Patent ID: 7533166
Filing Date: 2009-05-12
Classification: H04L

Abstract:
1. A method of controlling reconfiguration operations in a networking environment having a plurality of routers comprising: identifying when one of said routers is switched to a reconfiguration mode when an indication is received from a first router entering a reconfiguration mode, said first router being switched to said reconfiguration mode following an addition of a second router to said networking environment, said reconfiguration mode adjusting a router table of said first router, said router table including a set of IP addresses and a set of output ports, each IP address corresponding with an output port for directing a packet; locking other routers of said plurality of routers, said locking other routers of said plurality of routers preventing said other routers from entering a reconfiguration mode; initiating a network monitoring state that includes monitoring operational parameters of each said router as an automated response to said identifying said reconfiguration mode of said first router, where said operation parameters are indicative of network traffic routing conditions within said network environment; said initiating said network monitoring state includes: activating a report requirement in which each said router transmits periodic reports to a central site, each said report including information specific to said operational parameters including current percentage of bandwidth utilization and a number of packets processed per second; enabling router reconfigurations to be sustained beyond said network monitoring state only upon receiving authorization for said central site; detecting faulty network traffic routing conditions on a basis of said monitoring of said operational parameters, said faulty network traffic routing conditions being based upon a change of percentage of bandwidth utilization and a number of packets processed per second; resetting said first router to a configuration that preceded said network monitoring state as an automated response to said detecting said faulty network traffic routing conditions, said first router being reset when all-clear messages are not received by said other routers, said all-clear messages being indicative of no faulty network traffic condition; and enabling router reconfiguration of said first router if no said faulty network traffic routing condition is detected.