Cloud Network Device Discovery via Cross-Segment IP Matching
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Solution Overview
Problem
Network managers face inefficiencies in discovering and managing network devices across different segments, as existing systems only allow discovery of devices within the same segment, requiring manual checking and sequential verification of unmanaged devices.
Innovation Solution
A cloud device with a network device discovery system that includes modules for receiving, recording, discovering, and presenting network devices, utilizing NAT devices to translate private IP addresses to public ones, and managing registration information and status across multiple network segments, enabling efficient retrieval and presentation of unmanaged devices to authorized managers.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If network discovery is limited to the same network segment, then network security and simplicity are maintained, but network managers cannot discover devices across different segments
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a cloud server as an intermediary component that receives registration information from network devices across different segments and provides a unified discovery interface to network managers. This mediator enables cross-segment device discovery without requiring network managers to manually navigate complex network topologies, thus improving adaptability while managing complexity through centralized coordination
2Measurement precision
If network managers manually check device information in sequence, then detailed verification is possible, but the process is inconvenient and inefficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary action by having network devices automatically register their information with the cloud server before any discovery operation. This pre-registration establishes a ready-to-query database of device information, eliminating the need for network managers to perform sequential manual checks. The system maintains verification accuracy through centralized recording while dramatically improving discovery efficiency through instant cloud-based querying
3Adaptability or versatility
If centralized cloud-based discovery is implemented, then cross-segment device discovery is enabled, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies universality by designing the cloud server to handle multiple functions: receiving device registrations, storing device information, processing discovery requests, and providing unified access interfaces. This multi-functional approach consolidates what would otherwise require multiple separate systems into a single platform, enabling cross-segment discovery while minimizing the increase in overall system complexity through functional integration
Data Source
AI summary
A network device discovery method receives registration information from the network devices which are registered to the cloud device, and generates a management list for recording the registration information and a management status of each of the registered network devices. When a request of searching for specified network devices of a specified network manager from a specified client device is received, the discovery method retrieves specified network devices managed by the specified network manager from the management list. The discovery method further searches for target network devices which have the same public Internet Protocol (IP) addresses with the specified network devices, and presents one or more target network devices which have not been managed by any network manager to the specified client device for the specified network manager.