Patent ID: 7577738
Filing Date: 2009-08-18
Classification: H04L

Abstract:
1. A method for obtaining information regarding a network, comprising: populating a network with a plurality of test probes; providing a network monitor, wherein said network monitor is associated with an address; providing said address of said network monitor to test probes included in said plurality of test probes; in response to receiving said address of said network monitor, said test probes included in said plurality of test probes sending a registration request to said network monitor; in response to receiving said registration requests, registering at least some of said test probes, wherein said registering includes: determining a distribution of said first network entity type and determining a distribution of said second network entity type from said collected network topology information; categorizing said at least some of said test probes, wherein said categorization includes categorizing said at least some of said test probes as to type of entity associated with a test probe, wherein said categorization of said at least some of said test probes results in a first distribution of test probes that models one of: 1) an actual distribution of types of network entities; or 2) a potential distribution of types of network entities.