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Method for determining topology of a network

  • US 5,684,959 A
  • Filed: 04/19/1995
  • Issued: 11/04/1997
  • Est. Priority Date: 04/19/1995
  • Status: Expired due to Fees
First Claim
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1. A method for constructing and displaying a map of the connections between stations of a token ring type of computer network, said method comprising the steps of:

  • (a) receiving neighbor information management information data frames from each active station within said network;

    (b) defining a data structure for each active station on said network, wherein said data structure identifies the station immediately upstream of a station for which the data structure is defined;

    (c) building a station list within a memory of a computer system that receives said data frames, wherein said station list links said stations in an order that each receives a token passed between stations of said network, comprising the steps of(c1) selecting one of said active stations for said station list, wherein said active station has not been previously selected,(c2) if said active station selected in step (c1) has identified an upstream station immediately upstream of said station and said upstream station is an active station, and said upstream station is not the upstream station of any other station, placing said upstream station on said station list, otherwise placing a gap structure on said station list, wherein said gap structure defines an unknown upstream station, and(c3) repeating steps (c1) through (c2) for each station that has sent neighbor information;

    (d) transmitting a request to all stations of said network to request station management information;

    (e) receiving station management information data frames from each active station within said network;

    (f) building a port connection data structure within a memory of a computer system that receives said data frames, wherein said port connection data structure contains connections between each of said stations of said network; and

    (g) displaying said station list and said port connection data structure on a display device connected to said computer system.

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