JP2002223263A - Communication protocol analyzer and analyzing method - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a communication protocol analyzer for analyzing a network. SOLUTION: The analyzer comprises a control processor for controlling the protocol analyzer, an entry means for entering a user's command so that a protocol processor outputs a process command according to a user's command, three data communication modules for transmitting data between a protocol analyzing system and the network and being effectively connected to the control processor for generating a process output signal and to the network, and a display monitor for outputting the process output signal. The monitor outputs the process output signal as a plurality of windows during displaying. This system comprises programabilitiy by using a graphic technique, a multi tasking function, a protocol decode memory function, a simulation function, an active monitor function, and a finagle error insertion function.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a protocol analyzing apparatus and a analyzing method for analyzing communication with a communication network and a protocol.

[0002]

Description of the Related Art The present invention is useful for testing and analyzing communication networks of various designs. The term "communications network" is used in this document according to the common usage in the field relating to a network of locations or "nodes" in which information in the form of signals is selectively transmitted between them over a shared communication path. Is also used. The term includes private communication networks, urban communication networks and wide area communication networks. The network can be adapted for digital voice transmission, data transmission, video transmission and any combination and the like.

In modern communication systems, internal communication is performed according to a predefined protocol. A "protocol" is a design of data organization, a specially defined set of rules for formatting and transmitting data over a network, which may include various hardware systems. The protocol defines the format of messages transmitted over the network, and defines the order of steps performed at each node when transmitting and receiving messages. The protocol is concerned with setting up acceptable equipment and physical interface types, signal levels and formats and communication links between two nodes, transmitting information, verifying the accuracy of transmission, and terminating the links. The order of the performed steps can be specified. For background on the protocol, see D. It can be found in several publications on the subject, including Sprazines et al., "Communication Protocols and Design" (Addison-Wesley Publishing Company, 1991).

[0004] Networks are designed in layers as features. An important communication model incorporating such a layer is the Open Systems Interconnection (OSI) model promulgated by the International Standards Organization. Thus, there may be layers of protocols, for example including one protocol for each layer. Moreover, the protocol can be embedded in the protocol.

[0005] Communication between nodes involves establishing a communication path between nodes, transferring data, checking the integrity of the transfer, retransmitting data as necessary, and terminating a series of steps to terminate the communication session. The message is transmitted before and after between nodes. The message and transfer structure is defined by the protocol. For each message, the communication node constructs a message for each layer. The receiving node processes the received message for each layer and finally delivers the data to the desired destination. In network and protocol design, it is generally recognized that transmission errors occur almost inevitably, so error detection and correction design is usually included in protocol design.

[0006] A wide variety of protocols are currently in use. At a given layer, or for a given network function level, one of a number of protocols may be used depending on the type of network and the purpose of the network designer. Most equipment vendors have designed protocols that are compatible with our equipment. Several agencies have attempted to design standardized protocols to meet industrial-scale needs. Such institutions include the International Telegraph and Telephone Consultative Committee (CCITT) and the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE).

[0007] Standardization attempts have not been entirely successful. The versatility of network design, use, and steady investment in current networks provides strong encouragement in continuing to use non-standard protocol designs.
Thus, while standardization efforts are underway, the use of various protocols will likely continue.

The protocol analyzer is a test device for testing and analyzing a network. Protocol analyzers provide a window into the network in a sense for those who need to know what is going on or what is going wrong with the network. The protocol analyzer analyzes not only data about the network, but also aspects of the data that reveal hardware design, such as voltage levels, signal connection durations, and pulse rise times.

Protocol analyzers that analyze networks and their protocols have been available on a commercial basis for some time. Known protocol analyzers test and analyze the network, for example, by performing the following functions: a. Monitor and display data traffic on the network. b. Simulate a node on the network to test the network's response to transmission by the node. c. Test the network's ability to detect and respond to errors.

[0010] Known protocol analyzers are limited in several respects. For example, known protocol analyzers are limited in the number of protocol types that can be adapted. Known protocol analyzers are also limited in their suitability for performing user defined tasks or applications. Some of these protocol analyzers allow the user to program, but only provide a relatively limited number of options as to the type of work that the analyzer can perform. Known protocol analyzers are also limited with respect to human interfaces.

For example, the types of data that can be displayed by these analyzers, the amount of data that can be displayed, and the display format are also limited. The limitations of known protocol analyzers have become more pronounced in view of the rapid technological change and innovation in the field of communication networks and protocol analyzers for such networks.

[0012]

OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the present invention to provide a communication protocol analyzer and method which are substantially easier to use than known devices and methods.

[0013] Additional objects and advantages of the invention will be set forth in the description which follows, and in part will be obvious from the description, or may be learned by practice of the invention. The objects and advantages of the invention will be realized and attained by means of the instrumentalities and combinations particularly pointed out in the appended claims.

[0014]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION To achieve the above object, according to the object of the present invention, which is specifically shown and schematically described herein, a communication protocol analyzing apparatus and an analyzing method for analyzing a network are provided. .

[0015] The communication protocol analyzing apparatus according to the first aspect includes a control means for controlling the protocol analyzing apparatus;
An input means operatively connected to the control means for inputting a user command and causing the control means to output a process command in response to the user command, and data between the protocol analyzer and the network in response to the process command Control means for generating a process output signal, a data communication means operatively connected to a network, and at least one of a control means and a data communication means for outputting the process output signal as a window in the display. Operatively connected output means, the window having a two-dimensionally varying size within the display, the output means being a display monitor operable with a control processor and the control processor for driving the display monitor. The control processor includes a driving circuit included in the It receives the output signal, to at least said display monitor for immediate display, or the delay display is characterized in that selectively outputs information to mass storage device.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the communication protocol analyzing apparatus, the input means includes a means for inputting a user command and moving the window in the display two-dimensionally. 4. The communication protocol analyzing device according to claim 3, wherein said output means includes means for outputting a plurality of menus to a display, and said input means includes means for selecting a user command from the menu. It is characterized by:

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a communication protocol analyzing method, comprising: inputting a user command to a protocol analyzer, performing an application task of transmitting data between the protocol analyzer and the network in accordance with the user command, and And outputting the process output signal to the display as a plurality of windows, wherein the window has a size that can vary in two dimensions within the display, and the process output signal is immediately displayed. On the display monitor at least
Alternatively, the delay display is characterized by selectively outputting information to a mass storage device. According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the communication protocol analyzing method, the input step includes inputting a user command and moving the window in the display two-dimensionally. The communication protocol analyzing method according to claim 6, wherein the output step includes outputting a plurality of menus to a display, and the input step includes selecting a user command from the menu.

According to an embodiment of the communication protocol analyzing apparatus of the present invention, a control means for controlling the protocol analyzing apparatus, a user command is input, and a process command is transmitted to the control means in response to the user command. Input means operatively connected to control means for outputting
Control means for sending data between the protocol analyzer and the network in response to a process command to generate a process output signal, data communication means operatively connected to the network, and using the process output signal as a window in the display The apparatus further comprises control means for outputting and output means operatively connected to at least one of the data communication means, wherein the window has a size that varies two-dimensionally in the display. According to an embodiment of the communication protocol analyzing apparatus of the present invention, the input means includes means for inputting a user command and moving the window in the display in two dimensions. According to an embodiment of the communication protocol analyzer of the present invention, the output means includes means for outputting a plurality of menus to a display, and the input means includes means for selecting a user command from the menu. Means are included. Further, according to an embodiment of the communication protocol analyzing device of the present invention, this device controls the protocol analyzing device, and inputs a user command and causes the control device to output a processing command in response to the user command. Input means operably coupled to the control means for transmitting data between the protocol analyzer and the network in response to the processing command, and operating the control means and the network to generate the processing output signal Control means for outputting a processing output signal as data communication means operatively connected, a plurality of windows of the display device, i.e., the window can be changed to two sizes on the display device, and / or data transmission means. Output means operatively connected to the output means.

Further, according to the communication protocol analyzing method of the present invention, the user command is transmitted to the protocol
Performs an application task that inputs data to the analyzer and sends data between the protocol analyzer and the network in response to user commands, generates a process output signal representing the status of data communication, and displays the process output signal as multiple windows on the display. Output, characterized in that the window has a size that can vary in two dimensions within the display. According to the embodiment of the communication protocol analyzing method of the present invention, the input step includes the steps of:
This involves entering commands and moving the window in the display in two dimensions. According to the embodiment of the communication protocol analyzing method of the present invention, the output step includes outputting a plurality of menus to the display, and the input step includes selecting a user command from the menu. Further, according to the embodiment of the communication protocol analysis method of the present invention, a method for analyzing a network using the protocol analysis is also included. The method includes inputting a user command to a protocol analyzer, performing a task of transmitting data between the protocol analyzer and the network in response to the user command, and generating a processing output signal indicating a status of the data transmission. And outputting the processed output signal as a plurality of windows on the display device, i.e., the window can be resized to two sizes on the display device.

According to an embodiment of the communication protocol analyzing apparatus of the present invention, output means for outputting a process output signal as a display including a plurality of objects, and the objects are arranged in a logical flowchart,
Input means for inputting data relating to each object; control means operatively connected to the input means for generating an application program according to a logic flowchart; and a protocol analyzer and a network according to the application program. flame·
It is characterized by including control means for transmitting data and data communication means operatively connected to the network. According to an embodiment of the communication protocol analyzing apparatus of the present invention, the control means includes means for storing a plurality of instruction code strings corresponding to individual objects in advance, and instruction code strings according to a logic flowchart. Means for arranging in the application program. According to an embodiment of the communication protocol analyzing apparatus of the present invention, the control means highlights a part of a logic flowchart corresponding to a part of an application program executed simultaneously with the data communication means on a display. To the output means for performing the operation. According to an embodiment of the communication protocol analyzing method of the present invention, a process output signal is output as a display including a plurality of objects, the objects are arranged in a logical flowchart using a protocol analyzer, and the objects associated with each object are arranged. Input the data to the protocol analyzer and use the protocol analyzer to execute the application
A program is generated, and data is sent between the protocol analyzer and the network according to the application program. According to an embodiment of the communication protocol analyzing method of the present invention, the application program generating step includes storing a plurality of instruction code strings corresponding to individual objects in advance, and executing the instruction according to a logic flowchart. Arranging the code strings in the application program is included. According to an embodiment of the communication protocol analyzing method of the present invention, in the data communication step, a part of a logic flowchart corresponding to a part of an application program executed simultaneously by a protocol analyzer is highlighted. including. Further, according to an embodiment of the communication protocol analysis device of the present invention, input means for inputting a user command,
A control means operatively connected to an input means for outputting a process command in response to a user command, and sending data between a protocol analyzer and a network in response to the process command to generate a process output signal Data communication means operatively connected to the control means and the network, and output means operatively connected to the data communication means for outputting a process control signal as at least one of a display and a flow control signal; The means includes a means for inputting a protocol decode and a protocol decode algorithm corresponding to a predetermined structure of the communication protocol, and the data communication means analyzes the data and stores the predetermined structure in the data. Check if it exists, and if the default structure exists in the data, Means for integrating decoding into a process output signal, said output means including means for outputting at least one of a display and a control signal according to at least one of protocol decoding and a predetermined structure; It is characterized by being included. According to an embodiment of the communication protocol analyzing method of the present invention,
Input a user command, input a protocol decode and a protocol decode algorithm corresponding to a predetermined structure of the communication protocol to the protocol analyzer, and send data between the protocol analyzer and the network according to the user command, Analyze the data to see if the default structure is present in the data, generate a process output signal, and integrate the protocol decode into the process output signal if the default structure is present in the data. Outputting the process control signal as at least one of a display and a flow control signal, and according to protocol decoding and / or a predetermined structure.
Outputting a protocol decode to at least one of the display and the flow control signal. According to the communication protocol analyzer of the present invention, the input means for inputting a user command and the input means for outputting a process command in response to the user command are effectively connected. A control means for transmitting data between the protocol analysis system and the network in response to the process command, and a control means for generating a process output signal; a data communication means operatively connected to the network; and the process control means as a display. Output means operatively connected to data communication means for outputting, said input means including means for inputting a protocol decode and a protocol decode algorithm corresponding to a predetermined structure of a communication protocol. Transmitting the data to the data communication means according to a predetermined structure. Means characterized in that it is included. According to an embodiment of the communication protocol analysis method of the present invention, a user command is input, and a protocol decode and a protocol decode algorithm corresponding to a predetermined structure of the communication protocol are input to the protocol analyzer. Sending data between the protocol analyzer and the network in response to the command, and outputting the process control signal as a display. According to the communication protocol analyzer of the present invention, the input means for inputting a user command and the input means for outputting a process command in response to the user command are effectively connected. A control means for transmitting data between the protocol analysis system and the network in response to the process command, and a control means for generating a process output signal; a data communication means operatively connected to the network; and a process control signal as a display. Output means operatively connected to data communication means for outputting, said input means including means for processing a plurality of tasks essentially simultaneously. According to an embodiment of the communication protocol analyzing apparatus of the present invention, the data communication means executes a plurality of tasks simultaneously so as to include a task for each of a plurality of layers of the protocol. According to an embodiment of the communication protocol analyzing method of the present invention, a user command is input, and a protocol analyzer and a network are connected according to the user command, including processing a plurality of tasks essentially simultaneously. And outputting the process control signal as a display. According to an embodiment of the communication protocol analyzing apparatus of the present invention, the user
Input means for inputting commands, control means operatively connected to the input means for outputting process commands in response to user commands, and data between the protocol analysis system and the network in response to process commands. Control means for sending the data communication means effectively connected to the network, and output means effectively connected to the data communication means for outputting a process control signal as a display, wherein the data communication means Means for monitoring data on the network, means for generating an application program based on the monitoring data, and means for sending a selected portion of the monitoring data to the network according to the application program. It is characterized by the following. According to an embodiment of the communication protocol analysis method of the present invention,
Enter commands, monitor data on the network,
An application program is generated according to the monitoring data, and a selected part of the monitoring data is transferred to the network according to the application program. According to the communication protocol analyzer of the present invention, the input means for inputting a user command and the input means for outputting a process command in response to the user command are effectively connected. Control means, control means for actively monitoring data sent to the network, and data communication means operatively connected to the network, wherein the data communication means has data in response to a user command. Means for analyzing whether a prefetch condition specified by the process command exists in the data, and sending an active output signal to the network in response to recognition of the prefetch condition. It is characterized by being performed. Also,
According to an embodiment of the communication protocol analysis method of the present invention, a user command is input to a protocol analyzer, the data sent to the network is actively monitored using the protocol analyzer, and the recognition of the selected look-ahead is performed. An active output signal is sent to the network accordingly. According to the communication protocol analyzer of the present invention, the input means for inputting a user command and the input means for outputting a process command in response to the user command are effectively connected. Control means for transmitting an error data frame having n bits in response to the process command, and control means for transmitting the data frame having n bits, and data communication means operatively connected to the network, The data communication means includes means for generating an error bit in any of the n-bit error data frames. Further, according to an embodiment of the communication protocol analyzing apparatus of the present invention, the data communication means includes means for constructing a data frame according to a selected protocol, and the error generating means includes a data frame constructing means. Is selectively generated to generate n-bit construction data
Any combination of frames is operatively connected to the data frame construction means to cause errors to be inserted and generate erroneous data frames. According to an embodiment of the communication protocol analyzing method of the present invention, a user command is input to a protocol analyzer, a data frame having n bits is constructed using the protocol analyzer, and error data having n bits is constructed. Constructing a frame and sending an error data frame to the network in response to a user command, wherein the error data frame has error data in any of n bits. According to an embodiment of the present invention, output means for outputting a processing output signal as a display including a plurality of objects, and input means for arranging the objects in a logical flow diagram and inputting data combined with each object And control means operably connected to the input means for generating an application program according to the logic flow diagram; and control means and the network for transmitting frame data between the protocol analyzer and the network according to the application program. A communication protocol analysis device including a data transmission means connected as described above is provided.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, a step of outputting a processed output signal as a display including a plurality of objects, and using a protocol analyzer to arrange the objects in a logical flow diagram, wherein each of the objects is Analysis including inputting the combined data to a protocol analyzer, using the protocol analyzer to generate an application program according to the logic flow diagram, and transmitting data between the protocol analyzer and the network according to the application program A method is provided.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, input means for inputting a user command, that is, input means including means for inputting a protocol decode and a protocol decode algorithm corresponding to a communication protocol having a predefined structure, A control means operably connected to the input means for outputting a processing command in response to the user command; and transmitting data between the protocol analyzer and the network in response to the processing command to generate a processing output signal. Data transmission means, i.e., to analyze the data to determine if a predefined structure is present in the data, and to incorporate protocol decoding into the processed output signal when the predefined structure is present in the data Means for transmitting data comprising means for displaying and flow control signals. At least one of display and flow control signals in accordance with at least one of protocol decoding and a predefined structure operably coupled to the data transmitting means to output the processed output signal as at least one. On the other hand, there is provided a communication protocol analyzing apparatus including an output unit including a unit for outputting a protocol decode.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, another method of analyzing a network using a protocol includes a step of inputting a user command and a protocol corresponding to a communication protocol having a predefined structure. Decoding and inputting the protocol decoding algorithm to the protocol analyzer, and communicating the data between the protocol analyzer and the network in response to a user command to determine if a predefined structure exists in the data. To generate a processed output signal, and when a predefined structure exists in the data,
Incorporating protocol decoding into the processed output signal;
Outputting the processed output signal as at least one of a display and a flow control signal, that is, outputting a protocol decode to at least one of the display and the flow control signal according to at least one of a protocol decode and a predefined structure. And a step including:

According to an embodiment of the communication protocol analyzing apparatus of the present invention, an input means for inputting a user command, that is, a means for inputting a protocol decode and a protocol decode algorithm corresponding to a communication protocol having a predefined structure is provided. An input means comprising: a control means operably connected to the input means for outputting a processing command in response to a user command; and transmitting data between the protocol analyzer and the network in response to the processing command. A data transmission means including data transmission means operably coupled to the control means and the network to generate the processing output signal, i.e., means for transmitting data to the network according to a predefined structure; and Operate data transmission means to output processing output signal And a concatenated output means to cut.

According to an embodiment of the communication protocol analyzing method of the present invention, a step of inputting a user command and inputting a protocol decode and a protocol decode algorithm corresponding to a communication protocol having a predefined structure to a protocol analyzer. Transmitting data between the protocol analyzer and the network in response to a user command, i.e., including transmitting data to the network according to a predefined structure, and outputting a processed output signal as an indication. Includes

According to an embodiment of the present invention, input means for inputting a user command, control means operably connected to the input means for outputting a processing command in response to the user command, Control means for transmitting data between the protocol analyzer and the network in response to the command; and data communication means operably coupled to the network, i.e., data comprising means for processing multiple tasks essentially simultaneously. A communication protocol analyzer is provided that includes a communication means and an output operably coupled to the data communication means for outputting a processed output signal as an indication.

According to an embodiment of the communication protocol analyzing method of the present invention, the step of inputting a user command and the means for transmitting data between the protocol analyzer and the network in response to the user command, ie, essentially simultaneously. Means including processing a plurality of tasks;
Means for outputting a processing output signal as a display.

Further, the communication protocol analyzing system according to the embodiment of the present invention has an input means for inputting a user command and a control operably connected to the input means for outputting a processing command in response to the user command. Means for transmitting data between the protocol analyzer and the network in response to a processing command; and means for data communication operably coupled to the network for the data transmission between the protocol analyzer and the network, i.e. means for monitoring data relating to the network; And a data transmitting means including means for generating an application program according to the above and a means for transmitting a selected portion of the monitored data to a network according to the application program.

Further, according to the communication protocol analyzing method of the present invention, a step of inputting a user command, a step of monitoring data related to a network, a step of generating an application program according to the monitored data, Communicating a selected portion of the monitored data to a network according to a program.

According to the communication protocol analyzing method of the present invention, the input means for inputting a user command and the input means for outputting a processing command in response to the user command are operably connected to the input means. Control means, and data transmission means operatively connected to the control means and the network for passively monitoring data transmitted to the network, i.e., conditions specified by the processing command and pre-selected in the data. A data transmission means comprising: analysis means for analyzing data in response to a processing command to determine if present; and means for transmitting an active output signal to a network in response to identification of a preselected condition. Includes

According to an embodiment of the communication protocol analyzing method of the present invention, a step of inputting a user command to the protocol analyzer and a step of using the protocol analyzer to passively monitor data transmitted to the network. Analyzing the data to determine if a preselected condition is present in the data; and communicating an active output signal to the network in response to identifying the preselected condition. Contains.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, input means for inputting a user command, control means operably connected to the input means for outputting a processing command in response to the user command, A control means for transmitting a data frame having n bits and an error data frame having n bits to the network in response to the processing command, and data transmission means operably connected to the network, that is, n bits of the error data frame; A communication protocol analyzer includes a data transmission means including means for causing an error bit.

According to an embodiment of the communication protocol analyzing method of the present invention, a step of inputting a user command to the protocol analyzer, a step of forming a data frame having n bits and an error data frame having n bits (error The method includes using a protocol analyzer to configure the data frame (any of the n bits has an error bit) and communicating the error data frame to the network in response to a user command.

[0034]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS AND METHODS Reference will now be made in detail to the present preferred embodiments and methods, as illustrated in the accompanying drawings, wherein like numerals refer to like or corresponding parts throughout the several views. The part to be displayed is displayed.

[0035]

[Preferred System Embodiment] The present invention includes a communication protocol analyzing apparatus for analyzing a network. The invention, in its broadest sense, can be used to analyze a wide variety of network designs as set forth above. A presently preferred embodiment of the communication protocol analyzer 10 according to the present invention is shown in FIG. 1, which shows a pictorial block diagram of the device.

According to the present invention, the apparatus includes control means for controlling the protocol analyzer. The control means of the preferred embodiment includes a control processor 12 with a Motorola MVME-147 central processing unit (CPU) module having a clock rate of 25 MHz. Control processor 12
Uses a UNIX® based operating system.

The control processor 12 has an internal random access memory (RAM) of 8 Mbytes that can be used for the CPU module. External memories such as an internal hard disk 14 of 40 Mbytes and an external hard disk 16 of 80 Mbytes are provided to increase the storage capacity. A color graphics card (not shown) is also provided to provide internal display capabilities.

Control processor 12 is coupled to VME bus 18 for communication to peripherals and other components. The VME bus 18 is divided into two parts P1 and P2.
32-bit bus using two 96-pin DIN connectors. The bandwidth of the VME bus is 40 Mbytes per second, which is fast enough to store or display data in real time.

That is, data is transmitted within the network at that speed. VME bus 18 is in the form of a cabinet incorporating a plurality of slots interconnected by a backplane. Such a VME device is
For example, it is commercially available from Motorola Corporation of Theotsdale, Arizona.

FIG. 2 shows the interface connections of the VME bus 18 to the various components of the device of FIG. The P1 connector connects the MVME-147 CPU module with four RS-232C connectors, a Centronics port for a Centronics printer, a SCSI port, an Ethernet port, and a GP-IB port. An Ethernet port is provided on the VME bus to allow the device to be connected to a common engineering environment used by industrial engineers such as, for example, a Sun Workstation commercially available from Sun Microsystems. The P2 connector of the VME bus also has an interface for a color graphics board. The P2 connector also has four groups of four lines and one group of twelve lines used by the device for special purposes, as described below.

In accordance with the present invention, the apparatus further comprises input means operably coupled to the control means for inputting the user command to cause the control means to output the processing command in response to the user command.

The input means of the preferred embodiment is the keyboard 2
0, a trackball 22 and a mouse 24,
Each of them is selected to be compatible with the control processor 12 and each is known in the art, eg, RS-232.
It is connected to the control processor 12 via a C port or other known computer connector. Trackballs and mice work in a similar manner. Trackball is
It is also used below to illustrate some functions that can also be performed sufficiently using a mouse. Therefore,
With reference to the trackball, it will be understood that the same applies to the mouse for functions that can perform both.

As used herein, "user command" refers to any command initiated by a user that causes a signal to be transmitted from a keyboard, trackball or mouse to the control processor.

Examples of user commands include a trackball movement and depression command for selecting a displayed option, a data input command input with a keyboard, and an execution command input with a keyboard, trackball or mouse. It is. User commands are described in more detail below.

The "processing command" used in this document is:
Refers to a command output from the control processor to the data transmitting means, which causes the data transmitting means (described below) to execute a function according to the processing command. Processing commands are also described in more detail below. The invention further includes a data transmission means operably coupled to the control means and the network for transmitting data between the protocol analysis system and the network in response to the processing command and for generating a processing output signal.

According to the preferred embodiment, the data transfer means performs several functions. For example, it functions as a physical interface between the protocol analyzer of the present invention and a network to be analyzed. The data transmission means receives data from the network and stores the data. The means also perform various applications or tasks.
The term application as used in this document refers to an analysis test or test procedure performed by a protocol analyzer on a network. Examples of applications include monitoring and displaying network data traffic, simulating nodes of the network or performing bit error rate tests.

An application relates to a series of steps or subdivisions that are performed somewhat independently of the other steps. These steps or subdivisions are referred to in this document as tasks. The data transmission means of the preferred embodiment includes three modules. That is, the VXI module 10
0, BRI module 200 and PRI module 30
0, each of which performs these and other functions. Although each of the modules is adapted to operate in a specific speed range, the hardware design of the modules is similar, and the same application software requires each with minimal changes associated with the physical realization of the network interface. Of modules.

[0048]

[VXI Module] A block diagram of the VXI module 100 is shown in FIG. VXI is an acronym for "VX Interface" according to the CCITT terminology.
The VXI module 100 provides a physical interface for low speed network operations (eg, 50-72 Kbits per second). The VXI module 100 includes a main processing unit or main CPU 102 and two front-end processors 104 and 106, each of which has a channel.

Main processing unit 102 includes a Motorola 68020 processor with a clock speed of 20 MHz. Front-end processors 104 and 106 each include a Motorola 68000 processor with a 16 MHz clock speed. The main processing unit 102 and the front-end processor 104 are 64K bytes dual port RAM 10
8 and shared. Similarly, main processing unit 102 and front end processor 106 are coupled to and shared by a 64 Kbyte dual port RAM.

Each of the front end processors timestamps the data and passes it to a respective dual port RA.
M can be stored by any decomposable time (for example, 100 μs) in all data blocks. The main processing unit 102 is connected to a local RAM 112 of 1 Mbyte, a boot ROM 114 of 8 Kbytes, a trigger LSI 116 and a timer 118 by an internal 32-bit bus.
The local RAM 112 stores a control program and is used to store an application program.
Boot ROM 114 is used to provide power at initialization.

Trigger-LSI 116 outputs when a match is found between the order of one or more pre-programmed data and the active data stream being provided in real time by main processing unit 102. Is a filter chip that can be programmed to provide The timer 118 is a commercially available timer chip such as Intel 8254. The main processing unit 102 is also connected via a 32-bit bus to a dual port RAM 120 functioning as a work RAM and a capture buffer. 1
The second port of the M byte dual port RAM is VME bus 1
8. The front end processor 104 has 16
It is connected to a 64K byte local RAM 122 by a bit bus. Similarly, the front-end processor 106
Is a 64-Kbyte local RAM 12 with a 16-bit bus.
4.

The front end processor 104 is connected to a baud rate generator, a block check character LSI 126, a Zilog 8030 serial transmission controller 128, and an interface selector 130 via an 8-bit bus. Baud rate generator and block check character L
The SI 126 performs speed control and block check character calculation for the front end processor 104. The interface selector 130 is used for the SCC 12 described below.
Connect one of a number of possible inputs and outputs to 8.

The front end processor 106 includes a baud rate generator and a block check character LSI 13
6. It is connected to the Zilog 8030 serial transfer controller 138 and the interface selector 130 via an 8-bit bus. The baud speed generator and block check character LSI 136 perform speed control and block check character calculation for the front end processor 106. The interface selector 130 is an SCC described below.
138 connects one of a number of possible inputs and outputs.

The interface selector 130 includes at least six separate data transmitting terminals, ie, two external devices 132 and 134 and the internal backplane data and clock of the line 16 connecting the selection circuit of the interface selector 130 to the VME backplane 18. It is connected to four internal devices via a bus 142.

Each of the four internal data transmission end devices:
It has a bidirectional receive data / transmit data line as well as a receive clock / transmit clock line for internal connection between modules. The external terminal devices 132 and 134 are RS-2
It is adapted to have as many lines as are required to be separably coupled to the network via a network specific physical adapter such as a 32C, RS-449 or similar interface.

In the special case of RS-232C, the switch 140 and the bus 144 extend from the external connector 132 or 134 to the VME bus 18 backplane connector P2.
It is provided to connect 12 lines via. 1
The two lines are RD, TD, DSR, DTR, RTS,
CTS, CD, TI, CI, TC, RC and XTC. When the switch is closed, all lines are connected to the backplane. When the switch opens, only the clock lines TC, RC and XTC are connected to the backplane.

[0057]

[BRI module] FIG. 4 shows a BRI module 200.
Is shown in FIG. BRI is an acronym based on the CCITT method of “Basic Rate Interface”. The BRI module 200 has an ISDN basic rate interface and is adapted for networks operating at 192 Kbit / s. This kind of ISDN network has two 64K for data and tone traffic.
Bit / sec transmission channels B1 and B2, one 16Kbit / sec data channel D for control and diagnostics
Use The remaining bits are overhead. B
The RI module works in two modes, monitor mode and simulation mode. In monitor mode,
It is connected to a line connecting two terminal units TE (terminal devices) and NT (network connection terminal). In the simulation mode, it acts as one of two ends.

The BRI module 200 comprises a main processing unit or main CPU 202 and a front end processor 204
It has. Main processing unit 202 includes a Motorola 68020 processor with a clock speed of 20 MHz. Front-end processor 204 includes a Motorola 68000 processor with a clock speed of 16 MHz. The main processing unit 202 and the front end processor 204 are connected to and shared by a 64 Kbyte dual port RAM 206.

The main processing unit 202 includes a 1-Mbyte local RAM 208, a boot ROM 210, and a trigger 21.
2 and to peripherals such as timer 214 via an internal 32-bit bus. The trigger LSI 212 is a filter chip that notifies the main CPU when a match is found between the sequence of data by one or more user programs and the flow of data being monitored. The main processing unit 202 also has a 1 Mbyte dual port R functioning as a work RAM and a capture buffer.
AM 216 is connected via a 32-bit bus. Dual port RAM 216 has read / write access to the VME bus. The VME controller can interrupt the main CPU and vice versa via line 228.

The front-end processor 204 is connected by a 16-bit bus to the SCC80C30 sequential controller chip 218, baud rate generator 220, 64K byte local RAM 222, and timer 224. Front end processor 204 is also coupled to multiplex control register 226. Front-end processor 20
4 can interrupt the main processing unit 202,
The reverse can be done via 28.

The BRI module 200 has an input for splitting the base rate data stream from the network into components, each of which has a terminal (TE, N).
Two B channels from T), each end (TE, NT)
, And overhead bits including two sub-channels ("Q" from TE and "S" from NT). The input unit includes an S / T interface 230, a failure detection circuit 232, and an INFO decoder 23.
4, a demultiplexer 236, a separator circuit and a buffer 240 are included. The S / T interface 230 is connected to a network for transmitting and receiving data.
The S / T interface conditions the input signal from the ISDN line.

In the simulation mode, half of the S bus can be driven. The fault detection circuit 232 has S /
S / T to receive data from T interface
It is connected to the interface 230. The dashed line around the fault detection circuit indicates that the component devices 232, 234, and 236
It is composed of two LSI circuits 231 and 233.

The fault detection circuit 232 frames the data received from the network in a known manner according to pre-stored instructions. The INFO decoder monitors the overall activity on the line,
That is, "not an activity" (INFO0),
“Active but not operable” (INFO1 (T
E), INFO2 (NT)), “active and usable for data transfer” (INFO3 (TE), INFO4
(NT)) to the front-end processor 204. These are CCITT Recommendations 1.430 (19)
88).

The demultiplexer 236 is connected to the output of the fault detection circuit 232 for receiving input data. Demultiplexer 236 separates the input data into separate B
1. Use time division multiplexing to divide into 1, B2 and D channels. The demultiplexer may alternatively extract overhead bits in the frame data and communicate the overhead bits to the demultiplexer 226.
These overhead bits include A, M, S, L, E,
FA, Q, N, and F bits are included. The three BRI channels (B1, B2 and D) pass from the demultiplexer 236 to the separator 238 via three respective buses.

A separator is a switching network that allows a user to direct a desired channel (one or more) to an appropriate destination (one or more).
The B1, B2 or D (only two) channels are output from the separator 238 to the buffer 240, where two of these channels are accessed by four channels of the P2 connector (backplane) of the VME bus 18. The INFO decoder 234 has an input connected to the fault detection circuit 232 for receiving line INFO status, and an output connected to the front end processor 204.
Is connected to the input / output port. As noted above,
The configuration devices 232, 234 and 236 have two LSs, one for receiving NT information and one for receiving TE information.
This is a portion provided with an I chip.

The apparatus preferably comprises at least two modules, for example a BRI module and a VXI module.
It is desirable to use it for basic speed operation. As noted above, the BRI module splits the base rate data stream into two B-channels, D-channels, and overhead bits. The two B channels communicate to the VXI module, typically via the backplane of the VME bus.

The D-channel and overhead information are provided to the BRI module front-end processor 204 for framing and collection. The front-end processor provides information to a queue resident in dual port RAM 206, where the information is accessed by the main processing unit under the control of a graph program described in more detail below.

The BRI module 200 also has an output unit for outputting or transmitting data to a network. The output unit includes an INFO controller 242, a multiplexer 244, a fault control circuit 246 (all included in the TE / NT transmission block 241), a selection circuit 248, and a tone generator 250 user decoder (codec) 252. The input / output of the BRI module 200 is operatively connected to the front-end processor 204 via the multiplex control register 226,
C218 receives two data streams,
Its input is connected to a separator 238 by a pair of discrete lines 256. SCC 218 has its output coupled to multiplexer 244 to generate a data stream when it is in NTSIM or TESIM mode.

The INFO controller 242 has its input coupled to the multiplex control register 226 to receive the transmission overhead bits. INFO controller 242
The output part of the multiplexor is connected to the fault control circuit 246 and the multiplexer 24.
4. Multiplexer 244 has its input coupled to SCC circuit 218 for receiving the D channel. Buffer 240 is coupled to selection circuit 248,
It is then coupled to the multiplexer 244 for communication from the VME backplane to the multiplexer 244.
The tone generator 250 is coupled to the selection circuit 248 such that the variable frequency clock pulse input to the tone generator will provide a digital encoding of the analog tone.

The codec encodes an analog signal (characteristically the output of the microphone of the telephone handset) into a stream of digital data. And conversely,
Decodes a digital data stream into an analog signal (characteristically intended to drive a handset earphone). The output of multiplexer 244 is transmitted to fault control circuit 246. The fault control circuit changes the output data in such a way that it synchronizes it to the receiving device at the other end of the line. The output of the fault control circuit 246 is communicated to the S / T interface 230, which in turn transmits the output of the fault control circuit 246 to the network when the BRI is in the simulation mode.

[0071]

[PRI module] FIG. 5 shows a PRI module 300
Is shown in FIG. PRI is CCI
This is an acronym for "basic speed interface" according to the TT system. The PRI module 300 is composed of 23
A transport (B) channel and one diagnostic (D) channel with a transfer rate of 1.544 Mbit / s,
Or 30 full-duplex ISDN consisting of 30 B-channels and one D-channel with 2.048 Mbit / s transfer rate
Designed to adapt to the network.

The PRI module 300 includes a main processing unit 302 including a Motorola 68020 processor having a 20 MHz clock rate. The PRI module of this embodiment does not have a front-end processor similar to that of the VXI and BRI modules. The front-end processor function is performed as an interrupt routine by the main processing unit in the PRI module.

The main processing unit 302 is connected to a 1 Mbyte local RAM 304 and a 1 Mbyte dual port RAM 306 by an internal 32-bit bus. Double port R
The AM 306 shares access with the VME bus. This processing bus also provides a timer 308 that provides timing information to the EPROM 320 (which contains the bootstrap program) for the processed event.
And a 68450 direct storage access controller 310 that controls direct data transmission from the high speed serial interface 312 to the storage device. In addition, the arithmetic processing bus includes serial interface devices 312/322, S /
T bus devices 314, 316, 318, 338, 340
342 and 344 (described below) are connected to several latches (not shown) for controlling the interconnection between the device and the control mode of operation.

The main processing unit 302 also has a timer 3
08, serial interface devices 312 and 326, and S
The interrupt provided by the T bus interface 318 is connected through an interrupt decoder (not shown) that causes the processor to respond. The interrupt is also sent to the receiver 34
8.352 in response to a loss of signal between the VME bus and some transfer from the processor to the processor. Two ST buses 32
4 326 provides an internal connection between the PRI interface device, the processor bus and the P2 connector of the VME backplane. The bus 324 is a TI interface 3
28 (the interface corresponding to the standard data stream rate) to the access device 318 in parallel with the STAB LSI device 342.

The TI interface device 328 is controlled by the parallel access device 314. Bus 326 is TI
Interface 332 in a similar manner to the STAB LSI
Connect to device 344. TI interface device 33
2 is controlled by the parallel access device 316. Digital switch device 338 allows data to be transferred directly between TI interface 328 and TI interface 332. LSI H0 / H1 access device 34
0 provides an interconnection between the bus and the high speed serial interface via selector 356, from 64K bits to 20
Up to 48K bits can access multiple data channels. The LSI device 340 includes a chip for extracting n channels from the ST bus, where n is 1 to 32.
Up to the number of users can select. The selection is made from the PRI option selection panel described below.
H0 and H1 are specific numbers defined in the CCITT specification.

The selector 356 is connected to the serial interface 31
2 is V. 11 / TTL level external interface 354
To provide high-speed access from 62.5 Kbit / s to 2048 Kbit / s.

The input section of driver 346 is Mittel 897
To six chips 328, the output is connected to a network connector. The input of receiver 348 is coupled to a network connector and the output is coupled to Mittel 8976 chip 328. Similarly, the input of driver 350 is coupled to the Mittel 8976 chip 332, the output is coupled to the network connector, the input of receiver 352 is coupled to the network connector, and the output is coupled to the Mittel 8976 chip 332.

Each of the drivers 346 and 350 and each of the receivers 348 and 352 include a DA converter for converting an input level or an output level so as to be suitable for an error introducing operation. Clock signals for buses 324 and 326 are provided by Mittel 8940 devices 330 and 33, respectively.
4 provided. STAB LSI device 342
, Four individual data channels can be connected from bus 324 via switch 362 to the P2 connector of the VME backplane. These channels are connected to the VXI module through the backplane for further processing. The bus 326 uses the same method as the STAB L
It can be connected to the same backplane interface via SI device 344.

One of the four backplane channels
First, in order to be able to transmit a tone on a selected channel, one of the STAB LSI devices has a T
It can be switched via selector 360 so that the I channel can be connected to codec 358 and handset interface 356.

In addition, the TI interface device 328
The low speed "functional data link" channel from 332 is connected to the serial interface 322 so that the main processing unit can monitor or control this data link on either or both TI trunks.

[Display Apparatus] The present invention also includes an output means operably connected to at least one of the control means and the data transmission means for outputting a process output signal as a display apparatus. It is desirable that the output means outputs the process output signal as a plurality of windows of the display device, that is, a window having a size that can be changed two-dimensionally on the display device and a window that can be moved two-dimensionally on the display device. Preferably, the output means further comprises means for outputting the output signal as a plurality of menus on the display device if possible. In honor of these features, the input means preferably comprises means for inputting user commands to move the window in two dimensions on the display device, and the input means comprises means for selecting user commands from a menu. It is also desirable.

According to a preferred embodiment, the output means includes a display monitor 26 operable with the control processor 12 and a drive circuit (not shown) included in the control processor 12 for driving the display monitor 26. Display monitor 2
6 is NEC-4 commercially available from NEC Corporation.
Includes D monitor. The display monitor 26 is connected to a video output (not shown) of the graphic controller board of the control processor 12.

Each of the data transfer modules performs various types of processing, as described in further detail below,
Signals such as processed network data and VME bus commands are constantly output, for example, via the main processing unit of each module and the capture buffer of the VME bus interface. These signals are commonly referred to in this document as process output signals. Control processor 12
Receives process output signals across the VME bus and selectively outputs information to peripheral devices such as a display monitor 26 for immediate display, or to mass storage for delayed display. Thus, "display" in this document includes not only the visible display on display monitor 26 and its associated signals from control processor 12, but also the information that can be displayed or displayed and the associated signals stored for delayed display. Must be widely interpreted.

According to the preferred embodiment, the control processor 1
2 is adapted to store and execute the X window and motif software, so that the output means can output the processed output signal as a plurality of windows in a virtual display. X Window is a software package commercially available from, for example, Massachusetts Institute of Technology. The motif is, for example, a software package commercially available from the Open Software Foundation. These software packages are already incorporated into the preferred embodiment and are used in a preferred manner, but can be used with other windowed software, such as Microsoft Windows, which is commercially available from Microsoft Corporation of Redmond, Washington.

The window size and position of the X window can be moved two-dimensionally on the display in a manner known to those familiar with such windowing software. For example, trackballs 24 can be used to move windows or change their size. As the user moves and drags the trackball, the control processor receives a corresponding user command to move the appropriate window in two dimensions of the display. In addition, windows can be opened, closed, overlapped, and minimized (shrinking or iconifying windows to display icons)
Move (up to the surface of a group of overlapping windows), lower (press down a group of overlapping windows so that another window appears at the top of the window) and active (keyboard input) And the depression of the trackball affects the window) or inactive.

The motif window manager surrounds the window with a frame. The title area is in the frame part,
Includes a window menu button, a minimize button, a maximize button, and a resize frame handle. The title area is used to move the window. The window menu button displays a window menu. The minimize button shrinks the window, and the maximize button expands the window to maximize the size of the window. The resize frame handle expands or contracts the window horizontally, vertically or diagonally.

The control processor 12 outputs a plurality of display menus to the display monitor under the control of the X window and the motif software, as described in more detail below. The keyboard 20, trackball 22, and mouse 24 are used in a known manner to select items from menus displayed on a display monitor 26, and the keyboard 20 is used to enter data, such as alphanumeric strings, in a known manner. Can be used with These aspects of the preferred embodiments and methods are described in further detail below.

[0088]

The priority system according to the present invention has been described. The priority system according to the present invention will now be described. The method of the present invention is useful for analyzing a network using a protocol analyzer. For simplicity and ease of illustration, the preferred method of the present invention will be described with reference to a system embodiment of the present invention. However, the preferred method of the present invention is not limited for use with system embodiments.

[0089]

Overview of System Software The preferred method of the present invention can be performed using system software in conjunction with a preferred system embodiment. Functional block diagrams of system software for operating the protocol analysis system of the preferred embodiment according to the preferred method of the present invention are shown in FIGS. FIG. 6 is a functional block diagram of the system software. FIG. 7 is a block diagram illustrating a priority method of linking system software to a priority system embodiment.

The system software is X Window
Includes a system, a symbol decode code generator, a configuration panel program, a symbol decode display program, a post process program, a graph manager program, and a plurality of graph programs. The system software also includes a C compiler, a linker and a low-level utility program called "bpd" used by the control processor to transfer the program to individual modules. This utility is invisible to the user.

The X Window System interacts with the X Window and Motif software to allow the user to control the display on the monitor and capture input selections made with the keyboard, trackball and mouse. The X Window System is in the control processor and is invisible to the user.

A symbol decode code generator program, which resides in the control processor, allows the user to create protocol decodes in the form of C programs. Protocol decoding corresponds to a protocol algorithm corresponding to a predefined structure of the communication protocol. Protocol decoding can be used to facilitate the interpretation of received data and to facilitate the construction of messages for transmission. The features of the protocol decoding of the present invention will be described in more detail below.

The configuration panel program resides in the control processor. This program is the top-level user interface or display for the system. During system initialization, the configuration panel program displays the opening top-level configuration panel, for example, as shown in FIG. It does not perform any processing operations directly, but runs other programs to operate on behalf of it.

A symbol decode display program, which resides in the control processor and allows the user to operate the symbol decode code generator to facilitate interpretation of the received data stored in the capture buffer on a frame-by-frame basis. The created protocol decode can be used.

The post-processing program allows the user to examine the raw data in the capture buffer byte by byte (as opposed to framed data),
And if desired, the data can be finalized for reprocessing. The term "finagle" is used herein to refer to the procedure by which data is processed for reprocessing or redisplay. The term includes operations on the data, such as bit order reversal, bit inversion, bit shifting, and other processing on the data already captured to aid the data interpretation process in the byte. The word finala will be used in another sentence below to mean data processing in the output data stream to create a frame with specific errors to test the protocol and hardware response to errors. .

The graph manager program is UNIX
Resident in a control processor using (registered trademark). Graph manager programs include VXI, BRI and PR
Editor, compiler and manager for communication analysis programs or application programs running on I-modules or other data communication modules. The graph manager program creates a logic flow diagram for a user to perform communication analysis, converts the logic flow diagram into an executable application program, and manages the application program when it is executed by a module.

The graph manager program includes a graph editing unit, a graph display unit, a symbol decode display unit, a raw data display unit, and a code generator unit. The symbol decoder and raw data display implement a subset capable of being used for symbol decode display programs and post-process programs.

The graph editor allows the user to edit a pre-stored graph program or create a new program, as will be described in more detail below.

The graphical display section interacts with the X Window System to create and control the display on the display monitor. As various options are selected by the user, a graphical display section presents the appropriate display on the display monitor. This section also includes software used to highlight objects in the graphing program so that the user can visually track the program.
This feature is described in more detail below.

The code generator section allows the user to create graph programs that meet specific needs. Although the system includes several predefined and pre-stored graph programs for running common use applications, these pre-stored graph programs may not meet the specific needs of the user . It may be desirable to edit an existing graph program to meet the specific needs of the user. Examples of such specialized needs may include applications directed to newly created protocols.

The C compiler is used for compiling an edited graph program, compiling a newly created graph program, and compiling a newly created or edited decoding protocol program. Pre-stored in the control processor 12. The C compiler corresponds to known C compiler designs. The linker provides a fully executable application program, ie, "a.
The "out" is pre-stored in the control processor 12 for use in linking the compiled target code module.

[0102]

System configuration, initialization and display A preferred system embodiment and method monitors network data traffic, analyzes data from the network, simulates nodes of the network, and responds to predefined transmissions. It can be used to test the capabilities of the network and its nodes, and to test the capabilities of the network to respond to errors and other functions as described above, and so on. The location and manner in which the protocol analysis system is coupled to the network depends on the specific network statistics, the applications or functions that the user wants to run on the network, and the availability of the network interface location. However, the specific location in the network of the protocol analysis system can be essentially selected in a known manner. Physical interconnection of the protocol analyzer to the network can be made with the connectors shown in FIG.

According to the priority method, the control, test and display screens of the preferred system implementation are from several window types including a system configuration panel, an option selection panel, an individual module control panel, a test graph page and a data display screen. Be composed. An example of the system configuration panel is shown in FIG. 8, and other examples of the window type are shown in FIGS. These window types are described in more detail below.

The protocol analysis system of the preferred embodiment is powered up by pressing a power switch (not shown), which provides standard 120 V, 60 Hz power to the device. The control processor performs routine initialization and testing, for example, in a known manner. Next, the UNIX operating system in the control processor causes the control processor to load and start executing the system software. More specifically, the execution of the configuration panel program is started. Execution of the configuration panel causes the configuration panel of FIG. 8 to be displayed on the display monitor. The display includes a configuration summary block indicating the current configuration. In this embodiment, VX
The I module is connected by software to the control processor, and the BRI and PRI modules are not connected.

Referring to FIG. 3 to FIG. 5, the connection in the software is performed by the main processing unit of each module via the VME bus 18 and the CPU of the control processor.
This is done by controlling access to.
The user can save the configuration by pressing a button in the save / restore area of the panel, or restore a previously saved configuration.

The configuration panel of FIG. 8 also includes several select blocks that allow the user to change the configuration by selecting another module. The user can use the trackball to move the display cursor to the desired select block, depress the trackball and select another module. If the user depresses the Select VXI-Board 1 option button,
The panel shown in FIG. 9 appears on the screen, where the user can select the connection, mode and graph program to execute.

In accordance with the invention, the method includes inputting a user command and a protocol analyzer.
Entering user commands according to the preferred method can be performed using the keyboard 20, trackball 22, and mouse 24 of the preferred system embodiment. The choice of system and module configuration constitutes a user command. User commands for performing pre-stored applications using the VXI module also include monitor, data terminal equipment (DTE) simulation, data line termination (DCE) simulation, DTE bit error rate test (BERT), DCE BERT and Including tests.

User commands for performing pre-stored applications using the BRI module include monitor, terminal equipment (TE) simulation, NT simulation, and self-test. User commands for performing pre-stored applications using the PRI module include monitoring, network termination (NT1) simulation, NT2 simulation, drop / insert test, data switch test, DTE simulation, DCE simulation and self test.

[0109]

Executing an Application Using a VXI Module As illustrated, the priority method can be used to execute a pre-stored application using a VXI module. In this example, the user may want to analyze the low-speed network within the parameters of the VXI module, in which case the configuration displayed on the configuration panel of FIG. 8 is appropriate. The user selects the display pointer by pressing down the trackball, moves to the VXI block, and selects the VXI module.

In response, the configuration panel program responds as shown in FIG.
The display "VXI-board 1" shown in FIG. 3 is displayed on the display monitor. As shown in FIG. 13, the user can select from a menu of user commands including: Monitor Monitors the network and displays the type of data specified by the user. DTE / SIM ... Data terminal equipment (D
Simulate TE) unit. DCE SIM Simulates a data circuit-terminating equipment (DCE) unit in the network. DTE / BERT: DTE bit error rate test (BE
RT). DCE · BERT... Performs a DCE bit error rate test. SELF: Perform a self test.

[0111] The user uses the trackball to move the display pointer to the appropriate selection marker, depresses the trackball, and selects one of these options.

In the embodiment, it is considered that the user has selected the DTE SIM. User commands are transmitted from the trackball to the control processor, where the configuration panel program, as shown in FIG.
New file selection window with original VXI-
Display below the board 1 option. Each line of the file selection window includes a file name of a graph program or an application program corresponding to a specific application.

The application program is a specific protocol. The user uses the trackball to move the display pointer to the appropriate location in the right column of the file selection window and depresses the trackball to select the desired graph program. The user then uses the trackball to select a run button. The execution user command is transmitted to the control processor, and the processor causes the display device to display the module control panel shown in FIG. 15 under the control of the graph manager program.

The module control panel indicates that the system is in one of two modes, a graph start mode or a graph edit mode. If the device is in graph start mode, the upper left selected block is labeled "Graph execution". The corresponding graph program is executed by making this selection with the trackball. If the system is in graph editing mode, select "Compile Graph" in the upper left selection block.
, And the graph program must be compiled before it can be run.

It is necessary to compile if the graph program has changed since it was last compiled, and if the graph program has not yet been compiled and must be saved. The user uses the trackball to move the display pointer to the "open page" block and depresses the trackball to bring up the selected graph program page: top. Selecting the open page option creates a logical flow diagram display for the graph program, as shown in FIG.

At this point, the user can edit or execute the program. If you want to edit, you must select the "Edit Graph" button on the trackball. The selection of such an editing option, when communicated as a user command to the control processor, causes the control processor to execute the graph editing section. This graph manager program editing function will be described in more detail below.

The selected graph program is started by selecting a graph execution button on the module control panel. This action communicates the user command execution to the control processor 12, which causes the control processor and the graph manager program to execute the selected application.

The previously stored graph program is stored in the mass storage device 16 as an object code. Upon receiving the user command execution, the bpd program resident on the control processor 12 loads the selected application into the local memory of the control processor 12. When the graph execution button is selected, the graph application program selected by the bpd program is changed to VXI.
The data is transferred to the main processing unit 102 of the module 100 via the VME bus 18.

The logic flow diagram of FIG. 16 corresponds to the selected graph program. The logic flow diagram includes a plurality of objects organized by connection lines to form a logic flow diagram.

"Object" used in this document
The term refers to a geometric figure, whose shape represents a special type of operation in the logic flow. The objects of the preferred method and its use are similar to those of the CCITT protocol type, but differ in some important respects. The catalog of objects and object definitions used by the preferred method are provided in Appendix A of this document. Appendix A also contains similar CCITT objects for comparison purposes.

After being loaded into the main processing unit 102 of the VXI module 100, the selected graph program is executed. DTE SIM application
For example, it can be performed by a known method.

As part of the procedure, the main processing unit 102
Directs the front-end processors 104 and 106 to monitor data from the network, time-tag the data, and begin loading it into dual-port RAMs 108 and 110, respectively.

The application program extracts the result output from the main processing unit 102 to the control processor 12. The result may be a display such as a transmitted message display or a data stream from the network displayed on the display monitor 26. In this embodiment, the selected graph program converts the monitored data of the network into the VXI module 100.
Is loaded into the capture buffer 120. VX
The main processing unit 102 of the I module 100 can be used to process data before storing it in the capture RAM 120.

For example, the main processing unit 102 can select certain data from a data stream corresponding to a preselected OSI layer under the control of a selected graph program, or
Only frames at selected intervals in 120 may be stored.

The control processor 12 accesses the capture RAM 120 via the VME bus 18. The display manager section of the graph manager program is associated with the capture RA
The data of M120 is output to the display monitor 26 as a processing output signal as shown in FIG.

The VXI monitoring application uses various V
The use of the trackball to select the "stop" purpose of the XI module panel can be terminated, which eventually returns the user to the top-level configuration panel of FIG.

[0127]

[Executing an application using the BRI module] ISDN using the BRI module 200
The application program on the network is VX
It can be performed in a manner similar to that described for the I module. From the configuration panel of FIG. 8, the user selects the display pointer using the trackball B
Move to the RI board block and press down the trackball. This command is transmitted to the control processor 12 as a user command, and the command is transmitted from the control processor 12 to the BRI module 200 via the VME bus 18.
The module program is changed by the configuration panel program so as to directly communicate with the main processing unit. Next, the configuration panel program in the control processor 12 displays an option selection panel on the display monitor 26 as shown in FIG.

The BRI module control panel creates a table of predefined graph application programs, including: Monitor Monitors the ISDN network. TE SIM Simulates an ISDN terminal device. NT SIM: Simulates the ISDN network termination device. SELF Performs a self test of the BRI module.

The BRI module data stream B1,
The connection choices for B2 and D are: code C252 for the B channel (internal to the D channel), one of the four backplane paths for each B channel using buffer 240, external port (not shown), And a tone generator 250 (not shown). Each of the BRI data streams can be stopped so that they are not connected to any path.

In this embodiment, the user operates the terminal device (TE).
It is likely that one wishes to test an ISDN network by simulating the network and monitoring the response of the network to determine if the nodes of the network are operating properly. Thus, the user uses the trackball to move the display pointer to the TE SIM button, where he depresses the trackball and starts the TE SIM graph application program. Thereby, the TE / SIM user command is transmitted to the control processor 12. When responding, the configuration panel program resident in the control processor causes the display monitor 26 to display the BRI select option panel display shown in FIG.

Next, the user positions the display pointer in the execution box of the display monitor panel, and presses down the trackball to transmit the user command execution to the control processor 12. Upon receiving the user command execution, the panel configuration program starts the graph manager program resident on the control processor 12. Next, the graph manager program displays the control panel shown in FIG. The user moves the mouse and depresses it with the "open page" button. The graph program of FIG. 20 is displayed in the display section of the graph manager program.

[0132] To start the TE SIM graph application program, the user then moves the mouse over the "execute" button on the graph manager control panel and depresses the mouse button. In response, the bpd program of the control processor 12 loads the TE / SIM graph program into the local storage of the main processing unit 202 via the VME bus. After it is loaded,
The TE SIM graph application program is started and starts executing the application in association with the front end processor 204.

The TE / SIM graph application program shown in FIG. 20 responds to the user's mouse button press operation by adding a BRI data stream to the BRI data stream.
It is designed to allow users to issue errors. The main processing unit 202 first has a dual port RA
By placing a specific code in the storage location of M206, B
To initiate RI traffic, it issues an activity / start layer 1 command, at which point the front-end processor 204, which has been checking that location, senses the change and responds accordingly.

Next, the main processing unit 202 waits for the user to depress the mouse button with the pointer on the button object in FIG. In response to this push-down operation, the application executes the front-end processor 2
A single ML bit error is issued in the BRI data stream by relocating the specific code to the location of the dual port RAM 206 that responds to 04. The main processing unit then has another mouse button press. Upon receipt, it issues one AL bit error in the BRI data stream in the same manner as described above. Next, the application program loops back to the previous waiting purpose.

[0135]

Executing the Application Using the PRI Module The application including the PRI module 300 is executed in a manner similar to that described above for the VXI and BRI modules. From the configuration panel of FIG. 8, the user uses the trackball to select a select PRI board block. This command is transmitted to the control processor 12 as a user command, and the command is transmitted to the control processor 12 via the VME bus.
The configuration panel program changes the module configuration so as to directly communicate with the main processing unit 302 of the RI module. Next, the configuration panel program of the control processor 12 displays the PRI option selection panel on the display monitor as shown in FIG.

The PRI module option selection panel shown in FIG. 21 is divided into three sections. The leftmost section is similar in function to the option selection panel for VXI and BRI modules, and includes the monitor, DTE, SIMULATE and DC
An operation mode such as E SIMULATE can be selected.
FIG. 21 allows the user to use the PRI module as an intelligent data stream controller independent of any graph program selected from the leftmost panel.

The center panel allows mode selection, the rightmost panel sends individual channel selections to the backplane and some other options that are part of a commercially available Mittel chip implementation. To do. The PRI module features the use of a graph program applied to all or a subset of the data stream in combination with the PRI module in relation to the left-most panel among others. These data streams are HO / HI composed of 11 selected interfaces, a TTL interface, and n selected channels of the ST bus (where n is 1 to 32)
Includes data stream. So the data transfer rate is
It can be between 62.5 Kbytes / sec and 2.048 Mbytes / sec.

In essentially the same manner as described for the VXI and BRI modules, the user can use the trackball to select the appropriate item from the leftmost panel of the PRI option selection of FIG. A specific PRI module graph application program can be executed to execute the desired application and create other displays similar to those shown in FIGS. 14-16 and 18-20. .

Programmability Using Graph Techniques and Object-Oriented Code Generation The graph application programs described above have been described as being predefined and pre-stored. If there are too many protocols in use and many applications or tasks that the user wants to use, pre-storing a sufficient number of application programs in the system may not be useful in all cases. Absent. A user may also want to change or modify a pre-stored application to address a particular specialized problem. Moreover, given the rapid innovation in the communications field, it becomes highly desirable for users to have the flexibility to create new applications that meet their specific needs.

In addition to the ability to create new applications, it is also desirable to have a user interface that allows the user to quickly and easily create new applications without the need for complex programming. For this reason, the protocol analysis system of the preferred embodiment can be programmed using graphical techniques, and the preferred method of the invention features object-oriented software or code generation.

Thus, in accordance with one aspect of the present invention, the output means outputs a process output signal as an indication including a plurality of objects, and the input means outputs data associated with each object to arrange the objects in a logic flow diagram. The control means is operably coupled to the input means to generate an application program according to the logic flow diagram, and the data communication means transmits frame data between the protocol analysis system and the network according to the application program. The control means is operably connected to the network for transmission. Preferably, the control means includes means for pre-storing a plurality of instruction code strings corresponding to respective strings of interest and means for arranging the instruction code strings in an application program according to a logic flow diagram.

The method of the present invention uses a protocol analyzer to output a process output signal as an indication including a plurality of objectives, arranges the objectives in a logic flow diagram, and converts the data associated with each objective into a protocol analyzer. Preferably, using a protocol analyzer to generate an application program according to the logic flow diagram and communicating data between the protocol analyzer and the network according to the application program.

As applied to the preferred system embodiment, the display monitor 26 provides a display monitor with multiple purposes,
For example, it responds to a signal from the control processor 12 to display the purpose or the like indicated in Appendix A.

The trackball 22 can be used to arrange objects in a logic flow diagram. Keyboard 2
0 can be used to enter data associated with each purpose. The control processor 12 is operably connected to a keyboard 20 and a trackball 22 and can be used to generate an application program according to a logic flow diagram. The data communication modules (VXI, BRI and PRI) are operably linked via the VME bus to the control processor and to the network. A storage register in the control processor 12 can be used to pre-store a plurality of instruction code strings corresponding to each string of interest. The CPU of the control processor 12 can be used to arrange instruction code strings into application programs according to a logic flow diagram.

In accordance with the priority method of the present invention, each of these data communication modules can be used to transfer frame data between a protocol analysis system and a network according to an application program.

The user executes the procedure defined above to execute the graph application program for the VXI, BRI or PRI module and to select the graph edit button from the graph module control panel, for example, as shown in FIG. By realizing,
Enter the application programming function. Another procedure for editing or creating an application is to use the Edit Graph button on the configuration panel.

Upon receiving the graph edit user command, the control processor 12 starts executing the graph edit section of the graph manager program. Under control of the graph editing section, the control processor 12
Are transmitted to the display monitor to display a plurality of target menus indicated in (1). An example of this menu is shown in FIG. Portions of the menu are generated by motif software to provide the appropriate style and appearance.

Each of the objectives has a corresponding software code string that indicates the intended function in software form. These instruction code strings are pre-stored in the control processor 12.

The user selects a display purpose to display the desired user-defined application and uses the trackball and keyboard to arrange it in a logic flow diagram. This can be done in the following way. The user uses the trackball to move the display pointer to a button in the menu for the primary purpose of the logic flow diagram. The desired purpose is selected by pressing down the trackball. In response, with the display pointer, the purpose is revealed on the display by the graph editing section.
Next, the user moves the trackball and drags the target to a position where the first target of the display device is positioned. Next, the user depresses the trackball button. By pushing down the trackball, the position of the object on the display device is stored in the graph editing section.

A trackball can also be used to change the size of a window. This is done by the graph editing section, but by using the trackball to move the display pointer to the side of the window being moved, pressing the trackball button and dragging the side of the window to the desired position, where the trackball Release to position the side of the window.

After the first objective has been properly positioned, the user can use the trackball to select the second objective from the menu and position it as described for the first objective. The goal menu includes connection lines that can be used to connect goals in the logic flow diagram. The flowchart may include multiple tasks organized into multiple pages.

Many purposes are meaningless without the data identifying the particular function for which the purpose must be performed. For example, a condition object is meaningless without data identifying a particular condition to occur. Thus, the keyboard is used to enter data associated with each purpose.

Once the user has completed the construction of the logic flow diagram,
Start the code generator section of the graph manager program. A trackball is used to select the graph compile button on the display of FIG.

The code is generated by the code generator section of the graph manager program according to the following algorithm. 1. The code generation section selects uncompiled pages from a list of pages to be compiled. If all pages have been compiled, go to step 12. 2. The code generation section creates an empty C language source file for the page selected in step 1.

[0155] 3. The code generation section
Create a stack where the graph purpose must be placed when the page is compiled. The stack is then initialized to empty. 4. The code generation section follows the flow of the flow chart to find a primary purpose on the page and push it onto the stack. 5. The code generation section pops one purpose from the top of the stack.

6. The code generation section
The row or column of the C language source code for that purpose is
Write to language source file. The same piece of code,
Usually written for the same kind of purpose. The exception to this rule is when the purpose has a name or some expression that combines it. Such names or expressions are added by the user when the graph program is edited. In such a case, the name representation is inserted at the appropriate location before the code fragment is written. The written code fragment acts in conjunction with the purpose.

[0157] 7. The code generation section
Find the continuation goal (s) for the goal processed in step 6. The continuation purpose is the next purpose that occurs in the flow chart formed by the graph. The graph is
There can be zero, one or more continuation purposes. If a branch occurs in the flow diagram, its branch position is stored, the branch is tracked to the end, control is returned to the stored branch position, and the remaining branches are tracked until it ends. 8. The code generation section pushes the continuation purpose, if any, found in step 7 onto the stack.

9. The code generation section
Test the stack to see if it is empty.
If the stack is not empty, control is transferred to step 5. 10. The code generation section executes the C language compiler program by giving the C language source file created in step 2 as input. The compiler generates a target code file from a C language source code file. 11. The code generation section determines whether all pages have finished compiling. If not, control is returned to step 1.

12. The code generation section includes all referenced "* .dcd.0 files" and execution time support library graphs. Execute the linker program, giving as input the destination files for all pages of the system, plus zero. The linker program writes an executable program file called "a.out" corresponding to the graph program. The target code file is transferred from the control processor 12 to the local RAM of the appropriate main processing unit of the desired module. The main processing unit then accesses and executes the target code file to execute the user-defined application. When executed, the user-defined application program causes the processor of the module to transmit frame data, such as a message, between the protocol analysis system and the network according to the application program.

[0160]

[Protocol Decoding] A protocol is characterized by a series of steps including transmission and reception of a message having a predefined format. The order of the steps and the format of the messages make up the predefined structure of the communication protocol.
Selected steps of the sequence of steps can be used repeatedly within an application or in various applications. Given the size and complexity of the algorithms and message formats, it is often convenient for users to use symbolic or mnemonic names to identify selected parts of the protocol structure.
The nickname can also be used to facilitate user-defined application configuration and to facilitate translation of data output in the display. The protocol decoding function of the present invention serves such a purpose.

Thus, the input means of the preferred system embodiment is adapted to input a protocol decode and a protocol decode algorithm corresponding to a predefined structure of the communication protocol. The data transmission means of the preferred embodiment analyzes the data received from the network to determine if a predefined structure exists in the data, and processes the protocol decode if the predefined structure is present in the data. Means for incorporation into the output signal.

Preferably, the means for transmitting data also includes means for transmitting data to the network according to a predefined structure. The output means of the preferred embodiment includes means for outputting the protocol decode to the display device according to at least one of the protocol decode and the predefined structure.

Referring to FIG. 1, a trackball and keyboard are provided with a V resident in the control processor for inputting a protocol decode and a corresponding protocol decode algorithm corresponding to the predefined structure of the selected protocol.
i can be used in connection with any standard UNIX® editor. The trackball and keyboard entries are transmitted as user commands to the control processor 12, which processes the UNIX.RTM.
Process user commands according to known methods for use in editors such as Shell Vi.

Means embodied in the data transmission means for transmitting data to the network according to the predefined structure include:
A main processing unit for each data transmission module is also provided. Means embodied by the output means for outputting the protocol decode to the display device according to at least one of the protocol decode and the predefined structure include a display monitor and a combined drive circuit in the control processor 12.

In a corresponding manner, the priority method includes inputting a protocol decode and a protocol decode algorithm corresponding to a predefined structure of the communication protocol to a protocol analyzer. The method further includes transmitting data between the protocol analyzer and the network,
Analyzing the data to determine whether a predefined structure is present in the data and generating a processed output signal;
If a predefined structure is present in the data, this involves incorporating protocol decoding into the processed output signal. The method further includes communicating the data to the network according to the predefined structure. The method further includes outputting the protocol decode to a display device according to at least one of the protocol decode and the predefined structure.

In accordance with the priority method, the user selects a UNIX shell from the panel of FIG. 8 and creates a protocol decode (* .dcd) file to create a Vi.
Use a UNIX® editor. Symbol decode input file *. The dcd (* indicates an arbitrary name) describes data in a protocol frame as a set of fields. The input file tabulates these fields, describes their location in the data frame, describes when they are present, and describes how to print them. The symbol decode program also allows the graph programmer to symbolically access the fields of the frame in the graph program.

Eight different fields, for example, BYT
EF, BITF, ENUMF, GROUPF, LIST
F, STUBF, HEILE, and CCODE are supported. These are described below.

The BYTEF field describes a list of bytes of various lengths. BYTEF <name><predicate><offset><length><
Format><Flag> Describes a BITF field and a fixed-size bit field. BITF <name><predicate><offset><bit offset: width><format><flag> The ENUMF field describes a fixed size bit field that is printed out by name instead of number. ENUMF <name><predicate><offset><bit offset: width><format><flag><namelist>

[0169] The GROUP field is a method of installing a wrapper around a group of fields. <Subfield list> contains zero or more field descriptions. All subfield list field members have GFROPF field names determined by names separated by underscores. GROUP <name><predicate><offset><length><format><flag><sub-fieldlist> END

The STUBF field is a method by which a user can write a C code to implement the field. STUBF <name> CCODE and HFILE are pseudo-fields that allow the user to define helper functions, macros and variables to support STUBF and other types of fields. The <C code statement> element includes a C language statement.

HFILE <C code statement> END CCODE <C code statement> END

Many types of fields have a number of common elements listed below. The <name> element provides the field name. It must be a valid C identifier. The <predicate> element is a C expression that determines a non-zero value if the field is present. When matching fields, they are evaluated at run time.
If this field has a value of zero, the field will not be printed.

The <offset> element is a C expression that provides the byte offset at the start of the field. When matching fields, they are evaluated at run time. The <length> element is a C expression indicating the length of the byte field. When matching fields, they are evaluated at run time.

The <format> element indicates a symbol string in C language “Printf ()” format for printing field data. C language utility "Printf ()"
In order to print the field on the symbol decode display device, this field is called a format symbol string, and the field data is called data. The <flag> element includes a C expression that sets print options such as reverse video, color, and underline. It is evaluated when the frame is being printed.

The <Bit Offset: Width> element contains a pair of numbers indicating the bit offset and bit width of some fields. Both numbers must be non-negative integer constants less than 32. The elements can be tabulated in the bit offset width of the pair, in which case the fields are defined to be a concatenation of the number of pairs listed in the table.

The dcd file is composed of a table of field definitions. All elements are considered tokens separated by white space. If an element needs to contain embedded whitespace, it must be enclosed in double quotes. For example, "Token with embedded blanks"
Becomes This is often due to the <format> element. *. d
*. of the cd file dcd. h, *. dcd. c, and *. dcd. The conversion into the str file is performed by a symbol decode / code generator program.

An important feature that symbol decoding gives a graph programmer is the ability to access definition fields symbolically. For example, if the symbol decode programmer decides that the field definition, BITF addr 130: 8
If “address =% x / n” 0 is entered in the symbol decode file, then a register is set to the value of the addr field in the frame in the graph application program, and the register setting self_address_register = VALUEUE (addr) The code generated by the code generator section of the graph manager program for this register purpose is:

External Graph Register self_address_register; self_address_register_count = last frame-> buf [3]; which sets the register to the value of the fourth byte in the frame. Complete. The dcd file is shown in FIG.

The user inputs the command decode file name. d
cd (exemplary file name), which tells the control processor 12 the file name. Run the symbol decode / code generator program for dcd.
Referring to FIG. 6, the decode program code generator program stores the protocol decode (* .dcd) file in three separate files, namely, file name.
dcd. str file, file name. dcdc file and file name. dcd. h file.
The program also sends the file name to the C compiler. dc
d. 0 file is generated.

File name that is a software representation of protocol decode or mnemonic. dcd. The str file is *. pg. Used in the graph manager program code generation section when the c-file is generated. *. dcd. A c-file is a source file used to compile. *. d
cd. h file is also used to compile.

*. dcd. c and *. dcd. h files are transferred to the C compiler, and the compiler converts these files to *. dcd. Convert to 0 purpose code file. *. dcd. 0 file is transferred to the linker, which links the file to the main processor graph. Target module for the run time support library of a.0 and a. *. To obtain an out graph application program pg. Merge with file 0. a. The out object code file is transferred in an appropriate module from the control processor linker to the main processing unit local RAM.

Each data transmission module (VX
I, BRI and PRI) analyze the data to determine if a predefined structure is present in the data, and when the predefined structure is present in the data,
Means for incorporating the protocol decode into the processed output signal.

When receiving data that can embody the protocol decoding algorithm, the main processing unit determines whether the message received from the network corresponds to the protocol decoding algorithm or any of the underlying protocol structures by * . dc
d. 0 for comparison with the protocol decoding algorithm as embodied in the. dcd. Use 0 files. If the comparison is true, the main processing unit indicates this in the processing output signal stored in the capture buffer and subsequently accessed by the control processor.

Under control of the display section of the graph manager program, the control processor causes the output signal to be displayed on a display device, and the protocol decode or mnemonic is displayed in place throughout the protocol decode algorithm or the entire protocol structure. This greatly facilitates reading and interpreting the output data by reducing the output data to a manageable mnemonic.
This same decision-making process is, for example, a
1) or by using symbols for purposes such as if purpose.

When the application program requests the construction and transmission of a message including the protocol decoding algorithm, the application program composes the message according to the protocol decoding algorithm. dcd. Cause the main processing unit to search for file 0.

[0186]

Most Important Features The preferred embodiment of the present invention also includes the most important features that facilitate user compatibility and improve diagnostic capabilities. To accomplish this function, the control means includes an output means for operable to highlight portions of the logic flow diagram corresponding to portions of the application program concurrently executed by the data transmission means on a display device. And highlight means coupled to the The transmitting step of the preferred method includes highlighting portions of the logic flow diagram corresponding to portions of the application program that are executed concurrently by the protocol analyzer.

The highlighting means of the preferred embodiment includes the CPU of the control processor, which displays selected portions of the display on the display monitor, for example, in different colors, different brightness, or in reverse video. Can be used to emphasize by. The highlighting step of the priority method can be performed using the display section of the graph manager program as described below. It was noted above that a wide variety of graph programs have logical flow diagrams corresponding to the tasks performed by the application programs. These logic flow diagrams include a plurality of objects connected by connection lines in an appropriate manner. The logic flow diagram can be displayed in a display monitor window during execution of the graph program as described above.

The most important function of the present invention can be performed by inserting a highlight instruction, such as a reverse video command, into the portion of the executable code corresponding to each of the objectives of the logic flow diagram. Highlight instructions are removed at the end of the portion of executable code corresponding to the purpose. Thus, when the code that can execute the graph program is executed, the purpose corresponding to the portion of the executable code that is executed concurrently is highlighted on the display device.

When the executable code portion corresponding to the next purpose in the logic flow diagram is being executed, the purpose is highlighted on the display. In this way, the user continually gains information via the display of parts of the logic flow diagram that it is currently running. When rapid repetition of a flow chart occurs, emphasis on the purpose of the flow chart simply appears as a blink purpose. However, as the repetition rate decreases, the individual emphasized goals become clearer. When execution stops, the purpose of the finished logic flow diagram appears highlighted.

[Multitasking of Application in Protocol Analyzer] In executing an application, it is necessary to use one or more modules at a time. For example, a need arises when processing both B and D channels of an ISDN data stream using BRI or VXI. Processing a specific application using one or more modules in this manner is called multiprocessing, which is as described above.

The present invention also includes a multitask function. When running an application, the complexity of the application in a particular module becomes significant. This results in a very complex graph. Some communication applications consist of two or more uncoupled or loosely coupled functions. In that case, it is convenient to program the graph as a series of independent cooperative subgraphs. Each independent subgraph is a task.

For example, suppose that the problem is to simultaneously monitor two conversations on the same recognizable communication line, and that each conversation is recognized by an address field embedded in a transmitted / received frame. Good.
You can write a single task and monitor each conversation. Thus, the execution state of each task reflects the state of each conversation, but each task can proceed independently of the others. Graph programs are by no means fast,
The structure is extremely simple and easy.

Another case where multitasking is useful is when a multi-layer protocol is analyzed. Each layer of the protocol is managed by an independent task,
Each layer communicates with the other through pipes. The state of each layer of the managed protocol is reflected by the state of the task of each layer. The multitask formulation in this application is much simpler than the single task formulation, since it is not necessary to manage the state of all layers in one place. To make this clearer, consider the case where one or more timeouts are active at the same time.

To alleviate this complication, the data communication means of the present invention preferably includes means for processing multiple tasks essentially simultaneously. Preferably, the data communication means performs a plurality of tasks simultaneously and includes a task for each of the plurality of layers of the protocol structure. Similarly, preferably, the method of the present invention involves processing multiple tasks essentially simultaneously.

According to a preferred embodiment, the means for processing a plurality of tasks essentially simultaneously includes each main processor of each data communication module. Such means further include an MVE bus, by which data is transferred between the main processors of the module to allow for parallel processing.

According to a preferred method, the step of processing a plurality of tasks essentially simultaneously comprises a multitasking based on the pages making up the graph program.
The parent page waits for all of its child pages to complete, but never completes. The child page performs parallel processing, and the parent page can wait until all child pages have completed before continuing. A graph program typically includes a control unit and a plurality of pages corresponding to tasks. A parent page and child pages subordinate to the parent page are used to form a hierarchy. The control program accumulates position markers and controls over pages. Each page can be considered an independent subroutine, even though it requires input from other pages.

These pages are designed to have unique block states that can occur during processing of the page. A multitasking function is achieved by incorporating one or more control transfer command sequences into the software of each page, and this command sequence is used to detect a block state or a transition to a block state within the page. , Communicates the location in the page software where the block occurred (or is expected to occur), communicates that location to the location marker, and passes control to the next page. The next page, which has the same function and operates in the same way, starts execution at the position where the processing of the page ended last and executes until the block status occurs.At that point, the block position is used as the position marker. Communicate and send control to the page. Each page is processed in a round robin manner.

Since task scheduling is non-interrupting round robin, the page is left to continue executing, eventually deciding to wait on a waiting object.
Control is then passed to the next task in the list. Second
Check if the task waits more. If not, execution continues until the need to wait again arises. If it has been waited, either because it has already been waited or twice, control is passed to the third task. Therefore, as long as a task does not enter the endless loop, all the tasks are executed as a result.

All tasks share the same registers, timers and pipes in the graph. This means that there is no local data for each task. This is intuitive because the register object can only display one value at a time.

When two or more pages are running as tasks, there is one object highlighted for each task corresponding to the object currently being executed on each page. Thus, when two or more pages are performed as a task, the highlighting function operates in an intuitive manner.

Any child task page can be decomposed into two or more subtasks. Again, 1
The highlighting function operates in an intuitive way, because only one object can be highlighted on a page at a time.

As a simple example, a three-page multi-task graph shown in FIGS. 24 to 26 will be described. The parent page (FIG. 24), called "Top", performs two tasks, "Receive" and "Send", and waits for both to complete, but the parent page never completes.

The "Receive" page (FIG. 25) waits and computes all frames on any communication line side in the two registers "Left" and "Right". The "Send" page waits until the user depresses the "Send It" button and then sends the octet "112233" out of the communication line.
44 ". In this example, the task pages "Receive" and "Send" each execute at their own speed, independent of the other pages.

When control returns to the first page, the page software reads the position marker for that task and determines if a block has occurred, and if so, its location. Next, the processing is restarted at the software position recognized by the position marker.

[0205]

[Simulation Function] According to another feature of the present invention, the following simulation function is provided. That is, the system monitors data traffic between nodes on the network, and selectively simulates or reproduces the proportion of traffic, operation messages or signals received from one or more nodes on the network to send messages or messages to the network. Allow the signal to be retransmitted.

To use this function, the data communication means of a preferred embodiment includes means for monitoring data on the network, means for generating an application program in accordance with the monitored data,
Means are included for transmitting a selected portion of the monitoring data based on the program.

A preferred method includes monitoring data on a network, generating an application program according to the monitored data, and transmitting a selected portion of the monitored data to the network based on the application program. Is included. In a preferred embodiment of the system, the means embodied by the data communication means for monitoring data on the network comprises the components of a data communication module, as described above, which monitor data from the network, process the data and This is for storing the selected portion of data in the capture buffer.

The means embodied by the data communication means for generating an application program based on the monitoring data includes the main processor of each data communication module. Each of these modules can load the following software, for example. That is, it is software that allows the processor to analyze the monitoring data and construct a logical flow chart from data corresponding to messages received from various nodes on the network.

According to the application program,
Means embodied by data communication means for transmitting a selected portion of the monitoring data to the network include:
It includes each data communication module, which transmits data to the network according to instructions from the main processor of the module as described above.

The data monitoring steps of the preferred method include:
Monitoring data traffic on the network includes using one or more data communication modules of a preferred system embodiment.

[0211] The application generation step of the preferred method includes generating an application program in accordance with the monitoring data to simulate one of the nodes generating the original data traffic. Therefore, this application generation step involves choosing one of the nodes identified as a transmission node during the data monitoring step, and each message conveyed by each node during the data monitoring step is individually identified in the logical flow chart. Generating an application program to be an object of the application.

This application program is constructed as follows. That is, in response to various transmissions from other nodes to the simulated node, the protocol analyzer essentially simulates or reproduces the appropriate message as an earlier transmission by the simulated node. It is designed to be simulated. The transmission steps of the preferred method include:
According to the application program, the transmission of the carried part of the monitoring data, for example, the faster transmission of the simulated node is included.

FIG. 27 shows a flowchart of the simulation function according to the preferred method. As a first step, data traffic on the network is monitored as described above. This data traffic typically includes messages from at least two nodes on the network. The two nodes wishing to exchange data between the nodes exchange a number of messages between the nodes in a known manner, typically between nodes, for example to set up a communication link, transfer data, and retransmit as necessary It forwards requests and suspends communication links.

FIG. 28 shows an example of this type of communication traffic. FIG. 28 illustrates the order of message transfer between nodes A and B on the network. Node A first transmits message A1 to node B, which in turn transmits message B1 to node A. Node A then sends message A2 to node B, which in turn sends message B2. The data monitoring step of the preferred method includes monitoring and accumulating this data traffic. Source,
The content, transmission time and destination for each message are integrated into the message in a known manner. This data traffic is accumulated in the capture buffer.

The user invokes the simulation function by selecting the “simulation capture b” option from the panel shown in FIG. 29, for example.

The panel of FIG. 30 is displayed by the graph editor section of the graph manager program. This panel includes a "file filter" block indicating the selected file directory and a "file" block listing various files in the selected file directory. The user can select a file from this file block using the trackball. Therefore, this simulation function is realized by using data from the selected file, that is, accumulated data.

Next, the user selects transmission / reception options. The panel of FIG. 30 also includes blocks indicating the use of left and right frames. The user can select an option number for each of these blocks. These options include receiving data (creating separate waiting and receiving objects that require accurate data matching in the generation graph for each frame received from the line side), receiving frames (only receiving frames Create a separate wait and receive object), send (create a separate send object with the same data received from the line for each frame received during monitoring), and a message (receive for each received frame) And then create a numbered message object with the data to be used in the next transmission object) and ignor (let the user select data from only one side of the monitoring traffic).

The next step in the simulation function involves storing at least one object in correlation with each message stored in the selected file. These objects are one of the objects listed in Appendix A.
One. This object can be selected in a simple manner based on the type and content of the message.

The next step in the simulation function involves creating a logic flow chart and corresponding software code by arranging objects in message traffic order. FIG. 28 shows the message traffic order, this information being integrated into the message itself. After monitoring the data, storing it in the selected file, and specifying transmission / reception options in the left and right frame selection blocks, the user presses the filter and then within the page of the graph application to be created, Creates a vertical column of objects based on the selection.

For example, as shown in FIG. 29, the selected capture buffer dc. cb exchanges two messages,
That is, “HELLOABCD” (here, HELLO is data from the left side, and ABCD is data from the right side), and the selection of a frame for object generation is such that the left frame is a received frame as shown in FIG. Then, if the right frame is a send, when the track ball is pressed down on an empty graph page where the start object is arranged, FIG. 31 shows an automatically generated application graph. When this graph is executed, a frame is received from the left side and ASCII
Note that the hex corresponding to ABCD is sent to the right and then waited for it to stop.

The logic flowchart is displayed on the display monitor as shown in FIG. Here, the user can select an option of “compile file” from the panel of FIG. By this selection, the code corresponding to the logic flowchart is compiled. The compiled code is then executed, where the code is transferred to the main processor of the appropriate module and executed to achieve the simulated function.

[0222]

According to another feature of the present invention, the system includes an active monitor for passively monitoring the network and actively transmitting and receiving data across the network when selected look-ahead conditions are met. Can be In order to realize this functional possibility, in addition to the ability to passively monitor the data transmitted and received on the network, data analysis means for checking whether or not the selected prefetch condition exists in the data, Means are provided for recognizing the selected look-ahead condition and sending an active output signal to the network.

The preferred method uses a protocol analyzer that passively monitors the data being sent and received on the network, analyzes the data to see if the selected look-ahead condition exists in the data, and Checking conditions and sending an active output signal to the network.

When using this preferred method for a VXI module with an RS-232C interface,
Although three modules are used, these modules are interconnected via the VME backplane with the 12 active supervisory lines 144 of FIG. The analyzer is then continuously embedded in a conventional circuit in this method.
The application is normally started in monitor mode, which means that switch 140 is closed.

The analyzing means in a preferred embodiment of the system includes the main processor of each data communication module. For example, the main processor can be used to analyze the monitoring data under software control, as described below, to check whether the selected prefetch condition exists in the data. One or more selected look-ahead conditions are specified in the software.

Means for sending the active output signal to the network include: a main processor for each data communication module;
And the components of the module used to transmit the message to the network as described above.

The active monitor function of the preferred method works by using active monitor software in the main processor of one or more data communication modules. The active monitor software is pre-stored in, for example, a mass storage device and transferred to the appropriate main processor via the control processor and the VME bus by an active monitor user command.

When the appropriate module is executed in the main processor, the data transmitted / received on the network is passively monitored using the module as described above, and the monitored data is stored in the appropriate dual port RAM. accumulate. Each VXI module is deployed in active monitor mode with one simulating the DTE and the other simulating the DCE. Active monitor MONITOR with two layer 1 commands, switch closing
The switch 140 is controlled by the active monitor SIMULATE which opens the switch except for the clock line.

Typically, a graph application
The program initializes the application by closing the switch using the layer 1 command active monitor MONITOR. When the switch is closed, the application program monitors the data passing through the module towards the backplane looking for selected look-ahead conditions.

Next, the main processor searches the dual port RAMs 108 and 110 for monitoring data and analyzes it to see if there is a selected look-ahead condition embedded in the active monitor software in the data. . This passive monitoring step is continued until a selected look-ahead condition is found in the data. When the selected look-ahead condition appears, the application program executes the active monitor SIMULATE of the layer 1 command to open 9 out of 12 lines. The clock line remains connected to prevent synchronization, and the module is free to send data over the line.

At this point, the protocol analyzer is active and performs the preferred method of transmitting and receiving steps,
Here, the active output signal is sent to the network.
The active output signal includes, for example, a response from the host of the network, and keeps the link alive or interrupts the link with a margin according to an appropriate protocol.

The active monitor function of the present invention is advantageous in many respects. For example, this active monitoring function can quickly respond to network conditions that may cause an operational failure or interruption to the network. The active monitor function also prevents individual nodes on the network from sleeping and not receiving proper responses. This mode of operation is particularly effective for real circuits where problems occur and the coupling of the circuits disappears.

[0233]

Fine Mode According to another feature of the present invention, a fine mode is provided which provides the ability to experimentally insert a wide range of errors into the network. In known protocol analyzers, errors are usually injected through standard interface type devices such as USART. Components of this type were designed exclusively for operational node message construction. In these designs, the error injection function is not considered much. Therefore, such components have been limited to the ability to manipulate bits in a frame or message to selectively generate errors for testing. The fine mode function of the present invention overcomes this limitation.

To achieve the fine mode of the present invention, the data communication means in a preferred embodiment of the system sends a data frame having n bits and an error data frame having n bits in response to a process command. To the network. The data communication means includes means for generating an error bit in any of the n-bit error data frames. The data communication means preferably comprises means for constructing a data frame according to a selected protocol, and the error generating means comprises a data frame.
This data is effectively linked to the frame construction means.
Preferably, the frame construction means inserts an error in any combination of the constructed n-bit data frames and generates an erroneous data frame.

The preferred method is to construct an n-bit data frame and to construct an error data frame having n bits.
This involves using a protocol analyzer to build the frame. This erroneous data frame has one of n error bits. Further, the preferred method includes sending this erroneous data frame to the network in a user command.

As described above, the protocol has a format for messages transmitted and received according to the protocol. The format of this message includes the number of bits in the message and the meaning of each bit. For explanation, it is assumed that a message for a certain protocol has n bits.
According to the above description, the data communication means of the preferred embodiment is operatively coupled to a network for transmitting n-bit data frames.

The error generating means of the preferred embodiment includes BR
The hardware components described above for the I module are included. This module can be used to generate erroneous bits in any of the n-bit erroneous data frames, and by the data frame structuring means, in any combination of the constructed n-bit data frames. Errors can also be inserted and generate erroneous data frames. The error generating means of the BRI module has a multiplexer control register 226. This register produces three types of fine control through a series of AND, OR, and coincidence circuits included in the 241 TE / NT transmission block. The three types of control for the BRI module include control of an additional bit value,
Inversion of one or more bits in the channel data stream and control of the location of violations in frames transferred from the BRI module to the network.

Each additional bit serves a specific purpose in the basic rate frame. There are bits indicating the mode or state, for example, A (activation) bit and M (multi-frame) bit. There are also bits that prevent frame synchronization, such as the F and Fa bits. The Q and S bits are time slots with sub-channel information. These bits (A, F, Fa, M, Q, S) are usually set to specific values. The set value is controlled by the numerical value in the multiplexer control register 226.
This register is set to the inverse value required at that time to generate an error. The L (line balance) bit maintains the balance of the positive / negative net current on the line.

The E (echo) bit allows a number of TEs to connect to the same line and provides a mechanism that does not occur during simultaneous transmission. In order to cause an error condition in these bits (L, E), it is necessary that these bits are usually reversed according to the conditions of the frame, so that they are temporarily reversed. This reversal is accomplished by setting a bit in a multiplexer control register that reverses the normal bit in the specified time slot. This is also true for B1, B2 and D data streams that require a normal output inversion to generate a particular bit error. This inversion is also controlled by the value set in the multiplexer control register. This register stores the above inversion in the data multiplexer 2
Control is performed within 44.

The basic rate standard uses pseudo-ternary encoding. In this scheme, zero is represented by positive and negative AC pulses and 1 is represented without pulses.
The framing is performed in violation of the AC pulse rule. The beginning of the frame is the F bit. In a good frame, this bit is a pulse with the same polarity as the last zero in the previous frame. A second rule violation occurs in each frame because there are positive and negative pulses in the frame to balance the current. This rule violation should occur within 15 bit hours from the first time.

By separating the first and second rule violations on the receiving side, frame locking can be applied to this scheme. Multiplexer control register 226
Allows a user to program two violation locations within one or more consecutive frames, and to limit the exclusion of rule violations.

All finegraph functions are started and interrupted by using layer 1 commands. All parameters of the fine-grain function are set up and set by the user.
Specified in the menu. The setup menu for TE and NT is shown in FIGS. The setup conditions can be changed at initialization and any time afterwards to change the conditions.
It is provided by main processor 202 to front end processor 204 via dual port RAM 206. To start or stop a specific error condition,
Layer 1 commands are used by application programs.

There are two types of layer 1 commands: start / stop and issue-one. Figure 3 shows a list of all Layer 1 commands suitable for error generation by the BRI module.
It is shown in FIG. In the start / stop format, by executing a layer 1 command including a start command,
The application program starts running the continuous fine-grain function. This means that the main processor 202
Is performed by setting a specific value in a specific storage location of the dual port RAM 206. Front end processor 204, which was monitoring this location, responds by setting the appropriate bit in multiplexer register 226 at the beginning of the next frame.

At the start of the next frame, the request finegraph function is activated, and will be activated in all subsequent frames until the application program has performed a match on the stop, which is a layer 1 command processed in the same manner as above. to continue. 1 for the application
If you need only one finegraph, the corresponding layer 1
Execute command issue-one. This command is processed in the same way as above, but the requested finegraph function is reset at the start of the next frame. Multiple layer 1 commands can make requests in the layer 1 command object, and the commands will be executed simultaneously. The example of the application for inserting the error has been described above. This example is shown in FIG.

The advantage of this method is that all any bit in the data stream can be erroneous to test both the hardware and software of the BRI implementation.

It is easy for those skilled in the art to find and make other advantages. The invention is not limited by the specific description, representative devices and examples set forth in broader terms. Therefore, changes can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the general concept of the present invention clarified in the claims and the like.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a pictorial block diagram of a communication protocol analysis system according to a presently preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 shows V for various components of the system of FIG.
FIG. 3 is an interface connection diagram in the ME bus.

FIG. 3 is a hardware block diagram of a VXI module of the system of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a hardware block diagram of a BRI module of the system of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a hardware block diagram of a PRI module of the system of FIG. 1;

FIG. 6 is a functional block diagram of system software according to a priority method.

FIG. 7 is a block diagram illustrating a preferred method of combining system software with a preferred embodiment.

FIG. 8 is a device configuration panel display according to a priority method.

FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram of various windows for display according to a priority method.

FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram of various windows for display according to a priority method.

FIG. 11 is a schematic diagram of various windows for display according to a priority method.

FIG. 12 is a schematic diagram of various windows for display according to a priority method.

FIG. 13 is an option selection panel diagram for a VXI module according to a priority method.

FIG. 14 is an option selection panel diagram showing a graph selection for a VXI module according to a priority method.

FIG. 15 is a module control panel diagram for a VXI module according to a priority method.

FIG. 16 is a logic flow diagram for a graph program to be used with a VXI module according to a priority method.

FIG. 17 is an option selection panel diagram for a BRI module according to a priority method.

FIG. 18 is a BRI option selection panel diagram showing graph selection according to a priority method.

FIG. 19 is a control panel diagram for a BRI module according to a priority method.

FIG. 20 is a graph program display diagram for a BRI module according to a priority method.

FIG. 21 is a PRI option selection panel diagram according to a priority method.

FIG. 22 is a sample menu of objects according to a priority method.

FIG. 23. Complete sample according to the priority method. dcd
File.

FIG. 24 is a multi-page graph of three pages according to a priority method.

FIG. 25 is a three page multitask graph according to a priority method.

FIG. 26 is a three page multitask graph according to a priority method.

FIG. 27 is a flowchart for a simulation function according to a priority method.

FIG. 28 is an illustrative transfer scenario between nodes A and B.

FIG. 29 is a panel for selecting a simulation function according to a priority method.

FIG. 30 is a second level panel for a simulation function according to the priority method.

FIG. 31 is a logic flow diagram display for a simulation function according to a priority method.

FIG. 32 is a preparation menu for a TE according to a priority method.

FIG. 33 is a preparation menu for NT according to a priority method.

FIG. 34 is a list of all layer 1 commands suitable for BRI module error generation for final mode according to the priority method.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Communication protocol analyzer 12 Control processor 14, 16 Hard disk 18 VME bus 20 Keyboard 22 Trackball 24 Mouse 26 Display monitor 100 VXI module 200 BRI module 300 PRI module

 ────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continued on the front page (72) Michael Albert Glover Inventor York Harbor Box 892, Maine United States of America Box 892 (72) Inventor Peter Flux Cas, Durham Denison Road, New Hampshire, USA 4th (72) Inventor Stephen Chaim Panish, New Hampshire, United States of America Lee Jacob Lane Rural Free Delivery # 1 (72) Inventor Paul William Punish 57 Dover Madbury Newt Road, New Hampshire, United States of America (72) Inventor Stephen West Robertshaw 88, Deli Walnut Hill Road, New Hampshire, United States Term (Reference) 5B048 AA05 AA15 DD09 5B089 KA01 KF06 LB14 MC15 MD04 5K034 AA14 AA17 DD02 EE10 FF11 FF13 GG02

Claims (6)

[Claims] An input operatively connected to control means for controlling a protocol analysis device, and control means for inputting a user command and causing the control means to output a process command in response to the user command. Means, control means for transmitting data between the protocol analyzer and the network in response to the process command, and generating a process output signal, data communication means effectively connected to the network, and displaying the process output signal on the display. Control means for outputting as a window and output means operatively connected to at least one of the data communication means, wherein the window has a size which fluctuates two-dimensionally in the display; And a display monitor operable together with the control process for driving the display monitor. A drive circuit included in the control processor, wherein the control processor receives the process output signal,
A communication protocol analyzing apparatus for selectively outputting information to at least the display monitor for immediate display or to a mass storage device for delayed display. 2. The communication protocol analyzer according to claim 1, wherein said input means includes means for inputting a user command and moving a window in a two-dimensional manner on a display. 3. The communication protocol according to claim 1, wherein said output means includes means for outputting a plurality of menus to a display, and said input means includes means for selecting a user command from the menu. Analysis device. 4. A user command is input to a protocol analyzer, and the protocol analyzer responds to the user command.
Performs application tasks that send data between the analyzer and the network, generates a process output signal that represents the status of data communication, outputs the process output signal to the display as multiple windows, and the windows fluctuate in two dimensions within the display. A communication protocol analysis method having a size to obtain, and selectively outputting the process output signal to at least a display monitor for immediate display or to a mass storage device for delayed display. . 5. The communication protocol analysis method according to claim 4, wherein the input step includes inputting a user command to move the window in the display two-dimensionally. 6. The communication protocol analyzing method according to claim 4, wherein the outputting step includes outputting a plurality of menus to the display, and the input step includes selecting a user command from the menu.