Centralized internet protocol/multi-protocol label switching connectivity verification in a communications network management context

• US 20050022189A1
• Filed: 04/08/2004
• Published: 01/27/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 04/15/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: WSOU Investments, LLC (WSOU Holdings, LLC)
• Original Assignee: Alcatel SA (Nokia Corporation)
• Inventors: Proulx, Denis Armand, Katz, Felix, Virdy, Macmohana Singh, Rachniowski, Margaret, Timmerman, Craig Ellirt, Zabihi, Afshan
• Granted Patent: US 7,487,240 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 718/100
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 41/00 Arrangements for maintenance, administration or management of data switching networks, e.g. of packet switching networks

Abstract

A framework for connectivity verification is provided. The framework includes a connectivity verification server performing unattended connectivity verification, and a connectivity verification application, both the connectivity verification server and connectivity verification application operating in a network management context. Connectivity verification jobs are defined via the connectivity verification application and the connectivity verification server is configured accordingly. Connectivity verification jobs can also be scheduled. The connectivity verification application also provides a display of connectivity verification results. The results of each connectivity verification job may be compared against a desired connectivity profile and deviations from the connectivity profile being used to raise alarms. Connectivity verification results, including alarm information, are further used to highlight displayed managed communications network entities on a network map displaying selected connectivity verification results. The advantages are derived from using the connectivity verification framework to automate connectivity verification testing at reduced operational costs.

Claims

1. A network management connectivity verification framework comprising:

a. a connectivity verification server performing unattended connectivity verification jobs; and

b. a connectivity verification application for defining connectivity verification jobs, configuring the connectivity verification server accordingly, and displaying configuration verification results.

2. A connectivity verification framework claimed in claim 1, wherein the connectivity verification jobs are scheduled and the connectivity verification server performs scheduled connectivity verification.

3. A connectivity verification framework claimed in claim 1, wherein the connectivity verification application further providing a display of connectivity verification results.

4. A connectivity verification framework claimed in claim 1, wherein the results of each connectivity verification job may be compared against a connectivity profile, a deviation from the connectivity profile being used to raise an alarm.

5. A connectivity verification framework claimed in claim 3, wherein the connectivity verification results, including alarm information, are further used to generate a network map displaying selected connectivity verification results.

6. A method of creating a network connectivity verification test, comprising steps of:

a. defining a connectivity verification job;

b. configuring a connectivity verification server to perform the connectivity verification job; and

c. displaying connectivity verification results.

7. The method of creating a network connectivity verification test claimed in claim 6, wherein defining the connectivity verification job further comprises steps of:

a. selecting via an NMS user interface, a pair of source and destination IP objects between which connectivity is to be verified; and

b. specifying a connectivity verification schedule;

8. The method of creating a network connectivity verification test claimed in claim 6, wherein defining the connectivity verification job further comprises a step of specifying connectivity verification thresholds to be applied against connectivity verification results.

9. The method of creating a network connectivity verification test claimed in claim 8, wherein specifying connectivity thresholds further comprises specifying a threshold for a round trip delay, jitter, and packet loss.

10. The method of creating a network connectivity verification test claimed in claim 7, wherein a selected IP object include one of a router, IP interface, and IP address.

11. The method of creating a network connectivity verification test claimed in claim 7, wherein the pair of IP objects is selected selecting one of an IP link, an LSP, and a VPN.

12. The method of creating a network connectivity verification test claimed in claim 6, wherein defining the connectivity verification job further comprises a step of:

configuring a connectivity verification parameter including one of a number of ping commands to issue, a ping packet size, ping data fill pattern, a time to wait for response, and a type of service.

13. The method of creating a network connectivity verification test claimed in claim 6, wherein defining the connectivity verification job further comprises a step of:

configuring a connectivity verification parameter including one of a number of traceroute commands to issue, a traceroute packet size, traceroute packet data fill pattern, a time to wait for response, and a type of service.

14. A method of performing a network connectivity verification in a network management context comprising steps of:

a. performing scheduled connectivity verification;

b. comparing a connectivity verification result with a threshold; and

c. raising an alarm if the connectivity verification result has reached the threshold.

15. The method of performing a network connectivity verification claimed in claim 14, further comprising a step of:

storing connectivity verification job on computer readable medium for subsequent access and execution.

16. The method of performing a network connectivity verification claimed in claim 14, further comprising a step of:

highlighting at least one IP object based on one of a connectivity verification job and a connectivity verification result.

17. The method of performing a network connectivity verification claimed in claim 16, wherein a highlighted object is one of an OSI Layer 2 and OSI Layer 3 object.

18. The method of performing a network connectivity verification claimed in claim 14, wherein performing scheduled connectivity verification the method further comprising a step of:

periodically executing connectivity verification tests.

19. The method of performing a network connectivity verification claimed in claim 14, wherein performing scheduled connectivity verification the method further comprising a step of:

issuing a one of a ping command and traceroute command.

20. The method of performing a network connectivity verification claimed in claim 14, further comprising a step of:

storing historical connectivity verification results on computer readable medium for subsequent access.