Other

Finisar Corporation

Jds Uniphase Corporation

Dominic Coupal

Douglas R Durham

Jim Stager

Mark J Farley

Andrew James Milne

John P Arrington

Roumel R Garcia

Doug Durham

Santosh Ulkande

Systems, device and methods are provided for displaying time sorted data events captured in a multi-protocol communications system. Initially, data events are captured in connection with detection of one or more trigger conditions, and each captured data event includes a clock timestamp. The captured data events are then sorted and displayed by a graphical user interface according to their respective clock timestamp. Once the data events have been sorted and displayed, then the temporal relationships and causal relationships, if any, between and among the captured data events can be determined.

Systems and methods for time based sorting and display of captured data events in a multi-protocol communications system

Systems and methods are provided for facilitating analysis of a communications system through the use of a multi-protocol communications analyzer. A graphical user interface employed in connection with the multi-protocol communications analyzer enables a user to create a new domain, or modify an existing domain, that includes a list of ports selected by the user, where each port is associated with a particular communication link of the communications system. The ports are selected from a list of available ports displayed by the graphical user interface. The ports selected for inclusion in the domain can then be configured, by way of the graphical user interface, as desired. After the domain has been defined, the domain can then be used to analyze one or more of the links associated with the ports included in the domain.

Systems and methods for creation and use of a virtual protocol analyzer

Systems, device and methods are provided for determining a reference clock frequency for use by a multi-protocol analyzer in connection with a multi-protocol communications system. Initially, the clock frequencies for each of the links in the multi-protocol communications system are determined. The link clock frequencies are then used as a basis for determining the frequency of the reference clock. While the reference clock frequency is based upon the link clock frequencies, the reference clock frequency is different from each of the reference clock frequencies.

Systems and methods for definition and use of a common time base in multi-protocol environments

Generating program code to be used by a protocol analyzer based on definitional information relating to a data protocol. A protocol database that includes definitional information relating to characteristics of a protocol is stored. The definitional information, which is expressed in a computer-interpretable format, is processed to generate program code expressed in a programming language. The program code incorporates the definitional information and includes logic that is to be executed to interpret and analyze data packets having the protocol. In this manner, the program code to be used by the protocol analyzer is generated mechanically, without requiring software developers. When the program code needs to be updated in view of changes to existing protocols or the introduction of new protocols, the protocol database is updated. These updates are then propagated to the program code without requiring direct manipulation of the code by software developers.

Compiling protocol analysis code using protocol database

Presently preferred embodiments of the current invention are directed to a protocol analyzer for interpreting data frames captured on a communications network. The protocol analyzer includes a network interface connection for providing the electrical and physical connection to the communications network and for receiving data frames from the network in a particular physical layer protocol format. The protocol analyzer further includes analysis software for providing an interpretation of received data frames. The interpretation of a frame is based upon a series of definition constructs that are stored in a protocol definition file and a protocol database of the protocol analyzer. The definition constructs collectively define the characteristics of a data frame for a given physical layer protocol. Also, the constructs provide a means for identifying any one of a number of higher level protocols that may be embedded within the data frame. Also disclosed is a graphical user interface for use as a protocol editor for assembling the necessary definition constructs for inclusion in a protocol definition file. Further, embodiments of a graphical interface for displaying the results of interpreted frames is also disclosed.

Growing community of inventors

Santa Clara, CA, United States of America

Dominic Coupal