Patent ID: 6718382
Filing Date: 2004-04-06
Classification: H04L

Abstract:
A method for probing leaky points in a network protocol domain of a communication network, the method comprising the steps of:transmitting a probe message by a prober device, the probe message including a protocol field indicating a protocol of the network protocol domain; propagating a probe message to a number of probed devices within the communication network; checking for a leaky point in the network protocol domain by each of said number of probed devices that receives the probe message, including determining whether the probed device executes the protocol indicated in the protocol field of the probe message; determining, by each probed device, whether to transmit a response message to the prober device, wherein said response message is one of: negative response message indicating that the probed device detected a leaky point in the network protocol domain; and a positive response message indicating that the probed device failed to detect a leaky point in the network protocol domain; and determining, by the prober device, whether the network protocol domain is leaky based upon a pattern of response messages received by the prober device.