US Patent 8000252 Multi-path network element monitoring

A network element is configured to function as a first virtual element and a second virtual element. A first monitoring packet is sent to the first virtual element via a label switched path. A second monitoring packet is sent to the second virtual element via an internet protocol path that includes at least a portion of the internet. A first condition of the network element is determined based on a response to the first monitoring packet. A second condition of the network element is determined based on a response to the second monitoring packet.