US5859959A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Computer network with devices/paths having redundant links
Assignee: Xerox Corp
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Filing: 1996-04-29
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Granted: 1999-01-12
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Expires: 2016-04-29
Abstract
Abstract A dual-connection option allows preservation of network connectivity to a device or path by providing a second, redundant connection which takes over if a first connection fails. One goal is to provide communication with all critical devices at all times. If the ability to communicate with a device is lost because part of the connection to the device or the device itself has been destroyed, recovery from such loss is provided. The invention is preferably embodied in a particular implementation of the proposed Redundant Links standard, and satisfies the requirements of the proposed IEEE 802.12 standard, while adding specific enhancements to the proposed standard, such as storing and/or reporting conditions that lead up to a failure; accommodating minor, temporary disruptions; allowing status inquiries with regard to a redundant link while maintaining a primary connection; and continuing testing the redundant link after an initial verification.
Inventors
- 👤 Karen Kimball
- 👤 Alan Albrecht
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-05 13:18
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06F; G06F11/00; G06F11/07; G06F11/16; G06F11/20; G06F11/2002; G06F11/2007; H; H04; H04L; H04L41/00; H04L41/02; H04L41/0213; H04L41/06; H04L41/0654; H04L41/0668; H04L43/00; H04L43/08; H04L43/0805; H04L43/0817; H04L45/00; H04L45/22; H04L45/28; H04L69/00; H04L69/40
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 20
Claim 1
Independent Claim
130 words
A redundant links monitor for an electronic network, comprising: a status capture module associated with either of a network device or network connection for taking a failure snapshot of at least one of at least two links to a network device/network connection and for verifying viability of said links, wherein said links include a primary link and a secondary link, said status capture module storing and/or reporting conditions that lead up to a link failure, accommodating minor, temporary disruptions, allowing status inquiries with regard to a redundant link while maintaining a primary connection, and/or detecting link failure due to incompatible network security configuration; periodic means for actively determining the status of said secondary link; and means for selecting the most viable link among said primary link and said secondary link.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
130 words
A redundant links monitor for an electronic network, comprising: a status capture module associated with either of a network device or network connection for taking a failure snapshot of at least one of at least two links to a network device/network connection and for verifying viability of said links, wherein said links include a primary link and a secondary link, said status capture module storing and/or reporting conditions that lead up to a link failure, accommodating minor, temporary disruptions, allowing status inquiries with regard to a redundant link while maintaining a primary connection, and/or detecting link failure due to incompatible network security configuration; periodic means for actively determining the status of said secondary link; and means for selecting the most viable link among said primary link and said secondary link.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
23 words
The redundant links monitor of claim 1, wherein said status capture module is adapted to be polled with respect to said failure snapshot.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
40 words
The redundant links monitor of claim 2, wherein said status capture module may be polled with regard to status of a standby link while an active link is maintained; and wherein said status capture module resides in a repeater environment.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
20 words
The redundant links monitor of claim 1, further comprising: means for broadcasting said failure snapshot to a network management function.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
22 words
The redundant links monitor of claim 4, said broadcasting means further comprising: a network protocol stack for generating a network management trap.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
62 words
The redundant links monitor of claim 1, wherein said status capture module includes a tone detector which is operable in a first mode to detect if a standby state is maintained for a secondary link, and is operable in a second mode to detect if a remote device is responding to training tones when maintaining a degraded connection for a secondary link.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
19 words
The redundant links monitor of claim 6, wherein said monitor is adapted to operate in an IEEE 802.12 environment.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
38 words
The redundant link monitor of claim 1, further comprising: a failure timer for establishing an interval during which a primary link is maintained in the event of minor and/or temporary disruptions to a connection to said primary link.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
35 words
The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of: establishing an interval during which a primary link is maintained in the event of minor and/or temporary disruptions to a connection to said primary link.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
28 words
The redundant links monitor of claim 1, said means for selecting further comprising: means for effecting a redundant links state decision based upon one or more viability factors.
Claim 12
Independent Claim
128 words
A method for monitoring redundant links to an electronic network entity, comprising the steps of: taking a failure snapshot of at least one of at least two network links and verifying viability of said links with a status capture module associated with either of a network device or network connection, wherein said links include a primary link and a secondary link, said status capture module storing and/or reporting conditions that lead up to a link failure, accommodating minor, temporary disruptions, allowing status inquiries with regard to a redundant link while maintaining a primary connection, and/or detecting link failure due to incompatible network security configuration; periodically and actively determining the status of said secondary link; and selecting the most viable link among said primary link and said secondary link.
Claim 13
Independent Claim
128 words
A method for monitoring redundant links to an electronic network entity, comprising the steps of: taking a failure snapshot of at least one of at least two network links and verifying viability of said links with a status capture module associated with either of a network device or network connection, wherein said links include a primary link and a secondary link, said status capture module storing and/or reporting conditions that lead up to a link failure, accommodating minor, temporary disruptions, allowing status inquiries with regard to a redundant link while maintaining a primary connection, and/or detecting link failure due to incompatible network security configuration; periodically and actively determining the status of said secondary link; and selecting the most viable link among said primary link and said secondary link.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 11, further comprising the step of: polling a network connection with respect to said failure snapshot.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 11, further comprising the step of: broadcasting said failure snapshot to a network management function.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 13, said broadcasting step further comprising the step of: generating a network management trap.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
38 words
The method of claim 9, further comprising the step of: polling a network connection with regard to status of a standby link while an active link is maintained; wherein said status capture module resides in a repeater environment.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
60 words
The method of claim 11, further comprising the step of: providing a tone detector which is operable in a first mode to detect if a standby state is maintained for a secondary link, and is operable in a second mode to detect if a remote device is responding to training tones when maintaining a degraded connection for a secondary link.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method of claim 16, wherein said method is adapted to operate in an IEEE 802.12 environment.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method of claim 11, said selecting step further comprising the step of: effecting a redundant links state decision based upon one or more viability factors.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2002-01-11 | 2002-07-13 | 2003-01-12 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2006-01-11 | 2006-07-13 | 2007-01-12 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2010-01-11 | 2010-07-13 | 2011-01-12 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |