Apparatus and method for network error prevention

• US 20070002756A1
• Filed: 06/29/2005
• Published: 01/04/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 06/29/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
• Original Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
• Inventors: Hidle, Frederick
• Granted Patent: US 8,542,574 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 370/244
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 1/24 Testing correct operation

Abstract

A method includes performing one or more tests at a network component. The network component is capable of transmitting frames of information in a network. The network component is also capable of enabling and disabling the transmitting of frames. The method also includes detecting a failure of at least one of the one or more tests. In addition, the method includes at least one of not enabling the transmitting of frames by the network component and disabling the transmitting of frames by the network component in response to the detected failure. As an example, the one or more tests may be performed in response to the network component powering on. The network component may be initially disabled from transmitting the frames, and the transmitting of frames is not enabled in response to the detected failure.

Claims

1. A method, comprising:

performing one or more tests at a network component, the network component capable of transmitting frames of information in a network, the network component capable of enabling and disabling the transmitting of frames;

detecting a failure of at least one of the one or more tests; and

in response to the detected failure of at least one of the one or more tests, at least one of;

not enabling the transmitting of frames by the network component and disabling the transmitting of frames by the network component.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein:

the one or more tests are performed in response to the network component powering on;

the network component is initially disabled from transmitting the frames; and

the transmitting of frames by the network component is not enabled in response to the detected failure of at least one of the one or more tests.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein:

the one or more tests are performed after the network component begins transmitting the frames; and

the transmitting of frames by the network component is disabled in response to the detected failure of at least one of the one or more tests.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the one or more tests comprise at least one of:

determining whether an under-voltage condition is present in the network component, validating a memory in the network component, determining whether a bus in the network component is operating properly, determining whether a port in the network component is operating properly, and determining whether a logic element in the network component can be programmed properly.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the one or more tests comprise at least one of:

determining whether a switching element in the network component can be configured properly, determining whether information identifying a configuration of the switching element can be retrieved, and determining whether an actual configuration of the switching element varies from an expected configuration.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the one or more tests comprise determining whether one or more configuration rules are violated, the configuration rules defining one or more allowable connections between the network component and one or more link partners in the network.

7. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

in response to the detected failure of at least one of the one or more tests, at least one of;

powering down one or more ports coupled to one or more link partners in the network, powering down the network component, and powering down one of a plurality of redundant switching elements in the network component.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein the network component comprises one of:

a switch and a router.

9. An apparatus, comprising:

a plurality of interfaces capable of being coupled to a plurality of link partners in a network;

a switching element capable of receiving and transmitting frames of information through the plurality of interfaces; and

a controller capable of;

enabling and disabling the transmitting of frames by the switching element;

performing one or more tests of the apparatus;

detecting a failure of at least one of the one or more tests; and

in response to the detected failure of at least one of the one or more tests, at least one of;

not enabling the transmitting of frames by the switching element and disabling the transmitting of frames by the switching element.

10. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein:

the one or more tests are performed in response to the apparatus powering on;

the switching element is initially disabled from transmitting the frames; and

the controller does not enable the transmitting of frames by the switching element in response to the detected failure of at least one of the one or more tests.

11. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein:

the one or more tests are performed after the switching element begins transmitting the frames; and

the controller disables the transmitting of frames by the switching element in response to the detected failure of at least one of the one or more tests.

12. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the one or more tests comprise at least one of:

determining whether an under-voltage condition is present in the apparatus, validating a memory in the controller, determining whether a bus in the apparatus is operating properly, determining whether a port in the apparatus is operating properly, and determining whether a logic element in the apparatus can be programmed properly.

13. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the one or more tests comprise at least one of:

determining whether the switching element can be configured properly, determining whether information identifying a configuration of the switching element can be retrieved, and determining whether an actual configuration of the switching element varies from an expected configuration.

14. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the one or more tests comprise determining whether one or more configuration rules are violated, the configuration rules defining one or more allowable connections between the apparatus and the one or more link partners.

15. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the controller is further capable of:

in response to the detected failure of at least one of the one or more tests, at least one of;

powering down one or more of the plurality of interfaces, powering down the apparatus, and powering down one of a plurality of redundant switching elements in the apparatus.

16. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the plurality of interfaces comprise at least one of:

a port capable of being coupled to a copper cable, and a connector capable of receiving a transceiver module that is capable of being coupled to a fiber optic cable.

17. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein:

the switching element is coupled directly to at least one of the interfaces; and

the switching element is coupled indirectly to at least one other of the interfaces through a physical layer transceiver.

18. A computer program embodied on a computer readable medium and operable to be executed by a processor, the computer program comprising computer readable program code for:

performing one or more tests at a network component, the network component capable of transmitting frames of information in a network, the network component capable of enabling and disabling the transmitting of frames;

detecting a failure of at least one of the one or more tests; and

in response to the detected failure of at least one of the one or more tests, at least one of;

not enabling the transmitting of frames by the network component and disabling the transmitting of frames by the network component.

19. The computer program of claim 18, wherein:

the one or more tests are performed in response to the network component powering on;

the network component is initially disabled from transmitting the frames; and

the transmitting of frames by the network component is not enabled in response to the detected failure of at least one of the one or more tests.

20. The computer program of claim 18, wherein:

the one or more tests are performed after the network component begins transmitting the frames; and

the transmitting of frames by the network component is disabled in response to the detected failure of at least one of the one or more tests.