Method and System for Automated Simulation of Cable Failure in a Network

Abstract

A method, system, and device for simulating cable failures in a network are provided. In one implementation, the method includes providing a network including a plurality of devices coupled to one another via a plurality of optical cables, in which one or more of the plurality of network devices comprises any one of a switch operable to provide fabric connectivity among devices within the network, a computer system, or a storage device. The method further includes coupling a programmable device on one of the plurality of optical cables, in which the programmable device is operable to be controlled to simulate a cable failure on the one optical cable having the programmable device coupled thereto. The programmable device provides number-controlled simulated cable failures.

1 . A method for simulating a cable failure in a network, the method comprising: 
 providing a network including a plurality of devices coupled to one another via a plurality of optical cables, wherein one or more of the plurality of devices comprises any one of a switch operable to provide fabric connectivity among devices within the network, a computer system, or a storage device; and    coupling a programmable device on one of the plurality of optical cables, the programmable device to be controlled to simulate a cable failure on the one optical cable having the programmable device coupled thereto,    wherein the programmable device provides number-controlled simulated cable failures.    
   
   
       2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the programmable device comprises a switch, control logic, and a converter.  
   
   
       3 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein the control logic provides commands associated with a simulation of a cable failure in the network.  
   
   
       4 . The method of  claim 3 , wherein the control logic receives the commands through a serial interface.  
   
   
       5 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein the converter comprises a gigabit interface converter (GBIC).  
   
   
       6 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein coupling a programmable device on one of the plurality of optical cables includes coupling the programmable device on the one optical cable at a point in the network where a simulated cable failure is desired.  
   
   
       7 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the one optical cable having the programmable device coupled thereto is a fiber channel I/O cable.  
   
   
       8 . A network comprising: 
 a plurality of devices, wherein one or more of the plurality of devices comprises any one of a switch operable to provide fabric connectivity among devices within the network, a computer system, or a storage device;    a plurality of optical cables for interconnecting the plurality of devices; and    a programmable device coupled to one of the plurality of optical cables, the programmable device to be controlled to simulate a cable failure on the one optical cable having the programmable device coupled thereto,    wherein the programmable device provides number-controlled simulated cable failures.    
   
   
       9 . The network of  claim 8 , wherein the programmable device is coupled to the one optical cable at a point in the network where a simulated cable failure is desired.  
   
   
       10 . The network of  claim 8 , wherein the programmable device comprises a switch, control logic, and a converter.  
   
   
       11 . The network of  claim 10 , wherein the control logic provides commands associated with a simulation of a cable failure in the network.  
   
   
       12 . The network of  claim 11 , further comprising a serial interface to provide the commands to the control logic.  
   
   
       13 . The network of  claim 10 , wherein the converter comprises a gigabit interface converter (GBIC).  
   
   
       14 . The network of  claim 8 , wherein the one optical cable having the programmable device coupled thereto is a fiber channel I/O cable.  
   
   
       15 . A programmable device to be controlled to simulate a cable failure on an optical cable in a network, the network including a plurality of network devices coupled to one another via a plurality of optical cables, one or more of the plurality of devices comprises any one of a switch operable to provide fabric connectivity among devices within the network, a computer system, or a storage device, the programmable device comprising: 
 a first converter to be coupled to a first end of an optical cable in the network;    a second converter to be coupled to a second end of the optical cable in the network;    a switch coupled between the first converter and the second converter; and    a control logic to control functioning of the switch coupled between the first converter and the second converter to simulate a cable failure on the optical cable in the network,    wherein the programmable device provides number-controlled simulated cable failures.    
   
   
       16 . The programmable device of  claim 15 , wherein the first converter and the second converter each comprises a gigabit interface converter (GBIC).  
   
   
       17 . The programmable device of  claim 15 , wherein the optical cable having the first converter and the second converter coupled thereto is a fiber channel I/O cable.  
   
   
       18 . The programmable device of  claim 15 , wherein the control logic receives commands to simulate the cable failure through a serial interface.