초록 ▼

A monitoring system for determining accurate topology features of a network, and methods of operating the monitoring system, are disclosed . In the preferred embodiment, the system creates an accurate topology map of a given network by: obtaining a list of managed network devices; identifying trunk

A monitoring system for determining accurate topology features of a network, and methods of operating the monitoring system, are disclosed . In the preferred embodiment, the system creates an accurate topology map of a given network by: obtaining a list of managed network devices; identifying trunk ports, link channel ports, and trunk channel ports; identifying link port and node ports; determining connections between the ports; storing the collected information; and displaying the network topology. Methods are disclosed for identifying link and node ports. In the preferred method, information regarding the devices, including VLAN/backplane information, router ARP table information, device interface information, and physical address information for machines and devices connected to the network is obtained. Also, the ports and/or devices are logically grouped in order to provide more accurate topology information. Source address table timing information is obtained for each device, and a historical database of source table information is kept. Filters may then be utilized on the source address tables in order to provide more accurate topology results. Connections between nodes are also resolved by utilizing sorting methods. Alternative methods are also disclosed for identifying link ports and determining connections between nodes.

대표청구항 ▼

[ What is claimed is:] [10.] In a system for determining topology features of a network, a method for determining what ports in a computer network are link ports, comprising the steps of:(a) obtaining information regarding devices connected to the network;(b) logically grouping the ports and/or devi

[ What is claimed is:] [10.] In a system for determining topology features of a network, a method for determining what ports in a computer network are link ports, comprising the steps of:(a) obtaining information regarding devices connected to the network;(b) logically grouping the ports and/or devices on the network;(c) obtaining source address table information for each device;(d) selecting a port in a logical group that has two or more source addresses;(e) if any other logical group has two or more ports that have at least one source address seen on the selected port, tagging the selected port as a link port;(f) repeating steps (d) and (e) for every port in each logical group that has two or more source addresses.