Methods and Arrangements to Detect a Failure in a Communication Network
First Claim
1. A method to detect a failure of a communication component of a bundle of components, the method comprising:
- routing data to a communication component that shares at least one Internet protocol address with other communication components of the bundle, wherein routing the data should activate at least a portion of the communication component;
monitoring at least the portion of the communication component to determine a monitored activity level responsive to the communication;
comparing the monitored activity level to a predetermined activity level; and
flagging the communication component as a failed component if the monitored activity level is less than a predetermined activity level.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Methods and arrangements to monitor communication components such as a network adapters for activity, and identify components that have lower than normal levels of activity are provided. An identified communication component can become suspect component and a candidate for further testing, including different forms of interrogation. Process for interrogating candidates can include generating and sending test packets having the media access control (MAC) address of the candidate to the candidate and if activity is not detected subsequent to the interrogation, the candidate can be flagged as a failed component. Correspondingly, the component can be deactivated and removed from service. In a further embodiment, a backup component can be activated and assume the role previously held by the failed component.
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Citations
29 Claims
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1. A method to detect a failure of a communication component of a bundle of components, the method comprising:
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routing data to a communication component that shares at least one Internet protocol address with other communication components of the bundle, wherein routing the data should activate at least a portion of the communication component;
monitoring at least the portion of the communication component to determine a monitored activity level responsive to the communication;
comparing the monitored activity level to a predetermined activity level; and
flagging the communication component as a failed component if the monitored activity level is less than a predetermined activity level. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. An apparatus configured to detect failures, the apparatus comprising:
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a traffic generator adapted to generate at least one packet to initiate a data transmission routed via a communication component of a bundle of components, wherein the bundle of components is configured to share data transmission activity related to at least one network address;
an activity monitor to detect a monitored activity level of the communication component responsive to the at least one packet; and
an activity comparator to compare the monitored activity level against a predetermined activity level to determine whether to identify the communication component as a failed component. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
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20. An apparatus to detect failure of a network adapter of bundled adapters, the apparatus comprising:
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a timing module to define a time interval;
an activity monitor to determine an activity level of a network adapter during the time interval and to monitor activity of the network adapter responsive to at least one test packet;
an activity comparator to compare the determined activity level to a predetermined activity level, to identify the network adapter as a suspect adapter if the determined activity is less than the predetermined activity level;
a traffic generator to transmit at least one test packet to the suspect adapter; and
a flagger to flag the suspect adapter as a failed adapter if the monitored activity is less than a projected activity associated with the at least one test packet. - View Dependent Claims (21, 22, 23)
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24. A system comprising:
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bundled adapters to share a data transmission load;
a failure detection logic coupled to the bundled adapters to retrieve a first value indicative of data transmission activity, to identify a suspect adapter based upon the value, to transmit a test packet via the suspect adapter, to retrieve a second value indicative of data transmission activity via the suspect adapter, and to determine whether to mark the suspect adapter as a failed adapter based upon the second value. - View Dependent Claims (25, 26, 27)
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28. A computer program product comprising a computer useable medium having a computer readable program, wherein the computer readable program when executed on a computer causes the computer to:
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route data to a communication component that shares at least one Internet protocol address with other communication components of the bundle, wherein routing the data should activate at least a portion of the communication component;
monitor at least the portion of the communication component to determine a monitored activity level responsive to the communication;
compare the monitored activity level to a predetermined activity level; and
identify the communication component as a failed component if the monitored activity level is less than a predetermined activity level. - View Dependent Claims (29)
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Specification