Relay equipment and communication system

Relay equipment comprising:

• at least one port, through which packet transfer is executable via a transmission link;
• an information-containing unit containing target-to-be-used information, communication rate information on a packet communication rate, and bandwidth information on a bandwidth of the transmission link, the target-to-be-used information distinguishing said at least one port between a target port for use in the packet transfer and a non-target port for use in the packet transfer;
• a determining unit operable to generate availability information based on both of the communication rate information and the bandwidth information, the availability information distinguishing said at least one port between an usable port for use in the packet transfer and an unusable port for use in the packet transfer, whereby said determining unit determines an available port for use in the packet transfer from said at least one port in accordance with the availability information and the target-to-be-used information;
• and
• a relaying unit operable to execute the packet transfer through said available port.

A communication system comprising:

• relay equipment;
• and
• a management unit operable to communicate a signal to said relay equipment,
• wherein said relay equipment comprises:
• at least one port, through which packet transfer is executable;
• an information-containing unit containing target-to-be-used information and availability information, the target-to-be-used information distinguishing said at least one port between a target port for use in the packet transfer and a non-target port for use in the packet transfer, the availability information distinguishing said at least one port between an usable port for use in the packet transfer and an unusable port for use in the packet transfer;
• a determining unit operable to determine an available port for use in the packet transfer from said at least one port in accordance with the target-to-be-used information and the availability information;
• and
• a relaying unit operable to execute the packet transfer through said available port,
• wherein said management unit includes a distinguishing unit operable to distinguish said at least one port between said usable port for use in the packet transfer and said unusable port for use in the packet transfer, thereby providing a result from distinction made by said distinguishing unit, and to notify said information-containing unit of the result from the distinction.