Network commentator
First Claim
1. A test device for identifying one of a plurality of error types in a token-ring local area network, wherein said token-ring local area network has at least one network computer station attached thereto, and further wherein said at least one network computer station may send a plurality of messages, each message being one of several types of messages, through said token-ring local area network, said test device comprising:
- interface means for connecting said test device to said token-ring local area network and for receiving a plurality of messages being transmitted over said local area network by said at least one network computer station;
a first timer means connected to said interface means for timing a duration between received messages;
means connected to said interface means and said first timer means for analyzing each of said plurality of messages, and for starting said first timer means when a first duplicate address type of message is received; and
means connected to said interface means and said first timer means for displaying a duplicate address test failure error message when a time value within said first timer means exceeds a first predetermined duration before said interface means receives a second duplicate address type of message.
3 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
Disclosed is a system that monitors a local area network by receiving all messages transmitted over the local area network, and analyzing selected sequences of messages to determine if certain, architecturally defined, processes are properly completed. If a network station starts one of these processes, and the process does not complete normally, the system analyzes the messages involved in the process to determine the network stations that participated in the process, and the phase or phases of the process that were completed. This allows the system to provide information to a user of the system that identifies a possible cause for the process not completing, and a possible network station or stations likely to be at fault.
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Citations
15 Claims
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1. A test device for identifying one of a plurality of error types in a token-ring local area network, wherein said token-ring local area network has at least one network computer station attached thereto, and further wherein said at least one network computer station may send a plurality of messages, each message being one of several types of messages, through said token-ring local area network, said test device comprising:
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interface means for connecting said test device to said token-ring local area network and for receiving a plurality of messages being transmitted over said local area network by said at least one network computer station; a first timer means connected to said interface means for timing a duration between received messages; means connected to said interface means and said first timer means for analyzing each of said plurality of messages, and for starting said first timer means when a first duplicate address type of message is received; and means connected to said interface means and said first timer means for displaying a duplicate address test failure error message when a time value within said first timer means exceeds a first predetermined duration before said interface means receives a second duplicate address type of message. - View Dependent Claims (7, 8, 9, 10)
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2. A test device for monitoring a token-ring local area network, wherein said token-ring local area network has at least one network computer station attached thereto, and further wherein said at least one network computer station may send a plurality of frames, each frame being one of several types of frames, through said token-ring local area network, said test device comprising:
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an interface connecting said test device and said token-ring local area network, wherein said interface receives a plurality of frames being transmitted over said local area network by said at least one network computer station; a first timer connected to said interface, wherein said first timer measures an amount of time between frames received by said interface; an analyzer connected to said interface and said first timer, wherein said analyzer examines each of said plurality of frames and starts said first timer when a first duplicate address type of frame is received by said interface; a display system connected to said interface and said analyzer, wherein said display system displays a duplicate address test failure error message when said first timer exceeds a first predetermined amount of time before said interface receives a second duplicate address type of frame. - View Dependent Claims (3, 4, 5, 6)
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11. A method for monitoring a token-ring local area network, wherein said token-ring local area network has at least one network computer station attached thereto, and further wherein said at least one network computer station may send a plurality of frames, each frame being one of several types of frames, through said token-ring local area network, said method comprising the steps of:
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(a) receiving a plurality of frames being transmitted over said local area network by said at least one network computer station; (b) examining each of said plurality of frames and starting a first timer after receiving a first duplicate address type of frame; (c) displaying a duplicate address test failure error message when said first timer exceeds a first predetermined time before receiving a second duplicate address type of frame. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15)
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Specification