Communication system, virtual network management apparatus, virtual network management method and program

A virtual network management apparatus comprising:

• a network configuration memory that stores:
• network configuration information of a first layer in which an area of the first layer whose low level configuration is desired to be concealed is represented by a preset symbol;
• and
• network configuration information of a second layer showing the area represented by the preset symbol;
• a network configuration management section that allows:
• a first user to manage a network of the first layer using the network configuration information of the first layer;
• and
• a second user to manage a network of the second layer using at least the network configuration information of the second layer;
• a mapping information memory that stores a relation of correspondence between a first identifier for identifying a user in the first layer, and a second identifier for identifying a user in the second layer;
• and
• a switch controller that causes a switch on a path of a user packet to write the second identifier in a header of the user packet, based on the first identifier contained in the user packet.

A method for management of a virtual network including a network configuration memory that stores network configuration information of a first layer in which an area of the first layer whose low level configuration is desired to be concealed is represented by a preset symbol, and that also stores network configuration information of a second layer showing the area represented by the preset symbol, the method comprising:

• accepting an operation on a network of the first layer made by a first user with the use of the network configuration information of the first layer;
• accepting an operation on a network of the second layer made by a second user with the use of at least the network configuration information of the second layer;
• storing a relation of correspondence between a first identifier for identifying a user in the first layer, and a second identifier for identifying a user in the second layer;
• and
• causing a switch on a path of a user packet to write the second identifier in a header of the user packet, based on the first identifier contained in the user packet.

A non-transitory computer-readable recording medium storing a program that causes a computer, arranged in a virtual network including a network configuration memory that stores network configuration information of a first layer in which an area of the first layer whose low level configuration is desired to be concealed is represented by a preset symbol, and that also stores network configuration information of a second layer showing the area represented by the preset symbol, to execute a method, the method comprising:

• accepting an operation on a network of the first layer made by a first user with the use of the network configuration information of the first layer;
• accepting an operation on a network of the second layer made by a second user with the use of at least the network configuration information of the second layer;
• storing a relation of correspondence between a first identifier for identifying a user in the first layer, and a second identifier for identifying a user in the second layer;
• and
• causing a switch on a path of a user packet to write the second identifier in a header of the user packet, based on the first identifier contained in the user packet.