Systems and methods for determining the network topology of a network
US7317693B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | May 12, 2004 |
| Grant date | Jan 8, 2008 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jul 7, 2026 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH04L41/0893
- WIPO fieldDigital communication
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A packet transmitted on a network is read and decoded. A network device and its operating system are identified by analyzing the decoded packet. If more than one operating system is identified from the decoded packet, the operating system is selecting by comparing confidence values assigned to the operating systems identified. A service running on the network device is identified from the decoded packet or subsequent packets that are read, decoded and analyzed. The network topology of a network is determined by reading, decoding, and analyzing a plurality of packets. A flow between two network devices is determined by reading, decoding, and analyzing a plurality of packets. Vulnerabilities are assigned to operating systems and services identified by reading, decoding, and analyzing packets. Network configuration policy is enforced on operating systems and services identified by reading, decoding, and analyzing packets.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.