Network fault isolation
First Claim
1. A system for use with a data network of the type making a plurality of network elements accessible to a plurality of network users, the system comprising:
- a plurality of diagnostic units each adapted to communicate with network elements and network users;
a central controller operatively connected to the diagnostic units, the controller adapted to communicate with and coordinate operations of the diagnostic units, to instruct the diagnostic units to perform tests adapted to help isolate a network fault, and to analyze test results received from a diagnostic unit to attempt to determine the network fault.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Techniques are provided for improved fault isolation and fault reduction. A system for use with a data network includes multiple diagnostic units each adapted to communicate with the network including to a network user. A central controller is operatively connected to the diagnostic units, the controller being adapted to communicate with and coordinate operations of the diagnostic units, to instruct the diagnostic units to perform tests adapted to help isolate a network fault, and to analyze test results received from a diagnostic unit to attempt to determine the network fault. Various methods for improving fault isolation and fault reduction are also provided.
194 Citations
40 Claims
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1. A system for use with a data network of the type making a plurality of network elements accessible to a plurality of network users, the system comprising:
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a plurality of diagnostic units each adapted to communicate with network elements and network users;
a central controller operatively connected to the diagnostic units, the controller adapted to communicate with and coordinate operations of the diagnostic units, to instruct the diagnostic units to perform tests adapted to help isolate a network fault, and to analyze test results received from a diagnostic unit to attempt to determine the network fault. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. A system for use with a data network, the system comprising:
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a plurality of diagnostic units each adapted to communicate with the network including to a network user;
a central controller operatively connected to the diagnostic units, the controller adapted to communicate with and coordinate operations of the diagnostic units, to instruct the diagnostic units to perform tests adapted to help isolate a network fault, and to analyze test results received from a diagnostic unit to attempt to determine the network fault wherein the controller is adapted to instruct a first diagnostic unit to inject test data into the network and a second diagnostic unit to monitor a network response to the test data injected by the first diagnostic unit.
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13. A system for use with a data network, the system comprising:
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a plurality of diagnostic units each adapted to communicate with the network including to a network user;
a central controller operatively connected to the diagnostic units, the controller adapted to communicate with and coordinate operations of the diagnostic units, to instruct the diagnostic units to perform tests adapted to help isolate a network fault, and to analyze test results received from a diagnostic unit to attempt to determine the network fault wherein a diagnostic unit is adapted to accept data from a user in a protocol incompatible with a network element to which the data are intended to be sent, to communicate with the network element using a protocol compatible with the network element, and to communicate with the user using a protocol compatible with the protocol of the data from the user. - View Dependent Claims (14)
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15. A system for use with a data network, the system comprising:
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a plurality of diagnostic units each adapted to communicate with the network including to a network user;
a central controller operatively connected to the diagnostic units, the controller adapted to communicate with and coordinate operations of the diagnostic units, to instruct the diagnostic units to perform tests adapted to help isolate a network fault, and to analyze test results received from a diagnostic unit to attempt to determine the network fault wherein the controller is adapted to determine operations to instruct a diagnostic unit to perform based on predetermined business priorities.
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16. A computer program product for use with a computer installed in a communication network that includes network elements, the computer program product comprising instructions for causing a computer to:
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receive data from a user related to performance of the network;
in response to the data received from the user, inject test data into the communication network to attempt to establish communication with a network element; and
monitor a network response to the test data. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28)
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29. A diagnostic system for use in a network, the system comprising:
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a first diagnostic unit connected to the network and capable of injecting test data into the network; and
a second diagnostic unit connected to the network and capable of monitoring a response to the test data and providing an indication of the monitored response;
wherein the network includes the Internet and a sub-network provided by an Internet Service Provider and the first diagnostic unit and the second diagnostic unit are installed in the sub-network operated by the Internet Service provider; and
the first diagnostic unit is adapted to communicate with a user of the network.- View Dependent Claims (30, 31, 32, 33, 34)
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35. A diagnostic system for use in a network, the system comprising:
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a first diagnostic unit connected to the network and capable of injecting test data into the network; and
a second diagnostic unit connected to the network and capable of monitoring a response to the test data and providing an indication of the monitored response, wherein the first and second diagnostic units can inject the first and second test data into the network such that the first and second test data affect the network at the same time.
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36. A system for use with a data network of the type making a plurality of network elements accessible to a plurality of network users, wherein the network comprises the Internet and a sub-network operated by an Internet Service Provider through which a plurality of Internet users are connected to the Internet, the system comprising:
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a) a diagnostic unit deployed within the sub-network operated by the Internet Service Provider, the diagnostic unit capable of attempting communication with a user and with a network element;
b) a help desk staffed with human operators who receive communications from users relating to performance of the network and facilitate communication between the user and the diagnostic unit;
c) whereby the diagnostic unit attempts to exchange data with the user and with a network element to allow the system to determine the cause of a performance affecting condition within the network. - View Dependent Claims (37, 38, 39, 40)
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Specification