WO2000062483A1 - System for tracing data channels through a channel-based network - Google Patents
System for tracing data channels through a channel-based network Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- WO2000062483A1 WO2000062483A1 PCT/US2000/009950 US0009950W WO0062483A1 WO 2000062483 A1 WO2000062483 A1 WO 2000062483A1 US 0009950 W US0009950 W US 0009950W WO 0062483 A1 WO0062483 A1 WO 0062483A1
- Authority
- WO
- WIPO (PCT)
- Prior art keywords
- channel
- network device
- information
- network
- coupled
- Prior art date
Links
Classifications
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
- H04Q—SELECTING
- H04Q11/00—Selecting arrangements for multiplex systems
- H04Q11/04—Selecting arrangements for multiplex systems for time-division multiplexing
- H04Q11/0428—Integrated services digital network, i.e. systems for transmission of different types of digitised signals, e.g. speech, data, telecentral, television signals
- H04Q11/0478—Provisions for broadband connections
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
- H04L—TRANSMISSION OF DIGITAL INFORMATION, e.g. TELEGRAPHIC COMMUNICATION
- H04L12/00—Data switching networks
- H04L12/54—Store-and-forward switching systems
- H04L12/56—Packet switching systems
- H04L12/5601—Transfer mode dependent, e.g. ATM
- H04L2012/5619—Network Node Interface, e.g. tandem connections, transit switching
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
- H04L—TRANSMISSION OF DIGITAL INFORMATION, e.g. TELEGRAPHIC COMMUNICATION
- H04L12/00—Data switching networks
- H04L12/54—Store-and-forward switching systems
- H04L12/56—Packet switching systems
- H04L12/5601—Transfer mode dependent, e.g. ATM
- H04L2012/5625—Operations, administration and maintenance [OAM]
- H04L2012/5626—Network management, e.g. Intelligent nets
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
- H04L—TRANSMISSION OF DIGITAL INFORMATION, e.g. TELEGRAPHIC COMMUNICATION
- H04L12/00—Data switching networks
- H04L12/54—Store-and-forward switching systems
- H04L12/56—Packet switching systems
- H04L12/5601—Transfer mode dependent, e.g. ATM
- H04L2012/5628—Testing
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
- H04L—TRANSMISSION OF DIGITAL INFORMATION, e.g. TELEGRAPHIC COMMUNICATION
- H04L12/00—Data switching networks
- H04L12/54—Store-and-forward switching systems
- H04L12/56—Packet switching systems
- H04L12/5601—Transfer mode dependent, e.g. ATM
- H04L2012/5638—Services, e.g. multimedia, GOS, QOS
- H04L2012/5665—Interaction of ATM with other protocols
- H04L2012/5667—IP over ATM
Definitions
- the invention generally relates to data transmission networks and, more particularly, the invention relates to tracing data channels across a channel-based data transmission network.
- ATM Asynchronous Transfer Mode
- ATM is a well known channel-based data transmission protocol that utilizes virtual channels to transmit data from a transmitting site to a receiving site. More specifically, a virtual channel typically is established ⁇ i.e., initialized) prior to message transmission, and subsequently utilized to transmit all message data during a single data transmission ("session"). Accordingly, for a given session, all data cells ⁇ i.e., 53 byte data packets) of a message utilize the same virtual channel as they are transmitted from the transmitting site to the receiving site.
- a plurality of ATM switches are utilized to forward data cells from the transmitting site to the receiving site.
- Each switch thus includes a forwarding table (a/k/a "cross-connect table") within local memory for maintaining virtual channel information. For example, upon receipt of a data cell, a given ATM switch accesses cell header information to determine the virtual channel that is utilized by the received cell. Once the virtual channel is determined, the switch determines the next upstream switch/endpoint from its forwarding table (based upon the determined virtual channel), and then transmits the cell to such switch/endpoint.
- an ATM switch Unlike routing devices that utilize non-channel based protocols ⁇ e.g., the well known packet based "Internet Protocol"), an ATM switch generally is not required to make a decision as to which upstream device is to receive the cell. Specifically, an ATM switch merely checks its forwarding table, and then forwards the received cell to the upstream network device identified in the table. Accordingly, as noted above, the same virtual channel remains in use during an entire message transmission.
- ATM networks can drop cells during transmission, thus not completing transmission of an entire message.
- one of the switches in the network may be malfunctioning, consequently causing it to transmit received cells to an incorrect virtual channel. Accordingly, it would be desirable to determine which switch or other network device in an ATM network, if any, is malfunctioning when data transmissions are not successfully received by a receiving site.
- a method and apparatus for tracing a channel through a channel based network determines both the identity of each network device ("identification information") coupled to the channel, and channel information relating to each such network device. Once determined, at least one of the identity and channel information is forwarded to a monitoring network device. In preferred embodiments, the information is forwarded from each network device to the monitoring network device.
- the channel may include a plurality of subchannels that each couple two of a plurality of network devices.
- the channel information may include information relating to a given network device and its coupled subchannel(s).
- the channel information also may include virtual channel identifiers.
- a first network device may be coupled to a given subchannel, where the first network device includes an interface for determining the identity of the given sub-channel.
- the at least one of the identification information and the channel information may be displayed on a display device, or may be stored in memory. In other embodiments, the channel is constructed between two endpoint devices.
- a program may be forwarded to each network device, where the program forwards the at least one of the identification information and the channel information to the monitoring device. In some embodiments, the at least one of the identification information and the channel information is forwarded to the monitoring device as the information is determined.
- an apparatus for collecting data relating to a channel in a channel based network traverses the network from network device to network device to gather channel information.
- the channel couples a plurality of network devices, and each network device includes channel information relating to the channel.
- the apparatus thus includes a channel determiner that ascertains channel information relating to a given network device, a data forwarder that forwards the channel information to a monitoring network device, and a link transferrer that locates a next network device coupled to the channel, and transfers the apparatus to the next network device (if any) after the collected information is forwarded.
- the channel information includes virtual channel identifiers.
- the apparatus may be transferred to each of the plurality of network devices coupled to the channel.
- the apparatus may be a JAVA applet.
- an apparatus and method for collecting data relating to a channel in a channel based network first ascertains channel information relating to a given network device, then forwards the ascertained channel information to a monitoring network device, and finally determines if a next network device is coupled to the channel. If it is determined that a next network device is coupled to the channel, then the process is repeated for the next network device.
- Preferred embodiments of the invention are implemented as a computer program product having a computer usable medium with computer readable program code thereon.
- the computer readable code may be read and utilized by the computer system in accordance with conventional processes.
- Figure 1 schematically shows an exemplary channel-based data transmission network that may be utilized in accord with preferred embodiments of the invention.
- Figure 2 shows a preferred process of tracing a channel through a channel-based data transmission network.
- Figure 3 schematically shows a selector that selects between several modules that are each configured to interface with one type of switch.
- Figure 4 schematically shows an exemplary display of tracing information displayed in accord with preferred embodiments of the invention.
- FIG. 1 schematically shows an exemplary channel-based data transmission network that may be utilized in accord with preferred embodiments of the invention.
- a channel-based transport protocol as discussed herein is a link layer protocol that utilizes a single pre-set channel ⁇ i.e., virtual or non-virtual channel) to transmit data packets ⁇ e.g., video, voice, or other digital data messages) between end nodes during a single session.
- a single session may have as few as one data packet, or many data packets.
- the channel may be utilized to transmit between the end nodes during one session only, or during any number of sessions.
- the channel may be bi-directional or uni-directional.
- a transmitting site transmits data across a channel-based network during a single session by first establishing ⁇ i.e., initializing) a single channel to the receiving site. Once the channel is established, data is converted into packets and transmitted to the receiving site via the channel.
- the channel includes preselected intervening network devices that each are configured to forward received data packets to another preselected network device deemed to be in the channel. Accordingly, each packet is transported across the network to the receiving site via the same intervening network devices.
- the network shown in figure 1 (“network 10") preferably utilizes the Asynchronous Transfer Mode data transport protocol ("ATM"). It should be noted, however, that use of ATM is by example only and should not be considered a limitation of the invention. Accordingly, preferred embodiments may be implemented on any network utilizing a channel-based transport protocol.
- the network 10 preferably includes a host computer 12 that is coupled to a host local area network (“host LAN 14"), a remote computer 16 coupled to a remote LAN 18, and a plurality of ATM switches 20 that couple the host and remote computers 12 and 16 Data preferably is transmitted in a bi-directional manner between the host and remote computers 12 and 16.
- ATM Asynchronous Transfer Mode data transport protocol
- the host computer 12 and remote computer 16 may be any computer, such as an IBM APTIVATM computer, available from International Business Machines Inc of Armonk, New York.
- the host LAN 14 and remote LAN 18 be configured in accord with any known LAN architecture, such as an Ethernet configuration.
- each switch 20 preferably is a CENTLLLONTM ATM switch, available from Bay Networks, Inc of Santa Clara, California In some embodiments, however, each switch 20 may be dist ⁇ vide from different vendors.
- the network 10 preferably is an intranet that is administered by a central network administrator.
- Figure 2 shows a preferred process of tracing a channel through a channel based network.
- the process shown in figure 2 is desc ⁇ bed in terms of ATM, use of such protocol is by example only and should not be considered a limitation of the invention.
- the process is executed as a JAVA applet executing on each of the nodes as desc ⁇ bed below. Details of the process thus are desc ⁇ bed below in terms of a JAVA applet.
- a virtual channel is established by conventional means between the host computer 12 and the remote computer 16.
- the channel which may be a permanent virtual channel or a switched virtual channel, may be defined by the host computer 12, host LAN 14, first switch 20, second switch 20, third switch 20, fourth switch 20, remote LAN 18, and remote computer 16.
- the cross-connect tables in each switch 20 are updated to form the channel.
- the channel may be considered to be defined by a plurality of sub-channels between adjacent network devices. For example, when using the ATM protocol in a given channel, each sub-channel may be identified by a unique virtual channel identifier ⁇ i.e., a different virtual channel identifier than the other sub-channels in that given channel).
- the process preferably is initiated by a user on the host computer 12.
- the user may have a graphical user interface (figure 4, discussed below) with a button that. when selected, causes the process to begin tracing the channel from a selected base node in the network 10.
- the user enters input parameters, such as the LP address of the base node, port identifiers, and virtual channel and path identifiers of the base node. These input parameters identify the base node and are used to configure the tracing process.
- the base node may be any node in the network 10, such as one of the switches 20, or the host computer 12.
- the second switch 20 is selected to be the base node, and the JAVA applet consequently begins executing on such switch 20.
- a "next node" variable is set to be a node that is adjacent to the base node in the virtual channel.
- the next node is selected to be either one of the first switch 20, or the third switch 20 ⁇ i.e., a switch 20 either before or after the base node in the virtual channel).
- the next node is selected to be the third node.
- the JAVA applet returns to trace the channel in the other direction via the other of the adjacent nodes. For example, if the channel is traced to the remote computer 16 via the third switch 20, then the JAVA applet returns to the base node to trace the channel to the host computer 12 via the first switch 20.
- step 202 it is determined if the LP address of the next switch 20 ⁇ i.e., the third switch 20) is listed in a look-up table on the second switch 20.
- this look-up table is an LLMI neighbor information look-up table stored in memory of the second switch 20.
- the second switch 20 may not have the IP address of the third switch 20 in the look-up table.
- the switches 20 may be manufactured by different vendors that do not share such information.
- step 204 the IP address of the third switch 20 is determined by conventional means. For example, the network administrator may look up the IP address in a specification manual of the network 10.
- step 206 the next node is inte ⁇ ogated to determine switch specific information relating to the channel.
- the JAVA applet is forwarded to the third switch 20 to execute the well known Simple Network Management Protocol ("SNMP " ) for inte ⁇ ogating the third switch 20.
- SNMP Simple Network Management Protocol
- SNMP permits the JAVA applet to successfully inte ⁇ ogate and obtain the necessary information since it knows the IP address of the third switch 20.
- Such information may include any channel specific information relating to the switch 20, such as the virtual channel and virtual path identifiers of sub-channels from the second switch 20 to the third switch 20, the outgoing interface in the third switch 20 used to forward cells to the next upstream switch 20 from the third switch 20 ⁇ i.e., the fourth switch 20), the virtual channel and virtual path identifiers of sub-channels from the third switch 20 to the fourth switch 20, and the LP address of the fourth switch 20 (if in the local LLMI tables).
- the switch interface (not shown) of the third switch 20 may utilize conventional methods to determine the virtual channel and virtual path identifiers for the sub-channel to the fourth switch 20.
- switches 20 do not utilize switches 20 from a single vendor.
- switches typically are not standardized to interface with
- SNMP in a uniform manner. Specifically, many switches are configured to respond to SNMP when an SNMP query is received in a specific format that is configured to the specific switch. Accordingly, in prefe ⁇ ed embodiments, a plurality of SNMP modules 22 are utilized on each switch 20 to form an application program interface that can utilize SNMP with various types of switches 20 (figure 3). Each SNMP module 22 is written to conform with the specifications of one specific type of switch. Among other types, such switch may be one of many switches of one vendor, all switches of a specific vendor, a family of switches of one vendor, or a family of switches of two or more vendors. As shown in figure 3, the JAVA applet first may determine the type of switch, and then utilize a module selector 24 to select the appropriate SNMP module 22 for interrogating the next switch.
- the JAVA applet preferably transmits such information back to the host computer 12 from the third switch 20.
- the information may be stored in memory of the host computer 12, and/or displayed on a display device coupled with the host computer 12.
- Figure 4 shows a prefe ⁇ ed graphical display of the information on the host computer 12.
- the display may have a results window with columns displaying the LP address of the switch 20, port identification, virtual channel and port identifiers of input and output interfaces, and the next upstream node.
- Figure 4 also shows a "START TRACE" button that initiates the process of tracing the channel.
- the results window displays the channel trace information as such information is sequentially received, in real time, from each of the nodes in the channel.
- next node is the last node in the channel in the immediate trace direction.
- the next node is considered to be the last node when it is either one of an endpoint node, or a user network interface ("UNI"). Conversely, the next node is not considered to be the last node when it is a network to network interface ("NNI").
- NNI network to network interface
- the process ends if it is determined to be the last node. If, however, it is determined not to be the last node, the process loops back to step 200 in which the next node variable is set to be the next node in the channel. Accordingly, in the example above, the next node variable is set to be the fourth switch 20.
- This process continues tracing from node to node until the last node of the channel in the direction of the remote computer 16 is inte ⁇ ogated. As noted above, once the process ends, the JAVA applet is forwarded back to the base node to begin tracing the channel toward the host computer 12 ⁇ i.e., in the other direction).
- prefe ⁇ ed embodiments are initiated by a user.
- the tracing process may be initiated automatically upon receipt of any selected information.
- the tracing process may be initiated upon receipt of information indicating that message data is being dropped by the network 10.
- any programming method may be utilized to implement preferred embodiments of the invention.
- a program executing on the host computer 12 may interact with each of the switches 20 to gather the pertinent information. Specifically, the pertinent information may be retrieved via messages that are transmitted between each switch 20 and the executing program on the host computer 12.
- Prefe ⁇ ed embodiments of the invention may be implemented in any conventional computer programming language.
- prefe ⁇ ed embodiments may be implemented in a procedural programming language ⁇ e g , "C") or an object o ⁇ ented programming language (e g , "C++")
- Alternative embodiments of the invention may be implemented as preprogrammed hardware elements (e g , application specific integrated circuits), or other related components.
- prefe ⁇ ed embodiments are implemented as a JAVA applet
- Alternative embodiments of the invention may be implemented as a computer program product for use with a computer system
- Such implementation may include a se ⁇ es of computer instructions fixed either on a tangible medium, such as a computer readable media (e g , a diskette, CD-ROM, ROM, or fixed disk), or transmittable to a computer system via a modem or other interface device, such as a communications adapter connected to a network over a medium.
- the medium may be either a tangible medium (e g., optical or analog communications lines) or a medium implemented with wireless techniques ⁇ e.g , microwave, infrared or other transmission techniques).
- va ⁇ ous exemplary embodiments of the invention have been disclosed, it should be apparent to those skilled in the art that va ⁇ ous changes and modifications can be made which will achieve some of the advantages of the invention without departing from the true scope of the invention. These and other obvious modifications are intended to be covered by the appended claims.
Abstract
Description
Claims
Priority Applications (3)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
CA002356330A CA2356330A1 (en) | 1999-04-13 | 2000-04-13 | System for tracing data channels through a channel-based network |
AU42391/00A AU4239100A (en) | 1999-04-13 | 2000-04-13 | System for tracing data channels through a channel-based network |
EP00922162A EP1169814A1 (en) | 1999-04-13 | 2000-04-13 | System for tracing data channels through a channel-based network |
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US29075499A | 1999-04-13 | 1999-04-13 | |
US09/290,754 | 1999-04-13 |
Publications (1)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
WO2000062483A1 true WO2000062483A1 (en) | 2000-10-19 |
Family
ID=23117413
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
PCT/US2000/009950 WO2000062483A1 (en) | 1999-04-13 | 2000-04-13 | System for tracing data channels through a channel-based network |
Country Status (4)
Country | Link |
---|---|
EP (1) | EP1169814A1 (en) |
AU (1) | AU4239100A (en) |
CA (1) | CA2356330A1 (en) |
WO (1) | WO2000062483A1 (en) |
Citations (5)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
EP0849910A2 (en) * | 1996-12-18 | 1998-06-24 | Nortel Networks Corporation | Communications network monitoring |
EP0849970A2 (en) * | 1996-12-20 | 1998-06-24 | Nec Corporation | Method of transferring internet protocol packets by the use of fast ATM cell transport and network for performing the method |
US5796736A (en) * | 1994-07-19 | 1998-08-18 | Nec Corporation | ATM network topology auto discovery method |
WO1998047308A1 (en) * | 1997-04-16 | 1998-10-22 | British Telecommunications Public Limited Company | Network testing |
WO1998059460A1 (en) * | 1997-06-20 | 1998-12-30 | Uri Raz | Information transfer system with dynamic distribution of data, control and management of information |
-
2000
- 2000-04-13 CA CA002356330A patent/CA2356330A1/en not_active Abandoned
- 2000-04-13 EP EP00922162A patent/EP1169814A1/en not_active Withdrawn
- 2000-04-13 WO PCT/US2000/009950 patent/WO2000062483A1/en not_active Application Discontinuation
- 2000-04-13 AU AU42391/00A patent/AU4239100A/en not_active Abandoned
Patent Citations (5)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US5796736A (en) * | 1994-07-19 | 1998-08-18 | Nec Corporation | ATM network topology auto discovery method |
EP0849910A2 (en) * | 1996-12-18 | 1998-06-24 | Nortel Networks Corporation | Communications network monitoring |
EP0849970A2 (en) * | 1996-12-20 | 1998-06-24 | Nec Corporation | Method of transferring internet protocol packets by the use of fast ATM cell transport and network for performing the method |
WO1998047308A1 (en) * | 1997-04-16 | 1998-10-22 | British Telecommunications Public Limited Company | Network testing |
WO1998059460A1 (en) * | 1997-06-20 | 1998-12-30 | Uri Raz | Information transfer system with dynamic distribution of data, control and management of information |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
AU4239100A (en) | 2000-11-14 |
CA2356330A1 (en) | 2000-10-19 |
EP1169814A1 (en) | 2002-01-09 |
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