Methods and apparatus for performing non-intrusive data link layer performance measurement in communication networks
First Claim
1. A method to measure data link layer performance between network nodes, the method comprising:
- communicatively coupling a first intelligent network interface to a first access port of a first network node that provides access to a network;
subsequent to the coupling, receiving, at the first intelligent network interface and via the network, a destination address for a second intelligent network interface to which test messages for measuring data link layer performance are to be sent, the destination address for the second intelligent network interface being included in a remote configuration command received in response to the first intelligent network interface initiating multiple heartbeat signals after being communicatively coupled to the first access port; and
transmitting, while a device communicatively coupled to a second access port of the first network node is able to exchange network traffic with the network through the second access port, the test messages from the first intelligent network interface to the destination address for the second intelligent network interface using data link layer addressing to route the test messages through the first access port, the first network node and a second network node to which the second intelligent network interface is communicatively coupled.
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Abstract
Methods and apparatus for performing non-intrusive data link layer performance measurement in communication networks are disclosed. An example method to measure data link layer performance between existing network nodes disclosed herein comprises coupling a first intelligent network interface (INI) to an available access port of a first existing network node providing access to a network, wherein the first INI obtains power and input information only from the access port after being coupled thereto, and exchanging test messages between the first INI and a second INI coupled to a second existing network node during normal operation of the first and second existing network nodes to measure data link layer performance, wherein the test messages originate in the first INI and are routed through the first and second existing network nodes using a first data link layer address associated with the first INI and a second data link layer address associated with the second INI.
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Citations
25 Claims
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1. A method to measure data link layer performance between network nodes, the method comprising:
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communicatively coupling a first intelligent network interface to a first access port of a first network node that provides access to a network; subsequent to the coupling, receiving, at the first intelligent network interface and via the network, a destination address for a second intelligent network interface to which test messages for measuring data link layer performance are to be sent, the destination address for the second intelligent network interface being included in a remote configuration command received in response to the first intelligent network interface initiating multiple heartbeat signals after being communicatively coupled to the first access port; and transmitting, while a device communicatively coupled to a second access port of the first network node is able to exchange network traffic with the network through the second access port, the test messages from the first intelligent network interface to the destination address for the second intelligent network interface using data link layer addressing to route the test messages through the first access port, the first network node and a second network node to which the second intelligent network interface is communicatively coupled. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 23)
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10. A tangible machine readable memory having machine readable instructions stored thereon which, when executed, cause a processor implementing a first intelligent network interface to perform operations comprising:
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processing a remote configuration message to obtain a destination address included in the remote configuration message, the destination address associated with a second intelligent network interface to which test messages to measure data link layer performance are to be sent, the remote configuration message to be received in response to the processor initiating multiple heartbeat signals after the intelligent network interface is communicatively coupled to a first access port of a first network node; sending, while a device communicatively coupled to a second access port of the first network node is able to exchange network traffic other than test traffic with a network through the second access port, a first test message to the destination address associated with the second intelligent network interface; and receiving a response to the first test message from the second intelligent network interface, the first test message originating in the first intelligent network interface and being routed, using data link layer addressing, through the first network node and a second network node to which the second intelligent network interface is communicatively coupled. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 24)
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14. An intelligent network interface apparatus to measure data link layer performance between network nodes of a network, the apparatus comprising:
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a memory having machine readable instructions stored thereon; and a processor to execute the instructions to perform operations comprising; initiating multiple heartbeat signals in response to the apparatus being communicatively coupled to an access port of a network node that is to provide access to the network; processing a remote configuration command to obtain a data link layer destination address included in the remote configuration command, the data link layer destination address associated with a destination intelligent network interface to which test messages for measuring data link layer performance are to be sent, the remote configuration command being received in response to the initiating of the multiple heartbeat signals; and generating a test message to send to the destination intelligent network interface, the processor to use the data link layer destination address associated with the destination intelligent network interface to send the test message to the destination intelligent network interface. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 25)
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Specification