JP5176743B2 - Communication control device and communication control method - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a communication control device and a communication control method for controlling communication using a LAN.

  In a network (for example, a LAN) to which computers are connected, there is a case where a so-called “broadcast storm”, which is a phenomenon in which broadcasts frequently occur, generally occurs. When a broadcast storm occurs in a network to which a general computer that does not take measures against broadcast storms is connected, resources (for example, the number of processes that can be executed by the CPU) to process a large amount of received data in the computer ) Is consumed, and the CPU may not be able to execute other processes.

  In order to avoid such problems, various techniques have been proposed for continuing the operation of a computer even when a phenomenon such as a broadcast storm in which a large amount of communication packets are transmitted occurs.

  For example, when a broadcast storm occurs on a network, a technique for avoiding that all functions of a terminal device connected to the network are stopped is considered (for example, see Patent Document 1). In the technique disclosed in Patent Literature 1, when the number of packets received by a terminal device within a predetermined time is equal to or greater than a predetermined value, the terminal device is logically temporarily disconnected from the network. Thereby, operation | movement is maintained about functions other than a communication function among the functions which a terminal device has. Moreover, in the technique disclosed in Patent Document 1, when a predetermined period has elapsed, the disconnected terminal device is reconnected to the network.

  In addition, by connecting a terminal device in which “JAM”, which is a phenomenon in which data is destroyed due to data collision or failure, in a network device connected to a plurality of buses to a standby bus that is not used for communication, A technique of disconnecting from an active bus used for communication has been considered (for example, see Patent Document 2). In the technique disclosed in Patent Document 2, when the occurrence of JAM is detected, all of the plurality of terminal devices connected to the active bus are separated into two groups, and one of the groups is connected to the standby bus. To do. Then, the group in which JAM is generated is determined from the two separated groups, all the terminal devices of the group in which JAM is generated are connected to the standby bus, and the terminal device of the group in which JAM is not generated Connect everything to the working bus. By repeatedly executing such an operation, the terminal device in which the JAM is generated is specified, and the terminal device is disconnected from the active bus.

Further, a traffic regulation processing method that regulates network traffic used for transmission / reception of communication packets to be processed by the CPU based on the usage rate of the CPU included in the computer is considered (for example, see Patent Document 3). . In this traffic regulation processing method, the usage rate of the CPU is monitored, and the usage rates of all the lines for transmitting and receiving communication packets connected to the computer are constantly monitored. When the CPU usage rate exceeds a predetermined threshold and the usage rate of any of the lines exceeds a predetermined value, an RNR (Receive Not Ready) packet indicating that reception is not possible is a line that exceeds the predetermined value. The timing of transmitting to the connection destination via the network or the timing of transmitting the communication packet to the connection destination via the line is delayed.
International Publication No. 2005/043827 Pamphlet JP 2000-004239 A JP 07-336390 A

  In the technique disclosed in Patent Document 1, when a broadcast storm occurs in a network connected to a terminal device, the terminal is used until a predetermined period elapses immediately after the terminal device is disconnected. There is a problem that communication cannot be performed.

  In the technology disclosed in Patent Document 2, grouping of terminal devices and terminals divided into groups until a terminal device in which JAM is generated can be identified from among a plurality of terminal devices connected to an active bus. Switching of the connection between the active bus and the standby bus of the apparatus is repeatedly performed. For this reason, there is a problem in that communication performed by a normally operating terminal device is also affected during the period of specifying a terminal device in which JAM has occurred.

  Further, in the traffic regulation processing method disclosed in Patent Document 3, the usage rates of all of the plurality of lines connected to the computer are constantly monitored. Therefore, there is a problem in that the load on the CPU increases due to the monitoring process of the usage rate of the line that does not directly contribute to the communication process. Furthermore, according to the traffic regulation processing method disclosed in Patent Document 3, one CPU simultaneously executes communication processing using all of a plurality of lines connected to a computer. When a line with a high usage rate is included in all of the plurality of lines, the processing load on the CPU due to communication using the line increases. For this reason, when the increase in processing load is large, there is a problem in that communication processing related to other lines being executed by the CPU may be affected.

  An object of this invention is to provide the communication control apparatus and communication control method which solve the subject mentioned above.

  In order to solve the above problems, a communication control device of the present invention includes a plurality of communication modules respectively connected to a plurality of networks, a communication switching mechanism that selects one communication module among the plurality of communication modules, A communication control apparatus having a plurality of control units that process data received by the selected communication module, wherein the communication module counts the number of received data, which is the number of data received by the communication module, in a predetermined period; A data counting unit; and a comparing unit that compares the number of received data counted by the received data counting unit in the predetermined period with a first predetermined value, and the communication switching mechanism receives the data at the comparing unit. When it is determined that the number of data is greater than or equal to the first predetermined value, the processing load indicating the size of the communication process being executed by the control unit and the second When the load determination unit determines that the processing load is equal to or greater than the second predetermined value, the communication module to be selected is selected from the currently selected communication module. And a switching control unit that switches to a communication module other than the selected communication module.

  In order to solve the above problems, a communication control method of the present invention includes a plurality of communication modules respectively connected to a plurality of networks, a communication switching mechanism that selects one communication module among the plurality of communication modules, A communication control method in a communication control device having a plurality of control units that process data received by a selected communication module, wherein the communication module sets a received data number that is the number of data received by the communication module. A reception data counting process that counts in a predetermined period; a comparison process in which the communication module compares the number of received data counted in the predetermined period in the reception data counting process with a first predetermined value; and the communication switching mechanism However, when it is determined in the comparison process that the number of received data is greater than or equal to the first predetermined value, the control unit is executing A load determination process for comparing a processing load indicating the size of the communication process to be performed and a second predetermined value; and the communication switching mechanism is configured such that the processing load is equal to or greater than the second predetermined value in the load determination process. Switching control processing for switching the communication module to be selected from the currently selected communication module to a communication module other than the currently selected communication module.

  According to the present invention, a plurality of communication modules respectively connected to a plurality of networks, a communication switching mechanism for selecting one communication module among the plurality of communication modules, and data received by the selected communication module are processed. In a communication control device having a plurality of control units, the number of received data, which is the number of data received by the communication module, is counted in a predetermined period, and the number of received data counted in the predetermined period is compared with a first predetermined value. When it is determined that the number of received data is greater than or equal to the first predetermined value, the processing load indicating the size of the communication process being executed by the control unit is compared with the second predetermined value. If the communication module is determined to be equal to or greater than the predetermined value of 2, the communication module to be selected is changed from the currently selected communication module to a communication module other than the currently selected communication module. Switch to.

  With such a configuration, it is possible to suitably switch the network that the communication control apparatus uses for communication while suppressing the processing load on the communication control apparatus.

  Hereinafter, a communication control device 1 (including a communication control method) according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described.

  First, the configuration of the communication control device 1 of the present embodiment will be described. As shown in FIG. 1, the communication control device 1 includes LAN (Local Area Network) cards 2-1 and 2-2, a LAN switching mechanism 3, and CPUs (Central Processing Units) 4-1 to 4-n. Composed. Here, n is the number of CPUs, and is an arbitrary natural number.

  The LAN cards 2-1 and 2-2 are “communication modules” for transmitting and receiving data to and from the outside. Note that the communication form of the network NW to which the LAN cards 2-1 and 2-2 are connected is not particularly limited, but in the present embodiment, description will be given taking communication in a wired LAN as an example. In the form shown in FIG. 1, the case where the number of network NWs to which the communication control device 1 is connected is two is shown as an example, but three or more (the number of LAN cards is also the number of network NWs). It may be 3 or more corresponding to the number.

  The LAN switching mechanism 3 is a “communication switching mechanism” that selects the LAN cards 2-1 and 2-2 that execute a communication operation by executing a “communication switching process”.

  The CPUs 4-1 to 4-n are “control units” for processing data received by the LAN cards 2-1 and 2-2 (hereinafter referred to as “received data”). Further, the CPUs 4-1 to 4-n transmit CPU load information, which is information indicating the size of the currently executed process, in response to a CPU load acquisition request described later transmitted from the LAN switching mechanism 3. It has a function.

  The number “n” of the CPUs 4-1 to 4-n and the number of the LAN cards 2-1 to 2-2 may be the same. In this case, each of the CPUs 4-1 to 4-n may be independently configured so that each of the CPUs 4-1 to 4-n can individually execute the control for each of the LAN cards 2-1 to 2-2.

  Next, the configuration of the LAN cards 2-1 and 2-2 will be described in detail. Since the LAN cards 2-1 and 2-2 have the same configuration, the LAN card 2-1 will be described below as an example.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the LAN card 2-1 includes a data receiving unit 21-1, a received data counting unit 22-1, a comparison unit 23-1, a notification unit 24-1, and a communication state holding unit 25. -1.

  The data reception unit 21-1 executes “data reception processing” and receives data from the outside via the network NW illustrated in FIG. Then, the data receiving unit 21-1 transmits the received data to any of the CPUs 4-1 to 4-n. The data receiving unit 21-1 refers to “communication state information 250-1” described later held by the communication state holding unit 25-1, and data corresponding to the communication state indicated by the communication state information 250-1. Perform a receive operation.

  For example, if the communication status information 250-1 indicates that the LAN card 2-1 including the data receiving unit 21-1 is disconnected from the network NW, the data receiving unit 21-1 “ ”And discard the received data. Here, the state where the LAN card 2-1 is disconnected from the network NW indicates a state where the LAN card 2-1 is logically disconnected. This state includes, for example, a standby state in which the LAN card 2-1 does not execute a communication operation, a stopped state in which power supply to the LAN card 2-1 is stopped, and the like.

  In addition, the data reception unit 21-1 executes “reception interrupt processing” in response to a later-described reception interrupt instruction signal transmitted by the LAN switching mechanism 3. In this “reception interrupt process”, the data reception unit 21-1 transmits a “reception interrupt signal” for interrupting the data reception process to any of the CPUs 4-1 to 4-n. The data transmitted via the network NW is received.

  The reception data counting unit 22-1 executes “reception data counting processing” and counts (counts) the number of data received by the data reception unit 211 (hereinafter referred to as “the number of reception data”). The reception data counting unit 22-1 executes this “reception data counting process” every predetermined count execution period. Note that the method of counting the number of received data by the received data counting unit 22-1 is not particularly limited. For example, when the data receiving unit 21-1 receives data, the received data counting unit 22-1 is a general counting method of adding “1” to the current value of the register of the number of received data held by itself. Also good.

  In addition, the reception data counting unit 22-1 executes “reception data number initialization processing” to initialize the number of reception data counted within a predetermined count execution period. The initialization method for the number of received data is not particularly limited. For example, a general initialization method for setting (clearing) a value held by a counter for counting the number of received data to “0” may be used. .

  The comparison unit 23-1 executes the “reception data number reading process” and reads the reception data number counted by the reception data counter 22-1 for each predetermined read execution period. Subsequently, the comparison unit 23-1 executes “comparison processing” and determines whether the number of received data is equal to or greater than a first predetermined value by comparing the read received data number with a “first predetermined value”. Determine. The “first predetermined value” is a reference value for determining whether or not a large amount of data has been transmitted from the network NW to the LAN card 2-1 based on the number of received data. A case where a large amount of data is transmitted is, for example, a case where a broadcast storm in which broadcasts occur frequently occurs. The “first predetermined value” is set in advance to, for example, the number of data expected to be received by the data receiving unit 21-1 when a broadcast storm occurs.

  When the comparison unit 213 determines that the number of received data is greater than or equal to the “first predetermined value”, the notification unit 24-1 performs “notification processing”. In the “notification process”, the notification unit 24-1 notifies the LAN switching mechanism 3 of a “received data number abnormality notification NF” indicating that there is a possibility (a sign) of abnormality in LAN communication as a result of the determination of the received data number. Send.

  The communication state holding unit 25-1 executes “communication state holding processing” and holds “communication state information 250-1” indicating the current communication state of the LAN card 2-1. The communication state registered in the “communication state information 250-1” is changed by the LAN switching mechanism 3 when the LAN switching mechanism 3 changes the communication operation of the LAN card 2-1.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the “communication status information 250-1” is information indicating the current communication status CS (either “in operation” or “disconnected”) in the LAN card 2-1. If the communication state CS indicates “operating”, the LAN card 2-1 is in a state of executing a communication operation, and if the communication state CS indicates “disconnecting”, the LAN 2-1 is in communication. The operation is stopped.

  Note that the LAN card 2-2 has the same configuration as the LAN card 2-1, so that the constituent elements 21-2, 22-2, 23-2, 24-2 included in the LAN card 2-2 are included. , 25-2 perform the same functions as the corresponding components 21-1, 22-1, 23-1, 24-1, 25-1 in the LAN card 2-1.

  Next, the LAN switching mechanism 3 will be described in detail. As illustrated in FIG. 4, the LAN switching mechanism 3 includes a notification receiving unit 31, a load acquisition unit 32, a load determination unit 33, a LAN switching control unit 34, and a communication state change unit 35.

  The notification receiving unit 31 executes “notification receiving processing”, and indicates that there is a sign of abnormality regarding the LAN communication from the notification unit 24-1 of the LAN card 2-1 or the notification unit 24-2 of the LAN card 2-2. Each of “received data count abnormality notification NF” is received.

  The load acquisition unit 32 executes “load acquisition processing”, and when the notification reception unit 31 receives the reception data number abnormality notification NF from the LAN cards 2-1 and 2-2, each CPU 4 included in the communication control device 1. From “-1” to “4-n”, “CPU load”, which is “processing load” indicating the size of the processing being executed by each of the CPUs 4-1 to 4 -n, is acquired. When acquiring the CPU load, the load acquisition unit 32 executes “load acquisition request processing” and transmits a CPU load acquisition request to each of the CPUs 4-1 to 4-n. And CPU load information which shows CPU load transmitted from CPU4-1 to 4-n according to CPU load acquisition request is received.

  The load determination unit 33 executes “load determination processing” to determine whether or not the “CPU load” acquired by the load acquisition unit 32 is equal to or greater than a “second predetermined value”. The “second predetermined value” is a reference value for determining whether each of the CPUs 4-1 to 4-n can process the data received by the data receiving units 21-1 and 21-2. The “second predetermined value” is set in advance to, for example, a predetermined ratio (for example, 90%) with respect to the maximum number of processes, which is the maximum number of processes that can be executed by each of the CPUs 4-1 to 4-n.

  When the load determination unit 33 determines that the “CPU load” is equal to or greater than the “second predetermined value”, the LAN switching control unit 34 executes “LAN switching control processing” that is “switching control processing”. Control unit ". In the “LAN switching control process (switching control process)”, the LAN switching control unit 34 switches the LAN card 2-1 or 2-2 that executes a communication operation (for example, a data reception process). Here, the LAN card switching method is not limited.

  On the other hand, the LAN switching unit 34 does not switch the LAN cards 2-1 and 2-2 when the load determining unit 33 determines that the CPU load is equal to or less than the second predetermined value. For this reason, communication using the currently operating LAN card 2-1 or 2-2 is continued.

  Further, the LAN switching control unit 34 executes a “reception interrupt instruction process”, and receives a reception interrupt in the data reception unit 21-1 of the LAN card 2-1 or the data reception unit 21-2 of the LAN card 2-2. It has a function of transmitting a “reception interrupt instruction signal” instructing execution of processing. The data receiving unit 21-1 or 21-2 on the receiving side executes the above-described reception interrupt process in response to the reception interrupt instruction signal.

  Further, when the LAN card to be communicated is switched by the “switching control process”, the LAN switching control unit 34 transmits “switching notification” indicating that the switching has been performed to the CPUs 4-1 to 4-n. For example, if the LAN card to be selected is switched from the LAN card 2-1 to the LAN card 2-2, the content of the “switch notification” indicates that the LAN card 2-1 selected before switching is switched from the network NW. It shows that it is logically disconnected and that a newly selected LAN card is logically connected to the network NW. As a result, the CPUs 4-1 to 4-n can identify the LAN card currently connected to the network NW, and execute the received data collection operation for the LAN card that is disconnected from the network NW. You can avoid that.

  When the LAN switching control unit 34 performs switching, the communication state change unit 35 executes “communication state change processing” and outputs a “communication state signal SS” indicating the communication state of the LAN cards 2-1 and 2-2. The communication state after switching by the LAN switching control unit 34 (“operating” or “disconnecting”) is changed. Also, the communication state changing unit 35 is based on the changed communication state signal SS, and the communication state information 250-1 held by the communication state holding unit 25-1 or the communication held by the communication state holding unit 25-2. The communication state CS in the state information 250-2 is rewritten.

  For example, when the LAN switching control unit 34 disconnects the LAN card 2-1, the communication state changing unit 35 sets the communication state signal SS indicating the communication state of the LAN card 2-1 to “disconnected”. Further, for example, when the LAN switching control unit 34 newly operates the LAN card 2-2, the communication state changing unit 35 sets the communication state signal SS indicating the communication state of the LAN card 2-2 to “in operation”. Set. After the setting, the communication state changing unit 35 rewrites the communication state CS in the communication state information 250-1 based on the communication state signal SS.

  Next, operations related to various types of communication control performed by the communication control apparatus 1 having the above-described configuration will be described.

  First, an operation in which the data receiving unit 21-1 selectively receives data on the LAN card 2-1 based on the communication state information 250-1 will be described.

  As shown in FIG. 5, the data reception unit 21-1 of the LAN card 2-1 receives data by “data reception processing (step S <b> 11)”. The reception data counting unit 22-1 starts counting “the number of reception data” for the data received by the data reception unit 21-1 by the “reception data counting process (step S12)”.

  The data receiving unit 21-1 refers to the communication state information 250-1 held by the communication state holding unit 25-1, and determines whether or not the LAN card is disconnected from the network NW (step S13). If the communication state CS registered in the communication state information 250-1 indicates “disconnecting”, it is determined that the LAN is disconnected (step S13; Yes), and the data receiving unit 21-1 Executes “data discarding process (step S14)” and discards the received data.

  On the other hand, if the communication status CS in the communication status information 250-1 indicates that it is not “disconnected”, the data receiving unit 21-1 has not logically disconnected the LAN card 2-1 from the network NW. (Step S13; No). In this case, it is not necessary to discard the received data, and the normal data reception process may be continued.

  Thus, the operation of selectively receiving data by the data receiving unit 21-1 ends based on the communication state information 250-1.

  Next, in the LAN card 2-1, the operation in which the notification unit 24-1 transmits the reception data number abnormality notification NF to the LAN switching mechanism based on the determination result of the reception data number by the comparison unit 23-1.

  As shown in FIG. 6, comparison unit 23-1 executes “reception data number reading process (step S <b> 21)”, and reads the reception data number counted by reception data counting unit 22-1 every predetermined period. Run. Subsequently, the comparison unit 23-1 executes “comparison processing (step S 22)” to determine whether or not there is a LAN abnormality sign, and the received reception data count (reception data counting unit 22-1 It is determined whether or not the counter value to be held is equal to or greater than a first predetermined value.

  If the read received data count is equal to or greater than the first predetermined value (step S22; Yes), the comparison unit 23-1 determines that there is a sign of abnormality related to LAN communication. In this case, the notification unit 24-1 executes “notification processing (step S25)”, and transmits a reception data number abnormality notification NF, which is a notification that there is a sign of LAN abnormality, to the LAN switching mechanism 3. In addition, the reception data counting unit 22-1 executes “reception data number initialization processing (step S26)”, and initializes the number of reception data counted within a predetermined count execution period.

  On the other hand, as a result of the comparison by the comparison process (step S22), if the number of received data is smaller than the first predetermined value, the comparison unit 23-1 determines that there is no sign of LAN abnormality (step S22; No). In this case, the reception data counting unit 22-1 executes “reception data number initialization processing (step S23)” and initializes the reception data number counted within a predetermined counting execution period. Subsequently, the data reception unit 21-1 executes “reception interrupt processing (step S24)” and transmits a reception interrupt signal to any of the CPUs 4-1 to 4-n, thereby receiving data. Do.

  The operation of the notification unit 24-1 transmitting the reception data number abnormality notification NF ends based on the determination result of the reception data number by the comparison unit 23-1.

  Next, in the LAN switching mechanism 3, an operation in which the LAN switching control unit 34 controls switching of the LAN cards 2-1 and 2-2 based on the determination result of the CPU load by the load determining unit 33 will be described.

  As shown in FIG. 7, the notification receiving unit 31 of the LAN switching mechanism 3 receives “notification receiving process (step S31)” when the received data number abnormality notification NF is transmitted from the notification unit 24-1 or 24-2. Is received, and the received data count abnormality notification NF is received.

  Subsequently, the load acquisition unit 32 executes “load acquisition processing (step S32)”, and acquires the CPU load in each of the CPUs 4-1 to 4-n from the CPUs 4-1 to 4-n, respectively.

  The load determination unit 33 executes “load determination processing (step S33)” to determine whether or not the CPU load is equal to or greater than a second predetermined value. When it is determined that the value is smaller than the second predetermined value (step S33; No), the “reception interrupt instruction process (step S34)” is executed, and the data reception unit 21-1 is instructed to execute the reception interrupt process. A reception interrupt instruction signal is transmitted. The data receiving unit 21-1 executes a reception interrupt process in response to the reception interrupt instruction signal, transmits a reception interrupt signal to any of the CPUs 4-1 to 4-n, and receives data. As a result, communication by the currently operating LAN card 2-1 or 2-2 is continued.

  On the other hand, when it is determined that the CPU load is greater than or equal to the second predetermined value (step S33; Yes), the LAN switching control unit 34 executes “LAN switching control processing (step S35)” which is “switching control processing”. To do. At this time, the LAN switching control unit 34 disconnects the LAN card 2-1 or 2-2, which has been determined that there is a possibility of a LAN communication abnormality based on the number of received data, from the network NW. The LAN switching control unit 34 displays a “switch notification” indicating that the LAN has been switched so that the CPU 4-1 to 4-n can identify the LAN card newly selected by the “LAN switching control process”. -1 to 4-n.

  Further, the communication state changing unit 35 executes the “communication state changing process (step S36)” in response to the execution of the LAN switching control process by the LAN switching control unit 34. For example, when the LAN switching control unit 34 disconnects the LAN card 2-1, the communication state changing unit 35 sets the communication state signal SS of the LAN card 2-1 to “disconnected”. Then, based on the set communication state signal SS, the communication state changing unit 35 stores “communication state information 250-1” or 25-2 held by the communication state holding unit 25-1. The communication status CS registered in the “status information 250-2” is rewritten.

  Thus, the operation of the LAN switching control unit 34 switching the LAN cards 2-1 and 2-2 based on the CPU load determination result by the load determining unit 33 ends.

  As described above, according to the communication control device 1 of the present invention, when the LAN cards 2-1 and 2-2 detect the possibility of abnormality related to LAN communication from the count result of the number of received data, the LAN switching mechanism 3 determines whether or not the CPU load of the CPUs 4-1 to 4-n that process the received data is equal to or greater than a second predetermined value. When it is determined that the CPU load is equal to or greater than the second predetermined value, the LAN switching control unit 34 performs switching between the LAN cards 2-1 and 2-2.

  Thereby, it is possible to suitably switch the network NW used for communication by the communication control device 1 while suppressing the processing load on the communication control device 1. Even when the LAN card 2-1 or 2-2 determines that the count result of the number of received data is greater than or equal to the first predetermined value, the LAN switching mechanism 3 causes the CPU load to be greater than the second predetermined value. When it is determined that it is small, the LAN cards 2-1 and 2-2 are not switched. This is from the viewpoint that communication with the currently operating LAN card can be continued when there is a margin in the processing capacity of the CPUs 4-1 to 4-n that process the received data.

  Various modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the present invention.

  As shown in FIG. 8, when the communication control device 1 is provided with a storage unit 5 and the LAN switching mechanism 3 receives a reception data number abnormality notification NF, the capacity of the data currently stored in the storage unit 5 Whether or not the LAN cards 2-1 and 2-2 can be switched may be determined based on (hereinafter referred to as “memory usage”). Here, the storage unit 5 is a work area for each of the CPUs 4-1 to 4-n when the CPUs 4-1 to 4-n process data received by the LAN cards 2-1 and 2-2. It functions as a work memory. In this configuration, the load acquisition unit 32 acquires the memory usage of the storage unit 5 instead of the CPU load, and the load determination unit 33 determines whether or not the memory usage is equal to or greater than the “third predetermined value”. Is determined. Then, as a result of the determination, when it is determined that the memory usage is equal to or greater than the “third predetermined value”, the LAN switching control unit 34 may perform switching of the LAN card.

  Even if the memory usage greatly affects the processing speed of the entire communication control device 1 by switching the LAN card for performing communication based on the memory usage, the data to be processed by the communication control device 1 is transmitted. It is possible to suitably perform switching of the network NW.

  In the configuration shown in FIG. 8, the storage unit 5 may store “communication state information 51” shown in FIG. The “communication state information 51” includes the communication module IF (in this example, the LAN cards 2-1 and 2-2) and the communication state CS (“operating” or “disconnected”) in each communication module IF. Associate. In the example of FIG. 9, the LAN card 2-1 is in an “operating” state in which a communication operation is being performed, and the LAN 2-2 is in an “disconnecting” state in which the communication operation is stopped. The LAN cards 2-1 and 2-2 refer to the communication state information 51 stored in the storage unit 5 and execute a communication operation.

  In addition, the communication module of the communication control device according to the present invention notifies the communication switching mechanism that there is a possibility of abnormality in communication when the comparison unit determines that the number of received data is equal to or greater than the first predetermined value. The load determination unit may compare the processing load with the second predetermined value when receiving a notification from the notification unit.

  In addition, the communication switching mechanism of the communication control device of the present invention includes a load acquisition unit that acquires a processing load from the control unit when the comparison unit determines that the number of received data is equal to or greater than the first predetermined value. May be.

  In addition, the comparison unit of the communication control device according to the present invention uses the number of received data counted by the received data counting unit in a predetermined period and whether or not a large amount of data is transmitted from the network to the communication module. You may compare with the 1st predetermined value defined in the reference value for discriminating based on.

  The load determination unit of the communication control device of the present invention includes a processing load and a second predetermined value set as a reference value for determining whether or not the control unit can process data received by the communication module. May be compared.

  In addition, the communication switching mechanism of the communication control device of the present invention has a communication state changing unit that changes a communication state signal indicating the communication state of the communication module in response to the switching control unit switching the communication module. The communication module may execute a communication operation corresponding to the communication state indicated by the communication state signal changed by the communication state changing unit.

  Further, the communication module of the communication control device of the present invention has a communication state holding unit that holds communication state information in which the communication state indicated by the communication state signal changed by the communication state changing unit related to the communication module is registered, A communication operation corresponding to the communication state registered in the communication state information held by the communication state holding unit may be executed.

  The communication control device of the present invention includes a storage unit including a work area used when the control unit processes data received by the communication module selected by the communication switching mechanism, and the load determination unit includes: When the comparison unit determines that the number of received data is greater than or equal to the first predetermined value, the storage unit compares the amount of data currently stored in the storage unit with the third predetermined value, When the load determining unit determines that the memory usage is greater than or equal to the third predetermined value, the switching control unit selects a communication module to be selected from the currently selected communication module other than the currently selected communication module. You may switch to a module.

  Further, the communication control method of the present invention informs the communication switching mechanism that there is a possibility of an abnormality related to communication when the communication module determines that the number of received data is equal to or greater than the first predetermined value in the comparison process. In the load determination process, when a notification by the notification process is received, the processing load may be compared with the second predetermined value.

  Further, the communication control method of the present invention includes a load acquisition process for acquiring a processing load from the control unit when the communication switching mechanism determines that the number of received data is equal to or greater than the first predetermined value in the comparison process. You may have.

  In the comparison process of the communication control method according to the present invention, the number of received data counted in a predetermined period in the received data counting process and whether or not a large amount of data has been transmitted from the network to the communication module. You may compare with the 1st predetermined value defined in the reference value for discriminating based on.

  In the load determination process of the communication control method of the present invention, the processing load and the second predetermined value set as the reference value for determining whether the control unit can process the data received by the communication module, May be compared.

  The communication control method of the present invention includes a communication state change process in which the communication switching mechanism changes a communication state signal indicating the communication state of the communication module in response to the communication module being switched by the switching control process. The communication module may execute a communication operation corresponding to the communication state indicated by the communication state signal changed in the communication state change process.

  In addition, the communication control method of the present invention includes a communication state holding process in which the communication module holds communication state information in which the communication state indicated by the communication state signal changed in the communication state change process related to the communication module is registered. Then, the communication module may execute a communication operation corresponding to the communication state registered in the communication state information held in the communication state holding process.

  The communication control method of the present invention includes a storage unit including a work area used when the communication control device processes data received by the communication module selected by the communication switching mechanism. In the load determination process, when it is determined in the comparison process that the number of received data is greater than or equal to the first predetermined value, the memory usage amount that is the capacity of the data currently stored in the storage unit and the third In the switching control process, when it is determined in the load determination process that the memory usage is greater than or equal to the third predetermined value, the communication module to be selected is selected from the currently selected communication module. You may switch to communication modules other than the communication module currently selected.

It is a figure which shows the structure of the communication control apparatus according to embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the structure of the LAN card shown in FIG. It is a figure which shows an example of the data structure of the communication status information shown in FIG. It is a figure which shows the structure of the LAN switching mechanism shown in FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing an operation of a data receiving unit selectively receiving data in a LAN card. It is a flowchart which shows the operation | movement which a notification part transmits LAN abnormality notification based on the determination result of the number of received data. It is a flowchart which shows the operation | movement which a LAN switching control part controls switching of a LAN card based on the determination result of CPU load. It is a figure which shows the structure of the communication control apparatus in the modification of embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows an example of the data structure of the communication status information in the modification of embodiment of this invention.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Communication control apparatus 2-1, 2-2 LAN card 3 LAN switching mechanism 4-1 to 4-n CPU
5 Storage Unit 21-1 Data Receiving Unit 22-1 Received Data Counting Unit 23-1 Comparison Unit 24-1 Notification Unit 25-1 Communication Status Holding Unit 250-1 Communication Status Information 31 Notification Receiving Unit 32 Load Acquisition Unit 33 Load Discrimination Unit 34 LAN switching control unit 35 communication state changing unit

Claims (16)

A plurality of communication modules respectively connected to a plurality of networks, a communication switching mechanism for selecting one communication module among the plurality of communication modules, and a plurality of control units for processing data received by the selected communication module In a communication control device having
The communication module includes:
A received data counting unit that counts the number of received data, which is the number of data received by the communication module, in a predetermined period;
A comparison unit that compares the number of received data counted by the reception data counting unit in the predetermined period with a first predetermined value;
The communication switching mechanism is
When the comparison unit determines that the number of received data is greater than or equal to the first predetermined value, the processing load indicating the size of the communication process being executed by the control unit is compared with a second predetermined value. A load discriminating unit,
When the load determination unit determines that the processing load is equal to or greater than the second predetermined value, the communication module to be selected is changed from the currently selected communication module to a communication module other than the currently selected communication module. A communication control device comprising a switching control unit for switching. The communication module includes:
A notification unit for notifying the communication switching mechanism that there is a possibility of abnormality in communication when the comparison unit determines that the number of received data is equal to or greater than the first predetermined value;
The communication control apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the load determination unit compares the processing load with the second predetermined value when receiving a notification from the notification unit. The communication switching mechanism is
The load acquisition unit that acquires the processing load from the control unit when the comparison unit determines that the number of received data is greater than or equal to the first predetermined value. 2. The communication control device according to 2.   The comparison unit determines, based on the number of received data counted by the received data counting unit in the predetermined period, and whether or not a large amount of data is transmitted from the network to the communication module based on the number of received data. The communication control device according to claim 1, wherein the communication control device compares the first predetermined value set as a reference value for the determination.   The load determination unit compares the processing load with the second predetermined value set as a reference value for determining whether the control unit can process the data received by the communication module. The communication control device according to claim 1. The communication switching mechanism is
A communication state changing unit that changes a communication state signal indicating a communication state of the communication module in response to the communication module being switched by the switching control unit;
The communication control apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the communication module executes a communication operation corresponding to a communication state indicated by a communication state signal changed by the communication state changing unit. The communication module includes:
A communication state holding unit that holds communication state information in which the communication state indicated by the communication state signal changed by the communication state change unit related to the communication module is registered;
The communication control apparatus according to claim 6, wherein a communication operation corresponding to a communication state registered in communication state information held by the communication state holding unit is executed. A storage unit including a work area used when the control unit processes data received by the communication module selected by the communication switching mechanism;
When the comparison unit determines that the number of received data is greater than or equal to the first predetermined value, the load determination unit determines a memory usage amount that is a capacity of data currently stored in the storage unit and a third Compared with the predetermined value of
When the load determining unit determines that the memory usage is equal to or greater than the third predetermined value, the switching control unit selects a communication module to be selected from the currently selected communication module. The communication control device according to claim 1, wherein the communication control device is switched to a communication module other than the communication module. A plurality of communication modules respectively connected to a plurality of networks, a communication switching mechanism for selecting one communication module among the plurality of communication modules, and a plurality of control units for processing data received by the selected communication module A communication control method in a communication control device comprising:
A reception data counting process in which the communication module counts the number of received data, which is the number of data received by the communication module, in a predetermined period;
A comparison process in which the communication module compares the number of received data counted in the predetermined period in the received data counting process with a first predetermined value;
When the communication switching mechanism determines in the comparison process that the number of received data is equal to or greater than the first predetermined value, a processing load indicating a size of the communication process being executed by the control unit and a second Load determination processing for comparing with a predetermined value of
When the communication switching mechanism determines that the processing load is equal to or greater than the second predetermined value in the load determination process, the communication module to be selected is selected from the currently selected communication module. A communication control method comprising switching control processing for switching to a communication module other than the module. A notification process for notifying the communication switching mechanism that there is a possibility of an abnormality in communication when the communication module determines that the number of received data is greater than or equal to the first predetermined value in the comparison process; Have
The communication control method according to claim 9, wherein, in the load determination process, when the notification by the notification process is received, the processing load is compared with the second predetermined value.   A load acquisition process for acquiring the processing load from the control unit when the communication switching mechanism determines that the number of received data is equal to or greater than the first predetermined value in the comparison process; The communication control method according to claim 9 or 10.   In the comparison process, a determination is made based on the number of received data counted in the predetermined period in the received data counting process and whether or not a large amount of data has been transmitted from the network to the communication module. The communication control method according to claim 9, wherein the first predetermined value determined as a reference value for comparing is compared with the first predetermined value.   In the load determination process, the processing load is compared with the second predetermined value set as a reference value for determining whether the control unit can process the data received by the communication module. The communication control method according to claim 9. The communication switching mechanism includes a communication state change process for changing a communication state signal indicating a communication state of the communication module in response to the communication module being switched by the switching control process.
The communication control method according to claim 9, wherein the communication module executes a communication operation corresponding to a communication state indicated by a communication state signal changed in the communication state change process. The communication module has a communication state holding process for holding communication state information in which the communication state indicated by the communication state signal changed in the communication state change process related to the communication module is registered,
The communication control method according to claim 14, wherein the communication module executes a communication operation corresponding to a communication state registered in the communication state information held in the communication state holding process. In the case where the communication control device includes a storage unit including a work area used when the control unit processes data received by the communication module selected by the communication switching mechanism.
In the load determination process, when it is determined in the comparison process that the number of received data is greater than or equal to the first predetermined value, a memory usage amount that is a capacity of data currently stored in the storage unit and a third Compared with the predetermined value of
In the switching control process, when the load determination process determines that the memory usage is equal to or greater than the third predetermined value, the communication module to be selected is selected from the currently selected communication module. The communication control method according to claim 9, wherein the communication module is switched to a communication module other than the communication module.

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