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End-to-end bidirectional keep-alive using virtual circuits

  • US 6,538,988 B1
  • Filed: 01/18/2001
  • Issued: 03/25/2003
  • Est. Priority Date: 12/19/1996
  • Status: Expired due to Term
First Claim
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1. A system for providing keep-alive detection between end nodes of a virtual circuit in a data network, the system comprising:

  • a virtual circuit including a first end node, a second end node and at least one intermediate router;

    said first end node being coupled to a first router of said at least one intermediate router;

    said second end node being coupled to a second router of said at least one intermediate router, said second end node further being coupled to said first end node via said virtual circuit;

    said virtual circuit being represented by an associated data link connection identifier (DLCI) other than that used by a local management interface, and configured to allow transmission of data frames between said first and second end nodes;

    said first end node including a first keep-alive mechanism configured to send at least one keep-alive REQUEST message to said second end node via said virtual circuit; and

    said second end node including a second keep-alive mechanism configured to respond to reception of said at least one keep-alive REQUEST message by sending at least one keep-alive REPLY message to said first end node via said virtual circuit.

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