Systems and methods for tracking the reliability of communications networks

• US 8,549,133 B2
• Filed: 03/11/2002
• Issued: 10/01/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 03/11/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Qwest Communications International Incorporated (Lumen Technologies, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Qwest Communications International Incorporated (Lumen Technologies, Inc.)
• Inventors: Vaver, Jon G.
• Primary Examiner(s): Hussain, Imad
• Application Number:
  US10/096,024
• Publication Number:
  US 20030172153A1
• Time in Patent Office: 4,222 Days
• Field of Search: 715/736, 715/36, 709/200, 709/227, 709223-226, 709/246, 709230-237, 709238-244, 370/227, 370/252
• US Class Current: 709/224
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 41/0681 Configuration of triggering conditions
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 43/00 Arrangements for monitoring or testing data switching networks
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 43/06 Generation of reports
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 43/0811 by checking connectivity
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 43/0817 by checking functioning

Abstract

A system for monitoring the reliability of a network includes a network management system that gathers information relating to modules, nodes and paths in the network. The information includes the configuration, history and status of the modules and paths, and the failure states of the paths and the modules responsible for any failed paths. Based on the information, a reliability monitoring tool produces output that includes the condition of network paths and the actual reliability of one or more paths. Embodiments of the invention include storage arrangements that store the module and path information, in which case the output may include time-based reliability of network paths. The output may be available via the Internet. Methods of monitoring the reliability of a network are also provided.

Claims

1. A system for monitoring the reliability of a network, wherein the network includes a plurality of nodes interconnected by links, wherein each node includes a plurality of modules, and wherein the modules cooperate to transport signals along paths from origins to destinations on the network, the system, comprising:

a network management system comprising a computer system executing software that gathers network information by periodically testing individual paths through the network and identifying paths that are not operating properly, wherein the network information includes the configuration, history and status of paths on and modules in the network, wherein the network information further includes data associated with failed paths and modules responsible for the failed paths; and

a reliability monitoring tool configured to;

receive the network information;

determine an actual reliability for at least a portion of the network;

produce output representing the condition of paths on the network and actual reliability data associated with at least one path;

receive predicted reliability performance data for one or more modules associated with a path, wherein the predicted reliability performance data are based on manufacture-supplied reliability predictions for the one or more modules;

determine a predicted reliability based on manufacture-supplied reliability predictions for at least a portion of the network from the predicted reliability performance data of the one or more modules;

compare the actual reliability with the predicted reliability based on manufacture-supplied reliability predictions; and

produce output relating to the comparison.

2. The system as recited in claim 1, further comprising at least one data storage arrangement configured to receive and store the network information, wherein the reliability monitoring tool determines a reliability performance of at least one network path as measured over a period of time and produces output representing the reliability performance.

3. The system as recited in claim 1, wherein the output is made available over the Internet.

4. The system as recited in claim 1, wherein the output is made available over a private network.

5. A system for monitoring the reliability of a network, wherein the network includes a plurality of nodes interconnected by links, wherein each node includes a plurality of modules, wherein the modules may be combined into assemblies or separated into components, and wherein the modules, assemblies and components cooperate to transport signals along paths from origins to destinations on the network, the system, comprising:

a network management system comprising a computer system executing software that gathers network information by periodically testing individual paths through the network and identifying paths that are not operating properly, wherein the network information includes the configuration, history and status of paths on and modules in the network, wherein the network information includes data associated with failed paths and modules responsible for the failed paths;

a module and node storage arrangement that receives and stores a first portion of the network information relating to the modules in the network;

a path service storage arrangement that receives and stores a second portion of the network information relating to the paths in the network;

a reliability prediction storage arrangement that receives and stores product information relating to the modules, assemblies and components in the network, the product information including availability and reliability prediction information; and

a reliability monitoring tool configured to;

receive the network information;

determine an actual reliability for at least a portion of the network;

produce output representing the condition of paths on the network and actual reliability data associated with at least one path;

receive predicted reliability performance data for one or more modules associated with a path, wherein the predicted reliability performance data are based on manufacture-supplied reliability predictions for the one or more modules;

determine a predicted reliability based on manufacture-supplied reliability predictions for at least a portion of the network from the predicted reliability performance data of the one or more modules;

compare the actual reliability with the predicted reliability based on manufacture-supplied reliability predictions; and

produce output relating to the comparison.

6. The system as recited in claim 5, further comprising the modules, nodes and links in the network.

7. The system as recited in claim 5, wherein the output is made available over the Internet.

8. The system as recited in claim 5, wherein the output is made available over a private network.

9. The system as recited in claim 5, wherein the reliability monitoring tool determines a reliability performance of at least one network path as measured over a period of time and produces output representing the reliability performance.

10. A method of monitoring the reliability of a network, wherein the network includes a plurality of nodes interconnected by links, wherein each node includes a plurality of modules, and wherein the modules cooperate to transport signals along paths from origins to destinations on the network, the method, comprising:

periodically testing individual paths through the network and identifying paths that are not operating properly to gather network information relating to paths on and modules in the network, the network information, including the configuration, history and status of paths and modules, and the failure state of paths and the modules responsible for the failed paths;

determining an actual reliability of at least a portion of the network; and

producing output representing the condition of paths on the network and the actual reliability of at least one path;

receiving predicted reliability performance data for one or more modules associated with a path, wherein the predicted reliability performance data are based on manufacture-supplied reliability predictions for the one or more modules;

determining a predicted reliability based on manufacture-supplied reliability predictions for at least a portion of the network from the predicted reliability performance data of the one or more modules;

comparing the actual reliability with the predicted reliability based on manufacture-supplied reliability predictions; and

producing output relating to the comparison.

11. The method as recited in claim 10, further comprising:

receiving and storing the network information; and

determining a reliability performance of at least one network path as measured over a period of time.

12. The method as recited in claim 10, further comprising making the output available over the Internet.

13. The method as recited in claim 10, further comprising making the output available over a private network.