Patent Document

TECHNICAL FIELD  
       [0001]     Embodiments of the invention relate generally to network systems, and more particularly to an apparatus and method for finding duplex mismatches in copper based networks.  
       BACKGROUND  
       [0002]     Many local area network (LAN) products today use a medium formed by copper wire pairs for the transmission and reception of data. A network that used the copper wire pairs is defined as a copper based network. Existing technology based on the copper wire pairs include, for example, 10BASE-T, 100BASE-TX, and 1000BASE-T. All of these technologies have the ability to negotiate speed, duplex mode (half duplex or full duplex), flow-control, and other important aspects of a link operation by using low frequency pulses to communicate the desired state of operation for the link prior to actually engaging in the specific link signaling. This negotiation process is called “auto-negotiation”.  
         [0003]     During link negotiation between two nodes in a link in a network, as an example, a port of a first node may be set in the auto-negotiation mode, while a port of the second node is not set in the auto-negotiation mode. As a result, the first node will be made to negotiate at half-duplex. For example, the first node (which is in auto-negotiation mode) will be set to negotiate at 100 half-duplex or full-duplex, while the second node (which is not in auto-negotiation mode) will be set to 100 full-duplex. As known to those skilled in the art, full-duplex data transmission means that data can be transmitted in both directions on a signal carrier at the same time. For example, on a local area network with a technology that has full-duplex transmission, one workstation can be sending data on the line while another workstation is receiving data. As also known to those skilled in the art, half-duplex data transmission means that data can be transmitted in both directions on a signal carrier, but not at the same time. For example, on a local area network using a technology that has half-duplex transmission, one workstation can send data on the line and then receive data on the line once its data has been received by the link partner.  
         [0004]     The above-mentioned duplex operation mismatch (duplex mismatch) can lead to degraded performance between the two nodes and result in trouble calls by the-customer to the network support center of a node vendor. In a 10BASE-T/100BASE-T network, duplex mismatch problems is the most fielded calls by support engineers from customers and is thus the most costly product issue. Current technology does not provided the ability for the customer to know and detect a duplex mismatch condition, does not reduce the countless support calls to the support engineers from customers, and does not lead to reductions in costs for the node vendor.  
         [0005]     A current port configuration method from Cisco Corporation only provides settable flags that indicate network error, as disclosed in the link &lt;http://www.cisco.com/univercd/cc/td/doc/product/lan/c2900x1/2 9 — 35xp/olhelp/porthelp.htm#Identifying % 20an % 20Autonegotiation % 20Mismatch&gt;. However, this previous port configuration method does not provide specific guidance to the customer on identifying the network problem and simply shuts down the port and informs the customer that an error has occurred.  
         [0006]     Therefore, the current technology is limited in its capabilities and suffers from at least the above constraints and deficiencies.  
       SUMMARY OF EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION  
       [0007]     In an embodiment of the invention, a method for finding duplex mismatches in a copper based network, includes:  
         [0008]     detecting late collisions and cyclic redundancy check (CRC) errors;  
         [0009]     if a port is in auto-negotiation and up in half-duplex and over threshold late collisions have been detected, then informing the user of a duplex mismatch and suggesting to the user to set the port to full duplex; and  
         [0010]     if the port is in forced full-duplex mode and over threshold CRC errors have been detected, then informing the user of a duplex mismatch and suggesting to the user to set the port to auto-negotiations mode.  
         [0011]     These and other features of an embodiment of the present invention will be readily apparent to persons of ordinary skill in the art upon reading the entirety of this disclosure, which includes the accompanying drawings and claims.  
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0012]     Non-limiting and non-exhaustive embodiments of the present invention are described with reference to the following figures, wherein like reference numerals refer to like parts throughout the various views unless otherwise specified.  
         [0013]      FIG. 1  is a block diagram of an apparatus (system), in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.  
         [0014]      FIG. 2  is a block diagram of a method in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.  
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
       [0015]     In the description herein, numerous specific details are provided, such as examples of components and/or methods, to provide a thorough understanding of embodiments of the invention. One skilled in the relevant art will recognize, however, that an embodiment of the invention can be practiced without one or more of the specific details, or with other apparatus, systems, methods, components, materials, parts, and/or the like. In other instances, well-known structures, materials, or operations are not shown or described in detail to avoid obscuring aspects of embodiments of the invention.  
         [0016]      FIG. 1  is a block diagram of an apparatus (system)  100  that can implement an embodiment of the invention. The apparatus 100 includes two nodes  105 A and  105 B (generally, node  105 ) that are connected by a link  110 . The nodes  105 A and  105 B are network devices such as, for example, network switches. The nodes  105 A and  105 B includes fault finders  115 A and  115 B, duplex mismatch detect module  120 A and  120 B, event log message generator module  125 A and  125 B, processors  130 A and  130 B, and PHY (physical link layer)  135 A and  135 B (generally, PHY  135 ), respectively, as shown in  FIG. 1 . The PHYs  135 A and  135  include port  140 A and  140 B, respectively, and include other suitable standard hardware components in network devices and permit the transmission of data over the link  110 . For example, a PHY  135  typically includes an MDI (medium dependent interface) which is the connection to the link (medium)  110  (i.e., the direct physical and electrical connection to the link).  
         [0017]     Auto-negotiation automatically configures duplex and speed. It is also possible to turn off auto-negotiation and forced both speed and duplex.  
         [0018]     The duplex mismatch detect module  120  and event log message generator  125  can be integrated into a single module which can be called as a duplex mismatch finder.  
         [0019]     The fault finders  115 A and  115 B, duplex mismatch detect module  120 A and  120 B, and event log message generator module  125 A and  125 B are typically implemented in software and are stored in a memory (e.g., memory  132 A and  132 B) in the nodes  105 . The fault finders  115 A and  115 B, duplex mismatch detect module  120 A and  120 B, and event log message generator module  125 A and  125 B are typically programmed in a suitable programming language, such as, for example, C, and are created by use of known code programming techniques.  
         [0020]     The processors  130 A and  130 B (generally, processor  130 ) execute the fault finders  115 A and  115 B (generally, fault finder  115 ), duplex mismatch detect module  120 A and  120 B (generally, module  120 ), and event log message generator module  125 A and  125 B (generally, module  125 ), respectively, and also execute other software or firmware in a node  105 .  
         [0021]     The fault finder  115  is a module that detects for fault conditions in a network. A fault condition can include, for example, a loop configuration in the network. A fault condition can also include over threshold late collisions and over threshold cyclic redundancy check errors, as described below. An embodiment of the fault finder  115  is implemented in, for example, the PROCURVE  5304  and  5308  switches and other switches which are commercially available from HEWLETT-PACKARD COMPANY.  
         [0022]     The fault finder, 115 A will check the error counters  145 A and  150 A, while fault finder  115 B will check the error counters  145 B and  150 B. The fault finder  115 A will generate an event log message  155 A, based upon the values in the late collision counter  145 A and CRC error counter  150 A exceeding threshold values that are set by the user and based upon whether the port is set to forced mode or auto-negotiation mode, as discussed below. When the collision counter  145 A exceeds a threshold value (a user-settable boundary), the fault finder  115 A sets a flag  155 A. When the CRC error counter  150 A exceeds a threshold value (a user-settable boundary), the fault finder  115 A sets a flag  160 A. The flags  155 A and  160 A are typically values that are set in a memory (e.g., memory  132 A) in the node  105 A.  
         [0023]     Similarly, the fault finder  115 B will generate an event log message  155 B, based upon the values in the late collision counter  145 B and CRC error counter  150 B exceeding threshold values that are set by the user, as discussed below. When the collision counter  145 B exceeds a threshold value (a user-settable boundary), the fault finder  115 B sets a flag  155 B. When the CRC error counter  150 B exceeds a threshold value (a user-settable boundary), the fault finder  115 B sets a flag  160 B. The flags  155 B and  160 B are typically values that are set in a memory (e.g., memory  132 B) in the node  105 B.  
         [0024]     Various parameters are then checked by the duplex mismatch detect modules  120  and event log message generator  125  (i.e., parameters are checked by the duplex mismatched finder) in order to detect a duplex mismatch, as discussed below, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.  
         [0025]     Various standard components and/or software in the nodes  105 A and  105 B (and in the network  100 ) have been omitted in  FIG. 1  for purposes of clarity and for purposes of focusing on the functionalities of embodiments of the invention.  
         [0026]     It should be appreciated that, in alternative embodiments, the network system  100  may include components and products other than those discussed above. Moreover, the network system  100  can be implemented on different hardware. Those skilled in the art will recognize that other alternative hardware and software environments may be used without departing from the scope of embodiments of the invention. As such, the exemplary environment in  FIG. 1  is not intended to limit embodiments of the invention.  
         [0027]      FIG. 2  is a block diagram of a method  200  in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. In block  205 , the late collision error flag  155  is set if the late collision error counter  145  exceeds a user settable threshold value, or the CRC error flag  160  is set if the CRC error counter  150  exceeds a user settable threshold value. The threshold value for late collision error counter  145  and for the CRC error counter  150  are typically measured in errors per second and can be set to any suitable values depending on, for example, implementation.  
         [0028]     The fault finder  115  checks the counters  145  and  150  and sets the flags  155  and  160  if one of the counters  145  and  150  exceeds the user settable threshold value.  
         [0029]     Late collision error is defined in the Ethernet specification. Late collisions occur when there is a late occurrence of a collision on the link. In an Ethernet network, a collision is the result of two devices on the same Ethernet network attempting to transmit data at exactly the same time. The network detects the “collision” of the two transmitted packets and discards them both. Late collision is a very good indication that one node is trying to transmit data, while the opposite node in the link is transmitting data, and therefore, a duplex mismatch may be present.  
         [0030]     CRC is a method of checking for errors in data that has been transmitted on a communications link. A sending device applies a 16-bit or 32-bit polynomial to a block of data that is to be transmitted and appends the resulting cyclic redundancy code (CRC) to the block. The receiving end applies the same polynomial to the data and compares its result with the result appended by the sender. If the devices agree, the data has been received successfully. If not, the sender can be notified to resend the block of data.  
         [0031]     If there is a duplex mismatch, then a node  115  will see a late collision error or a CRC error, depending on whether the node  115  is set for full-duplex or half-duplex.  
         [0032]     After the late collision error flag  155  is set (i.e., the late collisions exceeded a user settable threshold value) or CRC flag  160  is set (i.e., the CRC errors exceeded a user settable threshold value), then in block  210 , a check if a node port  140  is connected to a link  110 . If, in block  210 , the node port  140  is not connected to a link  110 , then, in block  215 , the flags  155  or  160  are cleared and a duplex mismatch is regarded as not present or as not possible. In block  220 , the method  200  returns to block  205  where the fault finder  115  will check the late collision error counter  155  and the CRC error counter  160  and set the flags  155  or  160  if the collision error counter  155  or the CRC error counter  160 , respectively, exceeds a user settable threshold value.  
         [0033]     If, in block  210 , the node port  140  is connected to a link  110 , then, in block  225 , the port  140  is checked if it is a 100TX port or 1000T port (i.e., the port  140  is checked if it is a copper port, since a duplex mismatch can only occur between copper ports). If, in block  225 , the node port  140  is not a copper port, then blocks  215  and  220  are repeated as discussed above, and a duplex mismatch is regarded as not present or as not possible. Therefore, fiber ports are not checked for duplex mismatches.  
         [0034]     If, in block  225 , the node port  140  is connected to a copper port, then, in block  230 , a check is performed to determine if the port  140  is connected to a gigabit link (1000T link) (i.e., the port is up in gigabit mode). A duplex mismatch will typically not occur in gigabit mode because the gigabit Ethernet standard typically only supports full-duplex for connected device (although the gigabit Ethernet standard has the half-duplex mode, it does not use the half-duplex mode). If, in block  230 , the port  140  is connected to a gigabit link, then blocks  215  and  220  are repeated as discussed above, and a duplex mismatch is regarded as not present or as not possible.  
         [0035]     If, in block  230 , the port  140  is not connected to a gigabit link, then, in block  235 , a check is performed on the configuration to determine if the port is set in forced mode. The forced mode can be 10HDX (half-duplex), 10FDX (full-duplex), 100HDX, or 100FDX.  
         [0036]     If forced mode is set in block  235 , then, in block  245 , the is forced flag (generally flag  170 , and specifically flags  170 A or  170 B in  FIG. 1 ) is set by the duplex mismatch detect module  120 .  
         [0037]     If forced mode is not set in block  235 , then, in block  240 , a check is performed to determine if auto-negotiation was completed successfully. The duplex mismatch detect module  120  checks the PHY  135  to determine if auto-negotiation has failed. The auto-negotiation process is disclosed in the standard IEEE 802.3 clause  36 , which is hereby fully incorporated herein by reference.  
         [0038]     If auto-negotiation is not completed successfully in block  240 , then blocks  215  and  220  are repeated as discussed above, and a duplex mismatch is regarded as not present or as not possible.  
         [0039]     If auto-negotiation is completed successfully in block  240 , then, in block  250 , the autoHDX flag (generally flag  175 , and specifically flags  175 A or  175 B in  FIG. 1 ) is set by the duplex mismatch detect module  120 , to indicate that the port  140  is in auto-negotiation mode and in half duplex. Note that it may be possible for a port be in auto-negotiation mode and in full duplex. However, in the embodiments described herein, the flag is looking for a possible error condition which can only occur when the port comes up in half duplex while in auto-negotiation mode.  
         [0040]     The flags  170  and  175  are values that are set in memory in a node  105 .  
         [0041]     In block  255  (with the “return duplex mismatch is possible flags”), at this point it is known that a duplex mismatch is possible, so a message will be sent which includes the error condition denoted by these flags.  
         [0042]     The duplex mismatch detect module  120  performs the above-mentioned actions in blocks  210  through  255 .  
         [0043]     The following blocks then insure that the correct counter has matched the perceived side of the duplex mismatch. When there is a duplex mismatch, one node  115  will detect the late collisions, while the opposite node  115  will detect the CRC errors.  
         [0044]     In block  260 , if the autoHDX flag  175  is set and the late collision counter  145  has exceeded the user settable threshold, then, in block  270 , the user is informed of a duplex mismatch and a suggestion is made to the user to set the port  140  to full duplex. The autoHDX flag  175  indicates that the port  140  is currently in auto-negotiation mode and in half duplex. In block  280 , the information that is generated in block  270  is provided to the user by sending an event log message  155 , and the method  200  then returns to block  205  where the fault finder  115  will check the late collision error counter  155  and the CRC error counter  160  and set the flags  155  or  160  if the collision error counter  155  or the CRC error counter  160 , respectively, exceeds a user settable threshold value.  
         [0045]     The event log message generator  125  ( FIG. 1 ) informs the fault finder  115  to generate an event log message  155  with the information in block  270 .  
         [0046]     On the other hand, in block  260 , if the autoHDX flag  175  is not set or if the late collisions counter  145  did not exceed the user settable threshold, then the method  200  proceeds to block  265 .  
         [0047]     In block  265 , if the isForced flag  170  is set and the CRC error counter  150  has exceeded the user settable threshold, then, in block  275 , the user is informed of a duplex mismatch and a suggestion is made to the user to set the port to auto-negotiation mode. The isForced flag  170  indicates that the port  140  is currently in forced mode. In block  280 , the information that is generated in block  275  is provided to the user by sending an event log message  155 , and the method  200  then returns to block  205  where the fault finder  115  will check the late collision error counter  155  and the CRC error counter  160  and set the flags  155  or  160  if the collision error counter  155  or the CRC error counter  160 , respectively, exceeds a user settable threshold value.  
         [0048]     The event log message generator  125  ( FIG. 1 ) informs the fault finder  115  to generate an event log message  155  with the information in block  275 .  
         [0049]     On the other hand, in block  265 , if the isForced flag  170  is not set or if the CRC error counter  150  did not exceed the user settable threshold, then blocks  215  and  220  are repeated as discussed above, and a duplex mismatch is regarded as not present or as not possible.  
         [0050]     The event log message generator  125  performs the above-mentioned actions in blocks  260  through  275 .  
         [0051]     Therefore, blocks  260  and  265  inform the user of a duplex mismatch and to set (change) the port  140  to either auto-negotiation mode or to full duplex. If the user is told to change the port  140  setting to full duplex (see block  270 ), then this means the link partner to this port  140  (i.e., where the link partner is the node  115  on the other end of link  110 ) is in forced mode (forced full duplex mode), and this port  140  is in auto-negotiation mode and is in half duplex due to the fact that auto-negotiation did not complete successfully.  
         [0052]     On the other hand, if the user is told to change the port  140  setting to auto-negotiation (see block  275 ), then this means the link partner to this port  140  is in auto-negotiation mode, while this port is in forced mode (forced full-duplex mode).  
         [0053]     Based on the event log message  155  that is sent to the user of the port  140 , the user can change the port  145  settings in order to eliminate the duplex mismatch.  
         [0054]     It is also within the scope of the present invention to implement a program or code that can be stored in a machine-readable medium to permit a computer to perform any of the methods described above.  
         [0055]     Reference throughout this specification to “one embodiment”, “an embodiment”, or “a specific embodiment” means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the present invention. Thus, the appearances of the phrases “in one embodiment”, “in an embodiment”, or “in a specific embodiment” in various places throughout this specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment. Furthermore, the particular features, structures, or characteristics may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments.  
         [0056]     Other variations and modifications of the above-described embodiments and methods are possible in light of the foregoing disclosure.  
         [0057]     It will also be appreciated that one or more of the elements depicted in the drawings/figures can also be implemented in a more separated or integrated manner, or even removed or rendered as inoperable in certain cases, as is useful in accordance with a particular application.  
         [0058]     Additionally, the signal arrows in the drawings/Figures are considered as exemplary and are not limiting, unless otherwise specifically noted. Furthermore, the term “or” as used in this disclosure is generally intended to mean “and/or” unless otherwise indicated. Combinations of components or steps will also be considered as being noted, where terminology is foreseen as rendering the ability to separate or combine is unclear.  
         [0059]     As used in the description herein and throughout the claims that follow, “a”, “an”, and “the” includes plural references unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Also, as used in the description herein and throughout the claims that follow, the meaning of “in” includes “in” and “on” unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.  
         [0060]     The above description of illustrated embodiments of the invention, including what is described in the Abstract, is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise forms disclosed. While specific embodiments of, and examples for, the invention are described herein for illustrative purposes, various equivalent modifications are possible within the scope of the invention, as those skilled in the relevant art will recognize.  
         [0061]     These modifications can be made to the invention in light of the above detailed description. The terms used in the following claims should not be construed to limit the invention to the specific embodiments disclosed in the specification and the claims. Rather, the scope of the invention is to be determined entirely by the following claims, which are to be construed in accordance with established doctrines of claim interpretation.

Technology Category: 5