System and method for monitoring a data network segment
First Claim
1. A monitoring system for a data network serving a plurality of end and intermediate points interconnected by a plurality of nodes, the system comprising:
- a) a first test unit for inserting a marker frame, comprising an address of the first test unit and a marker sequence code, into the data network via a first point selected from the plurality of end and intermediate points,;
b) at least one traffic monitor, each traffic monitor connected to one of the plurality of nodes for probing data traffic passing therethrough to detect arrival of the marker frame as recognized by the marker sequence code; and
for forwarding a tracing frame comprising the node address where the marker frame is detected and a copy of the detected marker frame, to the first test unit using the first test unit address,wherein, in operation, the first test unit recognizes the tracing frame by the marker sequence code contained therein, and builds a list of every node in which the marker frame is detected based on each node address obtained from each tracing frame.
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Accused Products
Abstract
The invention relates to a monitoring system and method for performing a connectivity check and a trace routing test in Ethernet based networks built around VLAN switching. For the connectivity check, a beacon frame is inserted at an originating point by an initiating test unit for transmission to a destination point provided with a loop for returning a response frame to the initiating test unit whenever the beacon frame is received, thereby confirming connectivity between the originating and destination points. For the trace routing test, a marker frame is inserted at the originating point by the initiating test unit and monitored as it passes through network nodes along its way towards the destination point. At any node where the beacon frame is detected, a tracing frame containing a copy of the marker frame is returned to the initiating test unit to build a sequential list of every node where the marker frame is detected.
81 Citations
19 Claims
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1. A monitoring system for a data network serving a plurality of end and intermediate points interconnected by a plurality of nodes, the system comprising:
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a) a first test unit for inserting a marker frame, comprising an address of the first test unit and a marker sequence code, into the data network via a first point selected from the plurality of end and intermediate points,; b) at least one traffic monitor, each traffic monitor connected to one of the plurality of nodes for probing data traffic passing therethrough to detect arrival of the marker frame as recognized by the marker sequence code; and
for forwarding a tracing frame comprising the node address where the marker frame is detected and a copy of the detected marker frame, to the first test unit using the first test unit address,wherein, in operation, the first test unit recognizes the tracing frame by the marker sequence code contained therein, and builds a list of every node in which the marker frame is detected based on each node address obtained from each tracing frame. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. A method for monitoring a data network serving a plurality of intermediate and termination points interconnected by a plurality of nodes, the method comprising the steps of:
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i) selecting a first point from the plurality of intermediate and termination points; ii) inserting a marker frame into the network for transmission from the first point towards the second point, said marker frame comprising an address of the first point and a predetermined marker sequence code; iii) examining data traffic passing via at least one of the plurality of nodes to detect arrival of the marker frame as recognized by the marker sequence code; iv) forwarding to the first point, using the first point address, a tracing frame comprising a copy of the detected marker frame and the address of each node where the marker frame is detected; and v) recognizing the tracing frame by the marker sequence code comprised therein, and building a list of every node where the marker frame is detected based on the respective node address derived from the respective tracing frame. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19)
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Specification