IP Ownership Discovery Using Subnet Allocation in Enterprise Networks
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Solution Overview
Problem
In large organizations with complex network environments, tracking and assigning ownership to IP addresses becomes challenging due to the dynamic nature of device additions and removals, leading to security vulnerabilities and potential breaches.
Innovation Solution
An automated method utilizing IP address numerical values and subnet allocations to determine ownership by comparing unassigned IP addresses to a reference IP address with known ownership, ensuring same subnet allocation for accurate assignment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If manual tracking methods are used for IP address ownership, then implementation simplicity is maintained, but ownership tracking accuracy deteriorates due to the dynamic nature of device additions and removals
Solution Approach 1:
The system automatically discovers and assigns ownership of IP addresses by querying network devices and correlating IP addresses with device identifiers and user information. The automated discovery process eliminates manual tracking requirements, continuously updating ownership information as devices are added or removed from the network, thereby maintaining high accuracy without requiring manual intervention.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces manual mechanical tracking processes with automated electronic discovery and correlation systems. The system uses network queries, device identifier extraction, and automated data correlation to determine IP address ownership, substituting human-operated manual processes with automated computational methods that continuously maintain accurate ownership records.
2Reliability
If comprehensive ownership tracking is implemented across all devices, then network security is improved, but the complexity of managing numerous devices across different networks increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system provides a universal ownership discovery and assignment mechanism that works across multiple network types and device platforms. By creating a standardized approach that can handle diverse devices (servers, workstations, mobile devices) across different networks (corporate, cloud, IoT), the system maintains comprehensive security coverage without requiring separate management procedures for each device type or network segment.
Solution Approach 2:
The automated discovery system continuously monitors and updates IP address ownership information without requiring manual intervention from network administrators. The system autonomously queries network devices, extracts identifiers, correlates information with user databases, and maintains accurate ownership records, thereby improving security while minimizing the management burden on administrators.
3Productivity
If automated ownership assignment is implemented, then productivity in assigning IP ownership is improved, but the complexity of the assignment process increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system replaces manual IP address assignment and tracking processes with automated electronic discovery and correlation methods. Network administrators deploy the system, which then automatically queries devices, extracts identifiers, correlates IP addresses with device and user information, and assigns ownership without manual intervention, dramatically improving assignment efficiency while the system handles the complexity of the assignment process automatically.
Solution Approach 2:
The system introduces an automated intermediary process that mediates between IP address allocation and ownership assignment. Rather than requiring direct manual assignment, the system acts as an intermediary that automatically discovers device ownership information through network queries and data correlation, then assigns IP addresses to appropriate owners, simplifying the administrator's task while maintaining high productivity.
Data Source
AI summary
A method for discovering ownership assignment of computer devices includes obtaining a set of unassigned internet protocol (IP) addresses. The multiple computer devices are assigned to multiple teams of an organization such that each team is assigned to a segment of the sequence of IP addresses. The method includes converting each IP address into a numerical value. The method includes obtaining a set of assigned IP addresses from an assigned IP address database and obtaining a subnet allocation for each IP address in the set of assigned IP addresses. For a particular unassigned IP address, the method includes a reference IP address from the set of assigned IP addresses and determining whether the particular IP address and the reference IP address have a same subnet allocation. The method includes determining the ownership assignment based on the subnet allocation.