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Apparatus and method for discovering a topology for local area networks connected via transparent bridges

  • US 5,734,824 A
  • Filed: 12/03/1996
  • Issued: 03/31/1998
  • Est. Priority Date: 02/10/1993
  • Status: Expired due to Term
First Claim
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1. In a bridged local area network (LAN) communication system containing a plurality of LANs communicatively coupled via a plurality of transparent bridges, wherein each LAN includes a network management module (NMM), each NMM for controlling and monitoring communications between devices on its LAN and communications in and out of its LAN, a computer implemented method of determining an active topology of said bridged LAN, said computer implemented method comprising the computer implemented steps of:

  • constructing communication pathways between NMMs of said plurality of LANs, said step of constructing communication pathways operable within each transparent bridge; and

    determining the active topology of said bridged LAN utilizing said communication pathways to send and receive adjacency request messages and adjacency response messages between NMMs of different LANs and wherein adjacency to a particular LAN is determined by examining said adjacency response messages from said NMMs of different LANs resultant from said adjacency request messages sent by said NMMs of different LANs.

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