Stitching together partial network topologies
First Claim
1. A network analysis system that includes:
- a processor;
a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium storing instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause the network analysis system to perform a method, comprising;
storing residual information received from each of a plurality of networks, wherein each network has a distinct management system, wherein each network comprises one or more devices that are managed by the distinct management system, and wherein the residual information includes (1) filtered configuration information obtained by removing information items related solely to devices that are included within each network, and (2) unsatisfied relationships related to connections with other devices that are not within each network in the plurality of networks,satisfying each unsatisfied relationship based on the residual information from each network in the plurality of networks, wherein said satisfying comprises identifying (1) a physical connection between two networks in the plurality of networks, and/or (2) a logical connection between two networks in the plurality of networks; and
creating a link, in a network topology model, between individual networks in the plurality of networks corresponding to each unsatisfied relationship that was satisfied.
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Abstract
A method and system that takes advantage of processes that are efficient for determining the topology of small to medium size networks to determine individual network topologies for such networks, and then merges these individual topologies into a consolidated topology for the entire network. Each of the processes that determines the topology of the smaller networks provides the determined network topology, as well as a list of factors that may be relevant in the determination of how the given topology might be attached to any other given topology, such as the identification of a node that is not included in the given topology, or other indications of external connections. The merging process is configured to substantially restrict its analysis to these factors, thereby limiting the extent, and therefore the time consumed, by this stitching and merging process.
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Citations
21 Claims
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1. A network analysis system that includes:
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a processor; a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium storing instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause the network analysis system to perform a method, comprising; storing residual information received from each of a plurality of networks, wherein each network has a distinct management system, wherein each network comprises one or more devices that are managed by the distinct management system, and wherein the residual information includes (1) filtered configuration information obtained by removing information items related solely to devices that are included within each network, and (2) unsatisfied relationships related to connections with other devices that are not within each network in the plurality of networks, satisfying each unsatisfied relationship based on the residual information from each network in the plurality of networks, wherein said satisfying comprises identifying (1) a physical connection between two networks in the plurality of networks, and/or (2) a logical connection between two networks in the plurality of networks; and creating a link, in a network topology model, between individual networks in the plurality of networks corresponding to each unsatisfied relationship that was satisfied. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. A non-transitory computer-readable medium that includes a program that, when executed by a processor, causes the processor to:
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store residual information received from each of a plurality of networks, wherein each network has a distinct management system, wherein each network comprises one or more devices that are managed by the distinct management system, and wherein the residual information includes (1) filtered configuration information obtained by removing information items related solely to devices that are included within each network, and (2) unsatisfied relationships related to connections with other devices that are not within each network in the plurality of networks; satisfy each unsatisfied relationship based on the residual information from each network in the plurality of networks, wherein said satisfying comprises identifying (1) a physical connection between two networks in the plurality of networks, and/or (2) a logical connection between two networks in the plurality of networks; and create a link, in a network topology model, between individual networks in the plurality of networks corresponding to each unsatisfied relationship that was satisfied. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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18. A method comprising:
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storing residual information received from each of a plurality of networks, wherein each network has a distinct management system, wherein each network comprises one or more devices that are managed by the distinct management system, and wherein the residual information includes (1) filtered configuration information obtained by removing information items related solely to devices that are included within each network, and (2) unsatisfied relationships related to connections with other devices that are not within each network in the plurality of networks; satisfying each unsatisfied relationship based on the residual information from each network in the plurality of networks, wherein said satisfying comprises identifying (1) a physical connection between two networks in the plurality of networks, and/or (2) a logical connection between two networks in the plurality of networks; and creating a link, in a network topology model, between individual networks in the plurality of networks corresponding to each unsatisfied relationship that was satisfied. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20, 21)
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Specification