Patent ID: 7024590
Filing Date: 2006-04-04
Classification: H04L

Abstract:
1. In a Fibre channel system configured for interconnection of a plurality of stations using a main loop as part of a digital system such that digital data including ordered sets flows between the stations on the main loop based on operational status of the system, said stations being interconnected by a hub which partially defines said main loop, a management arrangement comprising: a) monitoring means couplable to the main loop and coupled to a diagnostics loop separate from the main loop for carrying a copy of the digital data, the monitoring means forming one part of said hub for non-invasively monitoring a plurality of points distributed on said main loop between pairs of said stations that are adjacent to one another with respect to said main loop for the presence at said points of one of a number of predetermined types of ordered sets, which predetermined ordered set types are indicative of the operational status of the stations and of the hub; and b) analysis means couplable to the diagnostics loop and forming another part of said hub for establishing at least one status indication based on the presence of said predetermined ordered set types at one or more of said points.