Method and apparatus for diagnosing problems in data communication networks
US4937825A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jun 15, 1988 |
| Grant date | Jun 26, 1990 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jun 15, 2008 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH04L43/0811
- WIPO fieldDigital communication
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
Data communications neworks may be composed of many different physical devices linked together in various layers and using various protocols for communication. The multiple physical elements that make up such communication networks or links are often supplied by diverse vendors. As a result, isolation and diagnosis of communication failures becomes an extremely difficult and cumbersome process. The present system and method simplify the process greatly by premitting a system control operator or control application program to issue generic, non-device-specific problem isolation, control or diagnostic commands to the communication neetwork by identifying the link and target node for which problem isolation and diagnosis is required. The non-device-specific commands are received first at an intermediate translation facility which retrieves communication link physical configuration data and identifies the physical components and characteristics thereof that make up that communication link to the identified target node. The translation facility then issues one or more device-specific problem determination commands on the communication link directed toward said node. It receives one or m…
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.