Patent US5511559A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US6092214A
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Redundant network management system for a stackable fast ethernet repeater
Assignee: Cisco Technology Inc
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Filing: 1997-11-06
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Granted: 2000-07-18
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Expires: 2017-11-06
Abstract
Abstract Provided is a redundant network management system. Several network management modules (NMMs), preferably one for each repeater unit, are provided in a single repeater stack. The NMMs of the repeater stack communicate using a management bus. The modules communicate on the management bus by sending small messages, referred to as "frames." In a preferred embodiment, the present invention is preferably used in conjunction with a relatively simple and economical 8-bit management bus. This low cost implementation allows only one NMM to access the bus at any given time, and makes use of protocols by which multiple NMMs may use the management bus to communicate while ensuring that no two modules attempt to use the bus at the same time. Moreover, according to the present invention, only one NMM (referred to as the "master") will perform all of the network management functions for the stack at any one time. The remaining modules operate in "slave" mode. When in slave mode, the modules are on stand-by, ready to take the role of master if necessary. This master/slave relationship provides a level of fault tolerance and redundancy to the user in a seamless manner, thereby improving network performance and reliability.
Inventors
- 👤 Tuyen V. Quoc
- 👤 Alan P. Liebthal
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-29 23:49
CPC Classifications
H; H04; H04L; H04L41/00; H04L41/04; H04L41/044; H04L41/02; H04L41/0213
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 36
Claim 1
Independent Claim
155 words
A method of managing a computer network, comprising: providing a stacked repeater having a plurality of network management modules linked by a management bus; selecting a provisional master module from among the plurality of management modules based a module's position in the repeater stack, said master module being configured to perform network management functions; provisionally designating the remainder of the modules as slaves, said slaves being configured to not perform network management functions; polling the provisional slave modules regarding a set of preestablished master selection criteria; evaluating data received from the slaves in reply to the poll; selecting the proper master to perform network management functions based on the poll data; designating the remainder of the modules as slaves; and maintaining the same configuration between the master and the slave modules; wherein the network management functions may be transferred from the proper master to one of the slave modules without substantial disruption of network services.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
155 words
A method of managing a computer network, comprising: providing a stacked repeater having a plurality of network management modules linked by a management bus; selecting a provisional master module from among the plurality of management modules based a module's position in the repeater stack, said master module being configured to perform network management functions; provisionally designating the remainder of the modules as slaves, said slaves being configured to not perform network management functions; polling the provisional slave modules regarding a set of preestablished master selection criteria; evaluating data received from the slaves in reply to the poll; selecting the proper master to perform network management functions based on the poll data; designating the remainder of the modules as slaves; and maintaining the same configuration between the master and the slave modules; wherein the network management functions may be transferred from the proper master to one of the slave modules without substantial disruption of network services.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 1, wherein said polling, evaluating and selecting are conducted by the provisional master module.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
28 words
The method of claim 1, wherein said master selection criteria comprise user selection of a master, a module's software version, and a module's position in the repeater stack.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method of claim 1, wherein the master selection process is reinitiated by a stack interrupt event.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
74 words
The method of claim 1, wherein said provisional master determination comprises: each module determining a unique poll time based on an integer value representing its position in the repeater stack and a time constant; each module polling the management bus for management activity; a module which does not detect management activity on the management bus during its poll time beginning to send frames on the management bus; and designating that module as provisional master.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
54 words
The method of claim 1, wherein the same configuration is maintained between the master and the slave modules by a method comprising: broadcasting the master module's configuration to the slave modules in configuration frames on the management bus whenever the master module's configuration changes; and having the slave modules adopt the broadcast master configuration.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method of claim 6, wherein said broadcasting is conducted by the master module.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
251 words
A redundant network management system, comprising: a plurality of network management modules in a stacked repeater, including, a master network management module which is configured to perform network management functions, and at least one slave network management module which is configured to not perform network management functions, but which otherwise maintains the master module's configuration; a management bus providing a communication link between said network management modules; a protocol for determining the master and slave relationships between said modules wherein said protocol comprises: providing a stacked repeater having a plurality of network management modules linked by a management bus; selecting a provisional master module from among the plurality of management modules, said provisional master module being configured to perform network management functions, by determining provisional master and slave designations for the plurality of modules based a module's position in the repeater stack, polling the provisional slave modules regarding a set of preestablished master selection criteria, evaluating data received from the slaves in reply to the poll, and determining the proper master based on the data; designating the remainder of the modules as slaves, said slaves being configured to not perform network management functions; and maintaining the same configuration between the master and the slave modules during network operation; and a stack bus capable of providing a communication link between the network management modules and other nodes of a computer network; wherein network management functions may be transferred from the master to one of the slaves without substantial disruption of network operation.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
251 words
A redundant network management system, comprising: a plurality of network management modules in a stacked repeater, including, a master network management module which is configured to perform network management functions, and at least one slave network management module which is configured to not perform network management functions, but which otherwise maintains the master module's configuration; a management bus providing a communication link between said network management modules; a protocol for determining the master and slave relationships between said modules wherein said protocol comprises: providing a stacked repeater having a plurality of network management modules linked by a management bus; selecting a provisional master module from among the plurality of management modules, said provisional master module being configured to perform network management functions, by determining provisional master and slave designations for the plurality of modules based a module's position in the repeater stack, polling the provisional slave modules regarding a set of preestablished master selection criteria, evaluating data received from the slaves in reply to the poll, and determining the proper master based on the data; designating the remainder of the modules as slaves, said slaves being configured to not perform network management functions; and maintaining the same configuration between the master and the slave modules during network operation; and a stack bus capable of providing a communication link between the network management modules and other nodes of a computer network; wherein network management functions may be transferred from the master to one of the slaves without substantial disruption of network operation.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
61 words
The system of claim 8, wherein said selection comprises: determining provisional master and slave designations for the plurality of modules based a module's position in the repeater stack; polling the provisional slave modules regarding a set of preestablished master selection criteria; evaluating data received from the slaves in reply to the poll; and determining the proper master based on the data.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
273 words
A redundant network management system, comprising: a plurality of network management modules in a stacked repeater, including, a master network management module which is configured to perform network management functions; and at least one slave network management module which is configured to not perform network management functions, but which otherwise maintains the master module's configuration; a management bus providing a communication link between said network management modules; a protocol for determining the master and slave relationships between said modules wherein said protocol comprises: providing a stacked repeater having a plurality of network management modules linked by a management bus; selecting a provisional master module from among the plurality of management modules based a module's position in the repeater stack, said master module being configured to perform network management functions; provisionally designating the remainder of the modules as slaves, said slaves being configured to not perform network management functions; polling the provisional slave modules regarding a set of preestablished master selection criteria; evaluating data received from the slaves in reply to the poll; selecting the proper master to perform network management functions based on the poll data; designating the remainder of the modules as slaves; and maintaining the same configuration between the master and the slave modules; wherein the network management functions may be transferred from the proper master to one of the slave modules without substantial disruption of network services; and a stack bus capable of providing a communication link between the network management modules and other nodes of a computer network; wherein network management functions may be transferred from the master to one of the slaves without substantial disruption of network operation.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
273 words
A redundant network management system, comprising: a plurality of network management modules in a stacked repeater, including, a master network management module which is configured to perform network management functions; and at least one slave network management module which is configured to not perform network management functions, but which otherwise maintains the master module's configuration; a management bus providing a communication link between said network management modules; a protocol for determining the master and slave relationships between said modules wherein said protocol comprises: providing a stacked repeater having a plurality of network management modules linked by a management bus; selecting a provisional master module from among the plurality of management modules based a module's position in the repeater stack, said master module being configured to perform network management functions; provisionally designating the remainder of the modules as slaves, said slaves being configured to not perform network management functions; polling the provisional slave modules regarding a set of preestablished master selection criteria; evaluating data received from the slaves in reply to the poll; selecting the proper master to perform network management functions based on the poll data; designating the remainder of the modules as slaves; and maintaining the same configuration between the master and the slave modules; wherein the network management functions may be transferred from the proper master to one of the slave modules without substantial disruption of network services; and a stack bus capable of providing a communication link between the network management modules and other nodes of a computer network; wherein network management functions may be transferred from the master to one of the slaves without substantial disruption of network operation.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
18 words
The system of claim 10, wherein said polling, evaluating and selecting are conducted by the provisional master module.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
28 words
The system of claim 10, wherein said master selection criteria comprise user selection of a master, a module's software version, and a module's position in the repeater stack.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
17 words
The system of claim 10, wherein the master selection process is reinitiated by a stack interrupt event.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
74 words
The system of claim 10, wherein said provisional master selection comprises: each module determining a unique poll time based on an integer value representing its position in the repeater stack and a time constant; each module polling the management bus for management activity; a module which does not detect management activity on the management bus during its poll time beginning to send frames on the management bus; and designating that module as provisional master.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
54 words
The system of claim 10, wherein the same configuration is maintained between the master and the slave modules by a protocol comprising: broadcasting the master module's configuration to the slave modules in configuration frames on the management bus whenever the master module's configuration changes; and having the slave modules adopt the broadcast master configuration.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
14 words
The system of claim 10, wherein said broadcasting is conducted by the master module.
Claim 20
Independent Claim
316 words
An apparatus for managing a computer network, comprising: a network management module suitable for performing network management functions for a computer network, said module configured to be connected to: a network management bus suitable for providing a communication link between a plurality of like modules, and a stack bus suitable for providing a communication link between said module and other nodes of a computer network; wherein said network management module is suitable for incorporation into a redundant network management system including: a plurality of network management modules in a stacked repeater, including: a master network management module which is configured to perform network management functions, and at least one slave network management module which is configured to not perform network management functions, but which otherwise maintains the master module's configuration; a management bus providing a communication link between said network management modules; a stack bus capable of providing a communication link between the network management modules and other nodes of a computer network; and a protocol for determining the master and slave relationships between said modules wherein said protocol comprises providing a stacked repeater having a plurality of network management modules linked by a management bus, selecting a master module from among the plurality of management modules, said master module being configured to perform network management functions, designating the remainder of the modules as slaves, said slaves being configured to not perform network management functions, and maintaining the same configuration between the master and the slave modules during network operation; and wherein selecting a master module from among the plurality of management modules includes determining provisional master and slave designations for the plurality of modules based a module's position in the repeater stack, polling the provisional slave modules regarding a set of preestablished master selection criteria, evaluating data received from the slaves in reply to the poll and determining the proper master based on the data.
Claim 21
Independent Claim
316 words
An apparatus for managing a computer network, comprising: a network management module suitable for performing network management functions for a computer network, said module configured to be connected to: a network management bus suitable for providing a communication link between a plurality of like modules, and a stack bus suitable for providing a communication link between said module and other nodes of a computer network; wherein said network management module is suitable for incorporation into a redundant network management system including: a plurality of network management modules in a stacked repeater, including: a master network management module which is configured to perform network management functions, and at least one slave network management module which is configured to not perform network management functions, but which otherwise maintains the master module's configuration; a management bus providing a communication link between said network management modules; a stack bus capable of providing a communication link between the network management modules and other nodes of a computer network; and a protocol for determining the master and slave relationships between said modules wherein said protocol comprises providing a stacked repeater having a plurality of network management modules linked by a management bus, selecting a master module from among the plurality of management modules, said master module being configured to perform network management functions, designating the remainder of the modules as slaves, said slaves being configured to not perform network management functions, and maintaining the same configuration between the master and the slave modules during network operation; and wherein selecting a master module from among the plurality of management modules includes determining provisional master and slave designations for the plurality of modules based a module's position in the repeater stack, polling the provisional slave modules regarding a set of preestablished master selection criteria, evaluating data received from the slaves in reply to the poll and determining the proper master based on the data.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
18 words
The apparatus of claim 17, wherein said polling, evaluating and determining are conducted by the provisional master module.
Claim 23
Independent Claim
324 words
An apparatus for managing a computer network, comprising: a network management module suitable for performing network management functions for a computer network, said module configured to be connected to: a network management bus suitable for providing a communication link between a plurality of like modules, and a stack bus suitable for providing a communication link between said module and other nodes of a computer network; wherein said network management module is suitable for incorporation into a redundant network management system including: a plurality of network management modules in a stacked repeater, including: a master network management module which is configured to perform network management functions, and at least one slave network management module which is configured to not perform network management functions, but which otherwise maintains the master module's configuration; a management bus providing a communication link between said network management modules; a stack bus capable of providing a communication link between the network management modules and other nodes of a computer network; and a protocol for determining the master and slave relationships between said modules comprising: providing a stacked repeater having a plurality of network management modules linked by a management bus; selecting a provisional master module from among the plurality of management modules based a module's position in the repeater stack, said master module being configured to perform network management functions; provisionally designating the remainder of the modules as slaves, said slaves being configured to not perform network management functions; polling the provisional slave modules regarding a set of preestablished master selection criteria; evaluating data received from the slaves in reply to the poll; selecting the proper master to perform network management functions based on the poll data; designating the remainder of the modules as slaves; and maintaining the same configuration between the master and the slave modules; wherein the network management functions may be transferred from the proper master to one of the slave modules without substantial disruption of network services.
Claim 24
Independent Claim
324 words
An apparatus for managing a computer network, comprising: a network management module suitable for performing network management functions for a computer network, said module configured to be connected to: a network management bus suitable for providing a communication link between a plurality of like modules, and a stack bus suitable for providing a communication link between said module and other nodes of a computer network; wherein said network management module is suitable for incorporation into a redundant network management system including: a plurality of network management modules in a stacked repeater, including: a master network management module which is configured to perform network management functions, and at least one slave network management module which is configured to not perform network management functions, but which otherwise maintains the master module's configuration; a management bus providing a communication link between said network management modules; a stack bus capable of providing a communication link between the network management modules and other nodes of a computer network; and a protocol for determining the master and slave relationships between said modules comprising: providing a stacked repeater having a plurality of network management modules linked by a management bus; selecting a provisional master module from among the plurality of management modules based a module's position in the repeater stack, said master module being configured to perform network management functions; provisionally designating the remainder of the modules as slaves, said slaves being configured to not perform network management functions; polling the provisional slave modules regarding a set of preestablished master selection criteria; evaluating data received from the slaves in reply to the poll; selecting the proper master to perform network management functions based on the poll data; designating the remainder of the modules as slaves; and maintaining the same configuration between the master and the slave modules; wherein the network management functions may be transferred from the proper master to one of the slave modules without substantial disruption of network services.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
18 words
The apparatus of claim 19, wherein said polling, evaluating and selecting are conducted by the provisional master module.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
28 words
The apparatus of claim 19 wherein said master selection criteria comprise user selection of a master, a module's software version, and a module's position in the repeater stack.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
17 words
The apparatus of claim 19, wherein the master selection process is reinitiated by a stack interrupt event.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
74 words
The apparatus of claim 19, wherein said provisional master selection comprises: each module determining a unique poll time based on an integer value representing its position in the repeater stack and a time constant; each module polling the management bus for management activity; a module which does not detect management activity on the management bus during its poll time beginning to send frames on the management bus; and designating that module as provisional master.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
54 words
The apparatus of claim 20, wherein the same configuration is maintained between the master and the slave modules by a protocol comprising: broadcasting the master module's configuration to the slave modules in configuration frames on the management bus whenever the master module's configuration changes; and having the slave modules adopt the broadcast master configuration.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
14 words
The apparatus of claim 19, wherein said broadcasting is conducted by the master module.
Claim 31
Independent Claim
135 words
A method of managing a computer network, comprising: providing a stacked repeater having a plurality of network management modules linked by a management bus; selecting a master module from among the plurality of management modules, said master module being configured to perform network management functions wherein the selection includes: determining provisional master and slave designations for the plurality of modules based upon a module's position in the repeater stack; polling the provisional slave modules regarding a set of preestablished master selection criteria; evaluating data received from the slaves in reply to the poll; and determining the proper master based on the data; designating the remainder of the modules as slaves, said slaves being configured to not perform network management functions; and maintaining the same configuration between the master and the slave modules during network operation.
Claim 32
Independent Claim
135 words
A method of managing a computer network, comprising: providing a stacked repeater having a plurality of network management modules linked by a management bus; selecting a master module from among the plurality of management modules, said master module being configured to perform network management functions wherein the selection includes: determining provisional master and slave designations for the plurality of modules based upon a module's position in the repeater stack; polling the provisional slave modules regarding a set of preestablished master selection criteria; evaluating data received from the slaves in reply to the poll; and determining the proper master based on the data; designating the remainder of the modules as slaves, said slaves being configured to not perform network management functions; and maintaining the same configuration between the master and the slave modules during network operation.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 26, wherein said polling, evaluating and determining are conducted by the provisional master module.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
120 words
A network management module suitable for performing network management functions for a computer network comprising: a management bus interface configured to link the network management module to other network management modules via a management bus; a processor configured to perform network management functions when the network management module is selected to be a master module, the selection being made by: determining provisional master and slave designations for the network management module and the other network management modules based upon each module's position in a repeater stack; polling the provisional slave modules regarding a set of preestablished master selection criteria; evaluating data received from the slaves in reply to the poll; and determining the proper master module based on the data.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
120 words
A network management module suitable for performing network management functions for a computer network comprising: a management bus interface configured to link the network management module to other network management modules via a management bus; a processor configured to perform network management functions when the network management module is selected to be a master module, the selection being made by: determining provisional master and slave designations for the network management module and the other network management modules based upon each module's position in a repeater stack; polling the provisional slave modules regarding a set of preestablished master selection criteria; evaluating data received from the slaves in reply to the poll; and determining the proper master module based on the data.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
22 words
A network management module as recited in claim 28 wherein the polling, evaluating and determining are conducted by a provisional master module.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
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| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2003-07-18 | 2004-01-17 | 2004-07-18 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2007-07-18 | 2008-01-17 | 2008-07-18 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2011-07-18 | 2012-01-17 | 2012-07-18 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |