Abstract: Deadlocks are avoided in performing failovers in communications environments that include partnered interfaces. An ordered set of steps are performed to failover from one interface of a partnered interface to another interface of the partnered interface such that deadlocks are avoided.

Abstract: In a communications network having a plurality of interconnected nodes adapted to communicate with each other by transmitting packets over links, with more than one path available between source-destination node pairs, a network interface is associated with each node. Each network interface has a plurality of route tables for defining a plurality of routes for transferring packets from the associated node as source node to a destination node. Each network interface further includes a path status table of path status indicators, e.g., bits, for indicating whether each route in the route table is usable or unusable as being associated with a fault. A network manager monitors the network to identify link events, and provides path status indicators to the respective network interfaces. The network manager determines the path status indicator updates with reference to a link level of each link event, and consolidates multiple substantially simultaneous link events.

Abstract: A series of state transitions is indicative of performance of hardware service actions. A transition from, for instance, a disconnected state to a connected state for a hardware component is indicative of performance of a service action for the hardware component. Detection of this transition is automatic.

Abstract: In a communications network having a plurality of nodes adapted to communicate with each other, and more than one path available between most source-destination node-pairs, a network interface is associated with each node. Each network interface has a plurality of route tables for defining a plurality of routes for transferring each packet from a source node to a destination node. Each network interface further includes a path status table of path status indicators, e.g., bits, for indicating whether each route in the route tables is usable or is unusable as being associated with a fault. The network manager monitors the network to identify faults and provides the path status indicators to the respective network interfaces. Failed routes in the network are avoided based on the path status indicators. When a failed route is restored, such that the route is usable again, the path status table indicates that the usable state is restored.

Abstract: Endpoint identifiers are dynamically assigned to network interfaces, in response to a change in physical connection. When a physical connection associated with a network interface is changed, such as a cable coupling the network interface to an endpoint is moved from one location to another location, a new endpoint identifier is assigned to the network interface. The new endpoint identifier is based on the location of the new endpoint.

Abstract: A network exploration is performed to initialize one or more network elements of the network. If during the network exploration a failure is encountered, a systematic and deterministic approach is used to accurately and particularly identify the faulty network component that caused the failure.

Abstract: Network managers are operated in verification mode to facilitate error handling of communications networks. In verification mode, error reporting remains enabled, even for those components of a communications network reporting errors. A step-by-step procedure is provided for handling each type of error that is detected. Subsequent to handling any reported errors, the network manager is removed from verification mode and may be placed in production mode.