Patent ID: 7991877
Filing Date: 2011-08-02
Classification: H04L

Abstract:
1. A computer implemented method for detecting unauthorized routers in a distributed network, the computer implemented method comprising: obtaining a physical address of a destination device; creating, by a source device, a data packet comprising at least a destination media access control field, a destination internet protocol field, and a time-to-live field, wherein the destination media access control field comprises the physical address of the destination device, wherein the destination internet protocol field comprises a bogus internet protocol address to cause the destination device receiving the data packet to route the data packet if the destination device is configured for routing, and wherein the time-to-live field comprises a value indicating the data packet has already exceeded a time limit to cause the destination device receiving the data packet to return a time exceeded message to the source device; sending the data packet to the destination device using the physical address in the destination media access control field; and responsive to receiving the time exceeded message from the destination device, determining that the destination device is enabled for routing.