Method and Apparatus for Connection Exploration in a Network
First Claim
1. A method for connection exploration in a network including a plurality of network elements each including at least one port, wherein a globally unique identifier is assigned to each individual port of said network elements, and wherein connected ports of two network elements transfer their globally unique identifiers over a corresponding connection using heartbeat-ordered sequences, said method comprising:
- capturing said transferred globally unique identifiers at receiving ports;
storing each of said captured globally unique identifiers at a corresponding receiving port;
reading out said transferred globally unique identifiers stored at each port of said network elements using an in-band access;
matching said read out globally unique identifiers to a hardware configuration data set to identify connected network elements and connections between said connected network elements; and
recording information about existing connections between said network elements.
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Abstract
An improved method for connection exploration in a network is disclosed, wherein said network includes a plurality of network elements each including at least one port, wherein a globally unique identifier is assigned to each individual port of said network elements, and wherein connected ports of two network elements transfer their globally unique identifiers over a corresponding connection using heartbeat-ordered sequences. The method comprises capturing said transferred globally unique identifiers at receiving ports, storing each of said captured globally unique identifiers at a corresponding receiving port, reading out said transferred globally unique identifiers stored at each port of said network elements using an in-band access, matching said read out globally unique identifiers to a hardware configuration data set to identify connected network elements and connections between said connected network elements, and recording information about existing connections between said network elements.
49 Citations
20 Claims
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1. A method for connection exploration in a network including a plurality of network elements each including at least one port, wherein a globally unique identifier is assigned to each individual port of said network elements, and wherein connected ports of two network elements transfer their globally unique identifiers over a corresponding connection using heartbeat-ordered sequences, said method comprising:
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capturing said transferred globally unique identifiers at receiving ports; storing each of said captured globally unique identifiers at a corresponding receiving port; reading out said transferred globally unique identifiers stored at each port of said network elements using an in-band access; matching said read out globally unique identifiers to a hardware configuration data set to identify connected network elements and connections between said connected network elements; and recording information about existing connections between said network elements. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. An apparatus for connection exploration in a network including a plurality of network elements each including at least one port, wherein a support element assigns a globally unique identifier to each individual port of said network elements, wherein an exploration facility is configured to force transceivers of connected ports of two network elements to transfer their assigned globally unique identifiers over a corresponding connection using heartbeat-ordered sequences, characterized in that:
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said transferred globally unique identifiers are captured at receiving ports, and stored in corresponding registers at said receiving ports; said exploration facility is configured to read out said transferred globally unique identifiers stored in said registers using an in-band access to each port of said network elements; said exploration facility is further configured to match said read out globally unique identifiers to a hardware configuration data set stored in a database to identify connected network elements and connections between said connected network elements; and said exploration facility is further configured to record information about existing connections between said network elements. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification