Verifying Communication Redundancy in a Network

A method for verifying network redundancy for a network, comprising:

• identifying a selected device of a plurality of devices in a network ring, wherein:
• the selected device interacts with the network ring through a first port and a second port;
• a first parameter and a second parameter are specified by a network protocol, wherein the network protocol ensures a loop-free topology to prevent bridge loops for the network ring;
• and
• a first parameter value of the first parameter and a second parameter value of the second parameter for the selected device are distinguishable from values of any device of the plurality of devices in the network ring;
• querying the selected device about an operation of the selected device in the network ring with the network protocol;
• when one of the first port and the second port is in a blocking state, generating a first indicator that indicates network redundancy with the network ring;
• and
• when the first port and the second port are not in the blocking state, generating a second indicator that indicates a redundancy problem with the network ring.

The method of claim 16, wherein:

• the network protocol comprises one of a spanning tree protocol (STP) and a rapid spanning tree protocol (RSTP);
• the first parameter comprises a bridge priority;
• and
• the second parameter comprises a port pathcost for the first port and the second port.

An apparatus comprising:

• at least one memory;
• and
• at least one processor coupled to the at least one memory and configured to perform, based on instructions stored in the at least one memory:
• identifying a selected device of a plurality of devices in a network ring, wherein:
• the selected device interacts with the network ring through a first port and a second port;
• a bridge priority parameter and a port pathcost parameter are specified by one of a spanning tree protocol (STP) and a rapid spanning tree protocol (RSTP);
• and
• a bridge priority value of the bridge priority parameter for the selected device and a port pathcost value of the port pathcost parameter are larger than values of any device of the plurality of devices in the network ring;
• obtaining a first and a second software object from the first selected device for the first and second ports, respectively;
• determining a port state for each port from the obtained software objects;
• when one of the first port and the second port is in a blocking state, generating a first indicator that indicates network redundancy with the network ring;
• and
• when the first port and the second port are not in the blocking state, generating a second indicator that indicates a redundancy problem with the network ring.

A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium storing computer-executable instructions that, when executed, cause at least one processor to perform operations comprising:

• identifying a selected device of a plurality of devices in a network ring, wherein:
• the selected device interacts with the network ring through a first port and a second port;
• a first parameter and a second parameter are specified by a network protocol, wherein the network protocol ensures a loop-free topology to prevent bridge loops for the network ring;
• and
• a first parameter value of the first parameter and a second parameter value of the second parameter for the selected device are distinguishable from values of any device of the plurality of devices in the first network ring;
• querying the selected device about an operation of the selected device in the network ring with the network protocol;
• when one of the first port and the second port is in a blocking state, generating a first indicator that indicates network redundancy with the network ring;
• and
• when the first port and the second port are not in the blocking state, generating a second indicator that indicates a redundancy problem with the network ring.