Patents by Inventor Troy Kau

Troy Kau has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 10742514
    Abstract: A method for determining network topology of a provider network includes selecting a first network element, selecting a first port on the first network element, and iteratively performing connectivity validation tests using the first port, wherein each connectivity validation test is associated with a type of network element and yields a result that indicates whether a second port on a second network element of the associated type is connected to the first port. A system for discovering topology of a network, the system comprising a topology discovery engine in operable communication with a near network element and operable to identify a first port of a far network element that is connected to a second port of the near network element by remotely altering operation of the near network element to cause the second network element to respond in a manner that identifies the first port.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2020
    Assignee: Level 3 Communications, LLC
    Inventors: Joshua D. Voigt, Christopher T. Coston, Robert J. Feuerstein, Daniel Youngblood, Dan Rosenstock, Troy Kau, Greg Bernhardt
  • Publication number: 20190296981
    Abstract: A method for determining network topology of a provider network includes selecting a first network element, selecting a first port on the first network element, and iteratively performing connectivity validation tests using the first port, wherein each connectivity validation test is associated with a type of network element and yields a result that indicates whether a second port on a second network element of the associated type is connected to the first port. A system for discovering topology of a network, the system comprising a topology discovery engine in operable communication with a near network element and operable to identify a first port of a far network element that is connected to a second port of the near network element by remotely altering operation of the near network element to cause the second network element to respond in a manner that identifies the first port.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 5, 2019
    Publication date: September 26, 2019
    Inventors: Joshua D. Voigt, Christopher T. Coston, Robert J. Feuerstein, Daniel Youngblood, Dan Rosenstock, Troy Kau, Greg Bernhardt
  • Patent number: 10257044
    Abstract: A method for determining network topology of a provider network includes selecting a first network element, selecting a first port on the first network element, and iteratively performing connectivity validation tests using the first port, wherein each connectivity validation test is associated with a type of network element and yields a result that indicates whether a second port on a second network element of the associated type is connected to the first port. A system for discovering topology of a network, the system comprising a topology discovery engine in operable communication with a near network element and operable to identify a first port of a far network element that is connected to a second port of the near network element by remotely altering operation of the near network element to cause the second network element to respond in a manner that identifies the first port.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2019
    Assignee: Level 3 Communications, LLC
    Inventors: Joshua D. Voigt, Christopher T. Coston, Robert J. Feuerstein, Daniel Youngblood, Dan Rosenstock, Troy Kau, Greg Bernhardt
  • Publication number: 20180034706
    Abstract: A method for determining network topology of a provider network includes selecting a first network element, selecting a first port on the first network element, and iteratively performing connectivity validation tests using the first port, wherein each connectivity validation test is associated with a type of network element and yields a result that indicates whether a second port on a second network element of the associated type is connected to the first port. A system for discovering topology of a network, the system comprising a topology discovery engine in operable communication with a near network element and operable to identify a first port of a far network element that is connected to a second port of the near network element by remotely altering operation of the near network element to cause the second network element to respond in a manner that identifies the first port.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 9, 2017
    Publication date: February 1, 2018
    Inventors: Joshua D. Voigt, Christopher T. Coston, Robert J. Feuerstein, Daniel Youngblood, Dan Rosenstock, Troy Kau, Greg Bernhardt
  • Patent number: 9787547
    Abstract: A method for determining network topology of a provider network includes selecting a first network element, selecting a first port on the first network element, and iteratively performing connectivity validation tests using the first port, wherein each connectivity validation test is associated with a type of network element and yields a result that indicates whether a second port on a second network element of the associated type is connected to the first port. A system for discovering topology of a network, the system comprising a topology discovery engine in operable communication with a near network element and operable to identify a first port of a far network element that is connected to a second port of the near network element by remotely altering operation of the near network element to cause the second network element to respond in a manner that identifies the first port.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2017
    Assignee: Level 3 Communications, LLC
    Inventors: Joshua D. Voigt, Christopher T. Coston, Robert J. Feuerstein, Daniel Youngblood, Dan Rosenstock, Troy Kau, Greg Bernhardt
  • Publication number: 20150295773
    Abstract: A method for determining network topology of a provider network includes selecting a first network element, selecting a first port on the first network element, and iteratively performing connectivity validation tests using the first port, wherein each connectivity validation test is associated with a type of network element and yields a result that indicates whether a second port on a second network element of the associated type is connected to the first port. A system for discovering topology of a network, the system comprising a topology discovery engine in operable communication with a near network element and operable to identify a first port of a far network element that is connected to a second port of the near network element by remotely altering operation of the near network element to cause the second network element to respond in a manner that identifies the first port.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 23, 2015
    Publication date: October 15, 2015
    Applicant: Level 3 Communications, LLC
    Inventors: Joshua D. Voigt, Christopher T. Coston, Robert J. Feuerstein, Daniel Youngblood, Dan Rosenstock, Troy Kau, Greg Bernhardt
  • Patent number: 8990423
    Abstract: A method for determining network topology of a provider network includes selecting a first network element, selecting a first port on the first network element, and iteratively performing connectivity validation tests using the first port, wherein each connectivity validation test is associated with a type of network element and yields a result that indicates whether a second port on a second network element of the associated type is connected to the first port. A system for discovering topology of a network, the system comprising a topology discovery engine in operable communication with a near network element and operable to identify a first port of a far network element that is connected to a second port of the near network element by remotely altering operation of the near network element to cause the second network element to respond in a manner that identifies the first port.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2015
    Inventors: Joshua D. Voigt, Christopher T. Coston, Robert J. Feuerstein, Daniel Youngblood, Dan Rosenstock, Troy Kau, Greg Bernhardt
  • Patent number: 8750137
    Abstract: A communication line is installed in a network by automating a design phase and a configuration phase for the service and by automating failure recovery in either of the phases. In the design phase, an optimal route for the communication line is found, and the network components are provisioned and assigned. If the assigned network components are not available or can not be validated, the components causing the failure are marked, and the design phase is retried without the marked components. After the design phase, the configuration phase begins. The circuit design is tested against actual network components. If the test is passed, the actual network is configured according to the circuit design and the circuit is activated. If there is a network component failure during the configuration phase, the good route elements in the design are released while the failed network components are marked. The design phase is retried.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2014
    Assignee: Level 3 Communications, LLC
    Inventors: Richard L. Wall, Gary L. Ryczek, James A. Loukatos, Alex J. Henes, Jeffrey L. Martin, Brett P. Hollman, Thomas G. Hoople, George T. Joseph, Troy Kau
  • Patent number: 8352632
    Abstract: A method for determining network topology of a provider network includes selecting a first network element, selecting a first port on the first network element, and iteratively performing connectivity validation tests using the first port, wherein each connectivity validation test is associated with a type of network element and yields a result that indicates whether a second port on a second network element of the associated type is connected to the first port. A system for discovering topology of a network, the system comprising a topology discovery engine in operable communication with a near network element and operable to identify a first port of a far network element that is connected to a second port of the near network element by remotely altering operation of the near network element to cause the second network element to respond in a manner that identifies the first port.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2013
    Assignee: Level 3 Communications, LLC
    Inventors: Joshua D. Voigt, Christopher T. Coston, Robert J. Feuerstein, Daniel Youngblood, Dan Rosenstock, Troy Kau, Greg Bernhardt
  • Publication number: 20120324105
    Abstract: A communication line is installed in a network by automating a design phase and a configuration phase for the service and by automating failure recovery in either of the phases. In the design phase, an optimal route for the communication line is found, and the network components are provisioned and assigned. If the assigned network components are not available or can not be validated, the components causing the failure are marked, and the design phase is retried without the marked components. After the design phase, the configuration phase begins. The circuit design is tested against actual network components. If the test is passed, the actual network is configured according to the circuit design and the circuit is activated. If there is a network component failure during the configuration phase, the good route elements in the design are released while the failed network components are marked. The design phase is retried.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 27, 2012
    Publication date: December 20, 2012
    Applicant: LEVEL 3 COMMUNICATIONS, LLC
    Inventors: Richard L. Wall, Gary L. Ryczek, James A. Loukatos, Alex J. Henes, Jeffrey L. Martin, Brett P. Hollman, Thomas G. Hoople, George T. Joseph, Troy Kau
  • Patent number: 8254275
    Abstract: A communication line is installed in a network by automating a design phase and a configuration phase for the service and by automating failure recovery in either of the phases. In the design phase, an optimal route for the communication line is found, and the network components are provisioned and assigned. If the assigned network components are not available or can not be validated, the components causing the failure are marked, and the design phase is retried without the marked components. After the design phase, the configuration phase begins. The circuit design is tested against actual network components. If the test is passed, the actual network is configured according to the circuit design and the circuit is activated. If there is a network component failure during the configuration phase, the good route elements in the design are released while the failed network components are marked. The design phase is retried.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2012
    Assignee: Level 3 Communications, LLC
    Inventors: Richard L. Wall, Gary L. Ryczek, James A. Loukatos, Alex J. Henes, Jeffrey L. Martin, Brett P. Hollman, Thomas G. Hoople, George T. Joseph, Troy Kau
  • Publication number: 20100284307
    Abstract: A communication line is installed in a network by automating a design phase and a configuration phase for the service and by automating failure recovery in either of the phases. In the design phase, an optimal route for the communication line is found, and the network components are provisioned and assigned. If the assigned network components are not available or can not be validated, the components causing the failure are marked, and the design phase is retried without the marked components. After the design phase, the configuration phase begins. The circuit design is tested against actual network components. If the test is passed, the actual network is configured according to the circuit design and the circuit is activated. If there is a network component failure during the configuration phase, the good route elements in the design are released while the failed network components are marked. The design phase is retried.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 19, 2010
    Publication date: November 11, 2010
    Applicant: Level 3 Communications, LLC
    Inventors: Richard L. Wall, Gary L. Ryczek, James A. Loukatos, Alex J. Henes, Jeffrey L. Martin, Brett P. Hollman, Thomas G. Hoople, George T. Joseph, Troy Kau
  • Patent number: 7760658
    Abstract: A communication line is installed in a network by automating a design phase and a configuration phase for the service and by automating failure recovery in either of the phases. In the design phase, an optimal route for the communication line is found, and the network components are provisioned and assigned. If the assigned network components are not available or can not be validated, the components causing the failure are marked, and the design phase is retried without the marked components. After the design phase, the configuration phase begins. The circuit design is tested against actual network components. If the test is passed, the actual network is configured according to the circuit design and the circuit is activated. If there is a network component failure during the configuration phase, the good route elements in the design are released while the failed network components are marked. The design phase is retried.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 20, 2010
    Assignee: Level 3 Communications, LLC
    Inventors: Richard L. Wall, Gary L. Ryczek, James A. Loukatos, Alex J. Henes, Jeffrey L. Martin, Brett P. Hollman, Thomas G. Hoople, George T. Joseph, Troy Kau
  • Publication number: 20070206516
    Abstract: A communication line is installed in a network by automating a design phase and a configuration phase for the service and by automating failure recovery in either of the phases. In the design phase, an optimal route for the communication line is found, and the network components are provisioned and assigned. If the assigned network components are not available or can not be validated, the components causing the failure are marked, and the design phase is retried without the marked components. After the design phase, the configuration phase begins. The circuit design is tested against actual network components. If the test is passed, the actual network is configured according to the circuit design and the circuit is activated. If there is a network component failure during the configuration phase, the good route elements in the design are released while the failed network components are marked. The design phase is retried.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 7, 2007
    Publication date: September 6, 2007
    Applicant: LEVEL 3 COMMUNICATIONS, LLC
    Inventors: Richard Wall, Gary Ryczek, James Loukatos, Alex Henes, Jeffrey Martin, Brett Hollman, Thomas Hoople, George Joseph, Troy Kau