Patent ID: 7499977
Filing Date: 2009-03-03
Classification: H04Q

Abstract:
1. A method for fault management in a distributed network management station comprising: initiating a first device coupled to a network; and determining a status of the first device as a master device of the network or a slave device of the network by: listening, at the first device, for one or more responses to the information packet from one or more second devices coupled to the network, the one or more responses indicating a current state of the corresponding second devices as either master or slave devices of the network, and a prior status of the corresponding second devices as master devices in previous operational periods, wherein the information packet further comprises information regarding a total system-up-time of the first device and the responses indicate information regarding corresponding total system-up-times of the one or more second devices, the total system-up-times of the first device and the one or more second devices to indicate a total time the corresponding first device or one or more second devices have been in an operational mode, comparing the total system-up-times of the first device and the one or more second devices, and determining the first device is the master device of the network or slave device of the network according to the comparison of the total system-up-times.