US 2011/0211441 A1 · SEQUENTIAL HEARTBEAT PACKET ARRANGEMENT AND METHODS THEREOF

Abstract

An arrangement in a network tap for monitoring state of a monitoring system is provided. The arrangement includes a set of network ports that includes a set of input network ports for receiving data traffic and a set of output network ports for outputting the data traffic from the network tap. The arrangement also includes a monitoring port that is configured to receive the data traffic from the set of network ports and to forward the data traffic onward to the monitoring system. The arrangement further includes a logic component configured for executing a sequential heartbeat diagnostic test. The sequential heartbeat diagnostic test is configured for providing a first set of sequential heartbeat packets for testing and determining the state of the monitoring system. The arrangement yet also includes a logic component for activating one or more events when a failure condition exists for the state of the monitoring system.

Claims20

Dependent claims

An arrangement in a network tap for monitoring state of a monitoring system, comprising:

a set of network ports, said set of network ports including a set of input network ports for receiving data traffic and a set of output network ports for outputting said data traffic from said network tap;
a monitoring port, said monitoring port being configured to receive said data traffic from said set of network ports and to forward said data traffic onward to said monitoring system;
a logic component configured for executing a sequential heartbeat diagnostic test, wherein said sequential heartbeat diagnostic test is configured for providing a first set of sequential heartbeat packets for testing and determining said state of said monitoring system;
and
a logic component for activating one or more events when a failure condition exists for said state of said monitoring system.

2 more elements

A method for monitoring state of a monitoring system, comprising:

receiving network traffic from a set of network ports;
and
executing a first sequential heartbeat diagnostic test for determining said state of said monitoring system, wherein said first sequential heartbeat diagnostic test includes
initializing a set of counters to zero, wherein a first counter of said set of counters is associated with a first diagnostic test condition of a set of diagnostic test conditions,
generating a plurality of sets of sequential heartbeat packets, wherein a first set of sequential heartbeat packets of said plurality of sets of heartbeat packets is associated with said first diagnostic test condition,
inserting said plurality of sets of sequential heartbeat packets into network traffic flowing between a network tap and said monitoring system,
sending said plurality of sets of sequential heartbeat packets to said monitoring system,
incrementing said set of counters by one,
receiving said network traffic from said monitoring system,
detecting and removing said first set of sequential heartbeat packets from said network traffic,
analyzing said network traffic flowing from said monitoring system to said network tap to determine if a failure condition exists, and
if a failure condition exists, triggering one or more events for handling said failure condition.

9 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Sequential heartbeat packet arrangement and methods thereof

Life of this patent

Sequential heartbeat packet arrangement and methods thereof

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims20