Monitoring communications networks

摘要

Selected data (LSP 1, LSP 2 ) is monitored among other data passing through label switched paths (LSPs) of a communications network of interconnected label switching routers (LSR-LSR 4 ). The method comprises designating at least one of the routers (LSR 3 ) as a monitoring station and at least one of the routers (here LSR 3 also) as a probe interface station, and connecting a probe apparatus to that interface station. The monitoring station (LSR 3 ) is configured to multicast forward the selected data for monitoring additionally to the probe apparatus via the probe interface ( 506 ). Also disclosed is a probe apparatus including means for configuring the router to perform multicast forwarding of selected data to the interface.