Automatic topology monitor for multi-segment local area network
First Claim
1. A monitor for determining the topology of a local area network (LAN) that includes a plurality of end nodes arranged into multiple segments interconnected by segment interconnection devices, the topology monitor comprising:
- network manager means, connected to the LAN, for sending test-node messages to a plurality of the end nodes, the test-node messages of the type which do not require a response from the end nodes; and
a plurality of segment monitor means, connected via the LAN to the network manager means and the end nodes, with each segment monitor connected to a particular segment and thus certain ones of the end nodes, wherein each segment monitor includes;
means for receiving the test-node messages from the network manager means;
means for determining if the test-node messages received from the network manager means are intended for the certain ones of the end nodes connected to the particular segment; and
means for transmitting test-seen messages to the network manager means if the test-node messages are intended for one of the end nodes not connected to the particular segment.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A local area network (LAN) topology monitor including segment monitor nodes which report the presence of new end nodes to a network manager node. The segment monitors send a test-node message when requested by the network manager and inform the network manager of any test-node messages originating from other segments. The network manager uses the sequence of received new-node messages and test-node messages to determine the topology of the LAN. If one segment monitor reports a new node, the new node must be connected to the same segment as the reporting monitor. If multiple segment monitors report the presence of a new node, the network manager requests each reporting segment monitor to send a test-node message. Since the segment monitors report test-node messages received from other segment monitors, if only one segment monitor responds as having received a test-node message, then that segment contains the new node. Otherwise, the new node is off-segment. The presence of one or more bridges connected to particular segment may be similarly determined by having the network manager initiate on-segment test messages.
81 Citations
9 Claims
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1. A monitor for determining the topology of a local area network (LAN) that includes a plurality of end nodes arranged into multiple segments interconnected by segment interconnection devices, the topology monitor comprising:
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network manager means, connected to the LAN, for sending test-node messages to a plurality of the end nodes, the test-node messages of the type which do not require a response from the end nodes; and a plurality of segment monitor means, connected via the LAN to the network manager means and the end nodes, with each segment monitor connected to a particular segment and thus certain ones of the end nodes, wherein each segment monitor includes; means for receiving the test-node messages from the network manager means; means for determining if the test-node messages received from the network manager means are intended for the certain ones of the end nodes connected to the particular segment; and means for transmitting test-seen messages to the network manager means if the test-node messages are intended for one of the end nodes not connected to the particular segment.
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2. A monitor for determining the topology of a local area network (LAN), where the LAN includes a plurality of end nodes arranged into multiple segments interconnected by segment interconnection devices, the topology monitor comprising:
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network manager means, for transmitting a test-request message onto one of the LAN segments; and a plurality of segment monitor means, connected via the LAN to the network manager means and the end nodes, with each segment monitor connected to a particular segment, and wherein each segment monitor further includes; means for receiving the test-request message from the network manager means; means for transmitting a test-node message to one of the end nodes upon receipt of the test-request message from the network manager means; and means for transmitting a test-seen message to the network manager means upon receipt of a test-node message originated by another one of the segment monitor means. - View Dependent Claims (3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. A monitor for determining the topology of a local area network (LAN), wherein the LAN includes two LAN segments interconnected by a bridge, the LAN segments each including a plurality of end nodes, the topology monitor comprising:
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a network manager, connected to transmit a test-request message onto the LAN; and a pair of segment monitors, with each segment monitor connected via the LAN to the network manager as well as the end nodes, and with each segment monitor connected to a particular LAN segment, wherein each segment monitor further includes; means for receiving the test-request message from the network manager means; means for transmitting a test-node message to a particular one of the end nodes if the test-request message from the network manager means is intended for the particular end node; and means for transmitting a test-seen message to the network manager means upon receipt of a test-node message originated by another one of the segment monitor means.
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9. A monitor for determining the topology of a local area network (LAN), where the LAN includes a plurality of end nodes arranged into one or more segments interconnected by segment interconnection devices, the topology monitor comprising:
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network manager means, including; means for receiving a new-node message which indicates the presence of a new end node connected to the LAN; means for transmitting a test-request message in response to receipt of the new-node message, the test-request message requesting that a test message be sent to the new end node; and means for receiving a test-seen message in response to the test-request message; and a plurality of segment monitor means, connected via the LAN to the network manager means, wherein each segment monitor includes; means for detecting the presence of the new end node, and in response thereto, transmitting the new-node message to the network manager means; means for receiving the test-request message from the network manager means; means for transmitting a test-node message to the new end node if the test-request message from the network manager means is intended for this particular segment monitor; and means for transmitting the test-seen message to the network manager if the test-request message is intended for another segment monitor.
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Specification