Patent ID: 7206287
Filing Date: 2007-04-17
Classification: H04L

Abstract:
1. A method of identifying a failed field replaceable unit (FRU) in a chain of FRUs along a datapath of a network element (NE), comprising the steps of: (i) transmitting a diagnostic cell along the datapath, the datapath being established between an ingress and an egress point on the NE; (ii) incrementing a first diagnostic cell counter in a first location on the datapath for counting the diagnostic cell if it passes the first location; (iii) incrementing a second diagnostic cell counter in a second location along the datapath downstream from the first location, for counting the diagnostic cell if it passes the second location; and (iv) comparing the values of the first and second diagnostic cell counters and identifying all FRUs in the chain of FRUs along the datapath between the first and the second location as possible failed FRUs, if the values of the first and second diagnostic cell counters differ.