Patent · US Expired

Network link state mirroring

US7500014B1 · kind B1 · utility

41Cited by
6References
20Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateMay 7, 2003
Grant dateMar 3, 2009
Priority date
Expiry dateOct 11, 2025

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
  • CPC primaryH04L43/0882
  • WIPO fieldDigital communication
  • WIPO sectorElectrical engineering

Abstract

Methods, apparatuses and systems allowing for network link state mirroring in intermediate network devices. A variety of intermediate network devices disposed between two network devices are operationally transparent to the two network devices. For example, a bandwidth management device disposed between a gateway router and a LAN hub or switch, is operationally transparent, to both network devices since the bandwidth management device, pacing or otherwise controlling packet flows, does not alter the essential routing or switching functions of the devices. The present invention promotes or enhances this operational transparency by mirroring the link state detected at a first network interface on other network interfaces. This functionality is highly useful in today's network topologies where information regarding failure of a link can be used to re-route traffic, alert a network administrator, and the like.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.