Methods and apparatus based on message transmission times

In a network device, a method to support tracking of a relative ability to transmit messages over a network, the method comprising:

• originating a network configuration message;
• providing a time value in the network configuration message, the time value indicating a time of originating the network configuration message;
• and
• transmitting the network configuration message over the network to other network devices that, in turn, initiate broadcasting at least a portion of contents of the network configuration message to yet other network devices to advertise the network topology change.

A computer system for tracking a relative ability to transmit messages over a network, the computer system comprising:

• a processor;
• a memory unit that stores instructions associated with an application executed by the processor;
• and
• an interconnect coupling the processor and the memory unit, enabling the computer system to execute the application and perform operations of:
• receiving a network configuration message transmitted over the network;
• processing the network configuration message to identify when an originator of the network configuration message initiated transmission of the network configuration message over the network;
• based on when the originator initiated transmission of the network configuration message, calculating a transmission time value measuring how long the network configuration message takes to be conveyed over the network from the originator to the data communication device;
• and
• utilizing the transmission time value to estimate a response time during which the originator should respond to a communication from the data communication device before declaring an occurrence of a data communication device failure.

A computer system for tracking a relative ability to transmit messages over a network, the computer system comprising:

• a processor;
• a memory unit that stores instructions associated with an application executed by the processor;
• and
• an interconnect coupling the processor and the memory unit, enabling the computer system to execute the application and perform operations of:
• originating a network configuration message in response to a network topology change;
• providing a time value in the network configuration message, the time value indicating a time of originating the network configuration message;
• and
• transmitting the network configuration message over the network to other network devices that, in turn, initiate broadcasting at least a portion of contents of the network configuration message to yet other network devices to advertise the network topology change.

A computer system for tracking an ability to convey messages over a network, the computer system including:

• means for receiving a network configuration message transmitted over the network;
• means for processing the network configuration message to identify when an originator of the network configuration message initiated transmission of the network configuration message over the network;
• means for calculating, based on when the originator initiated transmission of the network configuration message, a transmission time value measuring how long the network configuration message takes to be conveyed over the network from the originator to the data communication device;
• and
• means for utilizing the transmission time value to estimate a response time during which the originator should respond to a communication from the data communication device before declaring an occurrence of a data communication device failure.

A computer system for tracking an ability to convey messages over a network, the computer system including:

• means for originating a network configuration message in response to a network topology change;
• means for providing a time value in the network configuration message, the time value indicating a time of originating the network configuration message;
• and
• means for transmitting the network configuration message over the network to other network devices that, in turn, initiate broadcasting at least a portion of contents of the network configuration message to yet other network devices to advertise the network topology change or convey a refresh configuration message.