Patent ID: 7307962
Filing Date: 2007-12-11
Classification: H04L

Abstract:
1. A method for determining a topology of a network comprising: querying a plurality of known remote devices in the network for layer-2 address information, said layer-2 address information comprising layer-2 addresses detected at each port of said plurality of known remote devices; querying at least a first of said plurality of known remote devices for a type of connection for at least a first port of the first known remote device; inferring an unmapped remote device is physically connected to the first port of the first known remote device based on an identification that the first port has a point to point connection type and that the first port has detected a plurality of layer-2 addresses; and inferring a direct connection between a second and a third remote device of said plurality of known remote devices in response to an identification of a single detected layer-2 address of said third known remote device for one port of said second known remote device.