Method and system for network topology discovery
US8125927B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jun 18, 2009 |
| Grant date | Feb 28, 2012 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Feb 6, 2030 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH04L45/02
- WIPO fieldDigital communication
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
Methods and apparatus for topology discovery of a network having heterogeneous network devices are disclosed. A network appliance communicates with the network devices to acquire device descriptors and characterize the network devices accordingly. Topology discovery is based on device characteristics, media-access data, and encoded connectivity patterns, where each connectivity pattern is defined by devices of specific device types and respective media-access data. A topology deduction module of the network appliance synthesizes a network image starting with unconnected devices and progressively incorporating detected connectivity patterns.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.