System for and method of sending network problem information along a communication path

• US 6,446,222 B1
• Filed: 02/23/1999
• Issued: 09/03/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 02/23/1999
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P. (HP Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Company (HP Inc.)
• Inventors: Phaal, Peter
• Primary Examiner(s): Beausoliel, Robert
• Assistant Examiner(s): Bonzo, Bryce P.
• Application Number:
  US09/256,033
• Time in Patent Office: 1,288 Days
• Field of Search: 714/43, 714/4, 714/716
• US Class Current: 714/43
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 41/06 Management of faults, events, alarms or notifications

Abstract

A system for and method of sending network problem information along a communication path of a network having an unknown configuration and inaccessible components including a first device for observing network problems and a second device for relieving network problems. Upon observation of a problem, the first device generates and sends an enhanced loopback test message to the source of the problem. The enhanced loopback test contains information regarding the source and the nature of the problem. The second device, being along the path of the loop between the first device and the source, receives the problem information and responds by reducing the problem as appropriate.

Claims

1. A system for sending network problem information along a communication path of a network having an unknown configuration and inaccessible components, the system comprising:

a first network device configured to detect a network problem, generate an enhanced loopback test containing information about the problem, send the enhanced loopback test out over the network, wait a predetermined timeout period, and receive the return enhanced loopback test; and

a second device configured to receive the enhanced loopback test from the network, extract the problem information from the enhanced loopback test, and take action to abate the problem,

wherein the problem is congestion, the first device is a detector of congestion, the enhanced loopback test is a congestion loopback test, and the second device is a controller of congestion.

2. The system according to claim 1, wherein the first device is located at a first location and the second device is located at a second location that is different from the first location.

3. The system according to claim 1, further comprising a plurality of detectors and a plurality of controllers.

4. A problem detector for s system for sending network problem information along a communication path of a network having an unknown configuration an inaccessible components, the detector comprising:

means for detecting a network problem;

means for generating an enhanced loopback test containing information about the problem;

means for sending the enganced loopback test out over the network;

means for waiting for a predetermined timeout period to expire; and

waiting for a predetermined timeout period to expire; and

receiving the return enhanced loopback test.

5. A problem detector for a system for sending network problem information along a communication path of a network having an unknown configuration and inaccessible components, the detector comprising:

means for receiving an enhanced loopback test from the network;

means for extracting problem information from the enhanced loopback test; and

means for taking action to abate the problem;

wherein the problem is congestion and the enhanced loopback test is a congestion loopback is a congestion loopback test.

6. A system for sending network problem information along a communication path of a network having an unknown configuration and inaccessible components, the system comprising:

means, in a first network device, for detecting a network problem by monitoring a loopback test sent from a second network device to a third network device;

means for generating an enhanced loopback test containing information about the problem;

means for sending the enhanced loopback test out over the network;

means for waiting a predetermined timeout period to expire; and

means for receiving the return enhanced loopback test.

7. The system according to claim 6, further comprising:

means for receiving the enhanced loopback test from the network;

means for extracting the problem information from the enhanced loopback test; and

means for taking action to abate the problem.

8. A system for sending network problem information along a communication path of a network having an unknown configuration and inaccessible components, the system comprising:

means for detecting a network problem;

means for generating an enhanced loopback test containing information about the problem;

means for sending the enhanced loopback test out over the network;

means for waiting a predetermined timeout period to expire;

means for receiving the return enhanced loopback test;

means for receiving the enhanced loopback test from the network;

means for extracting the problem information from the enhanced loopback test; and

means for taking action to abate the problem;

wherein the problem is congestion and the enhanced loopback test is a congestion loopback test.

9. A method of problem detection for sending network problem information along a communication path of a network having an unknown configuration and inaccessible components, the method comprising the steps of:

detecting, in a first network device, a network problem by monitoring a loopback test sent from a second network device to a third network device;

generating an enhanced loopback test containing information about the problem;

sending the enhanced loopback test out over the network;

waiting for a predetermined timeout period to expire; and

receiving the return enhanced loopback test.

10. A method of problem detection for sending network problem information along a communication path of a network having an unknown configuration and inaccessible components, the method comprising the steps of:

detecting a network problem;

generating an enhanced loopback test containing information about the problem;

sending the enhanced loopback test out over the network;

waiting for a predetermined timeout period to expire; and

receiving the return enhanced loopback test;

wherein the problem is congestion and the enhanced loopback test is a congestion loopback test.

11. A method of problem controlling for utilizing network problem information sent along a communication path of a network having an unknown configuration and inaccessible components, the method comprising the steps of:

receiving an enhanced loopback test from the network;

extracting problem information from the enhanced loopback test; and

taking action to abate the problem;

wherein the problem is congestion and the enhanced loopback test is a congestion loopback test.

12. A method of sending network problem information along a communication path of a network having an unknown configuration and inaccessible components, the method comprising the steps of:

detecting, in a first network device, a network problem by monitoring a loopback test sent from a second network device to a third network device;

generating an enhanced loopback test containing information about the problem;

sending the enhanced loopback test out over the network;

waiting for a predetermined timeout period to expire; and

receiving the return enhanced loopback test.

13. The method according to claim 12, further comprising the steps of:

receiving the enhanced loopback test from the network;

extracting the problem information from the enhanced loopback test; and

taking action to abate the problem.

14. The method according to claim 13, wherein the problem is congestion and the enhanced loopback test is a congestion loopback test.