Multiplex communications – Diagnostic testing – Path check
Reexamination Certificate
1998-09-11
2001-08-07
Kizou, Hassan (Department: 2662)
Multiplex communications
Diagnostic testing
Path check
C370S242000, C370S432000, C714S712000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06272113
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to computer networking systems, and more particularly to a method and apparatus for providing a network controller system that uses multicast heartbeat packets.
DESCRIPTION OF THE RELATED ART
Computers and other devices may be networked together using any one of several available architectures and any one of several corresponding and compatible network protocols. A common network architecture is Ethernet™, such as the 10Base-T and 100Basc-TX Ethemet™ Standards according to the IEEE Standard 802.3, although another Ethemet™ architecture operating at 1 Gigabit per second (Gbps) is also available. In an Ethernet™ architecture, the computers each include a bus system with corresponding slots for receiving compatible network adapter expansion cards, where one or more of the adapter cards may be network interface cards (NICs). Each NIC includes an appropriate connector for interfacing a compatible network cable, such as a coaxial cable, a twisted-wire cable, a fiber optic cable, etc. For example, in a star configuration, each NMC includes an RJ-45 connector for receiving a compatible RJ-45 plug of a twisted-wire cable, where each network cable is coupled to a central device such as a repeater, hub, switch, etc.
In a packet-switched configuration, each computer or device sends data packets according to a selected upper level protocol, such as Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol (TCP/IP), the Internet Protocol eXchange (IPX), NetBEUI or the like. NetBEUI is short for NctBIOS Enhanced User Interface, and is an enhanced version of the NetBIOS protocol used by network operating systems such as LAN Manager, LAN Server, Windows for Workgroups, Windows 95 and Windows NT. NetBEUI was originally designed by IBM for IBM's LAN Manager server and later extended by Microsoft and Novell. TCP/IP is used in Internet applications, or in intranet applications such as a local area network (LAN). In this manner, computers and other devices share information according to the higher level protocols.
One or more computers in a network configuration typically operates as a server for other computers and devices in the network. Often, the other computers and devices rely on the server(s) for information, storage, access to databases, programs, other networks, ctc., and various other services. It is desired that the server be as reliable as possible. Each computer, including the server, is typically coupled to a computer using a single network controller or adapter. If the network controller fails, the access to the server is interrupted resulting in loss of productivity and inefficiency. It is further desired to provide as high a bandwidth path to the server as possible, especially during periods of heavy demand and increased network traffic. A single network controller results in a bottleneck of data flow.
It is desirable to improve the network efficiency and fault tolerance of a network in a practical and cost effective manner. It is also desirable to display the status and configuration of each port in an accurate and efficient manner.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
A network controller system according to the present invention includes a plurality of network ports and a driver system that programs each of the network ports with a common multicast address and that operates the network ports as a team. The team is operated to form a logical device in one of several team modes, such as fault tolerance or load balancing, to enhance performance of communication of the computer in a network. The driver system commands at least one of the network ports to transmit a multicast heartbeat packet, where each of the other network ports receives and transfers the multicast heartbeat packet to the driver system. In this manner, the driver system need only cause one heartbeat packet to be sent to test one or more of the other network ports. Multicast heartbeat packets are substantially more efficient than broadcast heartbeat packets, since the number of packets transmitted on a network is substantially reduced and the amount of unnecessary processing per heartbeat packet is reduced or even eliminated.
The driver system may command a first network port to transmit a first multicast heartbeat packet and a second network port to transmit a second multicast heartbeat packet. In this manner, the first and second network ports each send a heartbeat packet to test the other ports and to test each other. The heartbeat packets are preferably sent with different source addresses so that the first and second network ports can ignore their own heartbeat packets if repeated back to themselves. It is noted, however, that packets are usually not transmitted back to sending devices by other network devices, such as repeaters, switches, etc. If there are three or more ports including a primary and two or more secondary ports, then the driver system preferably selects two of the secondary ports to send multicast heartbeat packets to allow the primary ports to use its resources on its main tasks.
The multicast heartbeat packets may be transmitted on a periodic basis, such as after each timeout of a predetermined timing period. It is possible, however, to reduce the number of multicast heartbeat packets by sending them only when necessary. In one embodiment, for example, the driver system periodically determines and updates the status of each of the network ports based at least on whether each has received at least one packet. The driver system further commands that the multicast heartbeat packets be sent only if any one or more of the network ports has not received a packet within a predetermined period of time.
The driver system may maintain the status of each of the network ports using a plurality of states. The driver system updates the status of each of the plurality of network ports after each of a predetermined timing interval by changing the state. For example, the states may include a first state indicating proper operation, such as an ok state, a last state indicating that the network port is not operating properly, such as a failed state, and one or more intermediate states. The driver system sequentially downgrades the status of a network port from the ok state to each next intermediate state until a packet is received or until the state of the network port is failed. If and when the network port receives a packet, its status is restored to the ok state.
A packet-switched network according to the present invention includes a network device that maintains communication in the network by transferring packets and a computer system including a network controller system as previously described. The computer system further includes a processor, a main memory, a bus system and a plurality of network ports, where each of the network ports is coupled to the bus system. The driver system is executed by the processor from the main memory. The network device comprises a repeater or a switch or any other device for maintaining communication of packets in the network.
A method of testing a plurality of network ports coupled to a computer system and operated as a team according to the present invention includes programming each of the network ports to receive packets with a multicast address, commanding at least one of the network ports to transmit a multicast heartbeat packet, and determining the status of each of the network ports based on reception of packets including the multicast heartbeat packet. The method may further include commanding a first network port to transmit a first multicast heartbeat packet and commanding a second network port to transmit a second multicast heartbeat packet. The method may further comprise commanding the first and second network ports to send the first and second heartbeat packets on a periodic basis. Alternatively, the method may comprise commanding the first and second network ports to send the first and second heartbeat packets only if at least one of the network ports has not received a packet after a predetermined time period.
It is no
Biehle Chris
McCarthy Daniel B.
McIntyre Michael S.
Miller Thomas R.
Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld & LLP
Compaq Computer Corporation
Kizou Hassan
Mehra Inder
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