Method and apparatus for determining network topology in a peer-to-peer network
First Claim
1. A method for determining a network topology in a peer-to-peer network, the method comprising:
- performing a tracerouting operation to obtain a traceroute from a first client to a directory server, wherein a traceroute is a map of a path through which a packet travels between the first client and the directory server, including addresses of routers through which the packet travels;
determining a MAC address of a gateway of the first client;
sending the traceroute and the MAC address to the directory server from the first client; and
using the traceroute at the directory server to build a router graph;
wherein the router graph represents a topology of the peer-to-peer network; and
wherein the directory server can use the MAC address to determine if any other clients are on a same subnet as the first client.
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Accused Products
Abstract
One embodiment of the present invention provides a system that facilitates determining the network topology in a peer-to-peer network. The system operates by performing a tracerouting operation to obtain a traceroute from a first client to a directory server, wherein a traceroute describes a path through which a packet travels between the first client and the directory server, including addresses of the routers through which the packet travels. Next, the system sends the traceroute to the directory server from the first client. The directory server then uses the traceroute to build a router graph that represents the topology of the peer-to-peer network.
44 Citations
18 Claims
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1. A method for determining a network topology in a peer-to-peer network, the method comprising:
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performing a tracerouting operation to obtain a traceroute from a first client to a directory server, wherein a traceroute is a map of a path through which a packet travels between the first client and the directory server, including addresses of routers through which the packet travels; determining a MAC address of a gateway of the first client; sending the traceroute and the MAC address to the directory server from the first client; and using the traceroute at the directory server to build a router graph; wherein the router graph represents a topology of the peer-to-peer network; and wherein the directory server can use the MAC address to determine if any other clients are on a same subnet as the first client. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
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7. A computer-readable storage medium storing instructions that when executed by a computer cause the computer to perform a method for determining a network topology in a peer-to-peer network, the method comprising:
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performing a tracerouting operation to obtain a traceroute from a first client to a directory server, wherein a traceroute is a map of a path through which a packet travels between the first client and the directory server, including addresses of routers through which the packet travels; determining a MAC address of a gateway of the first client; sending the traceroute and the MAC address to the directory server from the first client; and using the traceroute at the directory server to build a router graph; wherein the router graph represents a topology of the peer-to-peer network; and wherein the directory server can use the MAC address to determine if any other clients are on a same subnet as the first client. - View Dependent Claims (8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. An apparatus for determining a network topology in a peer-to-peer network, the apparatus comprising:
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a tracerouting mechanism configured to perform a tracerouting operation to obtain a traceroute from a first client to a directory server, wherein a traceroute is a map of a path through which a packet travels between the first client and the directory server, including addresses of routers through which the packet travels; a determination mechanism configured to determine a MAC address of a gateway of the first client; an upload mechanism configured to send the traceroute and the MAC address to the directory server from the first client; and a graph building mechanism configured to use the traceroute at the directory server to build a router graph; wherein the router graph represents the topology of the peer-to-peer network; and wherein the directory server can use the MAC address to determine if any other clients are on a same subnet as the first client. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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Specification