IP Network Device Owner Identification via Discovery Scanning

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Solution Overview

Problem

Large and complex IP networks face challenges in comprehensively identifying and inventorying devices and objects, with existing solutions often resulting in incomplete and inaccurate databases, leading to a need for identifying owners or administrators without physical inventories.

Innovation Solution

A method and system that uses an intelligent device discovery tool to scan IP networks, send messages to unlisted devices for owner registration, and update databases with received owner information, enabling remote communication and identification of network objects and their administrators.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of information

If traditional device discovery tools are used to enumerate network devices, then device identification is achieved, but owner and administrator information is incomplete or missing

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveowner and administrator informationVSAvoiddevice identification accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of informationVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces an intermediary mechanism (discovery scanning tool with message sending capability) that bridges the gap between device identification and owner identification. The tool sends messages to devices and captures registration actions, using this intermediary communication to extract owner information that would otherwise be inaccessible through direct device enumeration alone.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The system implements feedback by sending messages to devices and capturing their registration actions. The registration action serves as feedback from the device/owner that confirms identity information. This feedback loop allows the discovery tool to iteratively refine and complete the owner information database based on actual device responses.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

2Quantity of substance

If comprehensive device inventory is attempted through crawling tools, then device listing is improved, but owner identification remains incomplete without physical inventories

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenumber of identified devicesVSAvoidowner and administrator data

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The patent enables devices to self-identify their owners through automated registration actions. Instead of requiring manual physical inventories or external databases, the system allows devices to autonomously provide their owner information through programmed responses to discovery tool messages, achieving comprehensive owner identification without human intervention.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Productivity

If existing databases are used for device identification, then initial device listing is achieved, but error rates are as high as fifty five percent

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedevice enumeration speedVSAvoiddatabase accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary device discovery and identification actions before attempting to obtain owner information. By first establishing device presence and basic identification through scanning, then following up with targeted message sending and registration capture, the system prepares the groundwork for accurate owner identification, reducing errors by verifying device existence before attempting owner data collection.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentUS8676923B2Use of discovery scanning and method of IP only communication to identify owners and administrators of network attached devices

Publication Date: 2014.03.18 KYNDRYL INC

AI summary

Method, system, and product for remotely communicating with and identifying owners of objects on an IP network by providing a database identifying owners of objects on an IP network, discovery scanning the IP network for logical objects, sending a message to an unlisted logical object requesting a registration action of the recipient, receiving the registration action indicating an owner of the logical object, and updating the database with the received indication of the owner of the object. The method, system, or product may be embodied in a software application (such as an operating system element), a dedicated processor, or a dedicated processor with dedicated code.