Apparatus and method for analyzing a control network
First Claim
1. A system for analyzing a control network comprising:
- a library data structure relating messages to a plurality of device types;
a communication interface for communicating with a first level device in a first level control network; and
an electronic processor executing a program stored in a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium to;
(a) send a first communication to a target location in the first level control network via the communication interface, wherein the first communication includes a message configured to be processed by any of the device types, and wherein the first communication directs a first level device to provide information for identifying its device type;
(b) receive a response via the communication interface from the first level device at the target location, wherein the response provides information identifying its device type; and
(c) send a second communication to the first level device via the communication interface,wherein, based on the library data structure, the second communication includes a message specific to the identified device type and configured to be processed by a subset of the device types that includes the identified device type, andwherein the second communication including the message specific to the identified device type directs the first level device to provide a data value identifying a connection by the first level device for communicating with a second level device in a second level control network;
(d) send a third communication to a target location in the second level control network, wherein the third communication is sent via the first level device,wherein the third communication is configured to be processed by any of the device types, and wherein the third communication directs a second level device in the second level control network to provide information for identifying its device type; and
(e) sending a fourth communication to the second level device, wherein the fourth communication includes a message configured to be processed by a subset of the device types which includes the identified device type for the second level device.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
Aspects of the present invention provide isolating and applying a common protocol which may be used by multiple devices across multiple network levels to analyze an entire system of control networks. A generic message may be sent individually to targeted addresses across a network level. If a response is received from a device at a targeted address, such as within a timeout period, a specific message customized to the individual device may be sent to extract further detail about the device, including its connectivity to other devices and networks. The system may continue automatically until resource utilization of the entire system is determined to thereby provide diagnostic and reliability services.
19 Citations
15 Claims
-
1. A system for analyzing a control network comprising:
-
a library data structure relating messages to a plurality of device types; a communication interface for communicating with a first level device in a first level control network; and an electronic processor executing a program stored in a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium to; (a) send a first communication to a target location in the first level control network via the communication interface, wherein the first communication includes a message configured to be processed by any of the device types, and wherein the first communication directs a first level device to provide information for identifying its device type; (b) receive a response via the communication interface from the first level device at the target location, wherein the response provides information identifying its device type; and (c) send a second communication to the first level device via the communication interface, wherein, based on the library data structure, the second communication includes a message specific to the identified device type and configured to be processed by a subset of the device types that includes the identified device type, and wherein the second communication including the message specific to the identified device type directs the first level device to provide a data value identifying a connection by the first level device for communicating with a second level device in a second level control network; (d) send a third communication to a target location in the second level control network, wherein the third communication is sent via the first level device, wherein the third communication is configured to be processed by any of the device types, and wherein the third communication directs a second level device in the second level control network to provide information for identifying its device type; and (e) sending a fourth communication to the second level device, wherein the fourth communication includes a message configured to be processed by a subset of the device types which includes the identified device type for the second level device. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
-
-
13. A method of analyzing a control network using a library data structure relating messages to a plurality of device types, the method comprising:
-
(a) sending a first communication to a target location in a control network via a communication interface, wherein the first communication includes a message configured to be processed by any of the device types, and wherein the first communication directs a first level device to provide information for identifying its device type; (b) receiving a response via the communication interface from the first level device at the target location, wherein the response provides information identifying its device type; (c) sending a second communication to the first level device via the communication interface, wherein, based on the library data structure, the second communication includes a message specific to the identified device type and configured to be processed by a subset of the device types which includes the identified device type, and wherein the second communication including the message specific to the identified device type directs the first level device to provide a data value identifying a connection by the first level device for communicating with a second level device in a second level control network; (d) sending a third communication to a target location in the second level control network, wherein the third communication is sent via the first level device, wherein the third communication is configured to be processed by any of the device types, and wherein the third communication directs a second level device in the second level control network to provide information for identifying its device type; and (e) sending a fourth communication to the second level device, wherein the fourth communication includes a message configured to be processed by a subset of the device types which includes the identified device type for the second level device. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15)
-
Specification