Network system for managing QoS

A network system, comprising:

• at least one terminal which sends and receives at least one of audio data and video data as a data flow;
• at least one network device which transfers the data flow sent and received by the terminals while guaranteeing QoS of the data flow;
• and
• a management device which manages QoS guarantee control that is executed by the network devices,
• wherein the management device has a control unit and a storage unit, wherein the control unit is configured to:
• determine, for each data flow that is to be guaranteed of QoS, flow identification information which is an identifier of the data flow;
• create, for each of a connection path between adjacent two of the network devices or for each of a connection path between one of the network devices and one of the terminals that is adjacent to the network device, QoS control information for controlling the QoS guarantee that is executed by the network devices, the QoS control information containing the flow identification information;
• set the created QoS control information in the network devices;
• install, to each terminal, an agent which has a function of attaching the data flow identification information to a data flow that is sent by the terminal;
• and
• set the determined flow identification information in the terminals,
• wherein the terminals attach the flow identification information to corresponding data flows and send the data flows, and
• wherein the network devices attach the flow identification information to corresponding data flows and transfer received data flows.

A network system, comprising:

• at least one terminal which sends and receives at least one of audio data and video data as a data flow;
• at least one network device which transfers the data flow sent and received by the terminals while guaranteeing QoS of the data flow;
• a management device which manages QoS guarantee control that is executed by the network devices;
• an authentication server which performs authentication before the terminals log into the network;
• and
• an SIP server which establishes communication sessions between the terminals,
• wherein the management device has a control unit and a storage unit, and
• wherein the control unit is configured to:
• obtain the number of terminals contained in the network system and connection relations in the network system when QoS control is about to start in the network system;
• store, in the storage unit, an operation policy entered by an administrator;
• use the number of terminals in the network system, the connection relations, and the operation policy to create, for each of a connection path between adjacent two of the network devices and a connection path between one of the network devices or for each of one of the terminals that is adjacent to the network device, QoS control information for controlling the QoS guarantee that is executed by the network devices;
• and
• set the created QoS control information in the network devices.