US7142518B2
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Monitoring communications networks
Assignee: Viavi Solutions Inc
•
Filing: 2002-07-10
•
Granted: 2006-11-28
•
Expires: 2022-07-10
Abstract
Abstract Selected data (LSP 1, LSP 2 ) is monitored among other data passing through label switched paths (LSPs) of a communications network of interconnected label switching routers (LSR–LSR 4 ). The method comprises designating at least one of the routers (LSR 3 ) as a monitoring station and at least one of the routers (here LSR 3 also) as a probe interface station, and connecting a probe apparatus to that interface station. The monitoring station (LSR 3 ) is configured to multicast forward the selected data for monitoring additionally to the probe apparatus via the probe interface ( 506 ). Also disclosed is a probe apparatus including means for configuring the router to perform multicast forwarding of selected data to the interface.
Inventors
- 👤 Kevin Mitchell
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-24 12:13
CPC Classifications
H; H04; H04L; H04L45/00; H04L45/50; H04L43/00; H04L43/08; H04L43/0876; H04L43/0894; H04L43/12; H04L43/02; H04L43/026; H04L43/06; H04L43/062; H04L43/0823; H04L43/0829; H04L43/0847; H04L43/0852
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 13
Claim 1
Independent Claim
163 words
A method for the monitoring of selected data among other data passing through label switched paths of a communications network, the network comprising a plurality of label switching routers, each router having a plurality of interfaces connected to other routers by means of physical links, each router to forwards incoming data packets toward respective destinations in the network by reference to labels received with said data packets, the method comprising the following steps: designating at least one of the routers as a monitoring station; designating at least one of the routers as a probe interface station, and designating as a probe interface an output interface of said router; connecting a probe apparatus to receive data from the probe interface; configuring the designated monitoring station by means of a multicast function within the router to forward the selected data additionally to the probe interface; and operating said probe apparatus so as to monitor the selected data as it is received from said probe interface.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
163 words
A method for the monitoring of selected data among other data passing through label switched paths of a communications network, the network comprising a plurality of label switching routers, each router having a plurality of interfaces connected to other routers by means of physical links, each router to forwards incoming data packets toward respective destinations in the network by reference to labels received with said data packets, the method comprising the following steps: designating at least one of the routers as a monitoring station; designating at least one of the routers as a probe interface station, and designating as a probe interface an output interface of said router; connecting a probe apparatus to receive data from the probe interface; configuring the designated monitoring station by means of a multicast function within the router to forward the selected data additionally to the probe interface; and operating said probe apparatus so as to monitor the selected data as it is received from said probe interface.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
26 words
A method of monitoring as claimed in claim 1 , wherein a single designated router serves as both said monitoring station and said probe interface station.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
25 words
A method of monitoring as claimed in claim 1 , wherein said monitoring station and said probe interface station are served by separate designated routers.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
36 words
A method of monitoring as claimed in claim 1 , wherein said designated interface comprises one of many interfaces ordinarily provided on said router, rather than a port dedicated to monitoring at the time of manufacture.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
43 words
A method of monitoring as claimed in claim 1 , wherein said selected data is designated by reference to a specific label switched path (LSP) identifier, said designated router then translating the LSP identifier to a specific incoming label to establish the multicasting.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
27 words
A method of monitoring as claimed in claim 1 , wherein said probe apparatus and said designated router are reconfigured automatically in response to LSP/tunnel association changes.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
25 words
A method of monitoring as claimed in claim 6 , wherein said automatic reconfiguration is arranged via an alerting function established within said designated router.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
36 words
A method of monitoring as claimed in claim 1 , wherein said designated router is to forwards said selected data to said probe apparatus with different labels so as to distinguish between data from different sources.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
32 words
A method of monitoring as claimed in claim 1 , wherein said monitoring step includes aggregation of said selected data sent to said probe apparatus prior to onward transmission to a user.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
21 words
A method of monitoring as claimed in claim 1 , wherein said designated router is configured remotely via said communications network.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
22 words
A method of monitoring as claimed in claim 1 , wherein said designated router is configured remotely via said designated probe interface.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
28 words
A method of monitoring as claimed in claim 1 , wherein said designated router is configured remotely via a control port of lower data rate than said interfaces.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2009-11-27 | 2010-05-29 | 2010-11-28 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2013-11-27 | 2014-05-29 | 2014-11-28 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2017-11-27 | 2018-05-29 | 2018-11-28 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |