Methods and arrangements to detect a failure in a communication network
First Claim
1. A method to detect a failure of a communication component of a bundle of network adapters, the method comprising:
- routing data to a network adapter that shares at least one Internet protocol address with other network adapters of the bundle, the routing of the data to activate the network adapter, wherein the network adapters of the bundle are configured to receive data in parallel, wherein further the network adapters of the bundle comprise network adapters of a communication device;
monitoring the activated network adapter to determine a monitored activity level responsive to reception of the routed data;
comparing, via the communication device, the monitored activity level to a predetermined activity level; and
flagging the network adapter as a failed component in response to the monitored activity level being less than the predetermined activity level.
1 Assignment
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Accused Products
Abstract
Methods and arrangements to monitor communication components such as a network adapters for activity, and identify components that have lower than normal levels of activity are provided. An identified communication component can become suspect component and a candidate for further testing, including different forms of interrogation. Process for interrogating candidates can include generating and sending test packets having the media access control (MAC) address of the candidate to the candidate and if activity is not detected subsequent to the interrogation, the candidate can be flagged as a failed component. Correspondingly, the component can be deactivated and removed from service. In a further embodiment, a backup component can be activated and assume the role previously held by the failed component.
37 Citations
29 Claims
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1. A method to detect a failure of a communication component of a bundle of network adapters, the method comprising:
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routing data to a network adapter that shares at least one Internet protocol address with other network adapters of the bundle, the routing of the data to activate the network adapter, wherein the network adapters of the bundle are configured to receive data in parallel, wherein further the network adapters of the bundle comprise network adapters of a communication device; monitoring the activated network adapter to determine a monitored activity level responsive to reception of the routed data; comparing, via the communication device, the monitored activity level to a predetermined activity level; and flagging the network adapter as a failed component in response to the monitored activity level being less than the predetermined activity level. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. An apparatus to detect failure of a network adapter of bundled adapters, the apparatus comprising:
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a timing module to define a time interval; an activity monitor to determine a communication activity level of a network adapter during the time interval and to monitor activity of the network adapter responsive to at least one test packet, wherein the bundled adapters operate in parallel via a load-sharing arrangement of a driver; an activity comparator to compare the determined communication activity level to a predetermined activity level, to identify the network adapter as a suspect adapter if the determined activity is less than the predetermined activity level; a traffic generator to transmit at least one test packet to the suspect adapter, the activity monitor to monitor activity in response to the transmission of the at least one test packet; and a flagger to flag the suspect adapter as a failed adapter if the monitored activity is less than a projected activity associated with the at least one test packet. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15)
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16. A system comprising:
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bundled network adapters to share a data transmission load, wherein the bundled network adapters are configured to operate in parallel; a failure detection logic coupled to the bundled network adapters to retrieve a first value indicative of data transmission activity, to identify a suspect network adapter based upon the value, to transmit a test packet via the suspect network adapter, to retrieve a second value indicative of data transmission activity via the suspect network adapter, and to determine whether to mark the suspect network adapter as a failed network adapter based upon the second value. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19)
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20. An apparatus configured to detect failures, the apparatus comprising:
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a traffic generator adapted to generate at least one packet to initiate a data transmission routed via a communication component of a bundle of components, wherein the bundle of components is configured to share data transmission activity related to at least one network address; an activity monitor to detect a monitored activity level of the communication component responsive to the at least one packet; and an activity comparator to compare the monitored activity level against a predetermined activity level to determine whether to identify the communication component as a failed component. - View Dependent Claims (21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27)
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28. A computer program product comprising a computer useable medium storing a computer readable program, wherein the computer readable program when executed on a computer causes the computer to:
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route data to a communication component that shares at least one Internet protocol address with other communication components of the bundle, wherein routing the data should activate at least a portion of the communication component; monitor at least the portion of the communication component to determine a monitored activity level responsive to the communication;
compare the monitored activity level to a predetermined activity level; andidentify the communication component as a failed component if the monitored activity level is less than a predetermined activity level. - View Dependent Claims (29)
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Specification