Method and system for auto discovery of IP-based network elements
First Claim
1. A method for discovering network elements in a network having a plurality of subnets, each network element periodically issuing a unique multicast packet within its subnet, said method comprising the steps of:
- receiving a multicast packet from an issuing network element;
deriving an identification for said issuing network element from information included within said received multicast packet;
searching a subnet database for a table entry corresponding to said issuing network element identification;
adding said issuing network element identification to said subnet database if no corresponding said table entry is found in said subnet database; and
synchronizing a network database with said subnet databases,wherein the multicast packet comprises an element from the group consisting of the identification of the issuing network element, an internet protocol address, and a port number.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A system and method for discovering network elements are disclosed where each network element includes a multicast packet sender for issuing a multicast packet addressed to a unique group, including a local register host, located in a common subnet. A packet analyzer in the local register host determines the identification of the issuing network element for comparison with entries in a local register host device table. The device table is continually synchronized with a master device table resident in a central management station by either adding a new entry in the master device table if the issuing network element has come ‘online’ or by deleting an existing entry for a network element which has not issued a multicast packet within a specified time.
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Citations
23 Claims
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1. A method for discovering network elements in a network having a plurality of subnets, each network element periodically issuing a unique multicast packet within its subnet, said method comprising the steps of:
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receiving a multicast packet from an issuing network element; deriving an identification for said issuing network element from information included within said received multicast packet; searching a subnet database for a table entry corresponding to said issuing network element identification; adding said issuing network element identification to said subnet database if no corresponding said table entry is found in said subnet database; and synchronizing a network database with said subnet databases, wherein the multicast packet comprises an element from the group consisting of the identification of the issuing network element, an internet protocol address, and a port number. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. A system for managing network elements in a network having a plurality of subnets, said system comprising:
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a multicast packet sender resident in each network element to be discovered, said multicast packet sender for periodically issuing a unique multicast packet within a subnet corresponding to the multicast packet sender; at least one local register host in each subnet for receiving said multicast packet and for generating a synchronization data packet therefrom; and a central management station in communication with each subnet, said central management station for receiving said synchronization data packet from said at least one local register host, such that the presence of a particular functioning network element is conveyed to said central management station with the receipt of a respective said synchronization data packet. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
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20. A program storage device readable by a computer for performing a method for discovering network elements in a network having a plurality of subnets, said method comprising the steps of:
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receiving multicast packets within a respective subnet, each said received multicast packet including an identification associated with the network element issuing said multicast packet; sending a new network element entry including said identification to a network database if said network element issuing said multicast packet is not listed in a subnet database; and deleting a corresponding network database entry for a non-issuing network element if no multicast packet received from said non-issuing network element within a predefined table check time interval. - View Dependent Claims (21, 22, 23)
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Specification