Switched connections diagnostics in a signalling network
AssigneeNewbridge Networks Corporation
InventorsJohn C. Burns, Stephen C. Bews, Jonathan L. Bosloy, David Watkinson
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Abstract
A method is disclosed for detecting and diagnosing faults in a network. The network has a plurality of nodes through which switched virtual connections can be established. First, all attempts at establishing routes through the network are recorded. Then, the location of a failure is determined by analyzing the attempted routes.
Claims18
A method of detecting and diagnosing faults in a network having a plurality of nodes through which switched virtual connections can be established, comprising the steps of:
- a) entering a diagnostics mode for a given user when a suspected fault is detected;
- b) attempting to establish a virtual connection originating at said given user through a plurality of said nodes on the network to a destination user via a plurality of alternate routes by exchanging call set-up messages through the network;
- c) collecting diagnostics data from each node identifying at least the node and physical trunk group visited on each attempted route through die network to said destination user and returning said diagnostics data in said call set-up messages;
- and
- d) analyzing the said diagnostics data to identify the source of a failure.
A method of detecting and diagnosing faults in a network having a plurality of nodes through which switched virtual connections can be established, comprising the steps of:
- a) entering a diagnostics mode for a given user when a suspected fault is detected;
- b) attempting to establish a virtual connection originating at said given user though the network to a destination user via a plurality of alternate routes;
- c) collecting diagnostics data for each attempted route through the network to said destination user;
- d) analyzing the said diagnostics data to identifying the source of a failure;
- and
- e) automatically deactivating said diagnostics mode after a predetermined number of connection setups originating from said given user.
A method of detecting and diagnosing faults in a network having a plurality of nodes through which switched virtual connections can be established, comprising the steps of:
- a) entering a diagnostics mode for a given user when a suspected fault is detected;
- b) attempting to establish a virtual connection originating at said given user through the network to a destination user via a plurality of alternate routes;
- c) collecting diagnostics data for each attempted route through the network to said destination user, said diagnostics data being carried in a call information element of a setup message;
- and
- d) analyzing the said diagnostics data to identify the source of a failure;
- and
- wherein said information element is a call trace element.
A packet switched data communications network, comprising:
- a) a plurality of interconnected network nodes;
- b) a plurality of users connected to at least some of said network nodes;
- c) means for attempting to establish virtual connections between users over a plurality of alternate routes through said network by exchanging call set-up messages through a plurality of said nodes in the network;
- d) means at each node on said alternate routes for inserting diagnostics data identifying at least the node and physical trunk group visited in said call set-up messages while in a diagnostics mode and returning said diagnostics data to an originating node;
- and
- e) diagnostic means for analyzing said diagnostics data returned in said call set-up messages to identify the source of a failure.
A packet switched data communications network, comprising:
- a) a plurality of interconnected network nodes;
- b) a plurality of users connected to at least some of said network nodes;
- c) means for attempting to establish virtual connections between users over a plurality of alternate routes through said network;
- d) means for recording, in a diagnostic mode. attempts at establishing routes through said network;
- and
- e) diagnostic means for analyzing said recorded attempts to identify the source of a failure;
- wherein said nodes include service cards having a call control unit and a signalling stack for setting up a virtual connection, and a service card managing a virtual connection collects diagnostics information for said recorded attempts at establishing routes through said network.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.