Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim
98 words
A computer network node discovery process (120) for determining nodes (206, 216, 218) connected to a computer network (118), said process (120) comprising the steps of: (a) obtaining (306), from one node of a set of known nodes on said computer network (118), a list of addresses of one or more other nodes with which said one node communicates; (b) repeating step (a) for each of said other nodes obtained; and (c) storing said list of node addresses in a file (808); whereby said list of node addresses may be displayed to a user of said computer network.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
20 words
The process of claim 1 further comprising the step of: (d) repeating steps (a) through (c) at regular time intervals.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
35 words
The process of claim 2 further comprising the step of: (a1) obtaining from each bridge unit (208) connected to said network (118) a list of addresses of all nodes accessible by said bridge unit (208).
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
35 words
The process of claim 3 further comprising the step of: (a2) obtaining from each router unit (220) connected to said network (118) a list of addresses of all nodes accessible by said router unit (220).
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
35 words
The process of claim 4 further comprising the step of: (a3) obtaining from each gateway unit (220) connected to said network (118) a list of addresses of all nodes accessible by said gateway unit (220).
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
37 words
The process of claim 5 further comprising the step of: (a4) obtaining from any network probe device (224) connected to said network (118) a list of addresses of all nodes known to said network probe device (224).
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
93 words
A computer network node discovery process (120) for determining nodes connected to a TCP/IP computer network (118), said process comprising the steps of: (a) obtaining (306), from one node of a set of known nodes on said computer network, an address translation table containing a list of addresses of other nodes with which said one node communicates; (b) repeating step (a) for each of said other nodes in said address translation table; (c) storing said list of nodes in a file (808); and (d) repeating steps (a) through (c) at regular time intervals.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
153 words
The process of claim 7 further comprising the steps of: (a1) obtaining from each bridge unit (208) connected to said network (118) an address translation table containing a list of addresses of nodes accessible from said bridge unit (208); (a2) obtaining from each router unit (220) connected to said network (118) an address translation table containing a list of addresses of nodes accessible from said router unit (220); (a3) obtaining from each gateway unit (220) connected to said network (118) an address translation table containing a list of addresses of nodes accessible from said gateway unit (220); (a4) obtaining from any network probe devices (224) attached to said network (118) a list of addresses of all nodes known to said network probe (224); and (a5) obtaining from each node in said network (118) an interface table and an internet protocol table which defines other networks and nodes to which said node is connected.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
124 words
A computer network node discovery process (120) for determining nodes connected to a computer network (118), said process comprising the steps of: (a) sending a general response message (307) to all nodes on said network; (b) creating a node list (410) containing the address of each node responding to said general response message; (c) obtaining (306), from each node in said node list, a second list of addresses of other nodes with which said node communicates; (d) adding each node (410) in said second list to said node list; (e) repeating steps (c) through (d) for each of said nodes in said second list; (f) storing said node list in a file (808); and (g) repeating steps (a) through (f) at regular time intervals.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
112 words
The process of claim 9 further comprising the steps of: (c1) obtaining from each bridge unit (208) connected to said network (118) a list of addresses of all nodes accessible by said bridge unit (208); (c2) obtaining from each router unit (220) connected to said network (118) a list of addresses of all nodes accessible by said router unit (220); (c3) obtaining from each gateway unit (220) connected to said network (118) a list of addresses of all nodes accessible by said gateway unit (220); and (c4) obtaining from any network probe devices (224) attached to said network (118) a list of addresses of all nodes known to the network probe (224).