Computer network with devices/paths having redundant links
First Claim
1. A redundant links monitor for an electronic network, comprising:
- a status capture module associated with either of a network device or network connection for taking a failure snapshot of at least one of at least two links to a network device/network connection and for verifying viability of said links, wherein said links include a primary link and a secondary link, said status capture module storing and/or reporting conditions that lead up to a link failure, accommodating minor, temporary disruptions, allowing status inquiries with regard to a redundant link while maintaining a primary connection, and/or detecting link failure due to incompatible network security configuration;
periodic means for actively determining the status of said secondary link; and
means for selecting the most viable link among said primary link and said secondary link.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A dual-connection option allows preservation of network connectivity to a device or path by providing a second, redundant connection which takes over if a first connection fails. One goal is to provide communication with all critical devices at all times. If the ability to communicate with a device is lost because part of the connection to the device or the device itself has been destroyed, recovery from such loss is provided. The invention is preferably embodied in a particular implementation of the proposed Redundant Links standard, and satisfies the requirements of the proposed IEEE 802.12 standard, while adding specific enhancements to the proposed standard, such as storing and/or reporting conditions that lead up to a failure; accommodating minor, temporary disruptions; allowing status inquiries with regard to a redundant link while maintaining a primary connection; and continuing testing the redundant link after an initial verification.
109 Citations
18 Claims
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1. A redundant links monitor for an electronic network, comprising:
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a status capture module associated with either of a network device or network connection for taking a failure snapshot of at least one of at least two links to a network device/network connection and for verifying viability of said links, wherein said links include a primary link and a secondary link, said status capture module storing and/or reporting conditions that lead up to a link failure, accommodating minor, temporary disruptions, allowing status inquiries with regard to a redundant link while maintaining a primary connection, and/or detecting link failure due to incompatible network security configuration; periodic means for actively determining the status of said secondary link; and means for selecting the most viable link among said primary link and said secondary link. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 15)
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11. A method for monitoring redundant links to an electronic network entity, comprising the steps of:
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taking a failure snapshot of at least one of at least two network links and verifying viability of said links with a status capture module associated with either of a network device or network connection, wherein said links include a primary link and a secondary link, said status capture module storing and/or reporting conditions that lead up to a link failure, accommodating minor, temporary disruptions, allowing status inquiries with regard to a redundant link while maintaining a primary connection, and/or detecting link failure due to incompatible network security configuration; periodically and actively determining the status of said secondary link; and selecting the most viable link among said primary link and said secondary link. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 16, 17, 18)
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Specification