order.

  The normal file ring buffer 12b is composed of, for example, a FIFO type memory, and includes a storage area divided into a plurality of sections. The normal file ring buffer 12b receives and stores only normal files from the communication unit 16, and outputs them to the file transmitting / receiving unit 13 in the input order.

  The buffer number setting unit 12c sets the number of storage areas (hereinafter referred to as “buffer number”) included in each of the priority file ring buffer 12a and the normal file ring buffer 12b.

Specifically, the buffer number setting unit 12c sets the number of buffers included in the priority file ring buffer 12a as n, the number of buffers included in the normal file ring buffer 12b as m, r as the transfer rate at the time of file reception, and the upper limit of the transfer rate. When the value is r _max , n and m are set so that n: m = r: r _max −r.

  The priority file ring buffer 12a and the normal file ring buffer 12b correspond to the buffer of the present invention. The buffer number setting unit 12c corresponds to the buffer number ratio setting unit of the present invention.

  Since the node in the present embodiment is configured as described above, if the file input to the node is a priority file, the file is input to the priority file ring buffer 12a, and if the file is a normal file, the file is input to the normal file ring buffer 12b. Is done.

  Since only the priority file can enter the priority file ring buffer 12a, the normal file has no empty area in the normal file ring buffer 12b, and the priority file ring buffer 12a has an empty area in the priority file ring buffer 12a. Is not entered. In this case, until a free area is created in the normal file ring buffer 12b, transfer of the normal file is interrupted by TCP flow control and remains in the ring buffer of the communication unit 16. While normal file transfer is interrupted, only priority files are transferred. The priority file already stored in the priority file ring buffer 12a and the normal file already stored in the normal file ring buffer 12b are sent to the file transmitting / receiving unit 13 equally.

  As described above, the priority number file is transferred while maintaining the designated reception transfer rate by the buffer number setting unit 12c sequentially controlling the number of each of the priority file ring buffer 12a and the normal file ring buffer 12b. . On the other hand, the normal file is automatically assigned the remaining bandwidth according to the TCP flow control, and is transferred as fast as possible without affecting the transfer of the priority file.

  Next, the operation in the first to third steps described with reference to FIGS. 7 to 10 in the first embodiment will be described.

  In the first step, since the transfer rate is not particularly specified, the buffer number setting unit 12c sets the number of buffers in the priority file ring buffer 12a to 0, and the file from the client 41 is stored only in the normal file ring buffer 12b. Remembered. The transfer rate at this time is 1000 Mbps which is the maximum transfer rate.

  In the second step, as in the first step, since the transfer rate is not particularly specified, the buffer number setting unit 12c sets the buffer number of the priority file ring buffer 12a to 0, and the file from the client 42 is normal. It is stored only in the file ring buffer 12b. Here, since the files from the clients 41 and 42 are input almost equally according to the TCP flow control, the transfer rate is about 500 Mbps.

  In the third step, since there is a request for changing the transfer rate from 500 Mbps to 800 Mbps, the buffer number setting unit 12c sets the ratio of the number of buffers of the priority file ring buffer 12a and the number of buffers of the normal file ring buffer 12b to 4: The file from the client 42 is input to the priority file ring buffer 12a, and the file from the client 41 is input to the normal file ring buffer 12b. As a result, the file transfer rate from the client 41 is 200 Mbps, and the file transfer rate from the client 42 is 800 Mbps.

  As described above, according to the node in the present embodiment, the buffer number setting unit 12c is configured to sequentially control the number of buffers of the priority file ring buffer 12a and the normal file ring buffer 12b. The priority file can be transferred while maintaining the transfer speed, and the normal file is automatically allocated to the remaining bandwidth according to the TCP flow control and transferred as fast as possible without affecting the transfer of the priority file. Can do.

(Third embodiment)
The main part of the third embodiment of the node according to the present invention is configured as shown in FIG. That is, the node in the present embodiment is obtained by changing the configuration of the reception management unit 12 (see FIG. 1) of the node 1 and the configuration related to the reception management unit 12 in the first embodiment. The description will be made using the same reference numerals as those of the node 1 in the first embodiment. Moreover, since it is the same structure as the node 1 in 1st Embodiment except the structure of the principal part shown in FIG. 12, description is abbreviate | omitted.

  As shown in FIG. 12, the node in the present embodiment outputs a reception management unit 12 that acquires file size information of a file to be received, a current time acquisition unit 51 that acquires current time information, and reception deadline time information. A user IF unit 52 that performs the transfer, and a transfer rate calculation unit 53 that calculates the transfer rate.

  The reception management unit 12 in the present embodiment acquires file size information of a file to be received and outputs it to the transfer rate calculation unit 53. For example, the reception management unit 12 can acquire file size information from the file transmission / reception unit of the file transmission source via the communication unit 16. The reception management unit 12 in the present embodiment corresponds to the file size information acquisition unit of the present invention.

  The current time acquisition unit 51 acquires current time information from the internal clock and outputs it to the transfer rate calculation unit 53. The current time acquisition unit 51 corresponds to the current time information acquisition unit of the present invention.

  The user IF unit 52 outputs reception deadline time information set by the user to the transfer rate calculation unit 53, and corresponds to the reception deadline information acquisition means of the present invention. Here, the reception deadline time information is information indicating the deadline time of reception of the file received by the file transmitting / receiving unit 13. The reception deadline time information may be transmitted from the node 2 or 3 (see FIG. 1), and the reception management unit 12 may receive the reception deadline time information. In this case, the reception management unit 12 in the present embodiment corresponds to the reception time limit information acquisition unit of the present invention.

  Based on the file size information received from the reception management unit 12, the current time information received from the current time acquisition unit 51, and the reception deadline time information received from the user IF unit 52, the transfer rate calculation unit 53 receives reception management. The transfer rate when the unit 12 receives a file is calculated and output to the reception management unit 12 as transfer rate information. The transfer rate calculation unit 53 corresponds to the file transfer rate calculation means of the present invention.

  Further, when the reception deadline time is set, the transfer rate calculation unit 53 calculates the file reception rate and sets the value in the reception management unit 12. With this configuration, the node in the present embodiment can receive a file in which a reception time is set before the reception deadline time. Note that the node in this embodiment can transfer a file at a designated transfer rate without using the transfer rate calculation unit 53 when the reception deadline time is not set.

  Next, the operation of the node in this embodiment will be described.

  The current time is t0 seconds, the reception deadline time is t1 seconds, and the file size of the file to be transferred is s bits. At this time, since the transfer rate needs to be at least s / (t−t0) bits / second, the initial value r of the transfer rate is set to r0 = S / (t1−) using an appropriate positive value Δr. t0) + Δr. Here, the value of Δr is desirably about 1/10 to 1/100 of the value of s / (t1-t0).

  If the value of the reception deadline time t1 is changed during file transfer, for example, by designation from the user, the above expression is again used by using the current time t0 at that time and the remaining size s of the file being transferred. Recalculate r0.

  As described above, according to the node in the present embodiment, the transfer rate calculation unit 53 calculates the transfer rate of the priority file so that the reception of the priority file is completed by the reception deadline time. Even in the situation of receiving the priority file, the priority file can be received before the reception deadline time.

  In the above-described embodiment, the transfer rate that has been set cannot be maintained for some reason during the transfer, and the transfer rate r0 that is initially set may not be in time for the reception deadline time t1. The untransferred file size of the file and the current time are confirmed at regular time intervals, the transfer speed at the time of reception is obtained by the above formula, and if this value exceeds r0, the transfer speed at the time of reception is It is good also as a structure including the routine reset by the type | formula of this.

  In the above-described embodiment, an example in which the reception management unit 12 controls the transfer rate at the time of reception has been described. However, the transmission management unit 11 may be configured to control the transfer rate at the time of transmission. In this case, the transmission rate calculation unit 53 is connected to the transmission management unit 31, and the current time acquisition unit 51 and the user IF unit 52 are connected to the transfer rate calculation unit 53. In this case, the above reception deadline time may be read as the transmission deadline time.

  In the above configuration, the transmission management unit 11 can acquire the file size information of the file to be transferred from the file transmission / reception unit 13, so the transfer rate calculation unit 53 can determine the file size information, current time information, and transmission deadline time information. And transmission rate information at the time of transmission is transmitted to the transmission management unit 11. As a result, the transmission management unit 11 can set the transmission deadline time of the file to be transferred. In this configuration, the user IF unit 52 or the reception management unit 12 corresponds to the transmission time limit information acquisition unit of the present invention.

  As described above, the receiving device, the transmitting device, and the relay device according to the present invention have the effect of being able to control the transfer speed so that a specific file is transferred with priority over other files, and can be transmitted via a network. It is useful as a receiving device, a transmitting device, a relay device, or the like that controls the transfer rate of data exchanged.

The block diagram which shows the structure of the node in 1st Embodiment of the receiver, transmitter, and relay apparatus which concern on this invention Explanatory drawing when the node in the first embodiment of the receiving device, transmitting device and relay device according to the present invention transfers a file Explanatory drawing when the node in the first embodiment of the receiving device, transmitting device and relay device according to the present invention transfers a file The figure which shows an example of the communication protocol which the node in 1st Embodiment of the receiver which concerns on this invention, a transmitter, and a relay apparatus uses The flowchart which shows the operation example of the file transmission / reception part and transmission management part of the node in 1st Embodiment of the receiver which concerns on this invention, a transmitter, and a relay apparatus The flowchart which shows the operation example of the file transmission / reception part and transmission management part of the node in 1st Embodiment of the receiver which concerns on this invention, a transmitter, and a relay apparatus The figure which shows the structural example in the case of transferring a file from two nodes simultaneously to one node in 1st Embodiment of the receiver, transmitter, and relay apparatus which concern on this invention. Explanatory drawing when transferring the file stored in the client to the server in the first embodiment of the receiving device, transmitting device and relay device according to the present invention Explanatory drawing when transferring files stored in two clients without setting a transfer rate to the server in the first embodiment of the receiving device, transmitting device and relay device according to the present invention Explanatory drawing when transferring a file stored in two clients by designating only one client file to the server in the first embodiment of the receiving apparatus, transmitting apparatus and relay apparatus according to the present invention The block diagram which shows the structure of the principal part of the node in 2nd Embodiment of the receiver, transmitter, and relay apparatus which concern on this invention The block diagram which shows the structure of the principal part of the node in 3rd Embodiment of the receiver, transmitter, and relay apparatus which concern on this invention

Explanation of symbols

1, 2, 3 Node 10 File transmission / reception means 11, 21, 31 Transmission management unit 12, 22, 32 Reception management unit 12a Priority file ring buffer 12b Normal file ring buffer 12c Buffer number setting unit 13, 23, 33 File transmission / reception unit 14 Storage device control unit 15 User IF unit 16, 26, 36 Communication unit 17 Storage device 41, 42 Client 43 Server 44 Network switch 51 Current time acquisition unit 52 User IF unit 53 Transfer rate calculation unit

Claims (8)

A receiving device that receives at least one of a priority file having a predetermined transfer speed and a normal file having a lower transfer priority than the priority file,
File receiving means for receiving at least one of the priority file and the normal file, transfer speed information receiving means for receiving transfer speed information indicating a transfer speed of the priority file, and the file receiving means for the priority file and the normal file When the file is received, the transfer on the receiving side controls the transfer speed of the priority file and the normal file so as to give priority to the transfer of the priority file by suppressing the transfer speed of the normal file based on the transfer speed information. And a speed control means. The receiving-side transfer rate control means controls the transfer rate of the normal file by setting a reception state for receiving the normal file and a reception standby state for waiting for reception of the normal file for a predetermined time. The receiving device according to claim 1. The receiving-side transfer rate control means includes a predetermined number of buffers for storing the priority file and the normal file data, a buffer number for storing the priority file data, and a buffer number for storing the normal file data. The receiving apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: a buffer number ratio setting unit that sets a ratio of Reception deadline time information acquisition means for acquiring reception deadline time information indicating the reception deadline of the priority file, file size information acquisition means for acquiring file size information of the priority file, and current time information acquisition for acquiring current time information And a file transfer rate calculating unit for calculating a transfer rate of the priority file based on the reception deadline time information, the file size information, and the current time information. Item 4. The receiving device according to any one of Items 1 to 3. A transmission device that transmits at least one of the priority file and the normal file to at least one reception device according to any one of claims 1 to 4,
File transmitting means for transmitting at least one of the priority file and the normal file, transfer speed information receiving means for receiving transfer speed information indicating the transfer speed of the priority file, and notifying the transfer apparatus of the transfer speed information When transmitting the transfer rate information notification means, the priority file and the normal file, the priority file is configured so as to suppress the transfer rate of the normal file and prioritize transfer of the priority file based on the transfer rate information. And a transmission-side transfer rate control means for controlling the transfer rate of the normal file. The transmission-side transfer rate control means controls the transfer rate of the normal file by setting a transmission state for transmitting the normal file and a transmission standby state for waiting for transmission of the normal file for a predetermined time. The transmission device according to claim 5. Transmission deadline time information acquisition means for acquiring transmission deadline time information indicating the transmission deadline of the priority file, file size information acquisition means for acquiring file size information of the priority file, and current time information acquisition for acquiring current time information 6. The apparatus according to claim 5, further comprising: means; and a file transfer rate calculation unit that calculates a transfer rate of the priority file based on the transmission deadline time information, the file size information, and the current time information. Item 7. The transmission device according to Item 6. A receiving device according to any one of claims 1 to 4 and a transmitting device according to any one of claims 5 to 7, wherein the priority file and the normal file are Relay device to relay.

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