US5563875A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Wrap-around route testing in packet communications networks
Assignee: Cisco Technology Inc
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Filing: 1995-07-10
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Granted: 1996-10-08
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Expires: 2015-07-10
Abstract
Abstract A packet communications network includes a route testing system which launches a plurality of route testing messages from the source node to each of the nodes along the route, including the destination node, and returning to the source node. Time stamps in each of theses testing messages are compared to reception times to determine round trip delays which can be halved and compared to determine link transit times. These link transit times can, in turn, be analyzed to localize congestion or identify failed resources. The source resource is where the data is accumulated for the entire path and then analyzed to determine the location of failed links, if any, the response time from the source to the destination, the response time of each resource in the path, and the location of congested links. Packet switched resources identify the path test command themselves and carry out the testing procedure. Circuit switched resources utilize the control point controlling that resource to carry out the testing procedure.
Inventors
- 👤 Timothy R. Hefel
- 👤 Lap T. Huynh
- 👤 Thomas P. McSweeney
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-02 06:35
CPC Classifications
H; H04; H04L; H04L43/00; H04L43/50; H04L45/00; H04L45/12; H04L45/123
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 24
Claim 1
Independent Claim
109 words
A packet communications network comprising a plurality of network resources interconnected by transmission links; means for determining at least one route through said network from a source resource to a destination resource in said network; means for launching a wrap-around route testing messages on said network to said destination resource; means for launching one or more wrap-around route testing messages on said network, one such route testing message for each of said resources in said route between said source resource and said destination resource; means at said source resource for receiving each of said route testing messages; and means at said source resource for processing said route testing messages.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
109 words
A packet communications network comprising a plurality of network resources interconnected by transmission links; means for determining at least one route through said network from a source resource to a destination resource in said network; means for launching a wrap-around route testing messages on said network to said destination resource; means for launching one or more wrap-around route testing messages on said network, one such route testing message for each of said resources in said route between said source resource and said destination resource; means at said source resource for receiving each of said route testing messages; and means at said source resource for processing said route testing messages.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
27 words
A packet transmission network according to claim 1 further comprising means in said source resource for inserting the current time in each of said route testing messages.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
22 words
The network according to claim 1 further comprising means at said source resource for storing information concerning said wrap-around route testing messages.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
22 words
The network according to claim 1 further comprising means at said source resource for displaying information concerning said wrap-around route testing messages.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
46 words
The network according to claim 1 wherein said processing means comprises means for determining transit times to each of said resources in said route equal to one-half of the difference between the transmission time and the reception time of corresponding ones of said route testing messages.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
30 words
The network according to claim 5 wherein said processing means further comprises means for determining the difference between said transit times for adjacent ones of said resources in said route.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
16 words
The network according to claim 1 further comprising means for identifying failed ones of said resources.
Claim 9
Independent Claim
109 words
A method for operating a packet communications network comprising the steps of interconnecting a plurality of network resources by a plurality of transmission links; determining at least one route through said network from a source resource to a destination resource in said network; launching a wrap-around route testing message onto said route to said destination resource; launching one or more wrap-around route testing messages onto said route, one such route testing message for each of said resources in said route between said source resource and said destination resource; receiving at said source resource each of said route testing messages; and processing said route testing messages at said source resource.
Claim 10
Independent Claim
109 words
A method for operating a packet communications network comprising the steps of interconnecting a plurality of network resources by a plurality of transmission links; determining at least one route through said network from a source resource to a destination resource in said network; launching a wrap-around route testing message onto said route to said destination resource; launching one or more wrap-around route testing messages onto said route, one such route testing message for each of said resources in said route between said source resource and said destination resource; receiving at said source resource each of said route testing messages; and processing said route testing messages at said source resource.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method according to claim 8 further comprising the step of inserting the current time in each of said route testing messages at said source resource.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method according to claim 8 further comprising the step of storing information concerning said wrap-around route testing messages at said source resource.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method according to claim 8 further comprising the steps of displaying information concerning said wrap-around route testing messages at said source resource.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
48 words
The method according to claim 8 wherein said processing step further comprises the step of determining transit times to each of said resources in said route equal to one-half of the difference between the transmission time and the reception time of corresponding ones of said route testing messages.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
31 words
The method according to claim 12 wherein said processing step further comprises the step of determining the difference between said transit times for adjacent ones of said resources in said route.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method according to claim 8 further comprising the step of identifying failed ones of said resources.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
96 words
A route testing system for a packet communications network including a plurality of resources and utilizing pre-calculated routes through said network, said testing system being located at one of said resources and comprising means for launching a wrap-around route testing message on said network to the resource at the end of said route; means for launching one or more wrap-around route testing messages on said network, one such route testing message for each of said resources in said route; means for receiving each of said route testing messages; and means for processing said route testing messages.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
96 words
A route testing system for a packet communications network including a plurality of resources and utilizing pre-calculated routes through said network, said testing system being located at one of said resources and comprising means for launching a wrap-around route testing message on said network to the resource at the end of said route; means for launching one or more wrap-around route testing messages on said network, one such route testing message for each of said resources in said route; means for receiving each of said route testing messages; and means for processing said route testing messages.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
22 words
A testing system according to claim 15 further comprising means for inserting the current time in each of said route testing messages.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
19 words
The testing system according to claim 15 further comprising means for storing information concerning said wrap-around route testing messages.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
19 words
The testing system according to claim 15 further comprising means for displaying information concerning said wrap-around route testing messages.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
47 words
The testing system according to claim 15 wherein said processing means comprises means for determining transit times to each of said resources in said route equal to one-half of the difference between the transmission time and the reception time of corresponding ones of said route testing messages.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
31 words
The testing system according to claim 19 wherein said processing means further comprises means for determining the difference between said transit times for adjacent ones of said resources in said route.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
17 words
The testing system according to claim 15 further comprising means for identifying failed ones of said resources.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1999-10-08 | 2000-04-08 | 2000-10-08 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2003-10-08 | 2004-04-08 | 2004-10-08 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2007-10-08 | 2008-04-08 | 2008-10-08 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |