Network Subnet Discovery via Fixed Host Portion Scanning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for discovering network subnets are inefficient and cumbersome, often requiring manual input from network administrators, relying on inconsistent discovery standards, or scanning millions of possible network addresses, which can be time-consuming.
Innovation Solution
A method that sets a fixed host portion of a network address and sends discovery messages using a protocol like SNMPv3, which does not require pre-authorization, to efficiently scan subnets by assuming routers reside at consistent addresses relative to the start and end of a subnet, significantly reducing the number of addresses that need to be checked.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If every possible network address is scanned to discover subnets, then complete subnet discovery is achieved, but the time required increases to months
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the network address space by fixing the host portion to specific values (typically the first and last addresses in each subnet) rather than scanning all possible addresses. This divides the exhaustive search space into manageable segments that are likely to contain router responses, reducing the total number of addresses to scan while maintaining discovery effectiveness.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent performs preliminary action by sending discovery messages to predetermined host addresses (first and last addresses) in each subnet before conducting a full scan. This preliminary probing allows the system to identify active subnets quickly without committing to exhaustive scanning of every address, thereby saving time while ensuring complete discovery.
2Measurement precision
If network administrators are asked for subnet information, then accurate subnet data can be obtained, but security concerns and availability issues arise
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements self-service by enabling the system to automatically discover subnets through automated discovery messages sent to predetermined addresses, eliminating the need for manual input from network administrators. The system performs subnet discovery independently using heuristics about router address placement, thereby maintaining accuracy while improving accessibility and removing security concerns associated with administrator involvement.
3Extent of automation
If discovery standards like service location protocol are used, then subnet discovery can be automated, but consistency and reliability of discovery are compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the parameters of the discovery approach by fixing the host portion to specific predetermined values rather than relying on variable discovery protocols. This parameter change creates a consistent, reliable pattern for sending discovery messages to addresses where routers are most likely to respond, improving both automation and consistency simultaneously.
Data Source
AI summary
A method and non-transitory computer readable medium for discovering network subnets are disclosed. For example, the method sets a host portion of a network address to a fixed value for a particular network, sends a discovery message to a subnet of a plurality of subnets having the fixed value of the host portion for the particular network, discovers the subnet if a response to the discovery message is received from a device and repeats the sending and the discovering until all of the plurality of subnets are checked, where the sending and the discovering are applied only to the fixed value of the host portion for each of the plurality of subnets.