US 4,937,825 A · Method and apparatus for diagnosing problems in data communication networks

Abstract

Data communications neworks may be composed of many different physical devices linked together in various layers and using various protocols for communication. The multiple physical elements that make up such communication networks or links are often supplied by diverse vendors. As a result, isolation and diagnosis of communication failures becomes an extremely difficult and cumbersome process. The present system and method simplify the process greatly by premitting a system control operator or control application program to issue generic, non-device-specific problem isolation, control or diagnostic commands to the communication neetwork by identifying the link and target node for which problem isolation and diagnosis is required. The non-device-specific commands are received first at an intermediate translation facility which retrieves communication link physical configuration data and identifies the physical components and characteristics thereof that make up that communication link to the identified target node. The translation facility then issues one or more device-specific problem determination commands on the communication link directed toward said node. It receives one or more device-specific responses from one or more physcial devices in the communication link and, responsive thereto, either issues further device-specific commands on the communication link to complete the diagnosis or issues generic, non-device-specific problem identification results as responses to the requesting control nodes' initial request.

Claims11

Dependent claims

A method of isolating and diagnosing problem conditions in an identified data communications network link connected to an identified target node, said method comprising steps of:

issuing, from a request control node containing it, a generic, non-device-specific problem determination request onto the data communications network, said request being for requesting problem determination to be performed on an identified communication link connected to an identified target node;
receiving on said data communications network said non-device-specific problem determination request at an intermediate control and translation means and, responsive to said non-device-specific problem determination request, issuing from said intermediate translation and control means at least one device-specific problem determination command on said identified communications link connected both to said intermediate translation and control means and to said identified target node;
receiving at said intermediate translation and control means on said identified communications link connected to said identified target node, at least one device-specific response from a device on said identified communication link, and;
responsive to said receipt by said intermediate translation and control means of said device-specific response, issuing by said intermediate translation and control means onto said communications link, further device-specific commands or issuing on said data communications network, general, non-device-specific problem identification diagnostic responses to said generic non-device-specific problem determination request from said request control node.

1 more element

Apparatus for diagnosing and controlling failure or problem conditions in a data communication network link, said link comprising one or more devices, said apparatus comprising:

a request control means having means for issuing onto said network, generic, non-device-specific problem determination request, communication link identification for identifying a specific communications link and target node identification for identifying a target node;
an intermediate translation and control means connected to said communication network for receiving said generic, non-device-specific problem determination request, communication link identification and target node identification and having means responsive to said non-device-specific requests, communication link identification and target node identification, for issuing at least one device-specific problem determination command to a device in said identified communication link to said identified target node;
and
means at said intermediate translation control means for receiving a device-specific response from said device on said identified communication link and, responsive thereto, issuing further device-specific commands on said identified communications link or issuing generic non-device-specific problem identification diagnostic responses to said request control means.

1 more element

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Method and apparatus for diagnosing problems in data communication networks

Life of this patent

Method and apparatus for diagnosing problems in data communication networks

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims11