Network topology discovery systems and methods and their use in testing frameworks for determining suitability of a network for target applications
First Claim
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1. A method for discovery of topology of devices in a network, comprising:
- discovering devices in said network;
discovering connections between said devices; and
discovering multi-layer paths between devices in said network along said connections.
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Abstract
A system discovers the topology of devices in a network, such as all of the layer-2 and layer-3 devices, including routers and switches. The devices are mapped, as well as the links that join them. The devices are polled using SNMP requests. Route tables are derived from each router to determine addresses of the devices. A spanning tree process is used to discover layer-2 devices. Connections between layers are then discovered. Where information is incomplete, an undiscovered router cloud is recognized.
388 Citations
49 Claims
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1. A method for discovery of topology of devices in a network, comprising:
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discovering devices in said network;
discovering connections between said devices; and
discovering multi-layer paths between devices in said network along said connections. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43)
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33. A system for topological discovery of devices in a network, comprising:
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a query apparatus for sending SNMP queries to each device in the network and receiving responses there from;
a classifying apparatus for determining a type of each device responding to the query;
an alias detection apparatus for determining addresses that belong to the same device;
an address filtering apparatus for removing results from invalid addresses; and
a table collection apparatus for collecting tables from each device in said network. - View Dependent Claims (34)
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35. A system for topological discovery of devices in a network, comprising:
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a layer-3 direct connection analysis apparatus for finding connections between layer-3 devices;
a layer-2 direct connection analysis apparatus for finding connections between layer-2 devices; and
a multilayer connection analysis apparatus for finding connections between layer-3 devices and layer-2 devices. - View Dependent Claims (36)
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37. A system for topological path discovery through devices in a network, comprising:
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a layer-3 path analysis apparatus for finding a layer-3 path between pairs of layer-3 devices;
a layer-2 path analysis apparatus for finding a layer-2 path between layer-3 devices;
a multilayer path analysis apparatus for finding a path between devices using both layer-3 and layer-2 devices. - View Dependent Claims (38)
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44. A system for topological discovery of devices in a network, comprising:
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a query apparatus for sending polling queries to each device in the network and receiving responses there from;
a classifying apparatus for determining a type of each device responding to the query;
an alias detection apparatus for determining addresses that belong to the same device;
an address filtering apparatus for removing results from invalid addresses;
a table collection apparatus for collecting tables from each device in said network;
an uncertainty analysis apparatus for identifying representations of undiscovered regions in the said network; and
a manual intervention apparatus for enabling modifications to the discovered topology from the user. - View Dependent Claims (45)
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46. A system for topological discovery of devices in a network, comprising:
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a layer-3 direct connection analysis apparatus for finding connections between layer-3 devices;
a layer-2 direct connection analysis apparatus for finding connections between layer-2 devices;
a multilayer connection analysis apparatus for finding connections between layer-3 devices and layer-2 devices;
an analysis apparatus for finding connections between discovered devices and representations of undiscovered regions; and
a manual intervention apparatus for reflecting user input on interconnections between devices in the network. - View Dependent Claims (47)
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48. A system for topological path discovery through devices in a network, comprising:
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a layer-3 path analysis apparatus for finding a layer-3 path between pairs of layer-3 devices;
a layer-2 path analysis apparatus for finding a layer-2 path between layer-3 devices;
a multilayer path analysis apparatus for finding a path between devices using both layer-3 and layer-2 devices;
an apparatus for including representations of undiscovered regions and their connections to discovered devices along layer-3 and multi-layer paths; and
a manual intervention apparatus for reflecting user input on layer-3 and multi-layer paths in the network. - View Dependent Claims (49)
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Specification