Method and system for automatic non-disruptive problem determination and recovery of communication link problems

Claim 1

A method for automatic non-disruptive problem determination and recovery of communication link problems between a using node (6) and a remote node (7) in a data communication network characterized in that it comprises the steps of: detecting the communication link problem at said using node, accumulating link event data at said using node and passing said link event data to a communication link manager (2), responsive to said link event data, sending a request from said communication link manager to a link configura­tion manager (4) for link subsystem configuration data on said communication link and returning said configuration data to said communication link manager, selecting the problem determination logic for the configuration returned from said link configuration manag­er and invoking a link connection subsystem manager (3) for application analysis, conducting testing of the link segment of said commu­nication link for which said link connection subsystem manager is responsible, determining the failed component on said communica­tion link by said link connection subsystem manager and identifying said failed component to said communication link manager, and responsive to the receipt of said identified failed component initiating the recovery action by said communi­cation link manager.

Claim 2

A method for automatic non-disruptive problem determination and recovery of communication link problems between a using node (6) and a remote node (7) in a data communication network characterized in that it comprises the steps of: detecting the communication link problem at said using node, accumulating link event data at said using node and passing said link event data to a communication link manager (2), responsive to said link event data, sending a request from said communication link manager to a link configura­tion manager (4) for link subsystem configuration data on said communication link and returning said configuration data to said communication link manager, selecting the problem determination logic for the configuration returned from said link configuration manag­er and invoking a link connection subsystem manager (3) for application analysis, conducting testing of the link segment of said commu­nication link for which said link connection subsystem manager is responsible, determining the failed component on said communica­tion link by said link connection subsystem manager and identifying said failed component to said communication link manager, and responsive to the receipt of said identified failed component initiating the recovery action by said communi­cation link manager.

Claim 6

The method of any one of claims 1 to 4 wherein the step of initiating a recovery action includes deter­mining if a recovery action is defined for the failed component.

Claim 7

The method of any one of claims 1 to 5 further including updating the data base maintained by said link configuration manager (4) after said recovery action is complete.

Claim 9

The method of any one of claims 1 to 7 further including the steps of notifying data link control to restart the communication link and sending a notification to the host system identifying the failed component if said recovery action is successful.

Claim 10

The method of any one of claims 1 to 8 further including the steps of sending an alert to the host indi­cating that a recovery action was attempted but failed and notifying data link control to send an inoperative signal.

Claim 11

The method of any one of claims 1 to 9 further including the step of interrupting data link control at said using node (6) in order to suspend the communication sessions between said using node and said remote node (7) until the communication link problem is isolated and resolved.

Claim 12

A system for automatic non-disruptive problem determination and recovery of communication link problems between a using node (6) and a remote node (7) in the data communication network comprising: a communication link manager (2) connected to said communication network for coordinating the testing of link components, analyzing the results of said testing and invoking a recovery procedure, first means at said using node for detecting a commu­nication link problem, second means at said using node for accumulating link event data and passing said link event data to said commu­nication link manager, a link configuration manager (4) cooperating with said communication link manager for maintaining a configu­ration data base and providing link configuration data, said configuration data including the identity of the link connection components (10) on said communication link and the physical connection between components, and the iden­tity of backup components and the physical connections to use for recovery from a communication link problem, and a plurality of link connection subsystem managers (3) connected to said communication network cooperating with said communication link manager for conducting the testing of assigned segments of said communication link, identify­ing a failed link component to said communication link manager, and issuing recovery commands for said failed link component under the direction of said communication link manager.

Claim 13

A system for automatic non-disruptive problem determination and recovery of communication link problems between a using node (6) and a remote node (7) in the data communication network comprising: a communication link manager (2) connected to said communication network for coordinating the testing of link components, analyzing the results of said testing and invoking a recovery procedure, first means at said using node for detecting a commu­nication link problem, second means at said using node for accumulating link event data and passing said link event data to said commu­nication link manager, a link configuration manager (4) cooperating with said communication link manager for maintaining a configu­ration data base and providing link configuration data, said configuration data including the identity of the link connection components (10) on said communication link and the physical connection between components, and the iden­tity of backup components and the physical connections to use for recovery from a communication link problem, and a plurality of link connection subsystem managers (3) connected to said communication network cooperating with said communication link manager for conducting the testing of assigned segments of said communication link, identify­ing a failed link component to said communication link manager, and issuing recovery commands for said failed link component under the direction of said communication link manager.