Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim
143 words
A method of verifying the configuration of a network of units interconnected by links, each link coupling a pair of units via respective link adapters associated with the units, each of the link adapters having a unique identifier associated therewith, the method including: (a) generating a logical configuration map indicating an assumed configuration of the network; (b) for each of the links, transmitting the identifier associated with the link adapter at one end of the link over the link to the link adapter at the other end of the link to generate an associated pair of link adapter identifiers identifying the link; (c) generating from the associated pairs of link adapter identifiers a physical configuration map indicating the actual configuration of the network; and (d) comparing the logical configuration map with the physical configuration map to determine the existence of any discrepancies therebetween.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
23 words
A method as in Claim 1 including the step to conforming one of the configuration maps to the other of the configuration maps.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
32 words
A method as in Claim 1 in which each of the link adapter identifiers has a first portion identifying the unit and a second portion identifying the link adapter of that unit.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
33 words
A method as in Claim 1 in which the identifier associated with the link adapter at each end of a link is transmitted to the adapter at the other end of the link.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
46 words
A method as in Claim 1 in which the network includes at least one processor unit coupled to a device control unit via a switching unit, the processor unit and the switching nit and the switching unit and the control unit being interconnected by respective links.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
162 words
Apparatus for verifying the configuration of a network of units (110,130,150) interconnected by links (101,105), each link (105) coupling a pair of units (130,150) via respective link adapters (135,151) associated with the units (130,150), each of the link adapters (135,151) having a unique identifier associated therewith, the apparatus comprising: means for generating a logical configuration map indicating an assumed configuration of the network; means (105,133,151) associated with each of the links (105) for transmitting the identifier associated with the link adapter (133) at one end of the link (105) over the link (105) to the link adapter (151) at the other end of the link (105) to generate an associated pair of link adapter identifiers identifying the link (105); means for generating from the associated pairs of link adapter identifiers a physical configuration map indicating the actual configuration of the network; and means for comparing the logical configuration map with the physical configuration map to determine the existence of any discrepancies therebetween.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
21 words
Apparatus as in Claim 9 including means for conforming one of the configuration maps to the other of the configration maps.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
31 words
Apparatus as in Claim 9 in which each of the link adapter identifiers has a first portion identifying the nit and a second portion identifying the link adapter of that unit.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
32 words
Apparatus as in Claim 9 in which the identifier associated with the link adapter at each end of a link is transmitted to the adapter at the other end of the link.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
45 words
Apparatus as in Claim 9 in which the network includes at least one processor unit coupled to a device control unit via a switching unit, the processor unit and the switching unit and the switching unit and the control unit being interconnected by respective links.