Network Topology Determination via Centralized Probe Correlation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing tools for modeling network topologies are complex and unreliable, often producing false negatives and false positives, and require continuous maintenance due to new communications protocols and technologies.
Innovation Solution
A system where probes associated with network entities create and report unique identifiers, such as primary keys, to a central server, allowing for accurate determination of entity connections and communication mapping, independent of network operations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If existing tools use ad-hoc methods with probes for each entity to determine topology, then entity communication detection is attempted, but the system produces too many false negatives and false positives while requiring continual maintenance
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a central server as an intermediary that receives correlation strings from probes and processes them to determine entity connections. Instead of probes independently determining topology through complex ad-hoc methods, the central server acts as a mediator that standardizes the determination process, reducing false positives and negatives while simplifying the overall system architecture.
Solution Approach 2:
The correlation string format serves as a universal mechanism that works across different entity types and communication protocols. The central server processes all correlation strings using the same standardized approach, making the system adaptable to new technologies without requiring maintenance of multiple specialized detection methods.
2Adaptability or versatility
If existing tools use separate probes for each entity to construct and pass strings to a central process, then communication monitoring is achieved, but the system requires continual maintenance when new communications protocols are added
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a universal correlation string format that can accommodate various entity types and communication protocols. The central server processes all strings using the same standardized methodology, allowing the system to adapt to new protocols without requiring maintenance of multiple specialized detection mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The system handles protocol changes by modifying the correlation string format parameters rather than changing the fundamental architecture. When new communication protocols are introduced, only the string construction parameters need adjustment, not the core processing logic, thereby reducing maintenance time.
3Productivity
If existing tools use ad-hoc methods for topology determination, then some entity connections are detected, but the methods are unreliable and produce false connections
Solution Approach 1:
The central server acts as a mediator that receives correlation strings from probes and processes them through standardized logic to determine entity connections. This intermediary approach replaces unreliable ad-hoc methods with consistent, repeatable processing, improving both the speed and precision of connection identification.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses correlation strings that contain feedback information about the communication path between entities. By processing these strings centrally, the system can verify connection accuracy and adjust its determination logic, improving precision while maintaining productivity.
Data Source
AI summary
Devices and methods may allow for a first process associated with a probe process to receive a message transmitted across a network from a second process, the message including data and an identifier for the second process. The probe process may transmit identifiers for the first and second process to a server. A server may receive a message from a probe process including entity identifiers, and update a record recording a connection between the entities.