DESCRIPXJON COMMUNICATION RELAY APPARATUS, OI'ERATION STATE DETERMINATION METHOD, COMMUNICATION RELAY CONTROL BOARD, AND RECORDING MEDIUM STORING 5 CONTROL PROGRAM Technical Field [OOOl] The p r e s e n t invention r e l a t e s t o a communication r e l a y a p p a r a t u s , 10 an operation statc determination method, a communication r e l a y control board, and a c o n t r o l program. In p a r t i c u l a r , t h e p r e s e n t invention relates to a communication r e l a y apparatus including a plurality o f c o n t r o l boards mounted therein in a redundant manner, an operation state determination method, a communication r e l a y c o n t r o l 15 board, and a recording medium storing a c o n t r o l program. Background A r t [0002] In general, a communication apparatus includes a card (control 20 board) f o r c o n t r o l l i n g t h a t communication apparatus and an interface card f o r t r a n s m i t t i n g data and providing a communication s e r v i c e . Further, e a c h o f these cards is removable. Thercfore, when a certain card becomes fau'lty, that card can be replaced with a brand-new or second-hand c a r d . 25 [0003] In recent years, the need for redundancy of c o n t r o l boards as well as interface cards has been i n c r e a s i n g . T h e r e f o r e , f o r example, when the control board i s made redundant by using two c o n t r o l boards, the comn~unication apparatus operates while o n e o f them servcs as an 30 active system and the o t h e r s e r v e s as a standby system. Note t h a t each control board holds c o n f i g u r a t i o n i n f o r m a t i o n , which i s information on various s e t t i n g s f o r controlling a communication a p p a r a t u s . [0004] 2 Further, when a commullication apparatus in which the control boards have a redundancy is powered on, two c o n t r o l boards s t a r t up simultaneously. In general, when iwo control boards start up simultaneously, t h e c o n t r o l board that will s e r v e a s the a c t i v e system 5 i s determined according to the s l o t numbers t h a t a r e assigned to the slots in which t h e s e boards a r e mounted. Citation List Patent L i t e r a t u r e 10 [0005] I'atent literature 1 : Japanese Unexamined P a t e n t Application Publication No. 2006-261980 Summary of Invention 15 Technical Problem [0006] However, t h e r e is a problem t h a t when t h e communication apparatus is restarted after at least o n e o f t h e redundant c o n t r o l boards is replaced, there is a p o s s i b i l i t y t h a t t h e proper configuration 20 information held by the control board that has not been replaced could be overwritten with t h e configuration information of the replacement c o n t r o l board. [0007] For kxample, there is a case where: after t h e communication 25 apparatus is temporarily powered off, t h e c o n t r o l board mounted in the s l o t having t h e lowest s l o t number (lower number) is replaced; and a f t e r t h a t , t h e communication apparatus is s t a r t e d u p , i . e . , is powered on. In t h i s c a s e , since the control board having the lower number is determined as the active system as described above, t h e c o n t r o l 30 board(s) mounted in the other s l o t ( s ) is synchronized based on the configuration information held by this operating-system c o n t r o l board. When t h e c o n t r o l board is replaced by a brand-new c o n t r o l board, its configuration information has not been defined y e t . As a result, all t h e configuration information in t h e communication apparatus is i n i t i a l i z e d , thus creating a possibility that the con~munication apparatus cannot o p e r a t e . Alternativcly, when t h e c o n t r o l board i s replaced by a second-hand c o n t r o l board, the o r i g i n a l configuration information with which the con~munication apparatus has operated 5 properly i s overwritten with i n c o r r e c t configuration information such as configuration information f o r a d i f f e r e n t a p p a r a t u s . Therefore, there is a p o s s i b i l i t y t h a t t h e communication apparatus may malfunction. [OOOS] 10 Note that although P a t e n t l i t e r a t u r e 1 discloses a t e c h n i q u e relating t o a redundancy switching p r o c e s s , it cannot solve the abovedescribed problem. [0009] The p r e s e n t invention has been made to solve the above problem , 15 and an o b j e c t t h e r e o f is to provide a communication relay apparatus, an operation state determination method, a communication r e l a y c o n t r o l board, and a c o n t r o l program f o r determining, when a communication including a plurality of redundant c o n t r o l boards mounted therein is restarted and hence the plurality of c o n t r o l boards 20 are simultaneously s t a r t e d up, a c o n t r o l board with which the communication apparatus c a n c o n t i n u e t h e communication service in the same state as b e f o r e t h e r e s t a r t a s a n active system. Solution t o Problem 25 [OOlO] A communication relay apparatus according t o a first a s p e c t o f t h e p r e s e n t invention i n c l u d e s , in a redundant manner: a first board t h a t holds f i r s t configuration information including latest setting information in a communication s e r v i c e provided while 30 the first board itself is mounted in a given communication r e l a y a p p a r a t u s , determines its own operation state upon start-up, and changes to t h e determined o p e r a t i o n s t a t e ; and a second board t h a t holds second configuration information including l a t e s t setting information i n a communication s e r v i c e 4 provided while the second board itself is mounted in a given communication relay a p p a r a t u s , determines its own o p e r a t i o n s t a t e upon start-up, and changes to the determined operation s t a t e , in which each of t h e f i r s t and second boards determines, when neither of 5 t h e f i r s t and second boards i s faulty and they a r e simultaneously started up, i t s own operation s t a t e based on the first and second configuration information. [ O O l l ] An operation s t a t e determination method according to a second 10 aspect of t h e p r e s e n t invention i n c l u d e s : determining an own operation state upon start-up, and recording first configuration information including l a t e s t s e t t i n g information i n a conlmunication service provided while a f i r s t board i s mounted in a given communication r e l a y apparatus in the first board, t h e f i r s t board 15 being to change to t h e determined operation s t a t e ; and d e t e r m i n i n g a n own operation state upon start-up, and recording second configuration information including l a t e s t s e t t i n g information in a communication s e r v i c e provided while a second board i s mounted in a g i v e n communication r e l a y apparatus i n t h e second board, the 20 second board being to change to t h e determined operation s t a t e , in which e a c h o f t h e f i r s t and second boards determines, when t h e f i r s t and second boards are mounted in the same communication r e l a y apparatus in a'redundant manner, arid when neither of t h e f i r s t and 25 second boards is faulty and they are simultaneously s t a r t e d u p , t h e own o p e r a t i o n s t a t e based on t h e f i r s t and second configuration information. 100 121 A communication r e l a y c o n t r o l board a c c o r d i n g t o a t h i r d a s p e c t of the present invention i n c l u d e s : 3 0 a s t o r a g e u n i t that stores rirst configuration information including latest setting information in a conlmunication service provided while the conlmunication relay control board i t s e l f is mounted in a given communication r e l a y apparatus; and an operation s t a t e control u n i t t h a t d e t e r m i n e s a n own operation 5 state upon start-up and changes to the determined operation s t a t e , in which when t h e communication relay control board i t s e l f and another board are mounted in the same communication r e l a y apparatus i n a 5 redundant manner, and when neither of the the con~munication relay control board i t s e l f and t h e another board is faulty and they are simultalleously startcd up, t h e operation state control unit: reads t h e f i r s t configuration information from t h e s t o r a g e u n i t ; 10 acquires second configuration information including l a t e s t setting information in a communication s e r v i c e from t h e another board, t h e communication s e r v i c e being provided while the another board i s mounted i n a given communication relay apparatus; and determines t h e own operation state based on t h e f i r s t and second 15 configuration information. [0013] A recording medium according to a f o u r t h aspect of the present invention stores a control program t h a t causes a c o n t r o l d e v i c e mounted i n a f i r s t board to execute, 2 0 when the f i r s t board and a second board are mounted i n t h e same communication r e l a y apparatus i n a redundant manner, and when neither of t h e f i r s t and second boards is faulty and they are silnultaneously s t a r t e d u p : a process of reading f i r s t configuration information including 25 l a t e s t s e t t i n g illformation in a con~munication service from a s t o r a g e device mounted in the f i r s t board, the communication service being provided while the first board i s mounted in a given communicatioll r e l a y apparatus; a process of acquiring second configuration illformation 30 including l a t e s t setting inforlnatioll i n a coml~tunicatiolls ervice fro111 the second board, the communication s e r v i c e being provided while t h e second board i s mounted i n a given communication r e l a y apparatus; a determination proccss of determining the own operation s t a t e based on the first and second configuratioll information; and 6 a t r a n s i t i o n process of changing t h e f i r s t board to the determined operation s t a t e . Advantageous E f f e c t s of Invention 5 [0014] According to t h e p r e s e n t i n v e n t i o n , it is possible to provide a communication relay apparatus, an operation s t a t e determination method, a con~ltlunication relay control board, and a recording medium s t o r i n g a control program f o r determining, when a communication 10 apparatus including a plurality of redundant c o n t r o l boards mounted therein i s restarted and hence t h e p l u r a l i t y of control boards are simultaneously s t a r t e d u p , a control board with which the communication apparatus can continue t h e communication service in the same state as b e f o r e t h e r e s t a r t a s a n a c t i v e system. 15 B r i e f D e s c r i p t i o n of Drawings [00 151 Fig. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration o f a communication r e l a y apparatus according t o a f i r s t exemplary 20 embodiment of the p r e s e n t i n v e n t i o n ; Fig. 2 is a flowchart showing an operation s t a t e determination process flow according to the f i r s t exemplary embodiment of the p r e s e n t i n v e n t i o n ; Fig. 3 is a-sequence diagram showing an operation state 25 determination process flow according to t h e f i r s t exemplary embodiment of the present invention; Fig. 4 is a block diagram showing an o u t l i n e o f a colt~munication relay apparatus according t o a second exemplary embodiment of the p r e s e n t i n v e n t i o n ; 3 0 Fig. 5 is a block diagram showing a main configuration o f a con~munication relay a p p a r a t u s a c c o r d i n g to the second exemplary embodiment of the present invention; Fig. 6 is a table showing an example of operation s t a t e s o f a device c o l ~ t r o lc ard a c c o r d i n g t o the second exemplary embodiment of thc present invention; Fig. 7 is a flowchart f o r explaining an operation statc determination process flow according to t h e second exemplary embodiment of the p r e s e n t i n v e n t i o n ; 5 Fig. 8 is a flowchart f o r explaining a priority deternlination process f l o w a c c o r d i n g t o the second exemplary embodiment of the p r e s e n t i n v e n t i o n ; Fig. 9 is a flowchart f o r explaining a s i n ~ u l t a n e o u ss tart-up operation of device c o n t r o l c a r d s performed a f t e r o n e of them is 10 replaced by a brand-new card according to the second exemplary embodimcnt of the p r e s e n t i n v e n t i o n ; Fig. 10 is a flowchart f o r explaining a simultaneous start-up operation of device c o n t r o l c a r d s performed a f t e r o n e of them is replaced by a second-hand card according to the second exemplary 15 embodiment of the p r e s e n t i n v e n t i o n ; Fig. 11 is a flowchart f o r explaining an operation s t a t e determination process flow according to a t h i r d exemplary embodiment of t h e p r e s e n t i n v e n t i o n ; Fig. 12 is a flowchart f o r explaining an operation s t a t e 20 determination process flow according t o a f o u r t h exemplary embodiment of t h e p r e s e n t i n v e n t i o n ; and Fig. 13 is a flowchart f o r explaining an operation s t a t e determination process flow according t o a f i f t h exemplary embodiment " of t h e p r e s e n t inve'ntion. 2 5 Description of Embodiments [00 161 S p e c i f i c exemplary e m b o d i ~ n e n t sto which t h e p r e s e n t invention i s applied are explained h e r e i n a f t e r i n d e t a i l with reference to the 30 drawings. The same components are denoted by the same symbols throughout the drawings, and duplicated explanation is omitted as necessary f o r c l a r i f y i n g the explanation [00 171 [First exemplary enlbodi~nent] 8 Fig. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration o f a communication relay apparatus 1 according to a f i r s t exemplary embodiment of the p r e s e n t i n v e n t i o n . The communication relay apparatus 1 is an apparatus that r e l a y s communication data exchanged 5 among a plurality of external communication base stations and communication t e r m i n a l s . For example, t h e comn~unication relay apparatus 1 may be a microwave communication system (e.g., a communication system apparatus t h a t l i n k s mobile phone base stations). Note that t h o s e microwave c o m m u n i c a t i o ~s~y stems o f t e n s u p p o r t 10 optical microwave communication, w i r e l e s s communication, and so on. 100 181 The communication r e l a y apparatus 1 includes at least a first board 11 and a second board 12. Each of t h e f i r s t and second boards 11 and 12 is a control board having a function of independently 15 controlling a relay processing of communication d a t a 14 performed in the communication r e l a y apparatus 1. F u r t h e r , t h e f i r s t and second boards 11 and 12 are mounted i n t h e communication r e l a y apparatus 1 in a redundant manner. Under normal circumstances, o n e o f t h e boards o p e r a t e s a s a n a c t i v e system and the other board o p e r a t e s a s a standby 20 system. Further, the number of c o n t r o l boards mounted i n t h e communication r e l a y apparatus 1 i s not limited to two. That i s , t h r e e or more c o n t r o l boards may be mounted. Note t h a t t h e communication r e l a y apparatus 1 includes other components/structures necessary for ' t h e above-described'relay operation i n a d d i t i o n to t h e s e components. 25 However, since they are comino~llyk nown, their i l l u s l r a t i o n s and explanations a r e omitted. 100191 The first board 11 includes a s t o r a g e u n i t 11 1 and an operation state control unit 113. The storage unit 11 1 is a s t o r a g e device t h a t 30 holds f i r s t configuration i n f o r n ~ a t i o n 112 including l a t e s t s e t t i n g information i n a communication s e r v i c e t h a t has been provided while the f i r s t board 11 is mounted in a given communicalion relay apparatus. The operation s t a t e c o n t r o l u n i t 113 determines the operation state of the f i r s t board 11 upon s t a r t - u p a n d changes t o t h e determined operation s t a t e . For example, t h e operation s t a t e c o n t r o l u n i t 113 can be implemented by causing a CPU to P 2 ) , the CPU 212 determines its own operation s t a t e a s a n ACT state (S210). When P1 is smaller than P2 ( P l < P 2 ) , the CPU 212 determines its own operation state a s a n SBY state (S21 1). When P1 i s equal to P2 ( P l = P 2 ) , the CPU 212 determines the own operation s t a t e according to the slot number (S21 1). For 20 example, the CPU 212 may determine its own operation s t a t e a s a n ACT state when t h e device c o n t r o l card 21 is mounted i n t h e lowest slot number, and may determine it a s a n SBY state in all the other cases. [0060] 2 5 A f t e r t h a t , t h e CPU 212 changes to the operation state determined i n the steps S210, S211, S212 and S215 (S213). For example, the CPU 212 sets the current o p e r a t i o n s t a t e information 214 to t h e determined operation state and updates t h e s t o r a g e device 21 1. [006 11 3 0 Fig. 9 is a flowchart f o r e x p l a i n i n g a simultaneous start-up operation o f d e v i c e c o n t r o l c a r d s t h a t is performed a f t e r o n e o f them i s replaced by a brand-new card a c c o r d i n g t o the second exe~nplary embodiment of t h e p r e s e n t i n v e n t i o n . In this flowchart, it is shown that when the operation state o f a f i r s t system is an ACT state and the 2 1 operation state o f a second system is an SBY state, the f i r s t system becomes f a u l t y . T h e r e f o r e , the first system changes to an SBY-FI,T state and the second system changes to an ACT state, i . e . , an active system. Further, it is shown that t h e c o m m u n i c a t i o n relay apparatus 2 5 is powered o f f and the f i r s t - s y s t e m board is replaced by a brand-new board. [0062] A f t e r t h a t , in the case where the present i n v e n t i o n is not applied, when t h e c o m m u n i c a t i o n relay apparatus 2 is powered o n , t h e first 10 s y s t e m , w h i c h has t h e l o w e s t slot n u m b e r , b e c o m e s an ACT state and the second system is synchronized by t h e c o n f i g u r a t i o n i n f o r m a t i o n o f the first system. That i s , the c o n f i g u r a t i o n i n f o r m a t i o n o f the second system i s o v e r w r i t t e n w i t h t h e configuration i n f o r m a t i o n o f the first s y s t e m . N o t e that since t h e c o n f i g u r a t i o n i n f o r m a t i o n o f the first 15 system has not been defined y e t , t h e c o n f i g u r a t i o n i n f o r m a t i o n o f the second system is substantially d e l e t e d . T h a t i s , although the c o n f i g u r a t i o n i n f o r m a t i o n o f the second s y s t e m , w h i c h has been operating as an ACT s y s t e m b e f o r e the p o w e r - o f f , i n c l u d e s t h e latest correct s e t t i n g i n f o r m a t i o n i n the communication relay apparatus 2, the 20 c o n f i g u r a t i o n i n f o r m a t i o n o f the second system is d e l e t e d . [0063] In contrast to t h i s , in the case where the present i n v e n t i o n is applied, w h e n t h e communication relay apparatus 2 is powered on, the c o n f i g u r a t i o n i n f o r m a t i o n o f the f i r s t system is compared with that o f 25 the second system and it is determined t h a t the c o n f i g u r a t i o n information o f the second system has a higher priority. T h e r e f o r e , the sccond system b e c o n ~ c sa n ACT state and the f i r s t system is synchronized by the c o n f i g u r a t i o n i n f o r m a t i o n o f the second system. That i s , the latest correct sctting information in the communication 30 relay apparatus 2 is automatically set in the c o n f i g u r a t i o n i n f o r m a t i o n o f the first s y s t e m . [0064] Fig. 10 is a flowchart for explaining a simultaneous start-up operation o f device control cards performed a f t e r one o f them is replaced by a second-hand card according to t h e second exetnplary en~bodiment of the p r e s e n t i n v e n t i o n . The d i f f e r e n c e between Fig. 10 and Fig. 9 is t h a t t h e replacement board in Fig. 10 is a second-hand board. Therefore, t h e r e is a p o s s i b i l i t y t h a t t h e configuration 5 information of t h e f i r s t system includes t h e s e t t i n g information for a d i f f e r e n t communication relay apparatus. As a result, in the case which the present invention is not a p p l i e d , t h e configuration information of the second system is overwritten with the incorrect configuration information of the first system. 10 [0065] In contrast to t h i s , i n t h e case which t h e p r e s e n t invention is a p p l i e d , s i n c e the device ID included i n the configuration information of t h e f i r s t system is different from the device ID 231 of t h e a u x i l i a r y card 2 3 , i t is determined t h a t t h e p r i o r i t y of t h e configuration 15 information of t h e f i r s t system is lower than t h a t of t h e second system. Therefore, t h e second system becomes an ACT s t a t e and t h e f i r s t system is synchronized by the configuration information of the second system. That i s , t h e l a t e s t c o r r e c t setting information in the communication relay apparatus 2 is automatically s e t i n t h e 20 configuration information of t h e f i r s t system. In this manner, according to t h e second exemplary embodiment of t h e p r e s e n t invention, it is possible to determine the control board with which the communication s e r v i c e can be continued i n t h e same s t a t e as b e f o r e t h e ' restart as t h e a c t i v e ' s y s t e m . 25 [0066] Examples of the features and advantageous effects in t h e second exemplary embodiments according to the p r e s e n t invention a r e explained h e r e i n a f t e r . F i r s t l y , t h e configuration information 213 includes t h e device ID 215 t h a t makes it p o s s i b l e t o uniquely i d e n t i f y 30 t h e apparatus in which the device control card 21 had been mounted most recently, and t h e t h e configuration information 223 includes the device ID 225 t h a t makes it p o s s i b l e t o uniquely i d e n t i f y t h e apparatus in which t h e device c o n t r o l card 22 had been mounted most r e c e n t l y . Then, when t h e device ID 215 is different from the device ID 231 of 23 the comnlunication relay apparatus 2 in w h i c h t h e d e v i c e control cards 21 and 22 are c u r r e n t l y mounted and t h e d e v i c e ID 225 nlatches the device ID 231, the device control card 21 determines i t s own operation state as a standby system and t h e d e v i c e control card 22 determines its 5 own operation state as an active system. As a r e s u l t , i t is possible to obtain synchronization by the correct c o n f i g u r a t i o n i n f o r m a t i o n even in the case s h o w n i n Fig. 9 or Fig. 10. N o t e t h a t , needless to say, when the relation o f the device IDS 215 and 225 i s r e v e r s e d , the operation states o f t h e d e v i c e control cards 21 and 22 are determined 10 in a reversed fashion. [0067] Further, the configuration information 213 further includes the latest operation state information 216, which is information about the final operation state o f the device control card 21 when t h e d e v i c e 15 control card 21 had been mounted m o s t r e c e n t l y , and t h e c o n f i g u r a t i o n i n f o r m a t i o n 223 further includes the latest operation state i n f o r m a t i o n 226, which is information about the final operation state o f t h e d e v i c e control card 22 when the device control card 22 had been mounted most r e c e n t l y . Then, each o f t h e d e v i c e control cards 21 and 22 20 determines its own operation state based on the latest operation state information 216 and 226 when the device IDS 215 and 225 match the device ID 231 o f t h e c o m m u n i c a t i o n relay apparatus 2 in which the device control cards 21 and 22 are currently mounted. That i s , it i s possible t o determine'whether t h e c o n f i g u r a t i o n i n f o r m a t i o n 213 or the 25 c o n f i g u r a t i o n i n f o r m a t i o n 223 has a higher priority by the abovedescribed priority determination process and thereby t o determine the board holding that c o n f i g u r a t i o n i n f o r m a t i o n as the active system. T h e r e f o r e , s y n c h r o n i z a t i o n i s obtained by the c o n f i g u r a t i o n i n f o r m a t i o n o f the board that had been operating as the active system 30 most r e c e n t l y . For example, it is also possible to cope with such a s i t u a t i o n that the power is turned o f f before obtaining synchronization. f006Sl Note that the priority detcrmination process according to the second e x e m p l a r y embodiment o f thc present i n v e n t i o n is not limited 24 to t h e flow shown in Fig. 8. That i s , t h e p r i o r i t y does not necessarily have to be divided i n t o t h r e e l e v e l s shown below. That i s , t h e only requirement is that at least thc priorities of both systems can be determined by using t h e configuration information of both systems. 5 [0069] Further, the "priority" value does not necessarily have t o be determined in t h e second exemplary embodiment according to the p r e s e n t i n v e n t i o n . That i s , t h e only requirement is that the comlnunication r e l a y apparatus includes t h e l o g i c t h a t makes it 10 possible to determine at least which of t h e own board and the other board should become the active system by using t h e configuration informations of both systems, and that both systems independently make decisions based on the same logic. [0070] 15 [Third exemplary embodiment] In t h e above-described second exemplary embodiment according to t h e p r e s e n t i n v e n t i o n , when t h e own board determines its own operation s t a t e as an SBY s t a t e , t h e o t h e r board h a s t o determine its own operation s t a t e as an ACT s t a t e . However, when the other board 20 cannot change to t h e ACT state f o r some r e a s o n , t h e resumption of the communication s e r v i c e a f t e r t h e r e s t a r t i s delayed. In addition, a s i t u a t i o n where no operating-system board exists could o c c u r . Therefore, in a third exemplary embodiment according to t h e p r e s e n t i n v e n t i o n , even when the own board i s determined to become an SBY 25 s t a t e , i f t h e o t h e r board has n o t changed to an ACT state within a certain time p e r i o d , the own board becomes an ACT state on behalf of the other board. By doing s o , t h e niinimuln communication s e r v i c e is maintained. [0071] 3 0 Note t h a t t h e configuration of the communication relay apparatus according to the third exemplary embodiment of the present invention is equivalent t o t h a t shown in Fig. 5, and therefore its i l l u s t r a t i o n and explanation are omitted. The following explanation is given with p a r t i c u l a r emphasis o n the differences between the third exemplary embodiment and the second exemplary embodiment. [0072] I n t h e third exemplary embodiment according to the present i n v e n t i o n , e i t h e r one of t h e device c o n t r o l c a r d s 21 and 22 determines 5 i t s own operation s t a t e a s a standby system (SBY) when the device ID 23 1 of t h e communication relay apparatus 2 in which the device control cards 21 and 22 a r e c u r r e n t l y 111ounted matches the device IDS 215 or 225. Then, a f t e r t h a t , when t h e o t h e r board has not changed to a n a c t i v e system within a certain time p e r i o d , t h e device control cards 10 21 or 22 determines i t s own operation s t a t e as an a c t i v e system (ACT) and changes t h e operation s t a t e of the other board t o a standby system (SBY). Further, since there is a p o s s i b i l i t y t h a t the o t h e r board, which is supposed to be changed to the active system under normal circumstances, has some kind of trouble, the own board changes the 15 other board t o a standby system i n a forced manner and changes the own board i t s e l f t o the active system on behalf of the other board, and thus making it possible to perform a more stable operation. [0073] Fig. 11 is a flowchart f o r explaining an operation state 20 determination process flow according to the third exemplary embodiment o f t h e p r e s e n t invention. Fig. 11 shows processes subsequent t o the step S211 shown i n F i g . 7. That is, the CPU 212 has already determined its own operation s t a t e a s an SBY state. After that, the'CPU 212 waits a certain time period (S301). Then, the CPU 212 25 acquires the operation s t a t e of the other board (S302). For example, the CPU 212 acquires the c u r r e n t operation s t a t e information 224 froill the configuration information 223 t h r o u g h a process similar to that in the step S203. [0074] 3 0 Next, t h e CPU 212 determines whether t h e o p e r a t i o n s t a t e o f the other board is an ACT state or not (S303). For example, t h e CPU 212 determines whether the c u r r e n t o p e r a t i o n s t a t e information 224 is ACT or n o t . Then, when the CPU 212 determines t h a t t h e operation state of the other board i s an ACT s t a t e , it means that the communication 26 service has already been resumed by t h e o t h e r board. Thcrefore, the process immediately proceeds to the step S213 shown i n Fig. 7. [0075] On the other hand, when the CPU 212 determines t h e operation 5 state of the other board i s not an ACT s t a t e i n t h e step S303, the CI'U 212 determines its own operation s t a t e as an ACT s t a t e (S304). At the same time, t h e CPU 212 changes the other board t o a n SBY state (S305). For example, the CPU 212 preferably lransmits an operation state reset signal to thc configuration information 223. This is 10 performed to prevent t h e o t h e r board from changing to an ACT state a f t e r t h a t . A f t e r t h a t , t h e process proceeds to the step S213 shown in Fig. 7. In t h i s manner, it is possible to make the communication r e l a y apparatus 2 operate with higher s t a b i l i t y and to resume t h e communication s e r v i c e e a r l i e r . 15 [0076] Note that the processes shown in Fig. 11 can also be applied to cases where t h e own operation s t a t e is determined a s a n SBY state in the step 212 i n F i g . 7. [0077] 20 [Fourth exemplary embodiment] In the above-described second exemplary embodiment according to t h e p r e s e n t i n v e n t i o n , when t h e operation state determination process functions properly in each board, no contradiction arises betwken t h e determined operation s t a t e s . That i s , t h e number of the 25 active system is o n e . However, even if no fault i s detected i n t h e step S201 i n F i g . 7, whcn there is some kind o f t r o u b l e o r when a t r o u b l e occurs during t h e operation s t a t e determination p r o c e s s , t h e operation s t a t e determination process docs not n e c e s s a r i l y function p r o p e r l y . Therefore, in the case wherc each board indcpendcntly d e t e r ~ n i n e s its 30 own operation s t a t e , there is a possibility that a contradiction a r i s e s . [0078] Accordingly, in a fourth exe~nplary embodiment of the present invention, it is checked wbether there is any contradiction between the operation s t a t e s determined by the respective boards b e f o r e t h e s t a t e 27 change. Then, if there is a c o n t r a d i c t i o n , the board selected by a selector 201 is selected as the activc system. That i s , after each of the device control cards 21 and 22 has determined its own operation s t a t e , each device c o n t r o l card acquires t h e operation state determined in the 5 other board. Then, i f t h e r e is a contradiction between t h e operation states of t h e device c o n t r o l c a r d s 21 and 22, they determine their operation s t a t e s according to the board c u r r e n t l y s e l e c t e d by the selector 201 of the interface card 20. In this manner, even when there is a contradiction between t h e operation s t a t e d e c i s i o n s in the 10 respective boards due to an unexpected trouble (e.g., ACT and ACT, o r SNY and SBY), s i g n a l down is l e s s l i k e l y to occur since the board that is a c t u a l l y s e l e c t e d by t h e i n t e r f a c e card 20 as the board to be communicated is given a higher priority, thus making i t p o s s i b l e to continue t h e communication s e r v i c e . 15 [0079] Further, e i t h e r o n e o f the device c o n t r o l c a r d s 21 and 22 determines, when t h a t device c o n t r o l card i t s e l f is c u r r e n t l y s e l e c t e d by the i n t e r f a c e card 20, its operation state as an active system and changes the operation s t a t e of t h e o t h e r board to a standby system. 20 This scheme makes it possible to perform t h e s t a t e change more reliably and to perform a more s t a b l e o p e r a t i o n , because when there is a c o n t r a d i c t i o n , t h e r e is a p o s s i b i l i t y t h a t t h e o t h e r board cannot change t o t h e standby system. [OOSO]' 2 5 Fig. 12 is a flowchart f o r explaining an operation s t a t e determination process flow according to a f o u r t h exemplary embodiment of t h e p r e s e n t invcntion. Fig. 12 shows processes subsequent to t h e s t e p s S210 or S211 shown in Fig. 7. That is, the CPU 212 has already determined i t s own operation s t a t e a s a n ACT 30 state or an SBY statc. After that, the CPU 212 acquires the operation state of the other board as in the c a s e o f the step S203 in Fig. 7. [OOSl] Next, t h e CI'U 212 determines whether or not its own operation s t a t e c o n t r a d i c t s that of the other board (S402). For example, t h e CPU 28 212 compares the operation s t a t e determined by the CPIJ 212 i t s e l f with that determined by t h e CPU 222 and thereby deterlnines whether they c o n t r a d i c t each other o r n o t . Note t h a t t h e contradiction between operation s t a t e s means such c a s e s where both t h e operation s t a t e s are, 5 for e x a n ~ p l e ,A CT t y p e s such as ACT and ACT-FLT, o r where both of them a r e SBY t y p e s such as SBY and SBY-FLT. [0082] In the step S402, when the CPU 212 determines t h a t the operation s t a t e s are c o n t r a d i c t o r y , t h e CPU 212 determines whether or 10 not t h e I F card s e l e c t s t h e CPU 212 itself (S403). For example, the Cl'U 212 can determine whether the CPU 212 itself is selected or not based on t h e transmission l i n e c u r r e n t l y s e l e c t e d by the selector 201. [0083] I n t h e step S403, when the CPU 212 determines t h a t the I F card 15 selects the CPU 212 i t s e l f , t h e CPU 212 determines its own operation state as an ACT s t a t e (S404). At the same t i m e , t h e CPU 212 changes t h e o t h e r board t o a n SBY state (S405). On t h e o t h e r hand, when the CPU 212 determines that t h e I F card does not s e l e c t t h e CPU 212 i t s e l f , the CPU 212 determines its own operation s t a t e as an SBY state (S406). 20 [0084] The selector 201 of t h e i n t e r f a c e card 20 s e l e c t s a board for which an ACT s i g n a l i n d i c a t i n g the validitylinvalidity of the transmission l i n e connected to each board is an o n - s t a t e . Therefore, this meins t h a t t h e s e l e c t o r 201 selects the board that can actually 25 provide t h e communication s e r v i c e . However, in the c a s e o f immediately after t h e s t a r t - u p , i n order to eliminate t h e brand-new and second-hand boards, it is necessary, without f a i l , t o g i v e a higher priority to t h e operation s t a t e d e t e r m i n a t i o n based on the configuration information through t h e processes i n t h e stcps S201 to S212 shown in 30 Fig. 7. Therefore, in the fourth exemplary embodiment a c c o r d i n g t o the p r e s e n t i n v e n t i o n , t h e process shown in Fig. 12 i s used in a supplemental manner after the step S210 or S211. By doing s o , it is p o s s i b l e t o resume thc communication service more reliably. [0085] In the fourth exen~plarye mbodiment according to the prescnt invention, each of the device control cards 21 and 22 may determine i t s own operatio11 state by taking account o f a communication h i s t o r y held by the intcrface card 20 as w e l l . Since t h e i n t e r f a c e card 20 holds the 5 communication history up to the latest operation, it is possible to determine t h e board that had served as t h e a c t i v e system most recently without causing any t r o u b l e as an a c t i v e system based on this c o n ~ n ~ u n i c a t i ohni s t o r y i n a preferential manner. Consequently, it is possible to improve t h e s t a b i l i t y even further. 10 [0086] [ F i f t h exemplary embodiment] I n t h e step S212 i n F i g . 7, when the p r i o r i t i e s o f configuration information are equal t o e a c h other, the operation states are determined according to t h e s l o t numbers. In this case, when a c e r t a i n 15 board which was mounted in the communication r e l a y apparatus 2 in t h e p a s t and whose l a t e s t operation state information 216 was an ACT state i s removed from the communication r e l a y apparatus 2 and then mounted in the slot 1 again after a certain t i m e h a s elapsed, its p r i o r i t y could become !'highu because the device ID 215 matches t h e 20 device ID 231 and the latcst operation state information 216 i s the ACT s t a t e . F u r t h e r , t h e p r i o r i t y of the board which has been already mounted in t h e s l o t 2 most recently and whose l a t e s t operation state information 226 is ACT could a l s o become " h i g h " . In this c a s e , s i n c e the p r i o r i t i e s are equal, the board that has been mounted i n t h e s l o t 1 25 again is determined as the active system. However, i n t h i s c a s e , t h e configuration i n f o r n ~ a t i o nh eld by the board in the slot 2 is newer and more c o r r e c t . [0087] Therefore, in a f i f t h exemplary embodiment according to the 30 p r e s e n t i n v e n t i o n , each of the device c o n t r o l c a r d s 21 and 22 determines t h e p r i o r i t y , which is t h e p r i o r i t y level as t h e a c t i v e system, for each of the d e v i c e c o n t r o l cards 21 and 22 based on the configuration information 213 and 214. Then, when t h e prioritics of t h e device control cards 21 a n d 2 2 a r e equal t o e a c h o t h e r , they 30 determine t h a t the board c u r r e n t l y s e l e c t e d by the i n t e r f a c e card 20 has a higher p r i o r i t y and they each determine t h e i r own operation state according to thc dctermined priority. In t h i s manner, even i n thc above-described case, since the board selected by t h e i n t e r f a c e card 20 5 is the board in t h e s l o t 2, t h e synchronization can be obtained by using newer and more c o r r e c t configuration information. [008S] Fig. 13 is a flowchart f o r explaining an operation state determination process flow according to t h e f i f t h exemplary 10 embodiment of the p r e s e n t i n v e n t i o n . Fig. 13 shows a process t h a t s u b s t i t u t e s f o r t h e step S212 i n F i g . 7. That i s , when P1 is equal to P2 (Pl=P2) i n t h e step S209 in Fig. 7, steps S501 to S504 are performed. Note that the steps S501 to S504 a r e processes equivalent to t h e s t e p s S403 to S406 shown i n F i g . 12. Therefore, t h e i r d e t a i l e d explanation 15 is omitted. [0089] [Other exemplary embodiments] Note t h a t in the case described in t h e f i f t h exemplary embodiment, t h e p r i o r i t y determination process shown in Fig. 8 can be 20 improved by using the configuration shown below. That i s , t h e configuration information 213 f u r t h e r includes information about t h e l a s t update time of the configuration information 213, and the configuration information 223 f u r t h e r includes information about the last u p d a t e ' t i m e o f the configuration information 223. Then, e a c h o f 25 the device control cards 21 and 22 determines its own operation state based on the l a s t update time(s) when the device IDS 215 and 225 match t h e device ID 231 of the communication r e l a y apparatus 2 in which t h e device c o n t r o l c a r d s 21 and 22 a r e c u r r e n t l y mounted. I11 t h i s manner, even when a board t h a t was mounted as ACT in t h e same 30 apparatus as that in the past but has old setting information is mounted again, it is possible t o g i v e a higher priority t o a board having the most r e c e n t s e t t i n g i n f o r m a t i o n even when it is in a SBY s t a t e . [0090] F u r t h e r , t h e p r e s e n t i n v e n t i o n i s not limited to the above3 1 described exemplary enibodiments, and needless to say, various modifications can be made without departing from t h e s p i r i t and scope of t h e p r e s e n t i n v e ~ l t i o n described above. For example, although the p r e s e n t invention i s described a s a hardware configuration i n the 5 above-described exemplary embodiments, thc p r e s e n t invention is not limited to the hardware configurations. In t h e p r e s e n t i n v e n t i o n , arbitrary processing can be also implemented by causing a CPU (Central Proccssing Unit) to executc a computer program. [0091] 10 I n t h e above-described examples, the program can be stored in various t y p e s of non-transitory computer readable media and thereby supplied to computers. The non-transitory computer readable media includes various t y p e s of t a n g i b l e s t o r a g e media. Examples of the non-transitory computer readable media i n c l u d e a magnetic recording 15 medium ( s u c h a s a f l e x i b l e d i s k , a magnetic t a p e , and a hard disk drive), a magneto-optic recording medium ( s u c h a s a magneto-optic disk), a CD-ROM (Read Only Memory), a CD-R, and a CD-R/W, a DVD (Digital V e r s a t i l e D i s c ) , a BD (Blu-ray ( r e g i s t e r e d trademark) D i s c ) , and a semiconductor memory ( s u c h a s a mask ROM, a PROM 20 (Programmable ROM), an EPROM (Erasable PROM), a flash ROM, and a RAM (Random Access Memory)). F u r t h e r , t h e program can be supplied t o computers by using various t y p e s o f transitory computer readable media. Examples of t h e t r a n s i t o r y computer readable media include an e l e c t r i c a l s i g n a l , an optical signal, and an electromagnetic 25 wave. The transitory computer readable media c a n be used to supply programs t o computer through a wire communication path such as an e l e c t r i c a l wire and an optical f i b e r , or wircless cornlrtunication path. [0092] Note t h a t the p r e s e n t invention is not limited to the abovc- 30 described exemplary embodiments, and various modifications can be made as d e s i r e d without departing the s p i r i t and scope of the present invention. For example, the communication r e l a y apparatus 2 d o e s not necessarily have t o store the device ID 231, which niakes i t possible to uniquely identify the con~municationr elay apparatus 2, in the auxiliary card 23. The comnlunication relay a p p a r a t u s 2 may s t o r e t h e d e v i c e ID 231 in a given s t o r a g e d e v i c e which c a n b e accessed from t h e d e v i c e c o n t r o l c a r d s 21 and 22. F u r t h e r , needless to say, the present invention can h a v e a configuration t h a t i s obtained by combining 5 processes according to the above-described exemplary embodiments as desired. [0093] This application i s based upon and claims the benefit of p r i o r i t y from J a p a n e s e p a t e n t a p p l i c a t i o n No. 201 1-237986, filed on October 28, 10 201 1, the disclosure of which i s incorporated herein in i t s e n t i r e t y by reference. Industrial Applicability [0094] 15 The present invention is useful as a r a d i o con~munication apparatus in which when a communication apparatus on a t r a n s m i s s i o n side cannot directly communicate with a communication a p p a r a t u s on a r e c e p t i o n s i d e , a relay apparatus r e l a y s and t r a n s m i t s a s i g n a l ( s ) between t h e s e communication apparatuses. 2 0 Reference S i g n s L i s t [0095] 1 COMMUNICATION RELAY APPARATUS 11 FIRST BOARD 25 11 1 STORAGE UNIT 11 2 FIRST CONFIGURATION INFORMATION 113 OPERATION STATE CONTROL IJNIT 12 SECOND BOARD 121 STORAGE UNIT 30 122 SECOND CONFIGURATION INFORMATION 123 OPERATION STATE CONTROL IJNIT 2 COMMUNICATION RELAY APPARATUS 2 0 INTERFACE CARD 20 1 SELEC'I'OR 33 2 1 DEVICE CONTROL CARD 2101 TDM Switch 2102 Packet Switch 21 1 STORAGE DEVICE 5 212 CPU 21 3 CONFIGURATION INFORMATION 214 CURRENT OPERATION STATE INFORMATION 215 DEVICE ID 216 LATEST OPERATION STATE INFORMATION 10 22 DEVICE CONTROL CARD 221 STORAGE DEVICE 222 CPU 223 CONFIGURATION INFORMATION 224 CURRENT OPERATION STATE INFORMATION 15 225 DEVICE ID 226 LATEST OPERATION STATE INFORMATION 2 3 AUXILIARY CARD 231 DEVICE ID 34 CLAIMS 1. A comn~unication r e l a y apparatus comprising, i n a redundant manner: 5 a first board t h a t holds first configuration information including latest setting information i n a communication s e r v i c e provided while the first board itself is mounted in a given communication r e l a y a p p a r a t u s , determines its own operation state upon start-up, and changes to the determined operation s t a t e ; and 10 a sccond board that holds second configuration information including l a t e s t setting information in a com~nunication service provided while t h e second board itself is mounted in a given communication r e l a y a p p a r a t u s , determines i t s own operation state upon start-up, and changes to the determined operation s t a t e , wherein 15 each of t h e f i r s t and second boards determines, when neither of t h e f i r s t and second boards is faulty and they a r e simultaneously s t a r t e d u p , t h e own operation s t a t e based on t h e f i r s t and second configuration information. 2 0 2. The communication relay apparatus according to Claim 1, wherein t h e f i r s t configuration information includes f i r s t device i d e n t i f i c a t i o n information t h a t makes it possible to uniquely i d e n t i f y ' a n a p p a r a t u s in which t h e f i r s t board is mounted most recently, 2 5 t h e second configuration information includes second device i d e n t i f i c a t i o n information t h a t makes it possible to uniquely i d e n t i f y . an apparatus in which t h e second board is mounted most recently, and when the first d e v i c e i d e n t i f i c a t i o n infornlation is different from device i d e n t i f i c a t i o n infornlation o f a coin~nunication relay apparatus 30 in which t h e f i r s t and second boards a r e c u r r e n t l y mounted and the second device i d e n t i f i c a t i o n information matches that device i d e n t i f i c a t i o n information of t h e communication r e l a y a p p a r a t u s , t h e first board determines the own operation s t a t e a s a standby system and the second board determines the own operation state as an active 35 system. 3 . The communication relay apparatus according to Claim 2, wherein 5 the f i r s t configuration information f u r t h e r includes f i r s t l a t e s t operation s t a t e information, the f i r s t l a t e s t operation s t a t e information being information about a f i n a l operation s t a t e o f t h e f i r s t board when t h e f i r s t board had been mounted most recently, t h e second configuration information f u r t h e r includes second 10 l a t e s t operation state information, the second l a t e s t operation state information being information about a final operation s t a t e of the second board when the second board had been mounted most recently, and each of the f i r s t and second boards determines the own operation 15 state based on t h e f i r s t and second l a t e s t operation s t a t e information when device i d e n t i f i c a t i o n information of a communication r e l a y apparatus i n which the first and second boards a r e c u r r e n t l y mounted matches the first and second device i d e n t i f i c a t i o n information. 2 0 4. The communication relay apparatus according to Claim 2 or 3, wherein t h e f i r s t configuration information f u r t h e r includes information about a l a s t update t i m e o f the f i r s t configuration information, t h e second configuration information f u r t h e r includes 25 information about a l a s t update time of t h e second configuration information, and each of the f i r s t and second boards determines the own operation state based on t h e l a s t update time when device i d e n t i f i c a t i o n inforlnation of the c o m ~ ~ ~ u n i c a trieolna y apparatus in which t h e f i r s t 30 and second boards are c u r r e n t l y mounted matches t h e f i r s t and second device i d e n t i f i c a t i o n information. 5. The communication relay apparatus according to Claim 3 or 4, wherein when device i d e n t i f i c a t i o n information of the communication 36 r e l a y apparatus in which t h e f i r s t and second boards are currently mounted matches t h e f i r s t and second device i d e n t i f i c a t i o n information and either one of t h e f i r s t and second boards determines t h e own operation s t a t e a s a standby system, but after that t h e operation s t a t e 5 of t h e o t h e r board has not changed to an a c t i v e system within a certain time period, that board determines t h e own operation s t a t e as an active system and changes t h e operation s t a t e of the other board t o a standby system. 10 6. The communication r e l a y apparatus according to any one of Claims 3 t o 5, f u r t h e r comprising an interface u n i t t h a t externally transmits/receives communication d a t a , s e l e c t s either one of t h e f i r s t and second boards, and communicates that communication data with t h e selected board, wherein each of the first and second boards: determines t h e own operation state and t h e n a c q u i r e s the operation s t a t e determined i n t h e o t h e r board; and when t h e operation states of t h e f i r s t and second boards are c o n t r a d i c t o r y , determines the own operation s t a t e according to the 20 board c u r r e n t l y s e l e c t e d by the interface unit. 7. The communication r e l a y apparatus according t o Claim 6 , wherein e i t h e r o n e o f the first and second boards determines, when the interface unit curredtly selects t h e own board, t h e own operation state 25 a s a n a c t i v e systent and changes t h e operation s t a t e of the other board t o a s t a n d b y system. 8. The communication r e l a y apparatus according to any o n e o f Claims 3 to 5, further comprising an i n t e r f a c e u n i t t h a t cxternally 30 transmits/receives communication d a t a , s e l e c t s e i t h e r one of the first and second boards, and comn~unicatest hat con~municationd ata with the selected board, wherein e a c h o f t h e f i r s t and second boards: determincs a priority for cach of t h e f i r s t and second boards 3 7 based on t h e f i r s t and second configuration infortnation, t h e p r i o r i t y being a p r i o r i t y l e v e l a s a n a c t i v e system; when t h e p r i o r i t i e s of t h e f i r s t and second boards are equal to each o t h e r , determines t h a t t h e board c u r r e n t l y s e l e c t e d by the 5 interface u n i t has a higher priority; and determines t h e own operation s t a t e according to t h e determined priority. 9. The communication relay apparatus according to any one of 10 Claims 6 to 8, wherein each of the first and second boards determines the own operation s t a t e by t a k i n g account o f a communication h i s t o r y held by t h e i n t e r f a c e unit as well. 10. An operation s t a t e determination method comprising: 15 determining an own operation state upon s t a r t - u p , and recording f i r s t configuration information including l a t e s t s e t t i n g i n f o r m a t i o n in a communication s e r v i c e provided while a first board is mounted i n a given communication relay apparatus i n t h e f i r s t board, the f i r s t board being t o change t o t h e determined operation s t a t e ; and 2 0 determining an own operation state upon start-up, and recording second configuration information including l a t e s t s e t t i n g information in a colnmunication s e r v i c e provided while a second board is mounted in a given communication r e l a y apparatus i n t h e second board, t h e second board being to'change to t h e determined operation s t a t e , 25 wherein each of t h e f i r s t and second boards determines, when t h e f i r s t and second boards are mounted in the same c o n ~ n ~ u n i c a t i ornel ay apparatus i n a redundant manner, and when neither of t h e f i r s t and second boards is faulty and they a r e s i n ~ u l t a n e o u s l y started up, the own 30 operation state based on t h e f i r s t and second configuration information. 1 1 . A communication r e l a y c o n t r o l board comprising: a s t o r a g e unit that stores first configuration information including l a t e s t setting information i n a communication service 3 8 provided while the comnlunication relay control board itself is mounted in a given co~llmunication relay apparatus; and an operation s t a t e c o n t r o l unit that determines an own operation state upon start-up and changes t o t h e determined operation s t a t e , 5 wherein when the comn~unication relay control board itself and another board are mounted in the same conlmunication r e l a y apparatus i n a redundant manner, and when neither of the comn~unication relay control board itself and t h e another board is faulty and they are 10 simultaneously s t a r t e d up, the operation state c o n t r o l u n i t : reads the f i r s t configuration information from the s t o r a g e u n i t ; acquires second configuration information including l a t e s t setting information in a communication s e r v i c e from the another board, 15 t h e communication s e r v i c e being provided while t h e another board is mounted i n a given communication r e l a y apparatus; and determines t h e own operation state based on t h e f i r s t and second configuration information. 12. A recording medium s t o r i n g a c o n t r o l program t h a t causes a c o n t r o l device mounted i n a f i r s t board to execute, when the first board and a second board are mounted i n t h e same comn~unication r e l a y apparatus in a redundant manner, and when neither of t h e f i r s t and ''second boards is faulfy and they a r e 25 simultaneously started up; a process of reading f i r s t configuration information including l a t e s t s e t t i n g information in a communication service from a s t o r a g e device mounted in the first board, the communication s e r v i c e being provided while t h e f i r s t board i s mounted in a given cortl~nunication 30 r e l a y apparatus; a process o f a c q u i r i n g second configuration information including l a t e s t setting information i n a comn~unications ervice from t h e second board, the con~munications ervice being provided while t h e second board i s mounted in a given comlllunication r e l a y apparatus; 39 a determination process of determining the o w n o p e r a t i o n s t a t e based on t h e f i r s t and second configuration i n f o r m a t i o n ; a n d a t r a n s i t i o n p r o c e s s o f c h a n g i n g the f i r s t b o a r d to thc determined operation s t a t e .