Network fault isolation
First Claim
1. A method of diagnosing a problem in a network impacting communication between a network user and a destination machine in the data network comprising:
- establishing communication between a diagnostic unit and the network user using a protocol stack adapted to establish communication with the network user even if the network user is attempting to communicate using a protocol or configuration that is inconsistent with a protocol or configuration of the destination machine;
simulating, with said diagnostic unit, the destination machine to said network user by receiving first data from the network user, generating second data simulating a response of the destination machine to the first data and sending the second data to the network user;
determining with said diagnostic unit the presence of a problem with said network user based at least in part on information gathered during the act of simulating; and
if a problem is determined, storing an indicator of the problem on a computer-readable medium,wherein said diagnostic unit is located remotely to said network user and said destination machine.
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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.
104 Citations
20 Claims
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1. A method of diagnosing a problem in a network impacting communication between a network user and a destination machine in the data network comprising:
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establishing communication between a diagnostic unit and the network user using a protocol stack adapted to establish communication with the network user even if the network user is attempting to communicate using a protocol or configuration that is inconsistent with a protocol or configuration of the destination machine; simulating, with said diagnostic unit, the destination machine to said network user by receiving first data from the network user, generating second data simulating a response of the destination machine to the first data and sending the second data to the network user; determining with said diagnostic unit the presence of a problem with said network user based at least in part on information gathered during the act of simulating; and if a problem is determined, storing an indicator of the problem on a computer-readable medium, wherein said diagnostic unit is located remotely to said network user and said destination machine. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 15)
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8. A method of diagnosing a problem in a network impacting communication between a network user and a destination machine in the data network comprising:
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establishing communication between a diagnostic unit and the destination machine protocol, and between said diagnostic unit and said network user; simulating, with said diagnostic unit, said network user to said destination machine by generating first data simulating the network user, sending the first data to the destination machine and receiving second data from the destination machine; determining with said diagnostic unit the presence of a problem within said data network based at least in part on information gathered during the act of simulating; and if a problem is determined, communicating an indicator of the problem, wherein said diagnostic unit is located remotely to said network user and said destination machine. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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16. A method of diagnosing a problem in a network impacting communication between a network user and a destination machine in the data network comprising:
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a) checking for the presence of a problem with a user device by; i) establishing communication between a diagnostic unit and the user device; ii) simulating, with said diagnostic unit, the destination machine to said user device by receiving first data from the user device, generating second data simulating a response of the destination machine to the first data, and sending the second data to the network user; iii) using the diagnostic unit to observe communications from the user device during the act of simulating the destination machine; iv) using the communications from the user device to determine whether there is a problem with the network in a portion of the network from the diagnostic unit toward the user device; and v) if a problem is determined, communicating an indicator of the problem; b) checking for a problem with the network excluding the user device by; i) establishing communication between a diagnostic unit and the destination machine; ii) simulating, with said diagnostic unit, said user device to said destination machine by generating third data simulating the user device, sending the third data to the destination machine and receiving fourth data from the destination machine; iii) using the diagnostic unit to observe communications from the destination machine during the act of simulating said user device; iv) using the communications from the destination machine to determine whether there is a problem with said data network, in a portion of the network from the diagnostic unit toward the destination machine; and v) if a problem is determined , storing an indicator of the problem on a computer-readable medium, wherein said diagnostic unit is located remotely to said network user and said destination machine. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification