System and method for assuring the operation of network devices in bridged networks
US8325629B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jul 15, 2005 |
| Grant date | Dec 4, 2012 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | May 27, 2028 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH04L49/552
- WIPO fieldDigital communication
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A system and method assures the proper and continued operation of intermediate network devices, such as bridges, in a computer network. The bridge includes a spanning tree protocol (STP) engine, which is configured to have a bridge assurance (BA) sub-engine. The STP engine assigns the bridge's ports to one of a Root, Alternate, Designated or Backup Role. The BA sub-engine directs the STP engine to issue configuration messages from all ports to which neighboring bridges are coupled, including ports assigned to the Root and Alternate roles. The BA sub-engine further looks for the receipt of BPDU messages from neighboring bridges and employs one or more timers to determine whether the neighboring bridges are continuing to operate properly.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.