Method and apparatus for determining network health as a function of combined percent utilization and percent collisions
US5919248A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Mar 25, 1997 |
| Grant date | Jul 6, 1999 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Mar 25, 2017 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH04L12/413
- WIPO fieldDigital communication
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
In a test instrument for testing LANs, a method for determining network health is provided. Network health is a composite indicator of the condition of the LAN that is based on a system of rules that take into account both percent utilization and percent collisions to provide for easier interpretation by a test instrument user. The test instrument is coupled to a LAN to receive the link pulse and establish communications. The test instrument receives data traffic from the LAN in the form of frames which are analyzed to produce network information which include the network parameters of percent utilization and percent collisions. Decisions about the network health based are reached by mapping a plurality of network parameters to a decision matrix that is constructed from expert knowledge in the field of local area networks. Messages corresponding to each decision may be displayed which contain network advice to provide guidance as to the nature and location of the problem and suggested steps to solve problems in the LAN.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.