Patent ID: 7719992
Filing Date: 2010-05-18
Classification: H04L

Abstract:
1. A method of operation for a network switch that connects with multiple nodes of a local area network (LAN), the network switch being operable to inspect received data packets, determine a source and destination of each data packet, and forward each of the data packets over the LAN toward the destination, the method comprising: performing a time domain reflectometry (TDR) test to determine initial state information for each of a plurality of lines for transmitting the data packets coupled to the network switch, the initial state information produced by the TDR test includes a length measurement and a protocol status for each of the plurality of lines; storing the initial state information in a database; detecting a change in the state of a line; re-running the test to determine new state information of the line, the new state information including an updated length measurement and an updated protocol status for the line; storing the new state information in the database; issuing a message that identifies the change in state and a likely cause of the change.