Inferring Unmanaged Device Switch Port Connectivity

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Network management systems face difficulties in determining the connectivity information of unmanaged IP devices in a network, especially when these devices are not enabled for SNMP or CLI access and have dynamic IP addresses, making it challenging to generate complete network diagrams or perform modeling studies.

Innovation Solution

A network management system with modules for operational data collection, link connectivity inference, IP detection, and detected IP connectivity inference is implemented, which generates a detected IP-to-switch port map by processing operational data from the network, including ARP tables and L2 forwarding tables, to infer the switch port connectivity of unmanaged devices without direct access.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of information

If network management systems use traditional methods to discover unmanaged devices, then device detection is achieved, but connectivity information cannot be determined

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveconnectivity informationVSAvoidaccess to unmanaged devices

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of informationVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses ARP tables and L2 forwarding tables as intermediaries to indirectly obtain connectivity information about unmanaged devices. These tables act as mediators that bridge the gap between network management systems and devices without direct access, allowing the system to infer connectivity relationships through existing network infrastructure data.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces direct mechanical access methods (SNMP, CLI) with data inference methods by processing operational data from ARP and L2 forwarding tables. This substitution allows connectivity information to be derived through computational analysis rather than direct device access, overcoming the limitation of unmanaged devices.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Productivity

If dynamic address assignment (DHCP) is configured, then IP address allocation is automated, but connectivity tracking becomes difficult

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaddress assignment automationVSAvoidconnectivity tracking accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent performs preliminary actions by continuously collecting and maintaining ARP tables and L2 forwarding tables before connectivity information is needed. This proactive data gathering ensures that even when IP addresses change dynamically, the system already has the historical and current mapping data required to track connectivity relationships.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses feedback loops to continuously update ARP and L2 forwarding tables with current network state information. This ongoing feedback mechanism ensures that connectivity tracking remains accurate despite dynamic IP address changes, as the tables are constantly refreshed with latest data.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

3Device complexity

If unmanaged devices are not enabled for SNMP or CLI access, then device simplicity is maintained, but network management capability is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedevice management interfaceVSAvoidnetwork management functionality

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent makes the network management system universal by enabling it to manage both managed and unmanaged devices through a single approach. By processing operational data from network infrastructure (ARP and L2 forwarding tables), the system can infer connectivity information for any device regardless of its management capabilities, making the system adaptable to heterogeneous network environments.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS8914503B2Detected IP link and connectivity inference

Publication Date: 2014.12.16 RIVERBED TECH LLC

AI summary

Embodiments provide systems, methods, and computer program products for inferring the switch port connectivity of discovered but unmanaged devices in a network without direct access to the devices. Embodiments operate by generating a physical address-to-port map based on collected operational data and then pruning the generated map based on switch port connectivity information and/or inferred link connectivity information. The switch port connectivity of discovered unmanaged devices is then generated or updated based on the pruned map. The switch port connectivity information can be used by various other tools to enable diagramming, asset inventory, and network planning, design, and optimization workflows.