System and method for loopback and network loop detection and analysis

A method of determining the presence of a tunnel loopback a multi-section network at a port, the method comprising:

• assigning a section level to each section of said multi-section network;
• assigning a unique domain number to one or more domains wherein one domain comprises one or more sections at the same section level and zero or more section at a lower section level;
• storing a protocol data unit (PDU) that includes a Virtual Local Area Network (VLAN) signature;
• sending a loopback detection beacon (LPDB) containing said PDU, a domain number and a time stamp;
• restricting said LPDB to one or more sections related to the domain number in the LPDB;
• determining whether a detected LPDB arriving at said port contains information corresponding to said stored PDU, to detect the presence of a loopback;
• and
• determining that said detected loopback is a tunnel loopback if said detected LPDB contains said VLAN signature and whether said detected loopback is a hard cable loopback or a remote facility loopback based on a difference between said time stamp and the arrival time of said detected LPDB.

A system of determining the presence of a tunnel loopback a multi-section network at a port, the method comprising:

• a section level assigned to each section of said multi-section network;
• a unique domain number assigned to one or more domains wherein one domain comprises one or more sections at the same section level and zero or more section at a lower section level;
• a protocol data unit (PDU) stored on a memory at the port, wherein said PDU includes a Virtual Local Area Network (VLAN) signature;
• a loopback detection beacon (LPDB) containing said PDU, a domain number and a time stamp transmitted by said port into said network wherein said LPDB is restricted to one or more sections related to the domain number in the LPDB;
• wherein said port receives said LPDB and determines whether a received LPDB contains information corresponding to said stored PDU, to detect the presence of a loopback;
• and said port determines that said detected loopback is a tunnel loopback if said detected LPDB contains said VLAN signature and whether said detected loopback is a hard cable loopback or a remote facility loopback based on a difference between said time stamp and the arrival time of said detected LPDB.