Device Model Identification via MAC Address Database Mapping
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for determining device models based on MAC addresses or network device identifiers are inefficient, as they rely on interaction with the device, which can be problematic for unknown or malicious devices that may refuse to cooperate, and do not accurately distinguish between device manufacturers and models.
Innovation Solution
A system and method that create a database mapping network device identifiers to model information, allowing for the extrapolation of device models based on MAC addresses or other identifiers, using both active and passive data collection techniques, including software agents and network packet analysis, to determine the model information of unknown devices.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If software agents are installed on devices or network scans are performed to determine device model information, then model information can be obtained through direct interaction, but the approach fails when devices refuse to cooperate or are malicious, and requires additional interaction complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses MAC addresses as an intermediary to identify devices without requiring direct interaction. Instead of installing agents or scanning networks, the system maps MAC addresses to device model information through a database, allowing identification of devices that refuse to cooperate while avoiding the complexity of direct interaction methods
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the device identifier (MAC address) from the device itself and uses it to query external database sources for model information. This separates the identification process from the device, allowing model determination without requiring the device to participate in agent installation or network scan responses
2Productivity
If MAC addresses are used to identify device manufacturers, then manufacturer information can be determined from the OUI, but model information cannot be accurately distinguished since multiple models share the same manufacturer identifier
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the identification process into two parts: first using the MAC address OUI to identify the manufacturer, then using additional database lookups to determine the specific device model. This segmentation allows the system to leverage the efficiency of MAC address matching while adding the precision needed to distinguish between different models from the same manufacturer
Solution Approach 2:
The patent adds another dimension to the identification process by incorporating device model information from external databases beyond just the manufacturer OUI. This transforms the identification from a single-dimensional manufacturer match to a multi-dimensional lookup that includes model-specific details, enabling accurate model determination while maintaining the efficiency of MAC address-based identification
Data Source
AI summary
A system and method for determining the model information of a device. A mapping database that maps a plurality of network device identifiers of a set of devices to model information of the devices may be automatically created. A request to determine model information of an unknown based on a network device identifier of the unknown device may then be received. The database may be analyzed to determine the model information of the unknown device. For example, the model information of the unknown device may be determined by extrapolating it based on the network device identifier of the device and the database information.