IPv6 Network Device Discovery via Anycast Probes
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current IP address management (IPAM) tools are inadequate for managing complex IPv6 networks due to larger address pools, diverse subnetting techniques, and less human-readable 128-bit hexadecimal numbers, making early generation techniques impractical for network device discovery.
Innovation Solution
Implementing new techniques for IPv6 network device discovery, including determining route entries, converting them to anycast addresses, and sending probes using ICMP with incrementing hop counts to recursively discover devices, with the aid of seed routers and network device discovery engines.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If brute force ping sweep methods are used for network device discovery, then complete network coverage can be achieved, but the time and resources required become prohibitively large due to the size of IPv6 address spaces
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the large IPv6 address space into smaller, manageable subnets using routing table information. Instead of scanning the entire IPv6 space, the system divides it into routing domains and further into individual subnets, allowing discovery to proceed in smaller increments that are much more efficient to process
Solution Approach 2:
The patent performs preliminary actions by obtaining routing table information before conducting device discovery. This preliminary step provides advance knowledge of network structure, subnet boundaries, and routing domains, enabling the discovery process to target specific areas rather than performing exhaustive brute force scanning
2Adaptability or versatility
If early generation IPAM techniques and spreadsheets are used, then simple IPv4 networks can be managed, but they become impractical for complex IPv6 networks with larger address pools and different subnetting techniques
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual spreadsheet-based management with an automated electronic system that uses ICMP probes and routing table analysis. This substitution of mechanical/manual processes with automated electronic processes enables the system to handle the complexity of IPv6 networks without requiring proportional increases in human effort or manual tracking
Solution Approach 2:
The patent enables the network management system to automatically discover and track IPv6 devices through self-service mechanisms. The system autonomously performs routing table analysis, generates ICMP probes, interprets responses, and updates network inventories without requiring manual intervention for each discovery operation
3Productivity
If route entries are converted to anycast addresses and probes are sent recursively, then node discovery rates increase significantly, but the complexity of the discovery process increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses anycast addresses as intermediaries in the discovery process. By converting route entries to anycast addresses and sending probes to these intermediaries, the system can efficiently discover multiple nodes through a single probe destination. The anycast address acts as a mediator that routes the probe to appropriate target nodes, simplifying the overall discovery mechanism while maintaining high productivity
Data Source
AI summary
Internet Protocol version 6 (IPv6) network device discovery techniques are disclosed. In some embodiments, IPv6 network device discovery includes determining a route entry (e.g., selecting a first route entry that is less than 126 bits and greater than 48 bits) of a route entry table of a seed device (e.g., a router, such as a well connected router); converting the route entry to an anycast address; and sending a probe to the anycast address. For example, using various techniques described herein, an Internet Control Messaging Protocol (ICMP) probe, for example, with incrementing hop count and the subnet-router anycast addresses as targets can be used to fully discover network devices on an IPv6 network.