Communications path status detection system

• US 8,365,010 B2
• Filed: 02/17/2012
• Issued: 01/29/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 05/07/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Netmotion Wireless Holdings, Inc. (NetMotion Software, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Padcom Incorporated (NetMotion Software, Inc.)
• Inventors: Olson, Erik, Thompson, David
• Primary Examiner(s): LE, DIEU MINH T
• Application Number:
  US13/399,668
• Publication Number:
  US 20120173918A1
• Time in Patent Office: 347 Days
• Field of Search: 714/4.1, 714/4.12, 714/4.11, 714/4.2, 714/4.21, 714/4.3, 714/4.4, 714/4.5
• US Class Current: 714/4.11
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 11/2007 using redundant communication media
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 41/06 Management of faults, events, alarms or notifications
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 41/40 using virtualisation of network functions or resources, e.g. SDN or NFV entities
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 43/0811 by checking connectivity
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 43/50 Testing arrangements

Abstract

Virtual network interface selection manager in a client-server system, in which client and server are connectable through a plural alternate networks. System includes plural interfaces connectable to server through the plural networks, current interface indicator identifying a current interface through which data is transmitted to and/or received from the server, and prioritized listing of plural interfaces ranked in a descending order. Event detector detects occurrence of an event including time-out condition; successful interface test; and change in the plurality of interfaces, and a tester tests each plural interface in prioritized listing in a ranked order to test whether server is reachable. Marker identifies which of plural interfaces successfully pass the test, and switch switches from current interface to a higher priority interface when the marker identifies a higher priority interface as having successfully passed the test, whereby current interface indicator will identify the higher priority interface as current interface.

Claims

1. A virtual network interface selection manager in a client-server system, wherein the client and server are connectable to each other through a plurality of alternate networks, comprising:

a plurality of interfaces connectable to the server through the plurality of alternative networks;

a current interface indicator identifying a current interface through which data is at least one of transmitted to and received from the server;

a prioritized listing of the plurality of interfaces ranked in a descending order from a most preferred interface;

an event detector that detects an occurrence of an event comprising a time-out condition;

a successful interface test; and

a change in the plurality of interfaces;

a tester for testing each of the plurality of interfaces in prioritized listing in a ranked order to test whether the server is reachable through each interface;

a marker for identifying which of the plurality of interfaces successfully pass the test;

a switch for switching from the current interface to a higher priority interface when the marker identifies a higher priority interface as having successfully passed the test, whereby the current interface indicator will identify the higher priority interface as the current interface.

2. A method for selecting a virtual network interface in a client-server system, comprising:

connecting to the server through a plurality of interfaces connecting via a plurality of alternative networks;

listing in a prioritized ranked order from a most preferred interface the plurality of interfaces;

identifying a current interface through which data is at least one of transmitted to and received from the server;

detecting the occurrence of an event comprising a time-out condition;

a successful interface test; and

a change in the plurality of interfaces;

testing each of the plurality of interfaces in the prioritized listing in ranked order to determine whether the server is reachable through each interface;

marking each of the plurality of interfaces successfully passing the test;

switching from a current interface to a higher priority interface when the marker identifies a higher priority interface as having successfully passed the test; and

identifying the higher priority interface as the current interface.