Patent Publication Number: US-2017366390-A1

Title: Information processing apparatus and information processing system

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     This application is a continuation of International Application No. PCT/JP2015/057040, filed on Mar. 10, 2015, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. 
    
    
     FIELD 
     The embodiment discussed herein is related to an information processing apparatus and an information processing system. 
     BACKGROUND 
     In an evaluation of switch devices in the shipping stage, a test is often performed by variously changing the connections between a plurality of switch devices or by variously changing the types of communication cables that are used for the connections between the switches. Each of the switch devices monitors communication data that is sent and received via a communication port to which the communication cable is connected and holds information, such as a statistical value of the communication data, a value of an error counter, a communication state with another adjacent switch device, and the like. 
     If a failure occurs in a communication system in which the plurality of switch devices are connected, a worker who evaluates the switch devices accesses the respective switch devices by using a management terminal and collects the information held by the switch devices. Then, the worker performs the work of specifying a portion in which a failure occurs or finding out the cause of the failure by using the information collected from each of the switch devices. 
     Furthermore, in some cases, each of the switch devices is provided with a function of detecting the occurrence of a failure when the error rate of the communication data exceeds a predetermined threshold. The information, such as a threshold of the error rate used to detect the occurrence of a failure, may sometimes vary depending on the type of the communication cable connected to the communication port. Consequently, if the type of the communication cables used to connect the switch devices is changed, the worker accesses the switch devices by using the management terminal and changes the information, such as the threshold of the error rate, or the like, in accordance with the type of the communication cables connected to the switch devices. Prior art examples are disclosed in Japanese Laid-open Patent Publication No. 2007-74344, Japanese Laid-open Patent Publication No. 2010-154557, and Japanese Laid-open Patent Publication No. 06-175887. 
     However, if the number of switch devices targeted for the evaluation is increased, the number of switch devices to which the worker accesses by using the management terminal is increased and thus it takes a long time for the work of collecting the information that is used to specify the portion in which the failure occurs or the like. Furthermore, if the number of switch devices targeted for evaluation is increased, the number of switch devices targeted for the change in the setting of the threshold of the error rate or the like is increased in accordance with the change in the type of the communication cables that connect the switch devices. Consequently, there is a problem in that it takes a long time to evaluate the switch devices. 
     SUMMARY 
     According to an aspect of an embodiment, an information processing apparatus includes a communication port, a reading unit, a determination unit, a collecting unit, and a sending unit. The communication port is connected to a communication cable. The reading unit reads, from a first storage unit provided in the communication cable when the communication cable is connected to the communication port, a failure condition table including a condition used for determination of failure occurrence and a collection item table including an item of information collected when the condition is satisfied. The determination unit determines whether a state of communication via the communication cable connected to the communication port satisfies the condition included in the failure condition table read by the reading unit. The collecting unit collects, when the determination unit determines that the state of the communication via the communication cable connected to the communication port satisfies the condition, the information corresponding to the item included in the collection item table read by the reading unit. The sending unit sends the information collected by the collecting unit to a predetermined device. 
     The object and advantages of the invention will be realized and attained by means of the elements and combinations particularly pointed out in the claims. 
     It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory and are not restrictive of the invention, as claimed. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a diagram illustrating an information processing system; 
         FIG. 2  is a block diagram illustrating an example of a communication cable; 
         FIG. 3  is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of a failure condition table stored by a storage unit in the communication cable; 
         FIG. 4  is a diagram illustrating an example of a collection item table stored by the storage unit in the communication cable; 
         FIG. 5  is a block diagram illustrating an example of a switch device; 
         FIG. 6  is a block diagram illustrating an example of the switch device; 
         FIG. 7  is a diagram illustrating an example of a per-port failure condition table stored by a storage unit in the switch device; 
         FIG. 8  is a diagram illustrating an example of a per-port collection item table stored by the storage unit in the switch device; 
         FIG. 9  is a diagram illustrating an example of a collection information table; 
         FIG. 10  is a flowchart illustrating an example of an operation performed by the switch device; 
         FIG. 11  is a flowchart illustrating an example of an operation performed by the switch device; and 
         FIG. 12  is a diagram illustrating an example of a communication device that implements a function of the switch device. 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS 
     Preferred embodiments of the present invention will be explained with reference to accompanying drawings. Furthermore, the present application is not limited to the embodiment described below. Furthermore, the embodiments can be used in any appropriate combination as long as the processes do not conflict with each other. 
     Information Processing System  10   
       FIG. 1  is a diagram illustrating an information processing system  10 . The information processing system  10  includes a plurality of switch devices  30  ( 30 - 1  to  30 - 4 ) and a plurality of communication cables  20  ( 20 - 1  to  20 - 4 ) that connects the switch devices  30 . Furthermore, in a description below, if there is no need to distinguish between the communication cables  20 - 1  to  20 - 4 , the communication cables  20 - 1  to  20 - 4  are generically referred to as the communication cable  20  and, if there is no need to distinguish between the switch devices  30 - 1  to  30 - 4 , the switch devices  30 - 1  to  30 - 4  are generically referred to as the switch device  30 . 
     Each of the switch devices  30  is connected to the other switch devices  30  via the communication cable  20 . The switch device  30  is an example of an information processing apparatus. In the embodiment, each of the switch devices  30  has the function of fabric. Furthermore, the plurality of the switch devices  30  connected with each other via the communication cables  20  is virtually operated as a single switch and relays the communication data sent from a server  12  to the server  12  that is the destination. Furthermore, the information processing system  10  exemplified in  FIG. 1  includes the four switch devices  30  that are connected with each other by the communication cables  20 ; however, the information processing system  10  may also include the four or more switch devices  30  that are connected with each other by the communication cables  20 . 
     If the fabric is constituted by the plurality of the switch devices  30 , one of the switch devices  30  constituting the fabric manages and monitors the other switch devices  30 . Furthermore, the ID number is allocated to each of the switch devices  30  constituting the fabric and each of the switch devices  30  is managed by the ID. In a description below, from among the plurality of the switch devices  30  constituting the fabric, the switch device  30  that manages and monitors the other switch devices  30  is referred to as a management switch, whereas the other switch devices  30  managed by the management switch is referred to as an unmanaged switch. In the information processing system  10  exemplified in  FIG. 1 , for example, the switch device  30 - 1  is a management switch and, for example, the switch devices  30 - 2  to  30 - 4  are unmanaged switches. 
     Here, in an evaluation of the function of the fabric in the production shipping stage of the switch devices  30 , a test is performed by variously changing connections of the plurality of the switch devices  30  or by variously changing the types of communication cables that connect between the switch devices  30 . There are various types of cables that connect between the switch devices  30  depending on the materials or the constitution. If the type of the communication cables differs, the characteristic of the transmission speed, the error rate, or the like differs. 
     Each of the switch devices  30  monitors statistical information, such as the error rate of the communication data that is sent and received via the communication cables. Then, for example, if the error rate of the communication data that is sent and received via the communication cables exceeds the set threshold, the switch device  30  detects a failure of the communication that is performed via the subject communication cable and notifies a predetermined device (for example, the management switch) of the failure occurrence. Because the characteristic of the transmission speed, the error rate, or the like varies depending on the type of the communication cables that connect the switch devices  30 , the threshold that is used to detect the occurrence of a failure is set in the switch devices  30  in accordance with the type of the communication cables to be connected. 
     In the fabric test performed by changing the type of the communication cables that connect the switch devices  30 , every time the type of the communication cables connected to the switch devices  30  is changed, a threshold or the like that is in accordance with the type of the connected communication cables is set in the switch devices  30 . If it is assumed that, every time the type of the communication cables connected to the switch devices  30  is changed, a worker who performs the fabric test sets the threshold or the like that is in accordance with the type of the connected communication cables, the burden placed on the worker is great. 
     In contrast, in the information processing system  10  according to the embodiment, in the storage unit provided in each of the communication cables  20 , a failure condition table including the conditions used for determination of the failure occurrence associated with the type of the communication cables  20  is stored. Then, if the communication cable  20  is connected, the switch device  30  reads the failure condition table from the storage unit in the communication cable  20  and stores the read data in the storage unit in the switch device  30 . 
     The switch device  30  monitors statistical information on, for example, the error rate of the communication data that is sent and received via the communication cable  20 . Then, if the statistical information on the communication data sent and received via the communication cable  20  satisfies the condition stored in the failure condition table, the switch device  30  detects the occurrence of a failure and notifies a predetermined device of the information on the detected failure. Consequently, the information processing system  10  can eliminate the worker&#39;s trouble of setting the condition of the threshold or the like associated with the type of the communication cable  20  in the corresponding switch device  30  every time the type of the communication cable  20  connected to the switch device  30  is changed. 
     Furthermore, in the information processing system  10  according to the embodiment, in the storage unit provided in each of the communication cables  20 , a collection item table including the item of information that is collected if a failure occurs. Then, each of the switch devices  30  reads, if the communication cable  20  is connected, the collection item table from the storage unit in the communication cable  20  and stores the read data in the storage unit in the switch device  30 . 
     Then, if the switch device  30  detects the communication failure based on the statistical information on the error rate or the like of the communication data that is sent and received via the communication cable  20 , the switch device  30  collects the information associated with the item included in the collection item table. Then, the switch device  30  notifies the predetermined device (for example, a management switch) of the collected information together with the information on the detected failure. Consequently, if a communication failure occurs, the information processing system  10  can reduce the burden placed on the worker for collecting the information that is used to find out the portion in which a failure occurs or find out the cause of the failure. 
     Communication Cable  20   
       FIG. 2  is a block diagram illustrating an example of the communication cable  20 . The communication cable  20  includes a cable main body  25  and connectors  21  that are provided at both ends of the cable main body  25 . The cable main body  25  is, for example, a Twinax (2-core coaxial stranded wire) cable. Each of the connectors  21  is provided with storage units  22 . The storage unit  22  is implemented by, for example, a nonvolatile memory, such as an electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), or the like. 
     The storage unit  22  stores therein a failure condition table  220  and a collection item table  221 .  FIG. 3  is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of the failure condition table  220  stored by the storage unit  22  in the communication cable  20 . The failure condition table  220  stores therein a failure condition  2201  in association with a failure item  2200 . The failure item  2200  indicates the item of the information that is used for the determination of the failure occurrence. If it is determined that a failure occurs, the failure condition  2201  indicates the condition satisfied by the information associated with the failure item  2200 . 
     Here, in  FIG. 3 , the “link speed” is the item indicating a transmission speed of communication data sent and received via the communication cable  20 . Furthermore, in  FIG. 3 , the “link state” is the item indicating whether communication with the other communication cable  20  (hereinafter, referred to as an adjacent switch) connected via the communication cable  20  is in the available state. Furthermore, in  FIG. 3 , the “error rate” is the item indicating the rate of error communication data out of the communication data received via the communication cable  20 . 
     Furthermore, in  FIG. 3 , the “information related to an adjacent switch” is the information related to the adjacent switch connected via the communication cable  20  that stores therein the failure condition table  220  illustrated in  FIG. 3 . The information related to the adjacent switch includes, for example, the MAC address or the switch ID of the adjacent switch. The switch device  30  acquires these pieces of information from the adjacent switch via the communication cable  20 . 
     The “unknown” described in the field of the failure condition  2201  indicates the state of a failure to acquire, from the adjacent switch, information on at least one item out of the predetermined items as the information related to the adjacent switch. 
     Furthermore, if the type of the communication cables  20  differs, the characteristic of the maximum transmission speed, the error rate, or the like differs. Furthermore, for example, each of the storage units  22  in the communication cable  20  with the maximum transmission speed of 10 Gbps stores therein, as the failure condition for determining the failure occurrence, the failure condition table  220  including the failure condition, such as the link speed being equal to or less than 1 Gbps, the error rate being equal to or greater than 10 −8 , or the like. Furthermore, each of the storage units  22  in the communication cable  20  with the maximum transmission speed of 40 Gbps stores therein, as the failure condition for determining the failure occurrence, the failure condition table  220  including the failure condition, such as the link speed being equal to or less than 10 Gbps, the error rate being equal to or greater than 10 −7 , or the like. Furthermore, each of the storage units  22  in the communication cable  20  with the maximum transmission speed of 56 Gbps stores therein, as the failure condition for determining the failure occurrence, the failure condition table  220  including the failure condition, such as the link speed being equal to or less than 40 Gbps, the error rate being equal to or greater than 10 −6 , or the like. In this way, each of the storage units  22  in the communication cable  20  stores therein the failure condition table  220  including the failure condition associated with the type of the corresponding communication cable  20 . 
       FIG. 4  is a diagram illustrating an example of the collection item table  221  stored by the storage unit  22  in the communication cable  20 . The collection item table  221  stores therein the items of information collected if one of the failure conditions included in the failure condition table  220  is satisfied. 
     In the collection item table  221  exemplified in  FIG. 4 , the “log” is the information in which the operation status of the switch device  30  is recorded and that includes the record of an event that has occurred in the switch device  30 . Furthermore, the “counter value of the communication port” exemplified in  FIG. 4  is the counter value of the communication port of the switch device  30  to which the communication cable  20  that stores therein the collection item table  221  exemplified in  FIG. 4  is connected. It is assumed that an example of the counter value of the communication port includes, for example, the number of transmission packets, the number of reception packets, the number of error packets, or the like. Furthermore, the “information related to an adjacent switch” exemplified in  FIG. 4  indicates the information that can be acquired, from the adjacent switch, from among the items predetermined as the information related to the adjacent switch. 
     A description will be continued by referring back to  FIG. 2 . Each of the connectors  21  is connected to the communication port of the switch device  30 . The information stored in the storage unit  22  is read by the switch device  30  via a serial interface terminal  23 . The communication data sent and received between the switch devices  30  connected by the communication cable  20  is propagated from the switch devices  30  to the cable main body  25  via communication interface terminals  24  and is transmitted by the cable main body  25 . 
     Switch Device  30   
       FIGS. 5 and 6  are block diagrams each illustrating an example of the switch device  30 .  FIG. 5  illustrates the switch device  30  operating as an unmanaged switch, whereas  FIG. 6  illustrates the switch device  30  operating as a management switch. Each of the switch devices  30  is operated as the unmanaged switch or the management switch. 
     The switch device  30  operating as the unmanaged switch includes, for example, as illustrated in  FIG. 5 , a storage unit  31 , a reading unit  32 , a switching processing unit  33 , a determination unit  34 , a collecting unit  35 , a sending unit  36 , a writing unit  37 , a maintenance port  38 , and a plurality of communication ports  39 . 
     The storage unit  31  stores therein a per-port failure condition table  310 , a per-port collection item table  311 , port information  312 , and a log  313 .  FIG. 7  is a diagram illustrating an example of the per-port failure condition table  310  stored by the storage unit  31  in the switch device  30 . The per-port failure condition table  310  stores therein, for example, as illustrated in  FIG. 7 , a failure condition table  3101  for each of port IDs  3100  that identify each of the communication ports  39 . Each of the failure condition tables  3101  stores therein the same information as that stored in the failure condition table  220  described with reference to, for example,  FIG. 3 . 
       FIG. 8  is a diagram illustrating an example of the per-port collection item table  311  stored by the storage unit  31  in the switch device  30 . The per-port collection item table  311  stores therein, for example, as illustrated in  FIG. 8 , a collection item table  3111  for each of port IDs  3110  that identify each of the communication ports  39 . Each of the collection item tables  3111  stores therein the same information as that stored in the collection item table  221  described with reference to, for example,  FIG. 4 . The information associated with the collection item stored in each of the collection item tables  3111  is stored in the port information  312 , the log  313 , or the like stored in the storage unit  31 . 
     The port information  312  stores therein, for each of the communication ports  39 , the statistical information on the communication data sent and received via the communication port  39 , the information related to the adjacent switch connected via the communication cable  20 , and the like. In the log  313 , the information, such as the operation status of the switch device  30  or the like is recorded. 
     The reading unit  32  monitors whether the communication cable  20  is connected to the communication port  39 . If the communication cable  20  is connected to the communication port  39 , the reading unit  32  specifies, in the per-port failure condition table  310  in the storage unit  31 , the failure condition table  3101  associated with the port ID of the communication port  39  to which the communication cable  20  is connected. Then, the reading unit  32  deletes the data in the specified failure condition table  3101 . Similarly, if the communication cable  20  is connected to the communication port  39 , the reading unit  32  specifies, in the per-port collection item table  311  in the storage unit  31 , the collection item table  3111  associated with the port ID of the communication port  39  to which the communication cable  20  is connected. Then, the reading unit  32  deletes the data in the specified collection item table  3111 . 
     Then, the reading unit  32  reads, from the storage unit  22  in the communication cable  20  via the communication port  39 , the data in the failure condition table  220  and the data in the collection item table  221 . Then, the reading unit  32  stores, in the failure condition table  3101  specified in the per-port failure condition table  310 , the data in the failure condition table  220  read from the storage unit  22  stored in the communication cable  20 . Furthermore, the reading unit  32  stores, in the collection item table  3111  specified in the per-port collection item table  311 , the data in the collection item table  221  read from the storage unit  22  in the communication cable  20 . 
     The switching processing unit  33  performs a process of relaying, in accordance with the information, such as the destination of the communication data, via the communication cable  20  connected to the other communication port  39 , the communication data received from the other switch device  30  via the communication cable  20  connected to the communication port  39 . In the embodiment, the switching processing unit  33  relays, based on the function of the fabric, the communication data in liaison with the other switch device  30 . Furthermore, the switching processing unit  33  records the operation status of the event or the like that has occurred in accordance with the process of relaying the communication data or the like in the log  313  in the storage unit  31 . 
     The determination unit  34  refers, at each timing, regarding each of the communication ports  39  to which the communication cable  20  is connected, the failure condition tables  3101  in the per-port failure condition table  310  and the port information  312 . Then, the determination unit  34  determines whether one of the failure conditions included in the failure condition table  3101  is satisfied. If the determination unit  34  determines that one of the failure conditions included in the failure condition table  3101  is satisfied, the determination unit  34  notifies the collecting unit  35  of the port ID that is used to identify the communication port  39  in which the failure condition is satisfied. In this case, the determination unit  34  may also notify the collecting unit  35  of the failure item associated with the failure condition. 
     If the collecting unit  35  is received, from the determination unit  34 , the port ID of the communication port  39  as a notification, the collecting unit  35  specifies, in the per-port collection item table  311 , the collection item table  3111  associated with the notified port ID. Then, the collecting unit  35  collects, from the port information  312  or the log  313 , the information associated with each of the collection items stored in the specified collection item table  3111 . Then, the collecting unit  35  sends, to the sending unit  36 , the information collected for each collection item together with the port ID of the communication port  39  in which the failure condition is satisfied. 
     If the sending unit  36  receives, from the collecting unit  35 , both the information collected for each collection item and the port ID of the communication port  39  in which the failure condition is satisfied, the sending unit  36  sends, to the predetermined device, the pieces of the received information together with the switch ID that is used to identify the own device. The predetermined device is, for example, a management switch. Furthermore, the sending unit  36  may also send, together with the switch ID that identifies the own device from the communication port  39  that is other than the communication port  39  in which the failure condition is satisfied, both the information collected for each of the collection items and the port ID of the communication port  39  in which the failure condition is satisfied. Consequently, the sending unit  36  can more certainly deliver, to the predetermined device, both the information collected for each of the collection items and the port ID of the communication port  39  in which the failure condition is satisfied. 
     If the writing unit  37  receives the signal indicating the start of writing from a management terminal  11  via the maintenance port  38 , the writing unit  37  determines whether the communication cable  20  is connected to one of the communication ports  39 . If the communication cable  20  is connected to one of the communication ports  39 , the writing unit  37  accesses the storage unit  22  in the communication cable  20  and deletes the failure condition table  220  and the collection item table  221  in the storage unit  22 . 
     Then, when receiving the data on the failure condition table  220  and the collection item table  221  from the management terminal  11  via the maintenance port  38 , the writing unit  37  stores the data in the failure condition table  220  and the collection item table  221  in the storage unit  22  in the communication cable  20 . 
     The switch device  30  operating as the management switch includes, for example, as illustrated in  FIG. 6 , the storage unit  31 , the reading unit  32 , the switching processing unit  33 , the determination unit  34 , the collecting unit  35 , the writing unit  37 , the maintenance port  38 , a plurality of the communication ports  39 , and an output unit  40 . Furthermore, the components illustrated in  FIG. 6  having the same reference numerals as those illustrated in  FIG. 5  have the same configuration or the similar functions as those illustrated in  FIG. 5  except for the following points described below; therefore, descriptions thereof will be omitted. 
     The storage unit  31  stores therein the per-port failure condition table  310 , the per-port collection item table  311 , the port information  312 , the log  313 , and a collection information table  314 .  FIG. 9  is a diagram illustrating an example of the collection information table  314 . In the collection information table  314 , a discrete table  3141  is stored for each of switch IDs  3140  that identify the corresponding switch devices  30 . In each of the discrete tables  3141 , a discrete table  3143  is stored for each of the port IDs  3142  that identify the corresponding communication ports  39 . In each of the discrete tables  3143 , collection information  3145  is stored in association with a collection item  3144 . 
     If the collecting unit  35  receives the port ID of the communication port  39  from the determination unit  34  as a notification, the collecting unit  35  specifies, in the per-port collection item table  311 , the discrete table that is associated with the notified port ID. Then, the collecting unit  35  collects, from the port information  312  or the log  313 , the information associated with each of the items stored in the specified discrete table. Then, the collecting unit  35  refers to the collection information table  314  in the storage unit  31  and specifies the discrete table associated with the switch ID of the own device. Then, the collecting unit  35  refers to the specified discrete table and specifies the discrete table associated with the port ID received from the determination unit  34  as the notification. Then, the collecting unit  35  stores the information collected for each of the collection items in the specified discrete table. 
     Furthermore, the collecting unit  35  receives, together with the switch ID from the other switch device  30  corresponding to the unmanaged switch via the communication cable  20  connected to one of the communication ports  39 , both the information collected for each collection item and the port ID of the communication port  39  in which the failure condition is satisfied. Then, the collecting unit  35  refers to a switching processing unit  3314  in the storage unit  31  and specifies the discrete table associated with the switch ID received from the unmanaged switch. Then, the collecting unit  35  refers to the specified discrete table and specifies the discrete table associated with the port ID received from the unmanaged switch. Then, the collecting unit  35  stores, in the specified discrete table, the information that is collected for each collection item and that is received from the unmanaged switch. 
     If the output unit  40  receives, from the management terminal  11  via the maintenance port  38 , an instruction to output the collection information table  314 , the output unit  40  acquires the collection information table  314  from the storage unit  31 . Then, the output unit  40  outputs the data in the collection information table  314  to the management terminal  11  via the maintenance port  38 . The management terminal  11  outputs the data in the collection information table  314  output from the management switch by displaying on a display. Consequently, if a communication failure occurs, the information processing system  10  can reduce the burden placed on the worker for collecting the information used to find out the portion in which the failure occurs or the cause of the failure. 
     Operation of the Switch Device  30   
       FIG. 10  and  FIG. 11  are flowcharts each illustrating an example of an operation performed by the switch device  30 .  FIG. 10  illustrates an example of the operation of the switch device  30  when the failure condition table  220  and the collection item table  221  are written in the communication cable  20 . For example, if the management terminal  11  is connected to the maintenance port  38  and the signal indicating the start of the writing is received from the management terminal  11 , the switch device  30  starts the operation illustrated in  FIG. 10 . 
     First, the writing unit  37  determines which of the communication ports  39  is used to connect the communication cable  20  (Step S 100 ). If the communication cable  20  is connected to one of the communication ports  39  (Yes at Step S 100 ), the writing unit  37  accesses the storage unit  22  in the communication cable  20  and deletes the failure condition table  220  and the collection item table  221  in the storage unit  22  (Step S 101 ). 
     Then, the writing unit  37  receives the data in the failure condition table  220  and the collection item table  221  from the management terminal  11  via the maintenance port  38  (Step S 102 ). Then, the writing unit  37  writes the received data stored in the failure condition table  220  and the collection item table  221  in the storage unit  22  in the communication cable  20  (Step S 103 ). Then, the switch device  30  ends the operation illustrated in the flowchart. 
       FIG. 11  illustrates an example of the operation of the switch device  30  running at the time of failure determination performed based on the failure condition table  220  and the collection item table  221  stored in the communication cable  20 . Furthermore, the operation illustrated in  FIG. 11  is performed on each of the communication ports  39  by the switch device  30 . 
     First, the reading unit  32  monitors which of the communication ports  39  is used to connect the communication cable  20  (Step S 200 ). If the communication cable  20  is connected to one of the communication ports  39  (Yes at Step S 200 ), the reading unit  32  specifies, in the per-port failure condition table  310 , the failure condition table  3101  associated with the port ID of the communication port  39  to which the communication cable  20  is connected. Then, the reading unit  32  deletes the data in the specified failure condition table  3101  (Step S 201 ). 
     Furthermore, the reading unit  32  specifies, in the per-port collection item table  311  in the storage unit  31 , the collection item table  3111  associated with the port ID of the communication port  39  to which the communication cable  20  is connected. Then, the reading unit  32  deletes the data in the specified collection item table  3111  (Step S 201 ). 
     Then, the reading unit  32  reads, from the storage unit  22  in the communication cable  20  via the communication port  39 , the data stored in the failure condition table  220  and the data stored in the collection item table  221  (Step S 202 ). Then, the reading unit  32  stores, in the failure condition table  3101  specified at Step S 201 , the data stored in the failure condition table  220  read from the storage unit  22  in the communication cable  20  (Step S 203 ). Furthermore, the reading unit  32  stores, in the collection item table  3111  specified at Step S 201 , the data stored in the collection item table  221  read from the storage unit  22  in the communication cable  20  (Step S 203 ). 
     Then, the switching processing unit  33  initializes a communication cable  204  in the storage unit (Step S 204 ). Then, the switching processing unit  33  starts the process of relaying the communication data via the communication port  39  to which the communication cable  20  is connected. 
     Then, the determination unit  34  refers to, regarding the communication port  39  to which the communication cable  20  is connected, the failure condition table  3101  and the port information  312  in the per-port failure condition table  310  for each predetermined timing. Then, the determination unit  34  determines which of the failure conditions included in the failure condition table  3101  is satisfied (Step S 205 ). 
     If the determination unit  34  determines one of the failure conditions included in the failure condition table  3101  is satisfied (Yes at Step S 205 ), the determination unit  34  notifies the collecting unit  35  of the port ID of the communication port  39  in which the failure condition is satisfied. The collecting unit  35  specifies, in the per-port collection item table  311 , the collection item table  3111  associated with the port ID notified by the determination unit  34 . Then, the collecting unit  35  collects, from the port information  312  or the log  313 , the information associated with each of the collection items stored in the specified collection item table  3111  (Step S 206 ). 
     Then, the collecting unit  35  sends the information collected for each of the collection items to the sending unit  36  together with the port ID of the communication port  39  in which the failure condition is satisfied. The sending unit  36  receives, from the collecting unit  35 , both the information collected for each of the collection items and the port ID of the communication port  39  in which the failure condition is satisfied and then sends these pieces of the received information to, for example, the management switch together with the switch ID that identifies the own device (Step S 207 ). Then, the switching processing unit  33  again performs the process indicated at Step S 204 . 
     In contrast, if the determination unit  34  determines none of the failure conditions included in the failure condition table  3101  is satisfied (No at Step S 205 ), the reading unit  32  monitors whether the communication cable  20  is pulled out from the communication port  39  (Step S 208 ). If the communication cable  20  is not pulled out from the communication port  39  (No at Step S 208 ), the determination unit  34  again performs the process indicated at Step S 205 . In contrast, the communication cable  20  is pulled out from the communication port  39  (Yes at Step S 208 ), the reading unit  32  again performs the process indicated at Step S 200 . 
     Effect of the Embodiment 
     The embodiment has been described above. The information processing system  10  according to the embodiment includes the plurality of the switch devices  30  and the plurality of the communication cables  20  that connects between the switch devices  30 . Each of the communication cables  20  has the storage unit  22  that stores therein the failure condition table  220  including the failure condition that is used for determination of failure occurrence and the collection item table including the item of the information collected when the failure condition is satisfied. Each of the switch devices  30  includes the communication port  39 , the reading unit  32 , the determination unit  34 , the collecting unit  35 , and the sending unit  36 . The communication cable  20  is connected to the communication port  39 . The reading unit  32  reads, if the communication cable  20  is connected to the communication port  39 , both the failure condition table  220  and the collection item table  221  from the storage unit  22  provided in the communication cable  20 . The determination unit  34  determines whether the state of the communication via the communication cable  20  connected to the communication port  39  satisfies the failure condition included in the failure condition table  220  that is read by the reading unit  32 . If the determination unit  34  determines that the state of the communication via the communication cable  20  connected to the communication port  39  satisfies the failure condition, the collecting unit  35  collects the information corresponding to the collection item included in the collection item table  221  that is read by the reading unit  32 . The sending unit  36  sends the information collected by the collecting unit  35  to the management switch. Consequently, the information processing system  10  can reduce the burden placed on the worker for the work of collecting the information from each of the switch devices  30  and the work of setting the information into each of the switch devices  30 . 
     Furthermore, in the embodiment described above, the switch device  30  includes, for each of the communication ports  39 , the storage unit  31  that stores therein the failure condition table  3101  and the collection item table  3111 . Then, the reading unit  32  stores, in the failure condition table  3101  in the storage unit  31 , the data in the failure condition table  220  read from the storage unit  22  provided in the communication cable  20  connected to the communication port  39 . Furthermore, the reading unit  32  stores, in the collection item table  3111  in the storage unit  31 , the data in the collection item table  221  read from the storage unit  22  provided in the communication cable  20  connected to the communication port  39 . Furthermore, the determination unit  34  refers to the collection item table  3111  stored in the storage unit  31  and determines whether the state of communication via the communication port  39  satisfies the failure condition. Furthermore, the collecting unit  35  refers to the collection item table  3111  stored in the storage unit  31  and collects the information corresponding to the item included in the collection item table  3111 . Consequently, the condition that is used for the determination of a failure and that is associated with the type of the communication cable  20  connected to the switch device  30  is automatically set in the switch device  30 . Consequently, the information processing system  10  can reduce the burden placed on the worker for the work of setting information in each of the switch devices  30 . Furthermore, if a failure occurs, pieces of information used to specify the cause of the failure are automatically collected from each of the switch devices  30  to the predetermined device. Consequently, if the failure occurs, the information processing system  10  can reduce the burden placed on the worker for the work of collecting the information used to find out the cause of the failure from each of the switch devices  30 . 
     Furthermore, in the embodiment described above, the storage unit  22  stores therein the failure condition table  220  including the failure conditions that are in accordance with the type of the communication cables  20  provided with the storage unit  22 . Consequently, if a test of the switch device  30  is performed by changing various types of the communication cables  20  to be connected to the switch device  30 , it is possible to reduce the burden placed on the worker for setting the failure condition associated with the type of the communication cable  20  in the switch device  30 . 
     Furthermore, in the embodiment described above, the switch device  30  includes the writing unit  37 . The writing unit  37  writes the failure condition table  220  and the collection item table  221  received from the management terminal  11  in the storage unit  22  provided in the communication cable  20  connected to the communication port  39 . Consequently, the worker who tests the switch device  30  can easily manufacture the communication cable  20  in which the failure condition table  220  and the collection item table  221  is stored in the storage unit  22 . 
     Furthermore, in the embodiment described above, the sending unit  36  sends the information collected by the collecting unit  35  to the management switch from the communication port  39  that is different from the communication port  39  determined, by the determination unit  34 , as the state of the communication satisfying the failure condition. Consequently, the sending unit  36  can more certainly deliver the information collected by the collecting unit  35  to the predetermined device, such as the management device, or the like. 
     Hardware 
     The components of each unit illustrated in the drawings described above are not always physically configured as illustrated in the drawings. In other words, the specific shape of a separate or integrated device is not limited to the drawings. Specifically, all or part of the device can be configured by functionally or physically separating or integrating any of the units depending on various kinds of loads or use conditions. 
     Furthermore, all or any part of the various processing functions held by the switch device  30  may also be executed by a central processing unit (CPU) (or a microcomputer, such as a micro processing unit (MPU), a micro controller unit (MCU), or the like). Furthermore, all or any part of the various processing functions may also, of course, be executed by programs analyzed and executed by the CPU (or the microcomputer, such as the MPU, the MCU, or the like) or executed by hardware by wired logic. 
     Various kinds of processes described in the above embodiments can be implemented by programs prepared in advance and executed by a communication device. Accordingly, in the following, a description will be given of an example of the communication device that executes programs having the same function as that described in the embodiment described above.  FIG. 12  is a diagram illustrating an example of a communication device  50  that implements a function of the switch device  30 . 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 12 , the communication device  50  includes a communication interface  51 , a CPU  52 , a random access memory (RAM)  53 , and a read only memory (ROM)  54 . The communication interface  51 , the CPU  52 , the RAM  53 , and the ROM  54  are connected with each other via a bus  55 . 
     The ROM  54  stores therein a control program  540  in advance. The CPU  52  reads the control program  540  from the ROM  54  and loads the control program  540  in the RAM  53 . Similarly to the components illustrated in  FIG. 5 or 6 , the control program  540  may also be appropriately integrated or separated. 
     The CPU  52  reads the control program  540  from the ROM  54 . Then, the CPU  52  loads the control program  540  in the RAM  53  as a control process  530 . Then, the CPU  52  executes, in the embodiment described above, the control process  530  loaded in the RAM  53 . For example, in the embodiment described above, if the switch device  30  functions as an unmanaged device, the CPU  52  executes the same functions as those performed by the reading unit  32 , the switching processing unit  33 , the determination unit  34 , the collecting unit  35 , the sending unit  36 , and the writing unit  37 . For example, in the embodiment described above, if the switch device  30  functions as the management device, the CPU  52  executes the same functions as those performed by the reading unit  32 , the switching processing unit  33 , the determination unit  34 , the collecting unit  35 , the writing unit  37 , and the output unit  40 . Furthermore, in the embodiment described above, by executing the control process  530  loaded in the RAM  53 , the CPU  52  executes the processes illustrated in, for example,  FIGS. 10 and 11 . 
     Furthermore, regarding each of the processing units virtually implemented by the CPU  52 , not all of the processing units are always implemented by the CPU  52  as long as only a processing unit used for a process is virtually implemented. Furthermore, the control program  540  does not need to be stored in the ROM  54  from the beginning. For example, each of the programs may also be stored in a portable recording medium, such as an IC card, inserted in the communication device  50  and the communication device  50  may also acquire each of the programs from the portable recording medium and execute the programs. Furthermore, the communication device  50  may also acquire and execute each of the programs from another computer, a server device, or the like that stores therein each of the programs via a wireless communication line, a public circuit, the Internet, a LAN, a WAN, or the like. 
     Others 
     In the embodiment described above, the per-port collection item table  311  stores therein, for each of the communication ports  39 , the collection item table  3111 ; however, the disclosed technology is not limited to this. For example, if the item of the information collected when a failure occurs does not differ for each of the communication ports  39 , the single collection item table  3111  that is common to the plurality of the communication ports  39  may also be stored in the storage unit  31 . 
     Furthermore, all of the switch devices  30  do not need to have the writing unit  37  as long as, for example, at least the single switch device  30  included in the information processing system  10  includes the writing unit  37 . Furthermore, the switch device  30  that includes the writing unit  37  does not need to have the functions of the storage unit  31 , the reading unit  32 , the switching processing unit  33 , the determination unit  34 , the collecting unit  35 , the sending unit  36 , and the output unit  40 . In this case, the switch device  30  that includes the writing unit  37  may also function as a dedicated device that writes the data stored in the failure condition table  220  and the collection item table  221  into the storage unit  22  in the communication cable  20 . 
     Furthermore, in the embodiment described above, if the determination unit  34  determines that one of the failure conditions included in the failure condition table  3101  is satisfied, the collecting unit  35  collects all of the pieces of information associated with the collection items included in the collection item table  3111 . However, the disclosed technology is not limited to this. For example, a different collection item in the collection item table  3111  may also be associated with each of the failure conditions included in the failure condition table  3101 . Then, if the determination unit  34  determines that one of the failure conditions included in the failure condition table  3101  is satisfied, the collecting unit  35  may also collect the information associated with the collection item associated with the subject failure condition from among the collection items included in the collection item table  3111 . Consequently, it is possible to avoid the information that is not used to analyze a failure that has occurred from being collected. Consequently, it is possible to reduce the amount of data of the collected information and increase the working efficiency of finding out the cause of the failure. 
     According to an aspect of an embodiment of the present application, it is possible to reduce the burden placed on a worker for the work of collecting information from each of the information processing apparatuses and the work of setting the information in each of the information processing apparatuses. 
     All examples and conditional language recited herein are intended for pedagogical purposes of aiding the reader in understanding the invention and the concepts contributed by the inventor to further the art, and are not to be construed as limitations to such specifically recited examples and conditions, nor does the organization of such examples in the specification relate to a showing of the superiority and inferiority of the invention. Although the embodiment of the present invention has been described in detail, it should be understood that the various changes, substitutions, and alterations could be made hereto without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.