Multi-path network element monitoring

1. A method of monitoring a network, comprising:

in a network monitor element performing the following steps:

sending a first monitoring packet to a first virtual element via a first label switched path, wherein a network element is configured to function as the first virtual element and a second virtual element;

sending a second monitoring packet to the second virtual element via an internet protocol path, wherein the internet protocol path includes a first internet interface, at least a portion of the internet, and a second internet interface;

receiving a first response to the first monitoring packet via a second label switched path;

determining a first condition of the first virtual element based on the first response to the first monitoring packet;

determining a second condition of the second virtual element based on a second response to the second monitoring packet; and

determining a condition of the network element based on the first condition and the second condition.

2. The method of claim 1 , further comprising:

in the network monitor element:

sending a third monitoring packet to the first virtual element via the first label switched path; and,

determining a third condition of the first virtual element based on a lack of a response to the third monitoring packet.

3. The method of claim 2 , further comprising:

in the network monitor element:

sending a fourth monitoring packet to the second virtual element via the internet protocol path;

determining a fourth condition of the second virtual element based on a lack of a response to the fourth monitoring packet; and

suppressing a signaling of the fourth condition based on the third condition.

4. The method of claim 1 , further comprising:

in the network monitor element:

sending a third monitoring packet to the second virtual element via the internet protocol path; and,

determining a third condition of the second virtual element based on a lack of a response to the third monitoring packet.

5. The method of claim 4 , further comprising:

in the network monitor element:

sending a fourth monitoring packet to the first virtual element via the first label switched path;

determining a fourth condition of the first virtual element based on a lack of a response to the fourth monitoring packet; and

suppressing the signaling of the fourth condition based on the third condition.

6. The method of claim 1 , further comprising:

in the network monitor element, receiving the second response via the second label switched path.

7. The method of claim 1 , further comprising:

in the network monitor element, receiving the second response via the internet protocol path.

8. A communication system, comprising:

a first network element configured as a first virtual element and a second virtual element;

a first label switched path between a monitor element and the first network element;

a first internet interface coupled to the monitor element;

a second internet interface coupled to the first network element;

the monitor element configured to send a first monitoring packet to the first virtual element via the first label switched path and a second monitoring packet to the second virtual element via the first internet interface, a portion of the internet, and the second internet interface; and

the monitor element further configured to receive a first response to the first monitoring packet via a second label switched path, determine a first condition of the first virtual element based on the first response to the first monitoring packet, determine a second condition of the second virtual element based on a second response to the second monitoring packet, and determine a condition of the network element based on the first condition and the second condition.

9. The communication system of claim 8 , wherein the monitoring element is further configured to send a third monitoring packet to the first virtual element via the first label switched path and determine a third condition of the first virtual element based on a lack of response to the third monitoring packet.

10. The communication system of claim 9 , wherein the monitoring element is further configured to:

send a fourth monitoring packet to the second virtual element via the first internet interface and the second internet interface;

determine a fourth condition for the second virtual element based on a lack of response to the fourth monitoring packet; and

signal the fourth condition for the network element based on the second condition and the third condition.

11. The communication system of claim 8 , wherein the monitoring element is further configured to send a third monitoring packet to the second virtual element via the first internet interface and the second internet interface, and determine a third condition of the network element based on a lack of response to the third monitoring packet.

12. The communication system of claim 11 , wherein the monitoring element is further configured to:

send a fourth monitoring packet to the second virtual element via the first label switched path;

determine a fourth condition for the first virtual element based on a lack of response to the fourth monitoring packet; and,

signal the fourth condition for the network element based on the second condition and the third condition.

13. The communication system of claim 8 , wherein the monitoring element is further configured to receive the second response via the second label switched path.

14. The communication system of claim 8 , wherein the monitoring element is further configured to receive the second response via a path that includes the first internet interface.

15. A program storage device readable by a machine, tangibly embodying a program of instructions executable by the machine to perform method steps to operate a communication system, the method comprising:

configuring a network element to function as a first virtual element and a second virtual element;

in a network monitor element performing the following steps:

sending a first monitoring packet to the first virtual element via a first label switched path;

sending a second monitoring packet to the second virtual element via an internet protocol path, wherein the internet protocol path includes a first internet interface, at least a portion of the internet, and a second internet interface;

receiving a first response to the first monitoring packet via a second label switched path;

determining a first condition of the first virtual element based on the first response to the first monitoring packet;

determining a second condition of the second virtual element based on a second response to the second monitoring packet; and

determining a condition of the network element based on the first condition and the second condition.

16. The program storage device of claim 15 , wherein the method further comprises:

sending a third monitoring packet to the first virtual element via the first label switched path; and,

determining a third condition of the first virtual element based on a lack of a response to the third monitoring packet.

17. The program storage device of claim 15 , wherein the method further comprises:

sending a third monitoring packet to the second virtual element via the internet protocol path; and,

determining a third condition of the second virtual element based on a lack of a response to the third monitoring packet.

18. The program storage device of claim 15 , wherein the method further comprises:

receiving the second response via the second label switched path.