SAFE STATE FOR NETWORKED DEVICES

• US 20130198347A1
• Filed: 01/30/2013
• Published: 08/01/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 01/30/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Allied Telesis Holdings KK
• Original Assignee: Allied Telesis Holdings KK
• Inventors: McKinstry, Mark Andrew, Verwoerd, Theuns, Lineham, Anthony Robert, Campbell, Graeme
• Granted Patent: US 9,948,495 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 709/220
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 41/00 Arrangements for maintenance, administration or management of data switching networks, e.g. of packet switching networks
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 41/0803 Configuration setting

Abstract

A method placing a device in safe state is disclosed. The method includes initiating a safe state for a device. In one embodiment, an operational functionality of the device is disabled. A safe state message at an interface of the device may be received. The interface may be designated as a management interface. Information may be received at the management interface, wherein the information manages the device. The method may also include disabling a non-management interface of the device, wherein the non-management interface is an interface that does not receive a safe state message. The method may further include shutting down a non-management interface of the device, wherein the non-management interface is an interface that does not receive a safe state message. A normal state for the device may be initiated, wherein in the normal state the device restores the operational functionality of the device.

Claims

1. A method comprising:

initiating a safe state for a device;

disabling an operational functionality of said device;

receiving a first message at an interface of said device;

designating said interface as a management interface; and

receiving information at said management interface, wherein said information manages said device.

2. The method as described in claim 1 further comprising:

disabling a non-management interface of said device, wherein said non-management interface is an interface that does not receive a message that is of a same type as said first message.

3. The method as described in claim 1, wherein said device in said safe state is configurable in-band by at least another device in a network, and wherein said operational functionality includes forwarding data through a data network.

4. The method as described in claim 1 further comprising:

shutting down a non-management interface of said device, wherein said non-management interface is an interface that does not receive a message that is of a same type as said first message.

5. The method as described in claim 1 further comprising:

configuring said device with said information received at said management interface.

6. The method as described in claim 1 further comprising:

initiating a normal state for said device, wherein in said normal state said device restores said operational functionality of said device.

7. The method as described in claim 1, wherein said safe state is initiated in response to said device starting up.

8. The method as described in claim 1, wherein said safe state is initiated in response to a user command.

9. A method comprising:

initiating a safe state for a device;

disabling an operational functionality of said device;

receiving a first plurality of—

messages at a first plurality of interfaces of said device within a certain period of time;

designating said first plurality of interfaces as management interfaces; and

receiving information at said management interfaces.

10. The method as described in claim 9 further comprising:

shutting down interfaces of said device other than said first plurality of interfaces.

11. The method as described in claim 9 further comprising:

disabling interfaces of said device other than said first plurality of interfaces.

12. The method as described in claim 9 further comprising:

starting a timer for measuring said certain period of time.

13. The method as described in claim 9, wherein said device in said safe state is configurable in-band by at least another device in a network via said management interfaces, and wherein said operational functionality includes forwarding data through a data network.

14. The method as described in claim 9 further comprising:

configuring said device with said information received at said management interfaces.

15. The method as described in claim 9 further comprising:

initiating a normal state for said device, wherein in said normal state said device restores said operational functionality of said device.

16. The method as described in claim 9, wherein said safe state is initiated in response to said device starting up.

17. The method as described in claim 9, wherein said safe state is initiated in response to a user command.

18. The method as described in claim 9, wherein said first plurality of said messages is received in response to a query by said device.

19. A computer readable storage medium having stored thereon, computer executable instructions that, if executed by a device cause the device to perform a method comprising:

initiating a safe state for a device;

disabling an operational functionality of said device; and

receiving information at an interface of said device, wherein said information manages said device.

20. The computer readable storage medium as described in claim 19, wherein said method further comprises:

designating said interface as a management interface, and wherein said designating occurs prior to said initiating.

21. The computer readable storage medium as described in claim 20, wherein said method further comprises:

deactivating a non-management interface of said device, wherein said non-management interface is an interface that does not receive a message;

configuring said device with said information received at said management interface; and

initiating a normal state for said device, wherein in said normal state said device restores said operational functionality of said device.

22. The computer readable storage medium as described in claim 19, wherein said method further comprises:

receiving a—

message at said interface prior to said receiving information;

designating said interface as a management interface; and

configuring said management interface prior to said receiving information.