Automatic testing of redundant switching element and automatic switchover

A method of performing an online, non-disruptive health check test in a fully redundant fibre channel switching network having an active switching element and a redundant switching element, said health check test performed on said redundant switching element, said method comprising:

• verifying a working data path from a port to said redundant switching element, said data path comprising at least an inbound path and an outbound path, comprising the steps of:
• starting a first timer;
• monitoring said inbound path for an occurrence of a frame, said inbound path facilitates the movement of frames in a direction oriented from said port to both said redundant switching element and said active switching element;
• monitoring said outbound path for an occurrence of a frame, said outbound path facilitates the movement of frames in a direction oriented from both said redundant switching element and said active switching element to said port;
• terminating said health check test if said timer expires before both a frame occurs on said outbound path and a frame occurs on said inbound path;
• sending a test pattern from said port to said redundant switching element on said inbound path;
• starting a second timer;
• monitoring said port for the occurrence of said test pattern on said outbound path;
• logging a data path good condition if said test pattern arrives at said port;
• and
• logging a data path bad condition if said second timer expires before said test pattern arrives at said port;
• verifying a working control path to said redundant switching element, comprising the steps of:
• sending a connection request from said port to said redundant switching element;
• starting a third timer;
• logging a control path good condition if said connection request is returned from said redundant switching element to said port;
• and
• logging a data path bad condition if said third timer expires before said connection request is received at said port.

A method of performing an online, non-disruptive data path health check test in a fully redundant fibre channel switching network having an active switching element and a redundant switching element and a data path from a port to said redundant switching element, said data path comprising at least an inbound path and an outbound path, said data path health check test performed on said redundant switching element, said method comprising:

• starting a first timer;
• monitoring said inbound path for an occurrence of a frame, said inbound path facilitates the movement of frames in a direction oriented from said port to both said redundant switching element and said active switching element;
• monitoring said outbound path for an occurrence of a frame, said outbound path facilitates the movement of frames in a direction oriented from both said redundant switching element and said active switching element to said port;
• terminating said health check test if said timer expires before both a frame occurs on said outbound path and a frame occurs on said inbound path;
• sending a test pattern from said port to said redundant switching element on said inbound path;
• starting a second timer;
• monitoring said port for the occurrence of said test pattern on said outbound path;
• logging a data path good condition if said test pattern arrives at said port;
• and
• logging a data path bad condition if said second timer expires before said test pattern arrives at said port.

A method of performing an online, non-disruptive control path health check test in a fully redundant fibre channel switching network having an active switching element and a redundant switching element, said health check test performed on said redundant switching element, said method comprising:

• sending a connection request from said port to said redundant switching element;
• starting a timer;
• logging a control path good condition if said connection request is returned from said redundant switching element to said port;
• and
• logging a data path bad condition if said timer expires before said connection request is received at said port.

A method of performing automatic switchover in a fully redundant fibre channel switching network having an active switching element, a redundant switching element and a port having switching element logic embodied therein, said method comprising:

• detecting a failure condition in said active switching element;
• transmitting said failure condition to said switching element logic;
• querying said port to determine if said port is transmitting a frame;
• delaying said automatic switchover if said port is transmitting a frame;
• and
• performing the switchover to said redundant switching element if said port is not transmitting a frame.