Displaying of network device status

Aspects of the subject technology relate to displaying of a status of a network device. A performance of a preset sequence of actions can be initiated, where the preset sequence of actions includes a first action. A determination can be made as to whether the first action is performed successfully. Characteristics of the light sources can be set based on the determination of whether the first action is performed successfully.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure generally relates to network devices, and, in particular, for example, to displaying of network device status.

BACKGROUND

Network connectivity problems often create issues for users ranging from malfunction of applications (e.g., web browser and email) to complete loss of connectivity. The network connectivity problems may originate from one or more devices within a local area network in a user's home, which may include a modem, a router, and a client device (e.g., cell phone, tablet computer). Alternatively or in addition, the network connectivity problems may come from outside the local area network, such as problems due to internet service providers and online service providers.

SUMMARY

Aspects of the subject technology relate to a network device. The network device includes a plurality of light sources. The network device also includes one or more processors and a non-transitory computer-readable medium including instructions stored therein, which, when executed by the one or more processors, cause the one or more processors to perform operations. The operations include initiating performance of a preset sequence of actions. The preset sequence of action includes a first action, where the first action may be associated with a first display configuration of the plurality of light sources. The operations further include determining whether the first action is performed successfully. The operations further include setting, based on whether the first action is performed successfully, the first display configuration of the plurality of light sources. In some implementations, at least one action in the preset sequence of actions is configured to be performed without network interaction of the network device with another device.

Aspects of the subject technology also relate to a computer-implemented method. The method includes initiating performance of a preset sequence of actions in a network device. The preset sequence of action includes a first action, where the first action may be associated with a first display configuration of a plurality of light sources. The method further includes determining whether the first action is performed successfully. The method further includes setting, based on whether the first action is performed successfully, the first display configuration of the plurality of light sources. In some implementations, at least one action in the preset sequence of actions is configured to be performed without network interaction of the network device with another device.

Aspects of the subject technology also relate to a non-transitory machine-readable medium including instructions stored therein, which when executed by a machine, cause the machine to perform operations. The operations include initiating performance of a preset sequence of actions. The preset sequence of action includes a first action, where the first action may be associated with a first display configuration of a plurality of light sources. The operations further include determining whether the first action is performed successfully. The operations further include setting the plurality of light sources to the first display configuration when the first action is not performed successfully. In some implementations, at least one action in the preset sequence of actions is configured to be performed without network interaction of the network device with another device.

The description in this summary section may provide some illustrative examples of the disclosure. This section is not intended to be a broad overview or to identify essential elements of the disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

A user may have access to a wide area network (e.g., the Internet) by connecting one or more client devices (e.g., wireless client devices) to one or more servers on the wide area network via one or more intermediate devices and networks. A client device may be connected to a local area network that is configured to communicate with servers on the wide area network via an access network. The local area network may include one or more client devices connected to the local area network through the access point and/or through a router. The local area network may be connected with the access network via a broadband modem. The wide area network may include one or more servers, such as authentication servers, web servers, electronic messaging servers, and so forth, that may be accessible to the client devices.

With the various devices and networks, users may find it difficult to locate and diagnose a source of a network connectivity problem encountered by any given device. For example, when a client device encounters a network connectivity problem (e.g., the client device cannot connect to a web page), the user may find it difficult to determine whether the network connectivity problem is due to a malfunction or defect in the client device itself, a router with which the client device communicates, and/or a modem with which the router communicates, among other possible sources of network connectivity problems. The user may need to perform several steps to analyze the problem, such as calling the internet service provider, reconfiguring the broadband modem, and/or restarting the internet connection.

Providing an indication that an action performed on a device, such as a modem or a router, was unsuccessful can be challenging if the device does not have a display (e.g., a monitor) or audio features. Addition of a display or audio features may be undesirable due to practicality and/or cost of providing such features for the device. The ability to display a variety of information about a status of the device can be useful, such as in diagnosing boot up failures.

The subject technology provides displaying of a status for a network device. In one or more implementations, the network device can have light sources, where each of these light sources can have one or more adjustable characteristics. By way of non-limiting example, characteristics of a light source can include on or off state, color, and blinking rate of the light source. For example, at a given moment in time, a combination of which light sources of the network device are in an on state, which light sources are in an off state, and/or which light sources are blinking can provide a status of the network device. The network device can set the characteristics for the light sources (e.g., via one or more light source controllers), where a particular combination of characteristics exhibited by the light sources is referred to herein as a “display configuration”. A particular combination of characteristics exhibited by a light source is referred to herein as a “state” of the light source. Each light source may be a light-emitting diodes (LED) or a laser, among other devices that may emit light.

In one or more implementations, the network device can be configured to initiate performance of a preset sequence of actions. Each action of the preset sequence of actions may be associated with a display configuration of the light sources of the network device. In initiating performance of the preset sequence of actions, the network device can be configured to perform an action in the preset sequence of actions and determine whether the action is performed successfully. Based on whether the action is performed successfully, the network device can be set to a display configuration associated with the action. The network device can be configured to continue performance of the preset sequence of actions by performing a next action in the preset sequence of actions if the preceding action was performed successfully.

In one or more implementations, actions performed in the preset sequence of actions can facilitate determination of where (e.g., at which device) a network connectivity problem may originate. In some aspects, the preset sequence of actions can be (or can be a part of) a boot up phase of the network device, which may also be referred to as a startup phase or initialization phase. The boot up phase of the network device can be initiated when the network device is turned on or when the network device is set (e.g., instructed by a user, the network device itself, or another device) to perform diagnostics for example.

By way of non-limiting example, the network device can be a hub, a router, a switch, a bridge, a modem, or an access point. For example, the network device may be a broadband modem, such as a cable modem, fiber modem, or digital subscriber line (DSL) modem. The network device may also be a combination of devices, such as a home WiFi router that can comprise a combination of a router, a switch, and an access point. The network device can be a wireless router with a built-in modem (e.g., cable modem) for example. Other network devices can also be utilized in some implementations of the subject technology.

FIG. 1illustrates an example network environment100in which some implementations of the subject technology can be implemented. The network environment100includes a local area network112that can be communicably connected to servers120and130via a wide area network116. The local area network112includes computing devices102,104, and106(hereinafter “102-106”), a router108, and a modem110. The local area network112may be connected with the wide area network116via the modem110. The local area network112, the wide area network116, the various devices within the networks112and116, and various devices (e.g., devices of servers120and130) communicably connected with these networks112and116and devices, may establish wired connections, wireless connections, or a combination thereof. In some aspects, the local area network112is a wireless local area network (WLAN). In some aspects, the local area network112is a WLAN within a user's home that is configured to communicably connect to the Internet. The computing device102may be a tablet computer configured to connect wirelessly to the router108whereas the computing device104may be a desktop computer configured to be connected to the router108via a wire (e.g., Ethernet wire). InFIG. 1, the network environment100is illustrated as including multiple computing devices102-106, one router108, one modem110, and two servers120and130. The number of each of these systems and devices can be fewer or more than that shown inFIG. 1. The wide area network116generally includes a number of systems and devices (not shown).

Each of the computing devices102-106can represent various forms of processing devices. Example processing devices can include a desktop computer, a laptop computer, a handheld computer, a personal digital assistant (PDA), a cellular telephone, a network appliance, a camera, a smart phone, an enhanced general packet radio service (EGPRS) mobile phone, a media player, a navigation device, an email device, a game console, or a combination of any of these data processing devices or other data processing devices. Computing devices102-106may be provided access to or receive application software executed or stored on any of the other computing devices102-106.

In some aspects, the computing devices102-106may communicate wirelessly through a communication interface (not shown), which may include digital signal processing circuitry where necessary. The communication interface may provide for communications under various modes or protocols, for example, Global System for Mobile communication (GSM) voice calls, Short Message Service (SMS), Enhanced Messaging Service (EMS), or Multimedia Messaging Service (MMS) messaging, Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA), Time Division Multiple Access (TDMA), Personal Digital Cellular (PDC), Wideband Code Division Multiple Access (WCDMA), CDMA2000, General Packet Radio System (GPRS), Single-carrier Frequency Division Multiple Access (SC-FDMA), or Orthogonal FDMA (OFDMA), among others. For example, the communication may occur through a radio-frequency transceiver (not shown). In addition, short-range communication may occur, for example, using a Bluetooth, WiFi, or other such transceiver.

Servers120and130can include one or more computing devices122and/or132and one or more computer-readable storage devices124and/or134(e.g., one or more databases). Each of the servers120and130may be a system or device having a processor, a memory, and communications capability for providing content and/or service to electronic devices (e.g.,102-106). In some example aspects, each of the servers120and130can be a single computing device, for example, a computer server. In other embodiments, each of the servers120and130can represent more than one computing device working together to perform the actions of a server computer (e.g., cloud computing). Further, each of the servers120and130can represent various forms of servers including, but not limited to, an application server, a proxy server, a network server, an authentication server, an electronic messaging server, or a server farm, accessible to the computing devices102-106. For example, the server120may be an internet service provider server that provides services for accessing and/or using the wide area network116. The server130may be a web server that delivers web content accessible through the wide area network116.

In some aspects, the local area network112can include, but is not limited to, a computer network that covers a limited geographic area (e.g., a home, school, computer laboratory, or office building) using a wired and/or wireless distribution method (e.g., spread-spectrum or OFDM). In a wireless setting for example, the local area network112can link one or more client devices (e.g., computing devices102-106) using a wireless distribution method (e.g., WiFi Direct). Such a wireless local area network112can connect client devices (e.g., the computing devices102-106) to the wide area network116through a wireless router (e.g., router108) using WiFi standards (e.g., IEEE 802.11).

In some aspects, the wide area network116can include, but is not limited to, a large computer network that covers a broad area (e.g., across metropolitan, regional, national, or international boundaries), for example, the Internet, a private network, a cellular network, or a combination thereof connecting any number of mobile clients, fixed clients, and servers. Further, the wide area network116can include, but is not limited to, any one or more of the following network topologies, including a bus network, a star network, a ring network, a mesh network, a star-bus network, a tree or hierarchical network, and the like. In some aspects, communication between each client (e.g., computing devices102-106) and server (e.g., servers120and130) can occur via a virtual private network (VPN), Secure Shell (SSH) tunnel, or other secure network connection. The wide area network116may include one or more wired or wireless network devices that facilitate device communications between the computing devices102-106and the servers120and130, such as switch devices, router devices, relay devices, and so forth, and/or may include one or more servers. The wide area network116can include an access network that can be connected to the local area network112. The access network can include, but is not limited to, a cable access network, public switched telephone network, and/or fiber optics network that can be connected to the local area network112(e.g., connected to the modem110).

A user may interact with a system, hosted by servers120and130, through a client application installed at the computing devices102-106. Alternatively, the user may interact with the system through a web based browser application at the computing devices102-106. Communication between the computing devices102-106and the system, and/or one or more services, may be facilitated through the router108and the modem110of the local area network112and/or the wide area network116.

In example aspects, a user at any of the computing devices102-106, such as the computing devices102, may encounter network connectivity problems when trying to access a server (e.g., server120) connected to the wide area network116, such as when loading a web page in a web browser on the computing device102. However, the source of the network connectivity problem(s), which may be within any device or system in the local area network112, the wide area network116, and/or the servers120and130, may not be apparent to the user.

FIG. 2Aillustrates an example network device200, in accordance with one or more implementations. The network device200may be, by way of non-limiting example, a router (e.g.,108inFIG. 1), a modem (e.g.,110inFIG. 1), a modem with a built-in router, a bridge, a hub, a switch, an access point, among other network devices, that can be configured to connect client devices (e.g., computing devices102-106inFIG. 1) to a wide area network (e.g.,116inFIG. 1). The network device200includes input/output (I/O) ports (e.g.,205), where each I/O port can include light sources (e.g.,210and215). The network device200can include one or more light source controllers (not shown) configured to control a state of the light sources.

In one or more implementations, the light sources in the input/output (I/O) ports of the network device200can be configured to provide the display configuration of the network device200. The I/O ports may be Ethernet ports of the network device200for example, where an Ethernet port generally has two built-in light sources (e.g., LEDs) that are utilized to display a link status of the Ethernet port. Alternatively or in conjunction, a network device can have a lightbar with light sources that display statuses of the I/O ports.

FIG. 2Billustrates an example network device250with a lightbar that includes light sources, in accordance with one or more implementations, where a pair of light sources (e.g.,260,265) is associated with one I/O port (not shown). The pair of light sources is not in the I/O ports. In some aspects,FIG. 2AandFIG. 2Bmay show a first side (e.g., front side) and a second side (e.g., back side), respectively, of the same network device.

FIG. 3shows display configurations of an example port (e.g.,205) of a network device (e.g.,200) that includes two built-in light sources (e.g., LEDs). In particular, the network device includes a left built-in light source and a right built-in light source. Each light source can be configured to be one of three states: on, off, or blinking. Accordingly, at a given moment in time, the port can exhibit one of the nine display configurations shown inFIG. 3. In some aspects, as shown in the example ofFIG. 3, the left light source, when on or blinking, is fixed to a single color (e.g., green), and the right light source, when on or blinking, is fixed to another color (e.g., amber). In other aspects, the left light source and the right light source may be of the same fixed color when on or blinking. Although two light sources are shown, the port may be designed to include fewer than or more than two light sources.

In one or more implementations, the port ofFIG. 3can be configured with more than the nine display configurations shown inFIG. 3, without increasing the number of light sources in the port. For example, one or both of the light sources can be operable to exhibit one of multiple colors and/or one of multiple blink rates. In some aspects, a blink rate of one of the light sources may be set to be different from a blink rate of the other light source.

In some aspects, one or both of the light sources may be configurable to change color. For example, a state of a light source can involve alternating between different colors. The state of a light source can involve a repeating sequence of changing from purple to green after two seconds, changing from green to blue after another three seconds, and changing from blue to purple after another one second.

As another example, in accordance with one or more implementations, the port may be an Ethernet port of the network device. In such a case, a first light source may generally provide a speed indicator that indicates in which type of connection (e.g., 10 Mbps, 100 Mbps) the Ethernet port is operating by using one color (e.g., green) to indicate one type of connection and another color (e.g., amber) to indicate another type of connection. A second light source may generally provide an activity indicator that indicates whether a network link has been established with the Ethernet port. The second light source may be capable of providing a single color (e.g., green). The first and second light sources together provide a link status of the Ethernet port. In some aspects, the network device can include light sources associated with Ethernet ports and can configure the light sources to display a link status of the Ethernet ports during operation of the network device subsequent to a successful boot up phase of the network device.

Other combinations of different characteristics of the light sources are possible and would lead to additional possible display configurations beyond the nine display configurations shown inFIG. 3. With each possible degree of freedom in the characteristics of a light source, the number of possible states of the light source can increase. As the number of possible states of the light source increases, the number of possible display configurations of the network device can also increase.

FIG. 4illustrates example display configurations exhibited by light sources of a network device, in accordance with one or more implementations. In particular,FIG. 4illustrates the display configurations shown in Table 1, which provides an example lookup table that maps display configurations to a status associated with an action that is performed unsuccessfully. For example, Table 1 may be associated with a router (e.g.,108inFIG. 1), and each light source may be associated with an I/O port of the router. In Table 1, an ‘X’ indicates a light source that is on, a ‘-’ indicates a light source that is off, and a ‘B’ indicates a light source that is blinking. A blinking light source can be considered a light source that, from a visual perspective, alternates between appearing to be off and appearing to be on. A network device with at least eight light sources can be operable to display the display configurations shown in Table 1.

In one or more implementations, Table 1 can be a lookup table provided for a boot up phase of a network device (e.g.,200inFIG. 2A). The network device can initiate performance of the boot up phase. With reference toFIG. 2A, during the boot up phase of the network device200, the network device200can configure, also referred to as program, the I/O ports (e.g.,210,215) to display a status of the boot up phase of the network device200. If all actions of the boot up phase are performed successfully, the network device200can exit the boot up phase and configure/program the light source(s) of respective I/O ports to display respective link statuses of the I/O ports. Each action performed by the network device in the boot up phase can be associated with a display configuration. For example, a first action can include a loading a bootloader, which can be associated with the display configuration “BX------”.

In a case where a failure occurred during the boot up phase, a user of the network device can observe and utilize the display configuration of the network device to determine which action of the boot up phase failed. For example, if the loading of a bootloader is unsuccessful, the display configuration of “BX------” can be displayed by the network device. The user can determine which action failed by looking up the display configuration in a lookup table, where the lookup table can be in a manual or reference card, either electronic or physical versions, provided with the network device for example. The user can consult the reference card, manual, the lookup table itself, or other reference material to determine how, or if, the user can fix the problem.

As shown in Table 1, the boot up phase can include actions that can be performed without network interaction of the network device with another device, such as operations of the network including, by way of non-limiting example, loading a bootloader, loading a kernel, and loading a root filesystem. Such operations can be referred to as internal operations of the network device.

The boot up phase can also include actions that may involve network interaction of the network device with another device, such as testing to determine whether the network device can successfully connect to a modem (e.g.,110inFIG. 1) or successfully reach (e.g., establish a connection) with an external host by Internet Protocol (IP) number or by domain name. The external host may be an internet service provider server (e.g., server120and/or130inFIG. 1). For example, as part of the boot up phase, the network device can be configured to ping a preset IP number, which may be set to an IP number of a manufacturer of the network device or an IP number of an internet service provider server. In response to the pinging, the external host can attempt to reach the network device.

In a case with fewer than eight light sources and the same statuses as shown in Table 1, the display configurations can be adapted to utilize the number of light sources in the network device. Table 2 shows an example lookup table in a case with six light sources.

As shown in Table 2, even for the same set of statuses as those shown in Table 1 above, a network device can be configured with a different set of display configurations. Furthermore, in Table 2, some of the light sources may be in an off state in all the display configurations. Other statuses and corresponding actions aside from those shown in Tables 1 and 2 are possible. Fewer, more, and/or different statuses and corresponding actions than those shown in Tables 1 and 2 can be utilized. For example, a lookup table can include more statuses than those in Tables 1 and 2 to allow for finer tuning in detecting a possible origin of a network connection problem. Furthermore, the actions corresponding to the statuses in Tables 1 and 2 can include a first subset of actions and a second subset of actions. For example, the first subset of actions may include loading a bootloader, loading a kernel, and loading a root filesystem whereas the remaining actions are part of the second subset of actions. Alternatively, the boot up phase associated with Tables 1 and 2 can a subset of another boot up phase.

FIG. 5shows a flow diagram illustrating an example process500for displaying a status for a network device (e.g.,200inFIG. 2), in accordance with various aspects of the subject technology.

As set forth in step505inFIG. 5, the network device can initiate performance of a preset sequence of actions. The preset sequence of actions includes a first action that is associated with a first display configuration of the light sources of the network device. In some aspects, the preset sequence of actions may be performed as a boot up phase or as part of a boot up phase of the network device and may be associated with a lookup table (e.g., Table 1) that maps a status of the network device with a corresponding display configuration. With reference to Table 1, the first action is to load a bootloader and is associated with a display configuration “BX------”.

As set forth in step510inFIG. 5, the network device can determine whether the first action is performed successfully.

As set forth in step515inFIG. 5, the network device can set the light sources to the first display configuration based on whether the first action is performed successfully. In some aspects, the light sources are set to the first display configuration if the first action is not performed successfully. With reference to Table 1, the light sources are set to the first display configuration if the loading of the bootloader is not performed successfully.

FIG. 6shows a flow diagram illustrating an example process600for displaying a status for a network device (e.g.,200inFIG. 2) in relation to a second action in a preset sequence of actions, in accordance with various aspects of the subject technology.

As set forth in step605inFIG. 6, the network device can continue performance of the preset sequence of actions and determine whether a second action in the preset sequence of actions is performed successfully. With reference to Table 1, the second action is to load a kernel and is associated with a second display configuration “B-X------”.

As set forth in step610inFIG. 6, the network device can set the light sources to the second display configuration based on whether the second action is performed successfully. In some aspects, the light sources are set to the second display configuration if the second action is not performed successfully. With reference to Table 1, the light sources are set to the second display configuration if the loading of the kernel is not performed successfully.

In one or more implementations, the process600shown inFIG. 6can also be utilized for actions subsequent to the second action. For a boot up phase, each action of the boot up phase can be performed one after another until an action fails or until all actions of the boot up phase have been performed successfully. If an action fails, the network device may attempt to perform the action a preset number of times until the action is performed successfully. If the action fails after being performed the preset number of times, the network device may be set to provide a display configuration to indicate the error.

In one or more implementations, the light sources may be part of or associated with I/O ports (e.g., Ethernet ports) of the network device. If all actions of the boot up phase are performed successfully, the network device can exit the boot up phase and configure the light source(s) of respective I/O ports to display respective link statuses of the I/O ports.

In a case when a failure occurs during the boot up phase, a user of the network device can observe and utilize the display configuration of the network device to determine which action of the boot up phase failed. The user can determine which action failed by looking up the display configuration in a lookup table, where the lookup table can be in a manual or reference card, either electronic or physical versions, provided with the network device for example. The user can consult the reference card, manual, the lookup table itself, or other reference material to determine how, or if, the user can fix the problem.

With reference to Table 1, as an example, if the light sources display the first display configuration (“BX------”) to signify that the loading of the bootloader is not performed successfully, the user can determine that a network issue is likely a result of a malfunction or defect in the network device itself and not due to a defect in, for example, a modem connected with the network device or an internet service provider. The user may then fix the network issue by focusing on the network device itself, such as fixing or replacing the network device. As another example, if the light sources display the fourth display configuration (“B---X---”) to signify that connecting to a modem is not performed successfully, the user can determine that the network issue is likely not due to the network device, since the first three actions were performed successfully, but rather is due to the modem. In such a case, the user may determine that the modem itself may be defective, a connection (e.g., Ethernet cable) from the network device to the modem may be defective, or both.

In some aspects, a determination of the display configuration can be aided with a client device of a user, such as a smart phone or a tablet. For example, the network device can have different display configurations that can be provided to a user, and the different display configurations may be difficult to discern by the user's eyes. As an example, a display configuration can cycle through the light sources (e.g., set a blinking rate for the light sources) in a manner too fast for an average human eye but may be detectable/discernable by the client device. The client device may be capable of more accurately decoding complex display configurations than the user's eye in some cases.

The client device can be configured with an application that can record an image or record a set of images (e.g., a video) and then process the recorded image or images to determine the display configuration at issue. The determination can be made by comparing the image or set of images with a lookup table stored in memory of the client device for example. The client device can provide or otherwise identify to the user the display configuration at issue. Dependent on the client device's settings (e.g., factory settings or user settings), the client device can also provide the user with a recommended course of action or in some cases proceed with performing an action, such as sending an message (e.g., text message) to an Internet provider to report the error.

In one or more implementations, a boot up phase of a network device can be provided as follows. For discussion purposes, the network device can be considered to be a router, although the discussion generally applies also to other network devices. The boot up phase can involve loading a bootloader, where the bootloader is utilized to load an operating system of the router. If successfully loaded, the boot up phase can then involve loading of a kernel of the operating system by the bootloader. When loading the kernel, the router can look for interfaces of the router to which other devices may be connected. As an example, the router may have one or more wireless Ethernet interfaces. The kernel can also locate a storage interface, referred to as a refile system, within which other parts of the operating system are stored.

If the actions within the router itself have been performed successfully, the router may check, as part of the boot up phase, its ability to connect one or more client devices (e.g., laptop, cell phone) to a wide area network (e.g., the Internet). The router can ping a preset IP number of an external host (e.g., server120inFIG. 1). The router can also ping a preset domain name of an external host, in which case the router can perform a domain name lookup and provide an IP number. Alternatively or in conjunction, the router can ping a device, by IP number and/or name, within a local area network.

If any of these actions are not performed successfully, the network device can display the display configuration associated with the action that was not performed successfully. For example, when loading the kernel, the network device may determine that the kernel is corrupt (e.g., has been tampered with) or is missing. The network device can end performance of the boot up phase and provide a display configuration associated with an unsuccessful loading of the kernel, such as “--X---” in Table 2. As another example, if the kernel is unable to access the refile system, such as if the refile system has been tampered with or is broken, the network device can flag that as a refile system error and provide a display configuration associated with a refile system error.

In some cases, the router may be able to ping a host by IP number but not by name, even if the pinging is performed with the same host. In these cases, the router can indicate to the user of a domain name system (DNS) error via a corresponding display configuration, which may indicate to the user that a setup of the domain lookup of the router might not be correct. The user can attempt to fix the problem by adjusting the router configuration.

In one or more implementations, a display configuration can be provided on the light sources as a corresponding action is performed and transition to a next display configuration when a next action is performed. For example, with reference to Table 1, the light sources may provide the display configuration “BX------” when the bootloader is being loaded and transition to the display configuration “B-X------” after the bootloader is loaded successfully and the kernel is being loaded. If the bootloader is not loaded successfully, the display configuration may remain at “BX------”.

In one or more implementations, the light sources may be configured to provide a different set of display configurations when performing an action versus when the action is not performed successfully. The first light source in Table 1 may be set to blinking only when an action is not performed successfully. For example, with continued reference to Table 1, the light sources may provide the display configuration “-X------” when the bootloader is being loaded and transition to the display configuration “--X-----” after the bootloader is loaded successfully and the kernel is being loaded. If the bootloader is not loaded successfully, the display configuration may be set to “BX------”. If the kernel is not loaded successfully, the display configuration may be set to “B-X-----”. The difference of a characteristic of one light source between the display configuration of performing an action and the display configuration when the action is performed unsuccessfully is provided by way of example only. In some aspects, characteristics of more than one light source may differ between the display configuration of performing an action and the display configuration when the action is performed unsuccessfully.

In one or more implementations, during operation of the network device subsequent to a boot up phase, the network device may encounter a network connectivity problem. A user of the network device or the network device itself may provide instructions to run diagnostic tests to determine a source of the network connectivity problem. In some cases, after several attempts to establish a connection between a client device (e.g.,104inFIG. 1) and a server (e.g.,120inFIG. 1), the network device may begin running diagnostic tests. For example, the instructions to run diagnostic tests may include rebooting the network device and initiating performance of actions that are the same as or similar to those of the boot up phase. In aspects where the light sources are associated with ports (e.g., I/O ports) of the network device, when the network device is running diagnostic tests, the network device can configure the light sources to be operable to display a status of the network device as opposed to link statuses of the corresponding I/O ports.

In one or more implementations, the network device may be set to periodically reboot and initiate performance of actions that are the same as or similar to those of the boot up phase. The light sources may provide a display configuration for a preset time (e.g., 5 minutes) based on settings by a user or factory settings, after which the network device may reboot and initiate performance of the boot up phase. A user may periodically check the light sources to determine whether the internet connectivity problem persists. For example, a user may be unable to connect a client device to the Internet, and the display configuration of the light sources may indicate that the network service cannot reach the Internet because the internet service provider server is down. Instead of constantly refreshing the client device (e.g., refreshing a web browser) to check if the problem has been resolved or spending time fixing a network device that is not in error, the user may periodically check the display configuration of the light sources to determine a status of the network device.

Although light sources of a network device are shown as being arranged (e.g., positioned) in a single row or column (e.g.,FIGS. 2A, 2B, and 4), any given network device can have other arrangements of light sources, in accordance with one or more implementations. For example, the light sources can be arranged as part of an array with multiple rows and columns of light sources. As another example, the light sources can be arranged in a circle, a square, a hexagon, among other possible shapes.

In one or more implementations, a network device can determine a number of light sources that are available and an arrangement of the light sources and, based on the determination, select a lookup table to utilize in displaying a status of the network device. For example, a manufacturer of the network device may have different models for the network device. The manufacturer may have a first model with three ports and six LEDs (e.g., two per port) and a second model with four ports and eight LEDs (e.g., two per port). The network device can determine to which model the network device belongs based on an internally stored model number and/or by auto-detecting the number of ports and arrangement thereof for example. Based on the determination, the network device may select a lookup table to utilize. In displaying a status of a network device, the first model of the network device may be configured to utilize Table 2 whereas the second model of the network device may be configured to utilize Table 1.

FIG. 7conceptually illustrates an example electronic system with which some implementations of the subject technology can be implemented. Electronic system700can be a computer, phone, PDA, or any other sort of electronic device. The electronic system700can be a network device such as, by way of non-limiting example, a bridge, a switch, a modem, a router, a hub, an access point, or a combination thereof. Such an electronic system includes various types of computer readable media and interfaces for various other types of computer readable media. Electronic system700includes a bus708, processing unit(s)712, a system memory704, a read-only memory (ROM)710, a permanent storage device702, an input device interface714, an output device interface706, and a network interface716.

Bus708collectively represents all system, peripheral, and chipset buses that communicatively connect the numerous internal devices of electronic system700. For instance, bus408communicatively connects processing unit(s)712with ROM710, system memory704, and permanent storage device702.

ROM710stores static data and instructions that are needed by processing unit(s)712and other modules of the electronic system. Permanent storage device702, on the other hand, is a read-and-write memory device. This device is a non-volatile memory unit that stores instructions and data even when electronic system700is off. Some implementations of the subject disclosure use a mass-storage device (for example, a magnetic or optical disk and its corresponding disk drive) as permanent storage device702.

Other implementations use a removable storage device (for example, a floppy disk, flash drive, and its corresponding disk drive) as permanent storage device702. Like permanent storage device702, system memory704is a read-and-write memory device. However, unlike storage device702, system memory704is a volatile read-and-write memory, such as a random access memory. System memory704stores some of the instructions and data that the processor needs at runtime. In some implementations, the processes of the subject disclosure are stored in system memory704, permanent storage device702, or ROM710. For example, the various memory units include instructions for displaying a status of the electronic system700, in accordance with some implementations. From these various memory units, processing unit(s)712retrieves instructions to execute and data to process in order to execute the processes of some implementations.

Bus708also connects to input and output device interfaces714and706. Input device interface714enables the user to communicate information and select commands to the electronic system. Input devices used with input device interface714include, for example, alphanumeric keyboards and pointing devices (also called “cursor control devices”). Output device interfaces706enables, for example, the display of images generated by the electronic system700. Output devices used with output device interface706include, for example, printers and display devices, for example, cathode ray tubes (CRT) or liquid crystal displays (LCD). In the case of a network device such as a router or modem, for example, output devices used with output device interface706can include light sources connected to or built into the network device. Some implementations include devices, for example, a touchscreen that functions as both input and output devices.

Finally, as shown inFIG. 7, bus708also couples electronic system700to a network (not shown) through a network interface716. In this manner, the computer can be a part of a network of computers (for example, a local area network (LAN), a wide area network (WAN), or an Intranet, or a network of networks, for example, the Internet). Any or all components of electronic system700can be used in conjunction with the subject disclosure.

As used in this specification and any claims of this application, the terms “computer”, “server”, “processor”, and “memory” all refer to electronic or other technological devices. These terms exclude people or groups of people. For the purposes of the specification, the terms display or displaying means displaying on an electronic device. As used in this specification and any claims of this application, the terms “computer readable medium” and “computer readable media” are entirely restricted to tangible, physical objects that store information in a form that is readable by a machine or computer. A computer readable medium can be one or more computer readable media and a machine readable medium can be one or more machine readable media. These terms exclude any wireless signals, wired download signals, and any other ephemeral signals.