International Business Machines Corporation

David Warren Kline

Yuan-Chang Lo

Nicole Dawn Hartman

A method and system for specifying a targeted device by its network address and inducing the targeted device to produce a user detectable action are disclosed. Initially, an echo locator is invoked by the user at a first device (the initiating device), such as by entering a predetermined keyboard sequence. Upon invoking the locator, the targeted device is then specified by the user with an IP address, a host name, or with some other suitable identifier. If the targeted device is specified indirectly, the locator determines the network device that is associated with the specified device. Once the targeted devices has been identified, the locator of the user device issues one or more messages such as ICMP echo requests that generate a response from the targeted device. In one embodiment, the echo requests do not produce a response unless a threshold number of locator requests are detected within a predetermined time limit.

Echo locator for computer network

A cable suitable for use in a data processing network is disclosed. The cable includes an electrically insulating shielding, a signal carrying element enclosed by the shielding, and an identifying element embedded in the shielding. The identifying element is suitable for transporting light from a first end of the cable to a second end and for externally emitting the light at the second end. The signal carrying element be implemented as a twisted wire pair, a coaxial cable, or an optical fiber. The identifying element may include an optical fiber that is connected to a lens embedded in the shield at the second end of the cable. The first end of the optical fiber may be connected to another lens that is embedded in the shielding at the first end of the cable. Alternatively, the first end of the optical fiber may be connected to an LED, which is connected to a circuit including a battery aid a contact switch. The identifying element may include a light pipe connected between the optical fiber and the lens embedded in the surface of the cable at the second end. The cable may further include a second light pipe and connected to a lens embedded in the surface of the cable at the first end.

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Cedar Park, TX, United States of America

David Warren Kline