Abstract: A network has a plurality of devices connected together in pairs. When a physical connection between a pair of devices is initiated, the devices exchange information regarding a unique device identifier, and details of the physical connection. This information is provided in a report to a network manager. When a failure occurs on the network, the connection information is used to locate the failure.

Abstract: A communication link manager for problem determination and recovery of a failing resource on a communication link segment in a data communication network. When a problem occurs on a link segment, the using node passes link event data to the communication link manager for analysis. The communication link manager interacts with a configuration data base to determine the physical configuration of the failing link segment and the controlling link connection subsystem manager. The communication link manager directs the appropriate link connection subsystem manager to initiate tests of the various link connection components on the link segment under its control. When the failing resource is identified, the communication link manager initiates the appropriate non-disruptive recovery procedure through the link connection subsystem manager and prompts the data link control to restart the line.

Abstract: The construction and display of operator messages representative of alert conditions in a network is described. Code points, which are strings of bits, are generated in response to an event in a device attached to the network. The code points are used to index predefined tables that contain relatively short units of text messages in operator selectable languages to be used in building an operator's information display. A product attached to a network, an alert sender, will generate a series of code points representative of desired display messages for an operator. The messages are indepedent of the specific alert sending product insofar as an alert receiver is concerned. The operator can also choose between detailed and general display messages. The code points are hierarchically arranged so that if the alert receiver does not have the most up to date set of messages, the alert receiver will display a more generic message which is still representative of the event.

Abstract: Data communications neworks may be composed of many different physical devices linked together in various layers and using various protocols for communication. The multiple physical elements that make up such communication networks or links are often supplied by diverse vendors. As a result, isolation and diagnosis of communication failures becomes an extremely difficult and cumbersome process. The present system and method simplify the process greatly by premitting a system control operator or control application program to issue generic, non-device-specific problem isolation, control or diagnostic commands to the communication neetwork by identifying the link and target node for which problem isolation and diagnosis is required.