AD Domain Controller Discovery via LDAP in Network Topology Maps
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional Active Directory (AD) Domain Controller mapping tools fail to accurately identify and integrate AD Domain Controllers into network topology maps, especially in large or evolving networks where nodes may be unknown, leading to incomplete visualization of the network infrastructure.
Innovation Solution
The method involves creating Lightweight Directory Access Protocol (LDAP) connections to discover AD Domain Controllers by searching for Fully Qualified Domain Names (FQDNs) and using reverse-DNS lookups to establish IP addresses, which are then integrated into a topological network map, utilizing techniques such as multi-level discovery and analysis of returned data to determine network nodes and connections.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If conventional AD mapping tools start with a set of known nodes and probe for AD DC characteristics, then they can identify AD DC at known locations, but they fail to identify AD DC in network sections where nodes are no longer known or have evolved
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of starting from known nodes and probing for AD DC characteristics, the patent inverts the approach by starting from AD DC discovery through LDAP queries and then mapping to network topology. The system performs LDAP searches to identify AD DCs first, then integrates them into the topology map, rather than assuming knowledge of all relevant nodes beforehand.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs multi-functional discovery mechanisms that can operate across different network sections regardless of whether nodes are known or unknown. The LDAP-based discovery approach universally queries for AD DCs without requiring prior knowledge of specific nodes, making the system adaptable to evolving network topologies.
2Ease of operation
If AD mapping tools focus on known nodes only, then they can maintain simple mapping processes, but they cannot properly identify AD DC for each localized grouping of nodes in evolving networks
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs self-service discovery by automatically executing LDAP queries to identify AD DCs without requiring manual input of known nodes. The LDAP-based approach enables the system to autonomously discover AD DCs across all network sections, maintaining operational simplicity while ensuring complete discovery.
3Loss of information
If network topology maps are created without integrating AD DC discovery, then they provide basic network visualization, but they lack comprehensive representation of network infrastructure including AD DC locations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges AD DC discovery through LDAP queries with network topology mapping into a unified system. By combining these previously separate functions, the system achieves comprehensive network infrastructure representation without proportionally increasing complexity, as the LDAP discovery process is integrated directly into the topology mapping workflow.
Data Source
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AI summary
Active directory (AD) Domain Controllers (DC) discovery includes determining the topology of the network, such as the nodes and connections in the network. For example, synthetic data may be transferred within the network and traced to determine the presence and relationships of the various network components. Alternatively, other mapping techniques are based upon mapping a known set of nodes to determine the relationship of the nodes. Next, Lightweight Directory Access Protocol (LDAP) commands are forwarded to the various nodes to identify the AD DC within a range of IP addresses discovered during the mapping of to the topology of the network.