Abstract: A cross-port analysis method is provided to analyze multichannel traces in a network. More particularly, cross-port analysis is a method allowing for aggregate network analysis capabilities from a multi-channel analyzer. This can be performed as traces of network traffic generated by each port on two or more analyzers. Precise timestamps are recorded for each trace and the topology of devices on the network is determined. An expert analysis is then performed on the captured data traces.

Abstract: A network monitoring architecture and methodology enabling performance detection and diagnostics in storage area networks or other networks. The network monitoring is performed using a three-tiered distributed computing system architecture, including a data source tier, a portal tier and a client tier. The data source tier monitors the physical data on the network medium using multiple data collection sources, or data probes, connected to the network. The probes analyze network data and generate metrics that describe attributes of the network data. The metrics are synchronized in time by virtue of time stamps associated with the data monitored by the data probes. The time-synchronized metrics are used by the data portal tier, which is the second tier of the system. The portal tier encapsulates the metrics into data containers. The data containers may be requested by the client tier, which is the third tier in the network monitoring system.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide a method for determining errors and metrics in a computer network. The method includes positioning an analyzer in communication with the network, capturing a data trace of the network with the analyzer, determining a network device topology from a first processing of the data trace, building user layer protocols using a second processing of the data trace and the determined device topology, determining errors in the network device topology using protocol experts applied to the user layer protocols in conjunction with the determined device topology, and displaying at least one of the device topology and the determined errors to a user.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide a scalable method for analyzing a network. The method includes generating a data trace representative of the network, determining a topology for the network from the data trace, and sequentially analyzing each frame in the data trace to determine at least one of network errors, warnings, and metrics. The analysis of each frame generally includes analyzing a first protocol layer of the frame with a first expert engine, determining if a second protocol layer is present in the frame, passing the frame to a second expert engine, and passing the frame to additional expert engines if the frame contains additional protocol layers.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide a method for analyzing a data trace representative of an FC network. The method includes determining a topology of the network, filtering the data trace for open commands that are not perceived by at least one analyzer positioned in communication with the network and eliminating devices associated with these open commands not received by an analyzer from further analysis, filtering the data trace for failed open commands and eliminating devices associated with the failed open commands from further analysis, and filtering the trace data for frames to destinations that are not received by the analyzer and eliminating devices associated with these frame from further analysis. The method further includes filtering frames transmitted when a loop is in closed state and eliminating devices associated with transmitting frames when a loop is closed from further analysis, and conducting error analysis of the network topology not eliminated by a filtering step.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide a method for analyzing a data trace representative of an FC network. The method includes determining a topology of the network, filtering the data trace for open commands that are not perceived by at least one analyzer positioned in communication with the network and eliminating devices associated with these open commands not received by an analyzer from further analysis, filtering the data trace for failed open commands and eliminating devices associated with the failed open commands from further analysis, and filtering the trace data for frames to destinations that are not received by the analyzer and eliminating devices associated with these frame from further analysis. The method further includes filtering frames transmitted when a loop is in closed state and eliminating devices associated with transmitting frames when a loop is closed from further analysis, and conducting error analysis of the network topology not eliminated by a filtering step.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide a scalable method for analyzing a network. The method includes generating a data trace representative of the network, determining a topology for the network from the data trace, and sequentially analyzing each frame in the data trace to determine at least one of network errors, warnings, and metrics. The analysis of each frame generally includes analyzing a first protocol layer of the frame with a first expert engine, determining if a second protocol layer is present in the frame, passing the frame to a second expert engine, and passing the frame to additional expert engines if the frame contains additional protocol layers.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide a method for determining network topology. The method includes capturing and storing channelized data with a network analyzer, interleaving the channelized data into a unitary data stream in chronological order, and processing the unitary data stream to extrapolate indicators of network elements.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide an expert analysis method for analyzing a network. The method includes capturing at least one bidirectional data trace from the network, determining a network topology, analyzing protocols in conversations between initiators and targets to determine if the protocols are valid using the determined network topology and known protocol standards, and displaying at least one of errors or warnings determined in the protocol and metrics calculated from the analysis of the protocols to a user.

Abstract: A wireless communication system employs a method and apparatus for accurately locating a communication device in the system. The communication system includes a system infrastructure that provides communication services to communication devices distributed throughout the communication system. Either on its own or, more preferably, responsive to a request from a requesting device for an accurate location of a particular communication device, the system infrastructure determines an approximate geographic location of the communication device. Based on the approximate location, the infrastructure transmits a request to the communication device for a more accurate location of the device preferably together with a map of an area that includes the approximate location of the device. The communication device preferably displays at least the map to a user of the device and, responsive to user input, transmits the more accurate location of the device to the system infrastructure.