US Patent 7672245 Method, device, and system for detecting layer 2 loop

A request-packet transmitting unit transmits a predetermined number of request packets having a non-unicast destination address that can be received by a target network including a network identified by a first network address, from a monitoring network identified by a second network address different from the first network address through a layer 3 relay device. A layer 2 loop detecting unit receives response packets corresponding to transmitted request packets through the layer 3 relay device, and detects a layer 2 loop in the target network based on number of received response packets and number of transmitted request packets.