Patent ID: 9559909
Date: 2017-01-31
CPC Classifications: H04L

Claim:
1. A computer implemented method of identifying an egress port of a focus device connected in a computer network, the method being implemented at a monitor computer connected to the network and comprising: generating a query message to the focus device, the query message including a device address identifying the focus device and a first query key formulated based on a destination identifier, and including an instruction readable at the focus device to cause the focus device to return a result message identifying the egress port, if any egress port is identifiable in response to the query message, for messages addressed to a destination identified in the destination identifier when the query message is received at the focus device; receiving the result message at the monitor computer; reading the result message; and where the result message does not identify any egress port, autonomously generating at least one subsequent query message selected by the monitor computer, wherein the at least one subsequent query message includes the device address identifying the same focus device, a different query key, and instructions readable at the focus device to cause the focus device to return a subsequent result message identifying the egress port, if any egress port is identifiable in response to the subsequent query message, wherein the method further comprises generating multiple subsequent query messages until a subsequent result message identifies the egress port of the focus device.