Method for recovering from malfunctions in an agent module of a modular network device
First Claim
1. A method of recovering from malfunctions in a first agent module that is installed in a modular network device having a plurality of network interface modules housed in a chassis where the first agent module performs management and system controller functions, the method comprising the steps of:
- installing a second agent module in the chassis and asserting a present signal of the second agent to notify the first agent module that the second agent module is present;
determining, at the second agent module, if the first agent module is installed when a present signal, a ready signal and a privilege signal of the first agent module are asserted;
synchronizing configuration information of the network interface modules from the first agent module to the second agent module after a ready signal of the second agent module is asserted;
periodically sending a message, from the first agent module to the second agent module, indicating that the first agent module has not failed;
detecting, at the second agent module, that the malfunctions in the first agent module occur if the second agent module cannot receive the message within a predetermined time interval;
rebooting the modular network device including the first agent module and the second agent module; and
performing the management and system controller functions by the second agent module using the synchronized configuration information.
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Abstract
A method for recovering from malfunctions in a primary agent module of a modular network device. The primary agent module is installed in a modular network device having a number of network interface modules housed in a chassis. A backup agent module is installed in the chassis when the modular network device is powered on. The backup agent module determines if the primary agent module has been installed when three dedicated signals of the primary agent module are asserted. The network device then synchronizes all configuration information of the network interface modules from the primary to the backup agent module. The backup agent module detects that the primary agent module has failed if it cannot receive a message sent from the primary agent module within a predetermined time interval. As a result, the modular network device is rebooted and the backup agent module becomes the primary agent module.
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Citations
14 Claims
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1. A method of recovering from malfunctions in a first agent module that is installed in a modular network device having a plurality of network interface modules housed in a chassis where the first agent module performs management and system controller functions, the method comprising the steps of:
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installing a second agent module in the chassis and asserting a present signal of the second agent to notify the first agent module that the second agent module is present;
determining, at the second agent module, if the first agent module is installed when a present signal, a ready signal and a privilege signal of the first agent module are asserted;
synchronizing configuration information of the network interface modules from the first agent module to the second agent module after a ready signal of the second agent module is asserted;
periodically sending a message, from the first agent module to the second agent module, indicating that the first agent module has not failed;
detecting, at the second agent module, that the malfunctions in the first agent module occur if the second agent module cannot receive the message within a predetermined time interval;
rebooting the modular network device including the first agent module and the second agent module; and
performing the management and system controller functions by the second agent module using the synchronized configuration information. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. A method of establishing redundant management and system controller functions in a modular network device having a plurality of network interface modules housed in a chassis, comprising the steps of:
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booting the modular network device with a first agent module installed in a first slot of the chassis and a second agent module installed in a second slot of the chassis;
determining if the first agent module is a primary agent module and the second agent module is a backup agent module when a privilege signal of the first agent module is asserted and a privilege signal of the second agent module is de-asserted;
synchronizing configuration information of the network interface modules from the first agent module to the second agent module after a ready signal of the first agent module and a ready signal of the second agent module are both asserted;
periodically sending a message, from the first agent module to the second agent module, indicating that the first agent module has not failed;
detecting, at the second agent module, that the first agent module has failed if the second agent module cannot receive the message within a predetermined time interval;
rebooting the modular network device including the first agent module and the second agent module; and
performing the management and system controller functions by the second agent module using the synchronized configuration information. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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Specification