Dynamic Query Area Adjustment for Network Device Identification

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Solution Overview

Problem

In communication networks, especially those with subnets, identifying all devices efficiently is challenging due to bandwidth limitations and packet losses, leading to incomplete device identification and uncertainty about unresponsive devices.

Innovation Solution

A method that dynamically adjusts the query area by monitoring the number of identifiers received and using the addresses of identified devices to define reduced request areas, ensuring that only a threshold value of identifiers are processed, and iteratively refining the query range to ensure complete identification.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Quantity of substance

If a Who-Is query is broadcast to reach a group of devices in an unknown communication network, then more devices can be identified, but packet loss occurs due to bandwidth limitations and router forwarding thresholds

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenumber of identified devicesVSAvoididentification completeness
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The address space is divided into multiple query areas, allowing the identification process to be segmented into manageable portions. This prevents overwhelming the network bandwidth while systematically covering the entire address space, thus avoiding packet loss while maintaining identification completeness.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The query area size is dynamically adjusted based on the number of devices identified in previous iterations. The method learns from network responses and adapts the broadcast scope to match actual network conditions, optimizing between identifying all devices and avoiding packet loss from excessive bandwidth usage.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Reliability

If the address space is searched in sections by sending identification requests for specific areas, then packet loss is avoided, but the identification process becomes time-consuming

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveidentification completenessVSAvoididentification time
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The method dynamically determines query area sizes based on actual device distribution patterns observed during the identification process. Instead of using fixed or conservative section sizes, the algorithm adapts to the network's actual device density, reducing unnecessary queries in sparse areas while maintaining thorough coverage in dense areas, thus minimizing identification time without sacrificing completeness.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The identification method uses feedback from previous query results to optimize subsequent queries. By analyzing the distribution and density of identified devices, the system adjusts future query strategies to avoid redundant searches in already-explored or sparse regions, significantly reducing total identification time while ensuring all devices are eventually identified.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

3Productivity

If a large query range is used to identify devices quickly, then identification speed increases, but packet loss and loss of identification identifiers occurs due to exceeding bandwidth and router thresholds

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveidentification speedVSAvoididentification identifier loss
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The identification process segments the address space into controlled query areas, preventing any single broadcast from exceeding network bandwidth capacity or router forwarding thresholds. This segmentation maintains identification speed by systematically processing multiple segments rather than requiring repeated full-range broadcasts.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The method performs partial identification actions in each iteration, focusing on specific query areas rather than attempting to identify all devices in one exhaustive broadcast. This partial action approach prevents information loss by keeping each query within reliable transmission limits while progressing toward complete identification through multiple targeted iterations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #16Partial or excessive action

Data Source

PatentEP2597815B1Method for identification of devices included in a communication network
Publication Date: 2019.07.24 SIEMENS SCHWEIZ AG
  • EP2597815B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2597815B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2597815B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The method involves subdividing an address space into request regions. An identification request is sent (42) from higher-level device to all the addresses in the request region. The identification codes received from the devices are collected. The number of identification codes is compared (48) with a predefined threshold value. A new request region is obtained when the number of identification codes is below threshold value. A reduced request region is obtained when the number of identification codes is above threshold value. Independent claims are included for the following: (1) a non-transitory computer readable medium storing program for identifying devices in communication network; and (2) an electrical device.