US6473798B1
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method and system for testing a layer-2 tunnel in a data communication network
Assignee: Cisco Technology Inc
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Filing: 1998-12-15
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Granted: 2002-10-29
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Expires: 2018-12-15
Abstract
Abstract A method and system for testing a Layer 2 tunnel in a data communication network including a network device and a network manager are described. According to the method, a test invocation is received from the network manager at the network device. In response to receipt of the test invocation at the network device, a Layer 2 tunnel within the data communication network is tested, and a result of the test is reported to the network manager. The tests that may be conducted include a connectivity test to determine if a Layer 2 tunnel can be established and a responsiveness test to determine the propagation time of a Layer 2 tunnel. Advantageously, both compulsory and voluntary Layer- 2 tunnels can be tested, thereby enabling all Layer 2 protocols (e.g., L 2 TP, L 2 F, and PPTP) to be supported.
Inventors
- 👤 Donald Bruce Grosser, Jr.
- 👤 Gregg William Miller
- 👤 Leo Temoshenko
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-06 11:05
CPC Classifications
H; H04; H04L; H04L63/00; H04L63/02; H04L63/0272; H04L43/00; H04L43/50; H04L63/16; H04L63/162
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 31
Claim 1
Independent Claim
68 words
A method for testing a tunnel in a data communication network, said method comprising: receiving a test invocation from a network manager at a network device; in response to receipt of said test invocation at the network device, attempting to establish a Layer- 2 tunnel; and in response to establishing a Layer- 2 tunnel, bringing down said Layer- 2 and indicating a result of said test as successful.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
68 words
A method for testing a tunnel in a data communication network, said method comprising: receiving a test invocation from a network manager at a network device; in response to receipt of said test invocation at the network device, attempting to establish a Layer- 2 tunnel; and in response to establishing a Layer- 2 tunnel, bringing down said Layer- 2 and indicating a result of said test as successful.
Claim 3
Independent Claim
58 words
A method for testing a tunnel in a data communication network, said method comprising: receiving a test invocation from a network manager at a network device; in response to receipt of said test invocation at the network device, testing a propagation time of said Layer- 2 tunnel; and, reporting a result of said test to said network manager.
Claim 4
Independent Claim
58 words
A method for testing a tunnel in a data communication network, said method comprising: receiving a test invocation from a network manager at a network device; in response to receipt of said test invocation at the network device, testing a propagation time of said Layer- 2 tunnel; and, reporting a result of said test to said network manager.
Claim 5
Independent Claim
69 words
A method for testing a tunnel in a data communication network, said method comprising: receiving a test invocation from a network manager at a network device; in response to receipt of said test invocation at the network device, creating a table entry at said network device specifying an endpoint of said Layer- 2 tunnel; and reporting said table entry as a result of said test to said network manager.
Claim 6
Independent Claim
69 words
A method for testing a tunnel in a data communication network, said method comprising: receiving a test invocation from a network manager at a network device; in response to receipt of said test invocation at the network device, creating a table entry at said network device specifying an endpoint of said Layer- 2 tunnel; and reporting said table entry as a result of said test to said network manager.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method of claim 1 or claim 2 or claim 3 , wherein testing said Layer- 2 tunnel comprises testing connectivity of said Layer- 2 tunnel.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
59 words
The method of claim 3 , said table entry further comprising: a result field, wherein reporting a result of said test to said network manager includes, updating said result field with a result of said test; and wherein said network device reports said result to said network manager in response to receipt of a request from said network manager.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
27 words
The method of claim 1 or claim 2 or claim 3 further comprising: in response to receipt of said result at said network manager, presenting said result.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method of claim 1 or claim 2 or claim 3 wherein testing a Layer- 2 tunnel comprises testing a voluntary Layer- 2 tunnel.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method of claim 1 or claim 2 or claim 3 wherein testing a Layer- 2 tunnel comprises testing a compulsory Layer- 2 tunnel.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
34 words
A program product for testing a tunnel in a data communication network, said program product having instructions for executing in a processor the method of claim 1 or claim 2 or claim 3 .
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
17 words
The program product of claim 9 , wherein said program tests connectivity of the Layer- 2 tunnel.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
41 words
The program product of claim 9 , further comprising: a table entry including a result field, wherein said program product updates said result field with a result of said test and supplies said result in response to receipt of a request.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
57 words
A network device for use in a data communication network comprising: the network device, in response to receipt of a test invocation from a network manager, establishes a Layer- 2 tunnel, and if said Layer- 2 tunnel is established said network device brings down said Layer- 2 tunnel and indicates a result of the test as successful.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
57 words
A network device for use in a data communication network comprising: the network device, in response to receipt of a test invocation from a network manager, establishes a Layer- 2 tunnel, and if said Layer- 2 tunnel is established said network device brings down said Layer- 2 tunnel and indicates a result of the test as successful.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
56 words
A network device for use in a data communication network comprising: the network device, in response to receipt of a test invocation from a network manager, tests a Layer- 2 tunnel in the communication network by testing a propagation time of the Layer- 2 tunnel, and reports a result of said test to the network manager.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
56 words
A network device for use in a data communication network comprising: the network device, in response to receipt of a test invocation from a network manager, tests a Layer- 2 tunnel in the communication network by testing a propagation time of the Layer- 2 tunnel, and reports a result of said test to the network manager.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
55 words
A network device for use in a data communication network comprising: the network device, in response to receipt of a test invocation from a network manager, tests a Layer- 2 tunnel by creating a table entry specifying an endpoint of said Layer- 2 tunnel, and reports a result of said test to the network manager.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
55 words
A network device for use in a data communication network comprising: the network device, in response to receipt of a test invocation from a network manager, tests a Layer- 2 tunnel by creating a table entry specifying an endpoint of said Layer- 2 tunnel, and reports a result of said test to the network manager.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
48 words
The network device of claim 14 , said table entry further comprising: a result field, wherein said network device updates said result field with a result of said test and reports said result to the network manager in response to receipt of a request from the network manager.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
21 words
The network device of claim 12 , or claim 13 , or claim 14 wherein said network device comprises a server.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
40 words
A system, comprising: a network device in accordance with claim 12 , or claim 13 , or claim 14 that is coupled to said data communication network; and a host coupled to said network device that executes said network manager.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
25 words
The network device of claim 12 , or claim 13 , or claim 14 wherein said network device tests connectivity of the Layer- 2 tunnel.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
58 words
A network device for use in a data communication network comprising: means, in response to receipt of a test invocation from a network manager, for establishing a Layer- 2 tunnel, and if said Layer- 2 tunnel is established; means for said network device bringing down said Layer- 2 tunnel and indicating a result of the test as successful.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
58 words
A network device for use in a data communication network comprising: means, in response to receipt of a test invocation from a network manager, for establishing a Layer- 2 tunnel, and if said Layer- 2 tunnel is established; means for said network device bringing down said Layer- 2 tunnel and indicating a result of the test as successful.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
57 words
A network device for use in a data communication network comprising: means, in response to receipt of a test invocation from a network manager, for testing a Layer- 2 tunnel in the communication network by testing a propagation time of the Layer- 2 tunnel; and, means for reporting a result of said test to the network manager.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
57 words
A network device for use in a data communication network comprising: means, in response to receipt of a test invocation from a network manager, for testing a Layer- 2 tunnel in the communication network by testing a propagation time of the Layer- 2 tunnel; and, means for reporting a result of said test to the network manager.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
55 words
A network device for use in a data communication network comprising: means, in response to receipt of a test invocation from a network manager, testing a Layer- 2 tunnel by creating a table entry specifying an endpoint of said Layer- 2 tunnel; and, means for reporting a result of said test to the network manager.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
55 words
A network device for use in a data communication network comprising: means, in response to receipt of a test invocation from a network manager, testing a Layer- 2 tunnel by creating a table entry specifying an endpoint of said Layer- 2 tunnel; and, means for reporting a result of said test to the network manager.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
33 words
Electromagnetic signals propagating on a computer network, said electromagnetic signals carrying information to execute in a processor for the practice of the method of claim 1 or claim 2 or claim 3 .
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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) | 2005-10-28 | 2006-04-29 | 2006-10-29 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2009-10-28 | 2010-04-29 | 2010-10-29 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2013-10-28 | 2014-04-29 | 2014-10-29 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |