Electrical computers and digital processing systems: multicomput – Computer network managing – Computer network monitoring
Reexamination Certificate
2000-08-17
2004-11-23
Burgess, Glenton B. (Department: 2153)
Electrical computers and digital processing systems: multicomput
Computer network managing
Computer network monitoring
C709S223000, C709S235000, C709S238000, C709S239000, C370S245000, C370S254000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06823381
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to network communications and, more particularly, to analysis of network communication paths.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Computer networks have grown increasingly complex with the use of distributed client/server applications, mixed platforms and multiple protocols all in a single physical backbone. The control of traffic on networks is likewise moving from centralized information systems departments to distributed work groups. The growing utilization of computer networks is not only causing a move to new, high speed technologies, but is at the same time making the operation of computer networks more critical to day to day business operations. The use of quality of service (QoS) criteria for managing and/or contracting communication service level agreements (SLAs) is becoming increasingly common in networks, such as networks supporting Internet protocol (IP) communications.
Deregulation of telecommunications providers, new communications technologies, and the Internet have often been cited as important factors in bringing about increased competition in the delivery of telecommunications services. As a result of this increased competition, telecommunications providers have generally been under pressure to improve efficiency and cut costs and yet still maintain a high quality level of service for their customers. In this competitive environment, one area in which telecommunications providers may be able to gain a competitive edge is in the support systems that are used to operate, manage, and maintain the telecommunications networks. These support systems may be called operational support systems (OSS).
Broadly stated, an OSS for a telecommunications network may include software services that are used to support the operations of a telecommunications network. Three support areas that may be addressed by a telecommunications OSS are 1) provisioning and order management, 2) billing and customer support, and 3) network management. Provisioning and order management may include such functions as service activation, service order processing, and service provisioning. Billing and customer support may include such functions as data collection, retail and wholesale billing, bill compilation, and customer care. Finally, network management and/or network service quality management may include such functions as fault management, performance monitoring, error analysis, and security.
One problem related to network management which may be encountered is a loss of data records during transmission from a source device to a destination device over a communication network. It is desirable, under such circumstances, to be able to identify the root cause device for such lost data records, so as, for example, to facilitate prompt initiation of corrective actions. However, the increasingly complex structure of such communications networks, such as the Internet, complicates the identification of the root cause for such losses given the numerous routing devices which may define the network between the source and destination device and further given the nature of the structure of the Internet in which it is common to have a variety of different paths which may be utilized for transmission of data records between a given source and destination device. It is known with various commercially available network management system packages to utilize commands such as segment path identification commands and “ping” features in combination with direct queries to the routing devices defining the topology of a network to obtain status and performance information. This approach generally relies on overall performance information from the various routing devices defining the communications network based on either passive or active generated data transmissions to characterize the status of communications network components rather than evaluating the specific data flow which encountered the lost data records and directly identifying a point of loss.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Embodiments of the present invention include methods, systems and computer program products for determining a point of loss for data records to be communicated between a source and a destination on a communication network. A topology of the communication network between the source and the destination is determined which includes a plurality of connecting nodes. A number of data records from the source directed to the destination passing between ones of the connecting nodes during a determined period of time is monitored. At least one of the connecting nodes is identified as the point of loss based on the monitored number of data records and the determined topology.
In further embodiments of the present invention, a plurality of network appliances configured to obtain a number of data records passing between a pair of connecting nodes during a time period are positioned between respective ones of the connecting nodes. Monitoring operations utilize the network appliances by identifying at least one of the network appliances on the topology and obtaining the number of data records from the source directed to the destination obtained by the identified at least one network appliance during the determined period of time.
Operations in accordance with embodiments of the present invention may include identifying at least one first hop one of the network appliances which is coupled to the source over the communication network. In addition, at least one next hop one of the network appliances is identified which is coupled between the at least one first hop one of the network appliances and the destination. A number of data records from the source directed to the destination obtained by the at least one first hop one of the network appliances and the at least one next hop one of the network appliances during the determined time period is obtained. The number of data records from the source directed to the destination obtained by one of the at least one first hop one of the network appliances is compared with the number of data records from the source directed to the destination obtained by ones of the at least one next hop one of the network appliances coupled between the one of the at least one first hop one of the network appliances and the destination A connecting node positioned between the at least one first hop one of the network appliances and the ones of the at least one next hop one of the network appliances is identified as the point of loss for data records if the number of data records from the source directed to the destination obtained by one of the at least one first hop one of the network appliances differs by a threshold amount from the number of data records from the source directed to the destination obtained by ones of the at least one next hop one of the network appliances coupled between the one of the at least one first hop one of the network appliances and the destination. The first hop network appliance may be coupled to the source without intervening ones of the network appliances. The next hop network appliance(s) may be coupled between the first hop network appliance and the destination without intervening ones of the network appliances.
In yet other embodiments of the present invention, a number of data records from the source directed to the destination obtained by an upstream one of the network appliances is compared with a number of data records from the source directed to the destination obtained by at least one downstream one of the network appliances coupled between the upstream one of the network appliances and the destination at an adjacent downstream position. Comparisons are performed for successive ones of the network appliances until either the destination is reached or at least one of the connecting nodes is identified as the point of loss for data. A connecting node positioned between the upstream one of the network appliances and corresponding downstream ones of the network appliances is identified as the point of loss for data records if the number of data record
Burgess Glenton B.
Myers Bigel & Sibley & Sajovec
Parton Kevin
Trendium, Inc.
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