Error detection in communication systems

• US 20030188228A1
• Filed: 03/29/2002
• Published: 10/02/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 03/29/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Ciena Corporation
• Original Assignee: Nortel Networks Limited (Nortel Networks Corporation)
• Inventors: Taylor, Graham, Arambepola, Leilani, Davis, Nigel R.
• Granted Patent: US 6,907,549 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 714/43
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 69/40 for recovering from a failure of a protocol instance or entity, e.g. service redundancy protocols, protocol state redundancy or protocol service redirection management of faults, events, alarms or notifications in data switching networks H04L41/06

Abstract

A method for determining the impact on a network of a fault in the network, comprises the steps of constructing a layered topological model of the network according to a predetermined protocol, receiving an indication of an erroneous event at a point in the network, and modelling the impact on the network and its services resulting from the event by navigating the topological model. The modelling step includes applying a priority weighting to an erroneous event to determine a priority order in which a sequence of erroneous events may be attended to. The priority order may be based on cost-effectiveness of carrying out a particular repair. The method may alternatively be used to determine the location of a fault with increased certainty by relating an event with a previous erroneous event. The method is preferably implemented by a programmed computer.

Claims

1. A method for determining the impact on a network of a fault in the network, comprising the steps of:

constructing a layered topological model of the network according to a predetermined protocol;

receiving an indication of an erroneous event at a point in the network; and

modelling the impact on the network and its services resulting from said event by navigating the topological model.

2. A method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the modelling step includes applying a priority weighting to a said erroneous event whereby to determine a priority order in which to attend to a sequence of said erroneous events.

10. A human user interface enabling a method as claimed in claim 1 to be performed.

11. A machine user interface enabling a method as claimed in claim 1 to be performed.

3. A method for locating a fault in a network, comprising the steps of:

constructing a layered topological model of the network according to a predetermined protocol;

receiving an indication of an inappropriate event at a point in the network; and

modelling the impact on the network and its services resulting from said event by navigating the topological model, thereby to obtain a first indication of a possible fault location.

4. A method as claimed in claim 3, wherein the modelling step includes applying a priority weighting to a said erroneous event whereby to determine a priority order in which to attend to a sequence of said erroneous events.

5. A method as claimed in claim 4, wherein the priority order is based on the cost effectiveness of rectifying said erroneous events.

6. A method as claimed in claim 3, comprising the further step of refining the indication of a possible fault location on the occurrence of a second erroneous event indication subsequent to said aforementioned erroneous event indication by associating the said erroneous event indications through relationships derived from the said model.

7. A network comprising means to locate a fault in the network, comprising:

constructing means to construct a layered topological model of the network according to a predetermined protocol;

a receiver adapted to receive an indication of an erroneous event at a point in the network; and

navigating means to model the impact on the network resulting from said erroneous event by navigating the topological model, thereby to obtain a first indication of a possible fault location.

8. A network as claimed in claim 7, wherein the navigating means comprises a processor adapted to operate an algorithm to navigate the topological model.

9. A network as claimed in claim 7, wherein the constructing means comprises a processor adapted to operate an algorithm to construct the topological model.

12. A computer program adapted to perform a method for determining the impact on a network of a fault in the network, the method comprising the steps of:

constructing a layered topological model of the network according to a predetermined protocol;

receiving an indication of an erroneous event at a point in the network; and

modelling the impact on the network and its services resulting from said event by navigating the topological model.

14. A data carrier carrying a program according to claim 12.

13. A computer program adapted to perform a method for locating a fault in a network, the method comprising the steps of:

constructing a layered topological model of the network according to a predetermined protocol;

receiving an indication of an inappropriate event at a point in the network; and

modelling the impact on the network and its services resulting from said event by navigating the topological model, thereby to obtain a first indication of a possible fault location.

15. A data carrier carrying a program according to claim 13.