Patent US2485605A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
EP0347360A2
Expired / Lapsed
EP
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Method of isolating and diagnosing problems in data communication networks
Assignee: International Business Machines Corp
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Filing: 1989-05-23
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Granted: —
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Expires: 2009-05-23
Abstract
Abstract The present method of isolating and diagnosing problems in a data communication network simplifies the process greatly by permitting a system control operator (1) or control application program to issue generic, non-device-specific problem isolation, control or diagnostic commands (2) to the communication network (5) by identifying the link and target node (7) for which problem isolation and diagnosis is required. The non-device-specific commands are received first at an intermediate translation facility (3) which retrieves communication link physical configuration data (4) and identifies the physical components and characteristics thereof that make up that communication link to the identified target node (7). The translation facility (3) 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 physical 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 initial request.
Inventors
- 👤 Rodney Allen Bell
- 👤 William Evans
- 👤 Curtis Jay Frantz
- 👤 Ronald Dwayne Martin
- 👤 John George Stevenson
- 👤 Petre Nichifor Turcu
- 👤 Raymond Charles Williams
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
EP
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-31 14:43
CPC Classifications
H; H04; H04L; H04L43/00; H04L43/50; H04L43/06; H04L43/065; H04L43/08; H04L43/0805; H04L43/0811
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
167 words
A method of isolating and diagnosing problem conditions in a data communications network link, comprising steps of : issuing from a request control node, a generic non-device-specific request for problem determination to be performed on an identified communication link connected to an identified target node, receiving on said data communications network said request at an intermediate control and translation facility and, responsive to said request, issuing from said intermediate translation and control facility at least one device-specific problem determination command on said communications link connected to said intermediate translation and control facility and to said target node, receiving on said communications link connected to said target node at said Intermediate control and translation facility at least one device-specific response from a device on said communication link, and, responsive to said receipt of said device-specific response either issuing on said communications link further device-specific commands or issuing on said data communications network, non-device-specific problem identification diagnoses as responses to said non-device-specific generic request from said request control node.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
167 words
A method of isolating and diagnosing problem conditions in a data communications network link, comprising steps of : issuing from a request control node, a generic non-device-specific request for problem determination to be performed on an identified communication link connected to an identified target node, receiving on said data communications network said request at an intermediate control and translation facility and, responsive to said request, issuing from said intermediate translation and control facility at least one device-specific problem determination command on said communications link connected to said intermediate translation and control facility and to said target node, receiving on said communications link connected to said target node at said Intermediate control and translation facility at least one device-specific response from a device on said communication link, and, responsive to said receipt of said device-specific response either issuing on said communications link further device-specific commands or issuing on said data communications network, non-device-specific problem identification diagnoses as responses to said non-device-specific generic request from said request control node.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
44 words
A method as described in Claim 1, wherein : said issuing of said device-specific problem determination commands is conducted serially by order of device interconnection in said communication link beginning with the device in said link nearest to said intermediate control and translation facility.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
62 words
A method as described in Claim 1 or 2, further comprising a step at said intermediate translation and control facility of : retrieving communication link physical configuration data identifying the physical components of said identified communication link to said identified target node together with the physical characteristics of said components thereof that currently make up said communication link to said target node.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
76 words
A method as described in Claim 1, 2 or 3 for peer or nested interconnection further comprising steps of : identifying at said intermediate translation and control facility that said target node is served by another said intermediate translation and control facility; and reissuing from said intermediate translation and control facility a general, non-device-specific request to said another intermediate translation and control facility to prompt issuance therefrom of said device-specific commands on said data communication link.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
31 words
A method as described in Claim 4, in which said generic, non-device-specific commands include a preliminary unique command identifying header, a command field and at least one command parameter identifying field.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
139 words
Apparatus for diagnosing and controlling failure or problem conditions in a data communication network link, comprising : a request control facility having means for issuing generic, non-device-specific requests on said data communication network for problem determination to be performed on an identified communication link connected to an identified target node; an intermediate translation and control facility connected to said communication network for receiving said generic, non-device-specific requests and responsive thereto, for issuing therefrom at least one device-specific problem determination command to a device on said communication link to said target node; and means at said intermediate translation and control facility for receiving a device-specific response from said device on said communications link and responsive thereto, for either issuing further device-specific commands on said communication link or for issuing generic, non-device-specific problem identification diagnoses responses to said requesting control means.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
139 words
Apparatus for diagnosing and controlling failure or problem conditions in a data communication network link, comprising : a request control facility having means for issuing generic, non-device-specific requests on said data communication network for problem determination to be performed on an identified communication link connected to an identified target node; an intermediate translation and control facility connected to said communication network for receiving said generic, non-device-specific requests and responsive thereto, for issuing therefrom at least one device-specific problem determination command to a device on said communication link to said target node; and means at said intermediate translation and control facility for receiving a device-specific response from said device on said communications link and responsive thereto, for either issuing further device-specific commands on said communication link or for issuing generic, non-device-specific problem identification diagnoses responses to said requesting control means.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
44 words
Apparatus as described in Claim 6, wherein : said intermediate translation and control facility issues said device-specific commands serially be device by beginning with the device in said communications link at the end of said link nearest to said intermediate translation and control facility.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
31 words
Apparatus as described in Claim 6 or 7, further including means for storing physical configuration data link component characteristics, identities and locations making up said communication link to said target node.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
65 words
Apparatus as described in Claim 6, 7 or 8, further comprising : means at said intermediate translation and control facility for determining that said target node is served by another said intermediate translation and control facility and reissuing said general, non-device-specific requests to said another intermediate translation and control facility for issuance therefrom of said device-specific commands on said communication link to said target node.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
No citation records indexed.
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