JP7722592B2 - Management server, management method, and management program - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a management server, a management method, and a management program for managing each communication device that accommodates user communications.

Conventionally, there is technology that optimizes the resources of each communication device by grouping multiple communication devices within a network and setting the communication device and LAG (or physical port) used for communication by a new user based on the amount of free resources of each communication device within the group.

In addition, there is technology in which the management server temporarily redirects a user's communications to another communication device within the same group in order to continue user communications when a communication device within the group fails, or to perform maintenance work such as software updates on communication devices within the group.

International Publication No. 2021/044604

There is a need to control the communication device to which a user's communications are redirected within a group. For example, in preparation for a major disaster, communication devices within the same group may be located in different buildings. In such cases, conventional technology selects the communication device to which a user's communications are redirected based on the amount of available resources of the communication devices within the same group, so it is not possible to redirect a user's communications to a communication device in a different building, for example. In other words, conventional technology has the problem of being unable to flexibly control the communication device to which a user's communications are redirected.

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the present invention is characterized by comprising: a memory unit that stores, for each group of communication devices, communication device information indicating identification information of communication devices belonging to the group; and accommodation rule information that indicates, for each group, accommodation rules that indicate rules for redirecting user communications between communication devices within the group, along with the priority for applying the accommodation rules; a reception unit that accepts input of identification information of the communication device that is the target of the redirection; a re-accommodation destination selection unit that applies the accommodation rules of the group to which the communication device that is the target of the redirection belongs, in order of highest priority, to select, from the communication devices that belong to the group, a communication device that will be the re-accommodation destination for the user's communications in the redirection; and a re-accommodation execution unit that changes the accommodation destination of the user's communications to the selected communication device.

According to the present invention, it is possible to flexibly control the communication device to which a user's communications are redirected.

FIG. 1 is a diagram for explaining an overview of the management server. FIG. 2 illustrates an example of the configuration of the management server. FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of device information in the communication device information. FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a processing procedure of the management server. FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of a computer that executes a management program.

Hereinafter, a form (embodiment) for implementing the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. The present invention is not limited to this embodiment.

[overview]
An overview of the management server 10 will be described using Fig. 1. The management server 10 manages a group of communication devices 100. Each communication device 100 controls communication of a user accommodated by that communication device 100.

For example, when the management server 10 receives from a higher-level system an order for a service desired by a user and a request for a group of communication devices 100 that the user wishes to join when using the service, the management server 10 assigns the user's communications to one of the communication devices 100 belonging to the group. The management server 10 then redirects the user's communications, as necessary, to a communication device 100 in the group. For example, when the management server 10 detects a failure in a communication device 100 in the group, the management server 10 assigns (redirects) the user's communications assigned to that communication device 100 to another communication device 100 in the group.

Here, the management server 10 refers to the information of the communication devices 100 belonging to each group (see reference numeral 101) and the rules regarding the reaccommodation of user communications for each group (accommodation rules; see reference numeral 102) to reaccommodate the user's communications.

Accommodation rules are set for each group of communication devices 100, as indicated by the reference numeral 102, and a priority is set for each accommodation rule when applying that accommodation rule. When the management server 10, for example, performs reaccommodation of communications of a user within a group, it applies the accommodation rules of that group in order of highest priority (for example, first priority key and accommodation rule → second priority key and accommodation rule) and selects the communication device 100 to which the user's communications will be reaccommodated. These accommodation rules are set by an administrator of the management server 10, etc.

For example, consider a case where the management server 10 detects a failure in communication device 100 #3 in communication device group #1 shown in Figure 1 and redirects user d's communications. In this case, the management server 10 applies the first priority key and first priority accommodation rule for communication device group #1 and redirects user d's communications to communication device 100 #5, which is a newer communication device 100.

Then, for example, consider a case where a failure occurs in communication device 100 #1. In this case, the management server 10 also applies the first priority key and first priority accommodation rule for communication device group #1, and selects communication device 100 #5, a new type of communication device 100, as the destination for accommodating user A's communications.

Here, if the management server 10 redirects user d's communications to communication device 100 #5, it may not be able to apply the first priority key and first priority accommodation rule, for example, because communication device 100 #5 does not have enough free resources. In such a case, the management server 10 applies the second priority key and second priority accommodation rule for communication device group #1. Then, based on the above-mentioned second priority key and second priority accommodation rule, the management server 10 selects communication device 100 #2, which is paired with communication device 100 #1 that is accommodating user a's communications, as the destination to redirect user a's communications.

In addition, if the management server 10 determines that reaccommodation is not possible regardless of which priority key and accommodation rule is applied to communication device group #1, the reaccommodation will be performed, for example, to the communication device 100 with the most available resources within communication device group #1.

In this way, the management server 10 redirects user communications based on the accommodation rules and priority of the accommodation rules set by the network administrator for each group of communication devices 100. This allows for flexible control of the communication device 100 to which the user's communications are redirected.

[Configuration example]
An example of the configuration of the management server 10 will be described with reference to Fig. 2. The management server 10 includes, for example, a communication unit 11, an input/output unit 12, a storage unit 13, and a control unit 14.

The communication unit 11 is realized using a NIC (Network Interface Card) or the like, and controls communication with external devices such as the communication device 100 via a network.

The input/output unit 12 is an interface that handles the input and output of various data. For example, the input/output unit 12 accepts input of information that serves as the basis for the accommodation rule information (information indicating the accommodation rules for each communication device group) in the memory unit 13.

The memory unit 13 is realized by a semiconductor memory element such as RAM (Random Access Memory) or flash memory, or a storage device such as a hard disk or optical disk. The memory unit 13 stores data and programs referenced by the control unit 14 when performing various processes. For example, the memory unit 13 stores communication device information and accommodation rule information.

Communication device information is information that indicates, for each group of communication devices 100, the identification information of the communication devices 100 belonging to that group, the free resources of each communication device 100, and the identification information of the communications of users accommodated by each communication device 100.

This communication device information is composed of, for example, (1) group information (see reference numeral 101 in Figure 1) indicating the identification information of the communication devices 100 belonging to each group of communication devices 100, and (2) device information indicating the available resources of each communication device 100, the identification information of the communications of users accommodated by each communication device 100, etc.

The above device information is, for example, as shown in Figure 3, information indicating the ID of the communication device 100 (communication device ID), the physical port equipped on the communication device 100, the virtual IF (interface) assigned to the physical port, the user communications accommodated by the virtual IF (accommodated users), the model name of the communication device 100, the installation location, available resources, the upper limit of the user communications that can be accommodated on the communication device 100, whether the user communications can be switched back to the communication device 100, etc.

Returning to the explanation of Figure 2, the accommodation rule information is information that indicates the accommodation rules for each group of communication devices 100 along with the priority of the accommodation rules.

Accommodation rule information is, for example, as shown by reference numeral 102 in Figure 1, information that indicates, for each group of communication devices 100 (communication device group), the accommodation rule (key + rule) used when reaccommodating the communication devices 100 in that group, along with the priority used when applying the accommodation rule.

For example, in the accommodation rule information shown by reference numeral 102 in Figure 1, the first priority key and first priority rule are the accommodation rule with the highest priority, and the second priority key and second priority rule are the accommodation rule with the next highest priority.

For example, when the control unit 14 re-accommodates communications of a user of communication device group #1, it first evaluates the first priority key and first priority accommodation rule for communication device group #1. If the control unit 14 evaluates the first priority key and first priority rule (accommodation rule with priority = 1) and determines that they cannot be applied, it evaluates the second priority key and second priority rule (accommodation rule with priority = 2).

For example, the accommodation rule for priority = 1 for communication device group #1, shown as reference numeral 102 in Figure 1, is a rule that selects a newer (e.g., newest) communication device 100 from the communication devices 100 in the group as the communication device 100 to which the user's communications accommodated by communication devices 100 #1, #2, #3, and #4 will be transferred.

Then, if the control unit 14 evaluates the above rules and determines that the rules can be applied, it selects a new communication device 100 as the replacement destination based on the rules. On the other hand, if the control unit 14 determines that the above rules cannot be applied, it evaluates the accommodation rule with priority = 2 for communication device group #1.

The accommodation rule for priority = 2 for communication device group #1, shown as reference numeral 102 in Figure 1, is a rule that when one of the communication devices 100 constituting a pair becomes the target for reaccommodating a user's communication, the other communication device 100 constituting the pair is selected as the communication device 100 to which the user's communication will be reaccommodated.

For example, the accommodation rule for priority 2 for serial number 1 pairs communication device 100 #1 and communication device 100 #2, and if communication by a user of either communication device 100 #1 or communication device 100 #2 becomes subject to reaccommodation, the other communication device 100 in the pair is selected as the reaccommodation destination. Then, if the control unit 14 evaluates the above rule and determines that the rule can be applied, it selects the paired communication device 100 as the reaccommodation destination based on the rule.

Furthermore, the accommodation rule may be set to rules other than those described above. For example, the accommodation rule may be set to select, among the communication devices 100 in the group, a communication device 100 that is installed in a different location from the communication device 100 that is the target of the reaccommodation, as the communication device 100 to which the user's communication will be reaccommodated.

In addition, various rules may be set for the accommodation rules, using, for example, the identification information of the communication device 100, the physical port of the communication device 100, the model name of the communication device 100, the installation location of the communication device 100, etc. as accommodation relocation parameters.

The control unit 14 is responsible for the overall control of the management server 10. The control unit 14, for example, realizes the functions of the accommodation rule setting unit 141, information setting unit 142, information update unit 143, reception unit 144, reaccommodation destination selection unit 145, and reaccommodation execution unit 146 by having the CPU (Central Processing Unit) execute programs stored in the memory unit 13.

The accommodation rule setting unit 141 sets accommodation rules in the accommodation rule information (see reference numeral 102 in Figure 1). For example, the accommodation rule setting unit 141 sets accommodation rules input by an administrator or the like via the input/output unit 12 in the accommodation rule information.

The information setting unit 142 sets information about each communication device 100 in the communication device information (see reference numeral 102 in Figure 1 and Figure 3). For example, the information setting unit 142 sets information about each communication device 100 input by an administrator or the like via the input/output unit 12 in the communication device information.

The information update unit 143 updates the device information in the communication device information. For example, when the accommodation relocation execution unit 146 performs accommodation of a user's communication, the information update unit 143 updates information such as information about the accommodated users of each communication device 100 and available resources in the device information (see Figure 3).

Furthermore, when the information update unit 143 acquires information from an external device or the like that a communication device 100 in the group is undergoing maintenance, construction, or out of order, the information update unit 143 reflects the information in the device information (see Figure 3) for that communication device 100. For example, the information update unit 143 changes the device information (see Figure 3) to indicate that the user's communication cannot be switched back to that communication device 100.

The reception unit 144 receives input of identification information of the communication device 100 that is to be relocated. For example, when the reception unit 144 acquires information that one of the communication devices 100 is undergoing maintenance, construction, or out of order, it receives the identification information of that communication device 100 as the communication device 100 that is to be relocated.

When the receiving unit 144 receives input of identification information of the communication device 100 to be relocated, the relocation destination selection unit 145 selects a relocation destination communication device 100 from the communication devices 100 in the group to which the communication device 100 belongs.

The relocation destination selection unit 145 selects the relocation destination communication device 100, for example, by applying the accommodation rules of the group to be relocated, as indicated in the accommodation rule information, in order of highest priority.

When the relocation destination selection unit 145 selects a communication device 100 to which the user's communications will be relocated based on the accommodation rules, it refers to the device information (see Figure 3) and checks whether the relocation destination communication device 100 actually exists, whether the relocation destination communication device 100 has the model name indicated in the accommodation rules, etc.

Furthermore, the reaccommodation destination selection unit 145, when reaccommodating a user's communications to a reaccommodation destination communication device 100 based on the accommodation rules, determines by referring to the device information (see Figure 3) whether the number of user communications that can be accommodated by the communication device 100 does not exceed the upper limit of the user communications that can be accommodated assigned to the communication device 100. Then, if the reaccommodation destination selection unit 145 determines that the reaccommodation destination communication device 100 does not exceed the upper limit of the user communications that can be accommodated, it selects the communication device 100 as the reaccommodation destination.

In addition, after the user's communication has been redirected, the management server 10 may, at the instruction of an administrator or other person, return (switch back) the user's communication to the original communication device 100.

In such cases, the relocation destination selection unit 145 may refer to the device information (see Figure 3) to check whether the communication device 100 is in a state where it cannot be switched back due to maintenance, construction, etc. The relocation destination selection unit 145 may also refer to the device information (see Figure 3) to check whether the user's communications or the communication device 100 accommodating the user's communications is in a state where it cannot be switched back due to settings by an administrator, etc.

Furthermore, if the reaccommodation destination selection unit 145 is unable to select a reaccommodation destination communication device 100 even after applying all of the accommodation rules of the group to be reaccommodated in order from the accommodation rule with the highest priority, it may refer to the device information (see Figure 3) and select the communication device 100 with the most free resources among the communication devices 100 in the group as the reaccommodation destination communication device 100. Furthermore, the reaccommodation destination selection unit 145 may decide to cancel the reaccommodation.

The reaccommodation execution unit 146 reaccommodates the user's communications to the communication device 100 selected by the reaccommodation destination selection unit 145. After the reaccommodation execution unit 146 has reaccommodated the user's communications, the information update unit 143 reflects the reaccommodation in the device information (see Figure 3).

[Processing Procedure]
Next, an example of the processing procedure of the management server 10 will be described with reference to Fig. 4. First, the reception unit 144 of the management server 10 receives input of identification information of the communication device 100 that is the target of reaccommodation (S1).

Next, the reaccommodation destination selection unit 145 refers to the group information in the communication device information to identify the group to which the communication device 100 to be reaccommodated belongs.The reaccommodation destination selection unit 145 then selects the accommodation rules of the group to which the communication device 100 belongs, as indicated in the accommodation rule information, in descending order of priority (S2).

Then, if the reaccommodation destination selection unit 145 is able to select a communication device 100 to which the user's communications will be reaccommodated based on the accommodation rule selected in S2 (Yes in S3), the reaccommodation execution unit 146 reaccommodates the user's communications to the communication device 100 selected by the reaccommodation destination selection unit 145 (S7).

Then, the information update unit 143 reflects the redirection of the user's communications in the device information (see Figure 3) (S8: Update device information). For example, if user A's communications are redirected from communication device 100 #1 to communication device 100 #2, the information update unit 143 changes the redirection destination of user A's communications in the device information from communication device 100 #1 to communication device 100 #2.

On the other hand, if the reaccommodation destination selection unit 145 is unable to select a communication device 100 to which the user's communications should be reaccommodated based on the accommodation rule selected in S2 (No in S3), but is able to select a communication device 100 to which the user's communications should be reaccommodated based on an accommodation rule with the next highest priority (Yes in S4), the reaccommodation execution unit 146 reaccommodates the user's communications to the communication device 100 selected by the reaccommodation destination selection unit 145 (S7). Then, proceed to S8.

Also, in S4, if the reaccommodation destination selection unit 145 is unable to select a reaccommodation destination communication device 100 (No in S4) and accommodation rules for all priorities have been selected (Yes in S5), proceed to S6. Then, the reaccommodation destination selection unit 145 references the device information (see Figure 3) and selects the communication device 100 with the most available resources among the communication devices 100 in the group (S6). Then, the reaccommodation execution unit 146 reaccommodates the user's communications to the communication device 100 selected by the reaccommodation destination selection unit 145 (S7). Then, proceed to S8.

On the other hand, in S5, if the re-accommodation destination selection unit 145 finds that there is an accommodation rule of a priority that has not yet been selected among the accommodation rules of the communication device group (No in S5), it returns to S4.

By performing the above processing, the management server 10 can select a communication device 100 to which the user's communications will be redirected based on the accommodation rules set by the network administrator.

[System configuration, etc.]
Furthermore, the components of each unit shown in the figure are conceptual functional units and do not necessarily have to be physically configured as shown. In other words, the specific form of distribution and integration of each device is not limited to that shown in the figure, and all or part of them can be functionally or physically distributed and integrated in any unit depending on various loads, usage conditions, etc. Furthermore, all or any part of the processing functions performed by each device can be realized by a CPU and a program executed by the CPU, or can be realized as hardware using wired logic.

Furthermore, among the processes described in the above embodiments, all or part of the processes described as being performed automatically can be performed manually, or all or part of the processes described as being performed manually can be performed automatically using known methods. In addition, the information, including the processing procedures, control procedures, specific names, various data, and parameters shown in the above documents and drawings, can be changed as desired unless otherwise specified.

[program]
The management server 10 can be implemented by installing a program (management program) as package software or online software on a desired computer. For example, by executing the program on an information processing device, the information processing device can function as the management server 10. The information processing device referred to here includes mobile communication terminals such as smartphones, mobile phones, and PHS (Personal Handyphone Systems), as well as terminals such as PDAs (Personal Digital Assistants).

Figure 5 shows an example of a computer that executes a management program. The computer 1000 has, for example, memory 1010 and a CPU 1020. The computer 1000 also has a hard disk drive interface 1030, a disk drive interface 1040, a serial port interface 1050, a video adapter 1060, and a network interface 1070. Each of these components is connected by a bus 1080.

The memory 1010 includes a ROM (Read Only Memory) 1011 and a RAM (Random Access Memory) 1012. The ROM 1011 stores a boot program such as a BIOS (Basic Input Output System). The hard disk drive interface 1030 is connected to a hard disk drive 1090. The disk drive interface 1040 is connected to a disk drive 1100. A removable storage medium such as a magnetic disk or optical disk is inserted into the disk drive 1100. The serial port interface 1050 is connected to a mouse 1110 and a keyboard 1120, for example. The video adapter 1060 is connected to a display 1130, for example.

The hard disk drive 1090 stores, for example, an OS 1091, an application program 1092, a program module 1093, and program data 1094. That is, the programs that define the processes executed by the management server 10 are implemented as program modules 1093 in which computer-executable code is written. The program modules 1093 are stored, for example, on the hard disk drive 1090. For example, a program module 1093 for executing processes similar to the functional configuration of the management server 10 is stored on the hard disk drive 1090. The hard disk drive 1090 may be replaced by an SSD (Solid State Drive).

In addition, data used in the processing of the above-described embodiment is stored as program data 1094, for example, in memory 1010 or hard disk drive 1090. Then, the CPU 1020 reads the program module 1093 or program data 1094 stored in memory 1010 or hard disk drive 1090 into RAM 1012 as needed and executes it.

The program module 1093 and program data 1094 may not necessarily be stored on the hard disk drive 1090, but may also be stored on a removable storage medium, for example, and read by the CPU 1020 via the disk drive 1100, etc. Alternatively, the program module 1093 and program data 1094 may be stored on another computer connected via a network (such as a LAN (Local Area Network), WAN (Wide Area Network)). The program module 1093 and program data 1094 may then be read by the CPU 1020 from the other computer via the network interface 1070.

REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 10 Management server 11 Communication unit 12 Input/output unit 13 Storage unit 14 Control unit 100 Communication device 141 Accommodation rule setting unit 142 Information setting unit 143 Information update unit 144 Reception unit 145 Reaccommodation destination selection unit

Claims (8)

a storage unit that stores, for each group of communication devices, communication device information indicating identification information of communication devices belonging to the group, and accommodation rule information that indicates, for each group, accommodation rules that indicate rules for reaccommodating user communications between communication devices within the group, along with priorities for applying the accommodation rules;
a reception unit that receives input of identification information of a communication device that is a target of relocation;
a re-accommodation destination selection unit that selects a communication device to which the user's communication is to be re-accommodated from among the communication devices belonging to the group by applying accommodation rules of the group to which the re-accommodation target communication device belongs in order of priority, starting with the accommodation rule with the highest priority;
a re-accommodation execution unit that changes the accommodation destination of the user's communication to the selected communication device;
A management server comprising: The accommodation rules are:
The management server according to claim 1, characterized in that it includes a rule that indicates paired communication devices within the same group, and that when one of the paired communication devices becomes the target of a user's communication redirection, the other of the paired communication device is selected as the communication device to which the user's communication is redirected. The communication device information
Further comprising information on the type of each of the communication devices;
The accommodation rules are:
The management server according to claim 1, further comprising a rule that the newest type of communication device among the communication devices of the group to which the communication device to be relocated belongs is selected as the communication device to which the user's communication is to be relocated. The communication device information
Further, information on a location where the communication device is installed is included;
The accommodation rules are:
The management server according to claim 1, characterized in that it includes a rule that a communication device installed at a location other than the location where the communication device to be relocated is installed is selected as the communication device to which the user's communications will be relocated, from among the communication devices of the group to which the communication device to be relocated belongs. The reaccommodation destination selection unit
2. The management server according to claim 1, wherein the management server applies the accommodation rules in order of priority, and if the applied accommodation rule allows selection of a communication device to which the user's communication will be redirected, selects the communication device to which the user's communication will be redirected, and if the applied accommodation rule does not allow selection, applies the accommodation rule with the next highest priority. The reaccommodation destination selection unit
The management server according to claim 1, characterized in that, when it is determined that it is not possible to select a communication device to which the user's communication is to be redirected, regardless of which priority accommodation rule of the group is applied, the management server selects the communication device of the group with the most available resources, or cancels the redirection. a management server including a storage unit that stores, for each group of communication devices, communication device information indicating identification information of communication devices belonging to the group, and accommodation rule information that indicates, for each group, a rule for reaccommodating user communications between communication devices within the group, together with a priority for applying the accommodation rule;
receiving input of identification information of a communication device to be relocated;
a step of selecting a communication device to which the user's communication is to be redirected from among the communication devices belonging to the group by applying accommodation rules of the group to which the communication device to be redirected belongs in order of priority, starting with the accommodation rule with the highest priority;
redirecting the user's communications to the selected communications device;
A management method comprising: a computer including a storage unit that stores, for each group of communication devices, communication device information indicating identification information of communication devices belonging to the group, and accommodation rule information that indicates, for each group, a rule for reaccommodating user communications between communication devices within the group, together with a priority for applying the accommodation rule;
receiving input of identification information of a communication device to be relocated;
a step of selecting a communication device to which the user's communication is to be redirected from among the communication devices belonging to the group by applying accommodation rules of the group to which the communication device to be redirected belongs in order of priority, starting with the accommodation rule with the highest priority;
redirecting the user's communications to the selected communications device;
A management program for running the program.