# US 2004/0073658 A1 · System and method for distributed diagnostics in a communication system

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- Number: US 2004/0073658 A1
- Document ID: US20040073658A1
- Status: Published application
- Kind: A1
- Application number: 10/269,895
- Filed: 2002-10-10
- Published: 2004-04-15
- Earliest claimed: 2002-10-10
- Assignees: Cisco Technology, Inc.
- Inventors: David R. Oran; Cullen F. Jennings
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20040073658A1

## CPC

- H04L 67/14: Session management (for real-time applications in data packet communications networks H04L65/1066)
- H04L 41/00: Arrangements for maintenance, administration or management of data switching networks, e.g. of packet switching networks
- H04L 43/50: Testing arrangements
- H04L 65/1104: Session initiation protocol [SIP]
- H04L 65/1106: Call signalling protocols; H.323 and related
- H04L: TRANSMISSION OF DIGITAL INFORMATION, e.g. TELEGRAPHIC COMMUNICATION (arrangements common to telegraphic and telephonic communication H04M)

## Abstract

A method for distributed diagnostics in a communication network includes generating at least one debug message operable to initiate a debugging function in a plurality of network components and comprising a debug address. The debug address identifies a communication type and a target location. The communication type identifies a mechanism used to communicate debugging information collected by the plurality of network components to the target location. The method also includes communicating the debug message to at least one of the network components.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A method for distributed diagnostics in a communication network, comprising:
generating at least one debug message operable to initiate a debugging function in a plurality of network components and comprising a debug address, the debug address identifying a communication type and a target location, the communication type identifying a mechanism used to communicate debugging information collected by the plurality of network components to the target location; and
communicating the debug message to at least one of the network components.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, wherein the debug message comprises a call setup message comprising:
a source address representing an address associated with a calling party;
a destination address representing an address associated with a called party; and
the debug address.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, wherein the debug message comprises at least one of a Session Initiation Protocol (SIP) INVITE message, a SIP UPDATE message, a SIP RE-INVITE message, a SIP INFO message, a SIP MESSAGE message, a SIP SUBSCRIBE message, a SIP NOTIFY message, a SIP BYE message, an International Telecommunication Union-Telecommunications H.323 SETUP message, an H.323 ARQ message, an H.323 UII message, a Bearer Independent Call Control (BICC) IAM message, a BICC APM message, and a BICC ACM message.

### Claim 4 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, further comprising receiving a request to initiate a test of the plurality of network components.

### Claim 5 (depends on 4)

The method of claim 4, wherein the request comprises a Session Initiation Protocol REFER message, an International Telecommunication Union-Telecommunications H.323 TRANSFER message, and a Bearer Independent Call Control (BICC) TRANSFER message.

### Claim 6 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, wherein the target location contained in the debug address comprises a Uniform Resource Indicator.

### Claim 7 (depends on 6)

The method of claim 6, wherein the Uniform Resource Indicator comprises at least one of:
an electronic mail address;
a web page address;
a syslog address; and
a file transfer protocol address.

### Claim 8 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, wherein:
the debug message is associated with a test and comprises an identifier;
the identifier is operable to distinguish the debug message from at least one of other debug messages and other debug messages associated with other tests;
the identifier is different than a call identifier used by a signaling protocol to establish a call in the network; and
the plurality of network components include the identifier when communicating the collected debugging information.

### Claim 9 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, wherein one of the network components comprises one of a node in the network and a destination of a test call.

### Claim 10

A system for distributed diagnostics in a communication network, comprising:
a memory operable to store a debug address, the debug address identifying a communication type and a target location, the communication type identifying a mechanism used to communicate debugging information collected by a plurality of network components to the target location;
a processor operable to generate a debug message, the debug message operable to initiate a debugging function in the plurality of network components and comprising the debug address; and
an interface operable to communicate the debug message to at least one of the network components.

### Claim 11 (depends on 10)

The system of claim 10, wherein the debug message comprises a call setup message comprising:
a source address representing an address associated with a calling party;
a destination address representing an address associated with a called party; and
the debug address.

### Claim 12 (depends on 10)

The system of claim 10, wherein the processor is further operable to receive a request to initiate a test of the plurality of network components.

### Claim 13 (depends on 12)

The system of claim 12, wherein:
the request comprises a remote request; and
the processor is further operable to log debugging information and communicate the debugging information to the target location contained in the debug address in response to receiving the remote request.

### Claim 14 (depends on 10)

The system of claim 10, wherein the target location contained in the debug address comprises a Uniform Resource Indicator, the Uniform Resource Indicator comprising at least one of:
an electronic mail address;
a web page address;
a syslog address; and
a file transfer protocol address.

### Claim 15 (depends on 10)

The system of claim 10, wherein:
the debug message is associated with a test and comprises an identifier;
the identifier is operable to distinguish the debug message from at least one of other debug messages and other debug messages associated with other tests;
the identifier is different than a call identifier used by a signaling protocol to establish a call in the network; and
the plurality of network components include the identifier when communicating the collected debugging information.

### Claim 16

A method for distributed diagnostics in a communication network, comprising:
receiving a message from a network component;
identifying the message as a debug message;
identifying communication instructions contained in the debug message, the communication instructions identifying how and where to communicate debugging information;
processing the debug message;
collecting the debugging information; and
communicating the debugging information in accordance with the communication instructions contained in the debug message.

### Claim 17 (depends on 16)

The method of claim 16, wherein the debug message comprises a call setup message comprising:
a source address representing an address associated with a calling party;
a destination address representing an address associated with a called party; and
the communication instructions.

### Claim 18 (depends on 16)

The method of claim 16, wherein the communication instructions comprise a debug address identifying a communication type and a target location, the communication type identifying a mechanism used to communicate the debugging information to the target location.

### Claim 19 (depends on 18)

The method of claim 18, wherein the target location contained in the debug address comprises a Uniform Resource Indicator, the Uniform Resource Indicator comprising at least one of:
an electronic mail address;
a web page address;
a syslog address; and
a file transfer protocol address.

### Claim 20 (depends on 16)

The method of claim 16, wherein:
the debug message is associated with a test and comprises an identifier;
the identifier is operable to distinguish the debug message from at least one of other debug messages and other debug messages associated with other tests;
the identifier is different than a call identifier used by a signaling protocol to establish a call in the network; and
communicating the debugging information in accordance with the communication instructions comprises communicating the debugging information along with the identifier.

### Claim 21 (depends on 16)

The method of claim 16, wherein processing the debug message comprises:
identifying a next network component in a path between a source of a test call and a destination of a test call; and
communicating the debug message to the next network component.

### Claim 22 (depends on 16)

The method of claim 16, wherein the debugging information comprises signaling information used to set up a test call in the network.

### Claim 23 (depends on 16)

The method of claim 16, wherein the debugging information comprises the debug message and any information generated when processing the debug message.

### Claim 24 (depends on 23)

The method of claim 23, wherein the debugging information comprises information identifying an invocation of an ancillary service during the processing of the debug message.

### Claim 25 (depends on 16)

The method of claim 16, wherein the network component comprises at least one of a source client, a Session Initiation Protocol proxy, and an International Telecommunication Union-Telecommunications H.323 gatekeeper.

### Claim 26

A system for distributed diagnostics in a communication network, comprising:
a processor operable to:
receive a message from a network component;
identify the message as a debug message;
identify communication instructions contained in the debug message, the communication instructions identifying how and where to communicate debugging information;
process the debug message; and
collect the debugging information;
a memory operable to store the debugging information collected by the processor; and
an interface operable to communicate the debugging information in accordance with the communication instructions contained in the debug message.

### Claim 27 (depends on 26)

The system of claim 26, wherein the debug message comprises a call setup message comprising:
a source address representing an address associated with a calling party;
a destination address representing an address associated with a called party; and
the communication instructions.

### Claim 28 (depends on 26)

The system of claim 26, wherein the communication instructions comprise a debug address identifying a communication type and a target location, the communication type identifying a mechanism used to communicate the debugging information to the target location.

### Claim 29 (depends on 28)

The system of claim 28, wherein the target location contained in the debug address comprises a Uniform Resource Indicator, the Uniform Resource Indicator comprising at least one of:
an electronic mail address;
a web page address;
a syslog address; and
a file transfer protocol address.

### Claim 30 (depends on 26)

The system of claim 26, wherein:
the debug message is associated with a test and comprises an identifier;
the identifier is operable to distinguish the debug message from at least one of other debug messages and other debug messages associated with other tests;
the identifier is different than a call identifier used by a signaling protocol to establish a call in the network; and
the processor is operable to communicate the identifier along with the debugging information using the interface.

### Claim 31 (depends on 26)

The system of claim 26, wherein the processor is operable to process the debug message by:
identifying a next network component in a path between a source of a test call and a destination of a test call; and
communicating the debug message to the next network component.

### Claim 32 (depends on 26)

The system of claim 26, wherein the debugging information comprises:
the debug message;
signaling information generated when processing the debug message; and
information identifying an invocation of an ancillary service during the processing of the debug message.

### Claim 33

A signal for distributed diagnostics in a communication network, comprising:
a transmission medium; and
a debug message carried on the transmission medium, the debug message associated with a test and comprising:
an indicator operable to activate a debugging feature in a plurality of network components;
communication instructions identifying how and where the plurality of network components may communicate debugging information; and
an identifier operable to distinguish the debug message from at least one of other debug messages and other debug messages associated with other tests.

### Claim 34 (depends on 33)

The signal of claim 33, wherein the debug message further comprises:
a source address representing an address associated with a calling party; and
a destination address representing an address associated with a called party.

### Claim 35 (depends on 33)

The signal of claim 33, wherein the communication instructions comprise a debug address identifying a communication type and a target location, the communication type identifying a mechanism used to communicate the debugging information to the target location.

### Claim 36 (depends on 35)

The signal of claim 35, wherein the target location contained in the debug address comprises a Uniform Resource Indicator, the Uniform Resource Indicator comprising at least one of:
an electronic mail address;
a web page address;
a syslog address; and
a file transfer protocol address.

### Claim 37 (depends on 33)

The signal of claim 33, wherein the identifier is different than a call identifier used by a signaling protocol to establish a call.

### Claim 38 (depends on 33)

The signal of claim 33, wherein the debug message comprises at least one of a Session Initiation Protocol (SIP) INVITE message, a SIP UPDATE message, a SIP RE-INVITE message, a SIP INFO message, a SIP MESSAGE message, a SIP SUBSCRIBE message, a SIP NOTIFY message, a SIP BYE message, an International Telecommunication Union-Telecommunications H.323 SETUP message, an H.323 ARQ message, an H.323 UII message, a Bearer Independent Call Control (BICC) IAM message, a BICC APM message, and a BICC ACM message.

### Claim 39

A system for distributed diagnostics, comprising:
a source client operable to generate and communicate a debug message, the debug message comprising communication instructions identifying how and where to communicate debugging information;
a network comprising a plurality of network nodes, each network node operable to receive the debug message, identify the communication instructions contained in the debug message, collect debugging information, and communicate the debugging information in accordance with the communication instructions contained in the debug message; and
a destination client operable to receive the debug message from the network, identify the communication instructions contained in the debug message, collect debugging information, and communicate the debugging information in accordance with the communication instructions contained in the debug message.

### Claim 40 (depends on 39)

The method of claim 39, wherein the debug message is associated with a test and further comprises:
a source address representing an address associated with the source client;
a destination address representing an address associated with the destination client; and
an identifier operable to distinguish the debug message from at least one of other debug messages and other debug messages associated with other tests.

### Claim 41 (depends on 39)

The method of claim 39, wherein the communication instructions comprise a debug address identifying a communication type and a target location, the communication type identifying a mechanism used to communicate the debugging information to the target location, the target location comprising at least one of:
an electronic mail address;
a web page address;
a syslog address; and
a file transfer protocol address.

### Claim 42 (depends on 39)

The method of claim 39, further comprising a remote station operable to communicate a remote request over the network, the remote request comprising the communication instructions and operable to invoke the generation of the debug message at the source client, wherein the source client and the network nodes that receive the remote request are operable to identify the communication instructions contained in the remote request, collect debugging information, and communicate the debugging information in accordance with the communication instructions contained in the remote request.

### Claim 43

A method for distributed diagnostics in a communication network, comprising:
accessing a plurality of debug communications at a target location, each debug communication comprising:
debugging information collected by a network component in response to receiving a debug message associated with a test, the debug message operable to initiate a debugging function in the network component and comprising a debug address, the debug address identifying a communication type and the target location, the communication type identifying a mechanism used to communicate the debugging information collected by the network component to the target location; and
an identifier associated with the debug message and operable to distinguish the debug message from at least one of other debug messages; and
correlating debug communications having a common identifier.

### Claim 44 (depends on 43)

The method of claim 43, wherein the identifier associated with the debug message is different than a globally unique call identifier used by a signaling protocol to establish a call in a network.

### Claim 45 (depends on 43)

The method of claim 43, further comprising analyzing the correlated debugging information to identify a problem in a network.

### Claim 46

A system for distributed diagnostics in a communication network, comprising:
logic encoded on at least one computer readable medium; and
the logic operable when executed to:
generate a debug message operable to initiate a debugging function in a plurality of network components and comprising a debug address, the debug address identifying a communication type and a target location, the communication type identifying a mechanism used to communicate debugging information collected by the plurality of network components to the target location; and
communicate the debug message to at least one of the network components.

### Claim 47

A system for distributed diagnostics in a communication network, comprising:
logic encoded on at least one computer readable medium; and
the logic operable when executed to:
receive a message from a network component;
identify the message as a debug message;
identify communication instructions contained in the debug message, the communication instructions identifying how and where to communicate debugging information;
process the debug message;
collect the debugging information; and
communicate the debugging information in accordance with the communication instructions contained in the debug message.

### Claim 48

A system for distributed diagnostics in a communication network, comprising:
means for receiving a message from a network component;
means for identifying the message as a debug message;
means for identifying communication instructions contained in the debug message, the communication instructions identifying how and where to communicate debugging information;
means for collecting the debugging information; and
means for communicating the debugging information in accordance with the communication instructions contained in the debug message.