System and method for providing error analysis and correlation in a network element

A system for identifying a faulty component in a group of components, said group comprising in a connected configuration at least a first component having a first connection interface connected to a second component having a second connection interface, and further connected to at least a third component having a third connection interface, said method comprising:

• a) at least one monitor for monitoring for at least one fault at any one of said interfaces;
• and
• b) a processor for processing at least one rule for identifying said faulty component, said processor using as an input at least one characteristic of said at least one fault and at least one characteristic of said connected configuration.

A method of identifying a faulty component in a group of components, said group comprising in a configuration a first set of components connected across an interface region to a second set of components, each component of said first set being connected to each component of said second set, said method comprising:

• i) monitoring for at least one fault within said interface region;
• and
• ii) upon detection of said at least one fault, identifying said faulty component utilising information from said at least one fault and at least one rule for identifying said faulty component, said at least one rule being defined from at least one characteristic of said at least one fault and at least one characteristic of said configuration.

A system for identifying a faulty component in a group of components, said group comprising in a configuration a first set of components connected across an interface region to a second set of components, each component of said first set being connected to each component of said second set, said system comprising:

• a) at least one monitor for monitoring for at least one fault within said interface region;
• and
• b) a processor for processing at least one rule for identifying said faulty component, said processor using as an input at least one characteristic of said at least one fault and at least one characteristic of said configuration.