Tracking distributed data retrieval in a network device

• US 6,934,749 B1
• Filed: 09/26/2000
• Issued: 08/23/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 05/20/2000
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Ciena Corporation
• Original Assignee: Ciena Corporation
• Inventors: Black, Darryl, Winiewicz, Anne K.
• Primary Examiner(s): Najjar, Saleh
• Application Number:
  US09/669,861
• Time in Patent Office: 1,792 Days
• Field of Search: 709/224, 709/223, 709/217
• US Class Current: 709/224
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/14 Time supervision arrangements, e.g. real time clock
• CPC Class Codes: H04J 3/0685 Clock or time synchronisation in a node; Intranode synchronisation
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 41/0853 by actively collecting configuration information or by backing up configuration information
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 41/142 using statistical or mathematical methods
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 41/22 comprising specially adapted graphical user interfaces [GUI]
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 43/04 Processing captured monitoring data, e.g. for logfile generation
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 45/50 using label swapping, e.g. multi-protocol label switch [MPLS]
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 69/18 Multiprotocol handlers, e.g. single devices capable of handling multiple protocols
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 7/0008 Synchronisation information channels, e.g. clock distribution lines
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 9/40 Network security protocols

Abstract

The present invention provides a method and apparatus for tracking distributed statistical data retrieval in a network device. Periodically, statistical data is gathered by processes on one or more remote cards in a network device and transferred to a central process. The distributed processes register each different type of statistical data to be gathered with the central process allowing the central process to maintain an accurate inventory of distributed processes expected to send particular statistical data. Tracking statistical data gathering processes allows the central process to consistently report data while allowing each process to remain modular. In addition, tracking increases a network device'"'"'s scalability. For example, new processes may be added to a network device without affecting existing processes. Moreover, tracking increases a network device'"'"'s availability. For instance, tracking provides fault tolerance, such that if one statistical data gathering process fails the other statistical data gathering processes are not affected and data continues to be reported. Importantly, data not reported by a registered process may be quickly detected and, where necessary, reported to a network management system. Tracking also provides for auto deregistration, for example, when hot swapping of cards out of a network device, tracking deregisters processes as necessary.

Claims

1. A method of of tracking distributed statistical data retrieval in a network device including a plurality of cards each executing at least one statistical data gathering process, comprising:

a. registering with a central process a data type identifier corresponding to each type of statistical data to be gathered by each statistical data gathering process;

b. establishing at the central process a list for each different data type identifier, wherein each list includes a process identification corresponding to each statistical data gathering process that registered the corresponding data type identifier;

c. gathering statistical data through each of the statistical data gathering processes, wherein each of the gathered statistical data corresponds to one of the data tape identifiers registered with the central process;

d. sending the gathered statistical data and corresponding data type identifier from each statistical data gathering process to the central process;

e. combining received statistical data corresponding to each data type identifier into a common data file corresponding to each data type identifier;

f. closing the common data file for each data type identifier when each statistical data gathering process in the list corresponding to each data type identifier has sent statistical data corresponding to the data type identifier;

g. repeating steps c. through f. periodically;

h. starting a timer for each common data file;

i. detecting an expiration of one of the timers corresponding to one of the common data files if at least one of the statistical data gathering processes in the list corresponding to the common data file does not send its gathered statistical data;

j. closing the common data file;

k. incrementing a count corresponding to the common data file and the statistical data gathering process that did not send its gathered statistical data;

l. determining whether the count exceeds a predetermined threshold;

m. deleting the statistical data gathering process that did not send its gathered statistical data from the list corresponding to the common data file if the count exceeds the predetermined threshold; and

wherein repeating steps c. through f. periodically further comprises repeating steps h. through m. periodically.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

sending an error notice to a network management application external to the network device if the statistical data gathering process that did not send its gathered statistical data is deleted from the list.

3. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

sending a notice to the statistical data gathering process that did not send its gathered statistical data when the count is incremented and does not exceed the predetermined threshold.

4. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

adding a card including at least one statistical data gathering process to the network device;

registering with the central process a data type identifier corresponding to each type of statistical data to be gathered by the newly added statistical data gathering process;

adding at the central process a process identification corresponding to the newly added statistical data gathering process to any of the existing lists which correspond to any of the data type identifiers registered by the newly added statistical data gathering process;

establishing at the central process a new list for each different data type identifier registered by the newly added statistical data gathering process and not corresponding to any of the existing lists; and

wherein repeating steps c. through f. periodically includes the newly added statistical data gathering process.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein each of the statistical data gathering processes may be configured to gather statistical data and wherein gathering statistical data through each of the statistical data gathering processes comprises:

gathering statistical data through each statistical data gathering process configured to provide statistical data.

6. The method of claim 5, wherein each statistical data gathering process may manage a plurality of interfaces, and wherein gathering statistical data through each of the statistical data gathering processes comprises:

gathering statistical data from each interface; and

combining statistical data corresponding to the same data type identifier.

7. The method of claim 6, wherein each of the plurality of interfaces may be configured to gather statistical data corresponding to particular data type identifiers and wherein gathering statistical data from each interface comprises:

gathering statistical data from each interface configured to provide statistical data.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein gathering statistical data through each of the statistical data gathering processes, comprises:

gathering a current statistical data sample periodically at a first period through each of the statistical data gathering processes.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein gathering statistical data through each of the statistical data gathering processes further comprises:

adding the current statistical data sample to a data summary each time the current statistical data sample is gathered through each of the statistical data gathering processes.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein sending the gathered statistical data and corresponding data type identifier from each statistical data gathering process to the central process comprises:

sending the current statistical data sample periodically at a first period; and

sending the data summary periodically at a second period.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein, in normal operation, the second period is longer than the first period.

12. The method of claim 1, wherein the data type identifier is a string name.

13. The method of of tracking distributed statistical data retrieval in a network device including a plurality of cards each executing at least one statistical data gathering process, comprising:

a. registering with a central process a data type identifier corresponding to each type of statistical data to be gathered by each statistical data gathering process;

b. establishing at the central process a list for each different data type identifier, wherein each list includes a process identification corresponding to each statistical data gathering process that registered the corresponding data type identifier;

c. gathering statistical data through each of the statistical data gathering processes, wherein each of the gathered statistical data corresponds to one of the data type identifiers registered with the central process;

d. sending the gathered statistical data and corresponding data type identifier from each statistical data gathering process to the central process;

e. combining received statistical data corresponding to each data type identifier into a common data file corresponding to each data type identifier;

f. closing the common data file for each data type identifier when each statistical data gathering process in the list corresponding to each data type identifier has sent statistical data corresponding to the data type identifier;

g. repeating steps c. through f. periodically;

adding a statistical data gathering process to one of the plurality of cards;

registering with the central process a data type identifier corresponding to each type of statistical data to be gathered by the newly added statistical data gathering process;

adding at the central process a process identification corresponding to the newly added statistical data gathering process to any of the existing lists which correspond to any of the data type identifiers registered by the newly added statistical data gathering process;

establishing at the central process a new list for each different data type identifier registered by the newly added statistical data gathering process and not corresponding to any of the existing lists; and

wherein repeating steps c. through f. periodically includes the newly added statistical data gathering process.