Communications network tap with heartbeat monitor

• US 20070002755A1
• Filed: 07/01/2005
• Published: 01/04/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 07/01/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Keysight Technologies Singapore (Holdings) Pte. Limited. (Keysight Technologies, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Net Optics Incorporated (Keysight Technologies, Inc.)
• Inventors: Matityahu, Eldad, Shaw, Robert, Strong, Stephen
• Granted Patent: US 7,599,301 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 370/242
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 41/06 Management of faults, events, alarms or notifications
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 43/10 Active monitoring, e.g. heartbeat, ping or trace-route
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 43/12 Network monitoring probes

Abstract

A communications network tap, comprises a first terminal and a second terminal adapted to couple the tap in-line in the network and communicate data packets with network devices. A heartbeat generator is configured to generate a heartbeat signal, and a heartbeat insert circuit coupled to the first terminal and the heartbeat generator and configured to insert the heartbeat signal into data packets. A third terminal is coupled to the heartbeat insert circuit and adapted to couple the tap to a network monitor and communicate data packets with network monitor. A heartbeat remove circuit is coupled to the third terminal and configured to receive data packets from a network monitor and remove the heartbeat signal from the data packets. A heartbeat detector coupled to the heartbeat remove circuit and configured to detect whether the data packets include the heartbeat signal, and if not, to generate an alarm signal. A switch is coupled to the second terminal and configured to transmit data packets onto the network. Advantages of the invention include ensuring the integrity of network monitoring equipment.

Claims

1. A communications network tap, comprising:

a first terminal and a second terminal adapted to couple the tap in-line in the network and communicate data packets with network devices;

a heartbeat generator configured to generate a heartbeat signal;

a heartbeat insert circuit coupled to the first terminal and the heartbeat generator and configured to insert the heartbeat signal into data packets;

a third terminal coupled to the heartbeat insert circuit and adapted to couple the tap to a network monitor and communicate data packets with network monitor;

a heartbeat remove circuit coupled to the third terminal and configured to receive data packets from a network monitor and remove the heartbeat signal from the data packets;

a heartbeat detector coupled to the heartbeat removal circuit and configured to detect whether the data packets include the heartbeat signal, and if not, to generate an alarm signal; and

wherein the heartbeat remove circuit is coupled to the second terminal and configured to transmit data packets onto the network.

2. The communications network tap of claim 1, further comprising:

a switch coupled to the first terminal and the second terminal and the heartbeat insert circuit and the heartbeat remove circuit and configured to selectively direct data packets.

3. The communications network tap of claim 1, further comprising:

a switch coupled to the first terminal and the second terminal and configured to provide a copy of the data packets to a fourth terminal.

4. The communications network tap of claim 2, wherein:

the switch is configured to provide a copy of the data packets to a fourth terminal.

5. The communications network tap of claim 2, wherein:

the switch is configured to bypass the heartbeat insert circuit on receipt of the alarm signal.

6. The communications network tap of claim 3, wherein:

the switch is configured to bypass the heartbeat insert circuit on receipt of the alarm signal.

7. The communications network tap of claim 4, wherein:

the switch is configured to bypass the heartbeat insert circuit on receipt of the alarm signal.

8. A method of ensuring the integrity of a network monitor using a communications network tap, comprising the steps of:

coupling the tap in-line in the network and communicate data packets with network devices;

generating a heartbeat signal;

inserting the heartbeat signal into data packets;

coupling the tap to a network monitor and communicating data packets with network monitor;

receiving data packets from the network monitor and removing the heartbeat signal from the data packets; and

detecting whether the data packets include the heartbeat signal, and if not, generating an alarm signal.

9. The method of claim 8, further comprising the step of:

providing a copy of the data packets to a fourth terminal.

10. The method of claim 8, further comprising the step of:

in the event of the alarm signal, bypassing the heartbeat inserting step.

11. The method of claim 9, further comprising the step of:

in the event of the alarm signal, bypassing the heartbeat inserting step.