Generation And Management Of Network Connectivity Information

• US 20140192676A1
• Filed: 01/08/2013
• Published: 07/10/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 01/08/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Comcast Cable Communications LLC (Comcast Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Comcast Cable Communications LLC (Comcast Corporation)
• Inventors: Sullivan, Patrick F.
• Granted Patent: US 9,178,769 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 370/254
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 41/12 Discovery or management of network topologies
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 64/00 Locating users or terminals or network equipment for network management purposes, e.g. mobility management
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 84/18 Self-organising networks, e.g. ad-hoc networks or sensor networks
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 88/02 Terminal devices
• CPC Class Codes: Y04S 40/00 Systems for electrical power generation, transmission, distribution or end-user application management characterised by the use of communication or information technologies, or communication or information technology specific aspects supporting them

Abstract

Aspects of the disclosure relate to generation of network topology information for a network of assets, and management of such information. The management can comprise analysis and/or diagnostics of topology condition of a plurality of assets. In addition or in the alternative, the management can comprise consolidation of at least a portion of the network topology information in a data layer of the network of assets, or a network functionally coupled thereto. Integration of at least some of the network topology information with higher network layers also is disclosed.

Claims

1. A system, comprising:

a plurality of first devices connected to a first network device at a plurality of selected first locations at the first network device, each one of the plurality of first devices being configured to transmit wireless signals; and

a second device connected to a second network device at a selected second location in the second network device, the second device being connected to at least one first device of the plurality of first devices, and the second device being configured to transmit wireless signals.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the first network device is a network element comprises one or more of user equipment, customer premises equipment, a server, a data storage, or a connection link.

3. The system of claim 2, wherein the plurality of selected first locations in the first network device comprises one or more of a used connector of the network element, a non-used connector of the network element, a used port of the network element, or a non-used port of the network element.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein the second network device is a network element comprising one or more of user equipment, customer premises equipment, a server, a data storage, or a connection link.

5. The system of claim 4, wherein the selected second location in the second network device comprises one or more of a used connector of the network element, a non-used connector of the network element, a used port of the network element, or a non-used port of the network element.

6. The system of claim 1, wherein each first device of the plurality of first devices is associated with a respective internet protocol version 6 address.

7. The system of claim 1, wherein each first device of the plurality of first devices wirelessly transmits data indicative of a location of the plurality of selected first locations.

8. The system of claim 7, wherein each first device of the plurality of first devices transmits data indicative of the selected second location.

9. The system of claim 1, wherein the second device wirelessly transmits data indicative of a location of the second network device.

10. The system of claim 1, wherein the second device is associated with an internet protocol version 6 address.

11. The system of claim 1, wherein each first device of the plurality of first devices is a first radio frequency identification (RFID) device.

12. The system of claim 1, wherein the second electronic device is a second radio frequency identification (RFID) device.

13. The system of claim 1, wherein the second device is a female port and the at least one first device is a male plug.

14. A method, comprising:

receiving deployment information from a plurality of devices, wherein at least one of the plurality of devices is connected to a selected network location; and

generating topology information indicative of the plurality of devices based on the deployment information.

15. The method of claim 14, further comprising comparing the topology information from the plurality of devices to topology information of a previously detected plurality of devices.

16. The method of claim 14, wherein the deployment information comprises data indicative of one or more of a location of a first device of the plurality of devices and connectivity of the first device to a second device of the plurality of devices.

17. The method of claim 14, wherein the network topology comprises data indicative of each location of each one of the plurality of devices.

18. The method of claim 14, wherein the network topology comprises a connectivity map comprising data indicative of presence or absence of a connection among at least two devices of the plurality of devices, wherein the connection is one of a physical connection or a logical connection.

19. A method, comprising:

detecting a first device by a second device, wherein the first device is located proximate to a first network port and the second device is located proximate to a second network port, and wherein the first network port and the second network port are configured to form a network connection; and

providing data indicative of at least one of, location of the second device and connectivity of the second network port through the network connection to the first network port.

20. The method of claim 19, further comprising receiving a wireless signal from a third device and converting the signal to power for the second device.