# US 11,310,143 B2 · Layer-3 performance monitoring sectionalization

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- Number: US 11,310,143 B2
- Document ID: US11310143B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 16/785,904
- Filed: 2020-02-10
- Published: 2020-06-04
- Granted: 2022-04-19
- Earliest claimed: 2013-01-30
- Assignees: Accedian Networks Inc.
- Applicants: Accedian Networks Inc.
- Inventors: Claude Robitaille
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US11310143B2

## CPC

- H04L 43/50: Testing arrangements
- H04L 43/0829: Packet loss
- H04L 43/0835: {One way packet loss}
- H04L 43/0841: {Round trip packet loss}
- H04L 43/0864: Round trip delays
- H04L 69/324: in the data link layer [OSI layer 2], e.g. HDLC
- H04L 69/325: in the network layer [OSI layer 3], e.g. X.25 (H04L69/16 takes precedence)
- H04L: TRANSMISSION OF DIGITAL INFORMATION, e.g. TELEGRAPHIC COMMUNICATION (arrangements common to telegraphic and telephonic communication H04M)

## Abstract

A method is disclosed for the collection of performance metrics by establishing service operations administration and maintenance (OAM) sessions between an actuator and a plurality of reflectors in a communication network. Test packets from an actuator simultaneously reach a plurality of reflectors along a test path. Each single test packet results into a plurality of test results, one per reflector, with quasi-synchronous performance metrics to sectionalize a network and more efficiently isolate fault or performance problems without the need for additional test packets to isolate the issue. Another method is disclosed wherein an actuator generates and transmits a plurality of simultaneous test packets, one per NID device, resulting into a plurality of test results, one per reflector, with quasi-synchronous performance metrics to sectionalize a network and more efficiently isolate fault or performance problems without the need for additional test packets to isolate the issue.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A method for isolating faults in a communication network using an Operations Administration and Maintenance (OAM) session, the method comprising:
establishing the OAM session between an actuator and a plurality of reflectors coupled in a sequence along a test path for collecting one or more performance metrics, wherein said actuator is coupled to a first of said plurality of reflectors;
transmitting by the actuator a single test packet to the first reflector;
transmitting by the first reflector the single test packet to a next reflector in a sequence of the test path;
transmitting by the next reflector, the single test packet to another next reflector in the sequence until a last reflector in the series is reached;
transmitting, by each reflector, a test reply to the actuator, each of the test replies incorporating a unique reflector identifier and performance metrics, wherein said performance metrics are used by the actuator to isolate faults;
wherein the plurality of reflectors borrow a unique layer 3 address of another device coupled downstream along the path to modify the layer 2 address of the single test packet prior to forwarding the test packet to the next reflector.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, wherein the unique reflector identifier is either assigned statically for each reflector or is dynamically determined.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, wherein the plurality of reflectors does not require unique layer-3 addressing information.

### Claim 4 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, wherein the performance metrics comprise one-way packet delay, two-way packet delay, packet loss metrics, or a combination thereof.

### Claim 5

A system for isolating faults in a communication network using an Operations Administration and Maintenance (OAM) framework, the system comprising:
a processor;
a plurality of reflectors coupled in series along a sequence of a path;
an actuator, coupled with a first of said reflector, establishing a service operations administration and maintenance session with the plurality of reflectors;
a single test packet transmitted by the actuator to the first reflector;
wherein the first reflector transmits the single test packet to a next reflector in the series and said next reflector transmits the single test packet to another next reflector in the series until a last reflector is reached;
a test reply packet transmitted by each reflector to the actuator wherein said test reply comprises a unique reflector identifier and performance metrics; wherein said performance metrics are used by the actuator to isolate faults;
wherein the plurality of reflectors borrow a unique layer 3 address of another device coupled downstream along the path to modify the layer 2 address of the single test packet prior to forwarding the test packet to the next reflector.

### Claim 6 (depends on 5)

The system of claim 5, wherein the unique reflector identifier is either assigned statically for each reflector or is dynamically determined.

### Claim 7 (depends on 5)

The system of claim 5, wherein the plurality of reflectors does not require unique layer-3 addressing information.

### Claim 8 (depends on 5)

The system of claim 5, wherein the performance metrics comprise one-way packet delay, two-way packet delay, packet loss metrics, or a combination thereof.