Method and apparatus for automatic diagnosis and resolution of wireless network malfunctions

• US 20050176418A1
• Filed: 07/07/2004
• Published: 08/11/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 02/10/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing LLC (Microsoft Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Gteko Ltd. (Microsoft Corporation)
• Inventors: Shlomai, Netzer, Leib, Evgeny, Glazer, Joshua
• Granted Patent: US 7,392,046 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 455/423
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 24/00 Supervisory, monitoring or testing arrangements

Abstract

A method and apparatus related to the automatic diagnosis and resolution of wireless network malfunctions. A network malfunction diagnosis is made by comparing information gathered from a plurality of wireless network components to a predefined set of rules. The comparison may be performed using comprehensive query language capabilities. Once a network malfunction is detected, a malfunction report is generated and the malfunction may be automatically repaired

Claims

1. A method for automatic diagnosis and resolution of at least one malfunction of a wireless network, said method comprises:

collecting configuration information of said wireless network;

iteratively diagnosing said collected configuration information with a set of test rules to determine if at least one of said test rules is satisfied; and

generating a malfunction report if at least one of said test rules is satisfied.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein said method further comprises repairing the malfunction of a respective satisfied test rule.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein said configuration information comprises at least a list of values of configurable parameters associated with each device connected to said wireless network.

4. The method of claim 3, wherein said configuration information further comprises topology data gathered for each of said devices connected in said wireless network.

5. The method of claim 4, wherein said topology data for said device comprises at least one of an Internet protocol (IP) address, a network name and an operating system type.

6. The method of claim 3, wherein said device comprises at least one of a printer, a personal computer, a personal digital assistant, a handheld computer, a notebook computer, a digital phone, a printer, a router and a switch.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein diagnosing said test rule further comprises comparing a predefined condition to said configuration information.

8. The method of claim 7, wherein said predefined condition determines at least a proper state of at least one configurable parameter.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein the comparison is preformed by means of query language statements.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein said query language comprises at least one of standard query language, extensible markup language and plain text.

11. The method of claim 1, wherein said malfunction report is sent to technical personnel located at a remote site of a network operator.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein said malfunction report comprises at least a type of said malfunction and symptoms of said malfunction.

13. The method of claim 2, wherein said malfunction is repaired by means of automatic fix.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein said automatic fix comprises at least an instruction to allow for the automatic setting of at least one configurable parameter to its proper value.

15. The method of claim 1, wherein said method is executed locally on one of the devices connected in said wireless network.

16. The method of claim 1, wherein said method automatically configures a device upon the joining of said device to said wireless network.

17. A computer program product for automatic diagnosis and resolution of at least one malfunction of a wireless network, said computer program product comprising software instructions for enabling a computer system to perform predetermined operations, and a computer readable medium bearing the software instructions;

the predetermined operations comprising;

collecting configuration information of said wireless network;

diagnosing iteratively said collected configuration information with a set of test rules to determine if at least one of said test rules is satisfied; and

,

generating a malfunction report if at least one of said test rules is satisfied.

18. The computer program product of claim 17, wherein said method further comprises repairing the malfunction of a respective satisfied test rule.

19. The computer program product of claim 17, wherein said configuration information comprises at least a list of values of configurable parameters associated with each device connected to said wireless network.

20. The computer program product of claim 19, wherein said configuration information further comprises topology data gathered for each of said devices connected in said wireless network.

21. The computer program product of claim 20, wherein said topology data for said device comprises at least one of an Internet protocol address, a network name and an operating system type.

22. The computer program product of claim 21, wherein said device comprises at least one of a printer, a personal computer, a personal digital assistant, a handheld computer, a notebook computer, a digital phone, a printer, a router and a switch.

23. The computer program product of claim 21, wherein diagnosing said test rule further comprises comparing a predefined condition to said configuration information.

24. The computer program product of claim 21, wherein said predefined condition determines at least a proper state of at least one configurable parameter.

25. The computer program product of claim 24, wherein the comparison is preformed by means of query language statements.

26. The computer program product of claim 25, wherein said query language comprises at least one of a standard query language, extensible markup language and plain text.

27. The computer program product of claim 17, wherein said malfunction report is sent to technical personnel located at a remote site of a network operator.

28. The computer program product of claim 27, wherein said malfunction report comprises at least the type of said malfunction and the symptoms of said malfunction.

29. The computer program product of claim 18, wherein said malfunction is repaired by means of automatic fix, wherein said automatic fix comprises a set of instructions allow the automatic setting of at least one configurable parameter to its proper value.

30. The computer program product of claim 17, wherein said computer program product is executed locally on one of the devices connected in said wireless network.

31. The computer program product of claim 17, wherein said computer program product is further capable of automatically configuring a device upon the entrance of said device to said wireless network.

32. A checkup apparatus for the purpose of automatic diagnosis and resolution of at least one malfunction of a wireless network, said system comprises:

means for collection of configuration information of said wireless network;

means for iterative diagnosis of said collected configuration information by application of a set of test rules, said means being further capable of determining if at least one of said test rules is satisfied; and

,

means for generating a malfunction report if at least one of said test rules is satisfied.

33. The checkup apparatus of claim 32, wherein said checkup apparatus further comprises means for automatic repairing the malfunction of a respective satisfied test rule.

34. The checkup apparatus of claim 32, wherein said wireless network comprises at least one of a wireless local area network, a Bluetooth wireless network, an infrared data association network and 802.11 based wireless communication.

35. The checkup apparatus of claim 32, wherein said wireless network comprises a plurality of devices, wherein each of said devices comprises at least one of a personal computer, a personal digital assistant, a handheld computer, a notebook computer, a digital phone, a printer, a router and a switch.

36. The checkup apparatus of claim 32, wherein said configuration information comprises at least a list of values of configurable parameters associated with each device connected in said wireless network.

37. The checkup apparatus of claim 36, wherein said configuration information further comprises topology data gathered for each of said devices connected in said wireless network.

38. The checkup apparatus of claim 37, wherein said topology data for said device comprises at least one of an Internet protocol address, a network name and an operating system type.

39. The checkup apparatus of claim 38, wherein diagnosing said test rule further comprises comparing a predefined condition to said configuration information.

40. The checkup apparatus of claim 39, wherein said predefined condition determines at least a proper state of at least one configurable parameter.

41. The checkup apparatus of claim 39, wherein the comparison is preformed by means of query language statements.

42. The checkup apparatus of claim 41, wherein said query language comprises at least one of a standard query language, extensible markup language and a plain text.

43. The checkup apparatus of claim 32, wherein said malfunction report is sent to technical personnel located at a remote site of a network operator.

44. The checkup apparatus of claim 43, wherein said malfunction report comprises at least the type of said malfunction and the symptoms of said malfunction.

45. The checkup apparatus of claim 33, wherein said means for automatic repairing comprises a set of instructions allow the automatic setting of at least one configurable parameter to its proper value.

46. The checkup apparatus of claim 32, wherein said checkup apparatus is installed in one of the devices connected in said wireless network.

47. The checkup apparatus of claim 32, wherein said checkup apparatus is further capable of automatically configuring a device upon the entrance of said device to said wireless network.

48. The checkup apparatus of claim 32, wherein said wireless network is a digital home network, said digital comprises a plurality of home appliances connected through a communication media.

49. The checkup apparatus claim 48, wherein said communication media comprises at least one of a telephone line, a WLAN, a Bluetooth network, a USB network, an IEEE 1394 network and a power line.