Research On Algorithms For Physical Topology Discovery

Physical network topology refers to the physical connectivity relationship among the entities in a network. Discovering the physical layout and interconnections of network elements is prerequisite to many critical network management tasks, such as reactive and proactive resource management, server siting, event correlation, and root-cause analysis. Unfortunately, no algorithm or platform can provide an all-purpose physical network discovery by far, especially when there are some dumb-switches or hub existing in the network.LAN switching technology increases the efficiency of local area networks and partially resolve the network problems. Based on the analysis of the existing physical topology discovery algorithm relying on SNMP MIB-II information, a new algorithm is proposed, which is adaptable to physical topology with shared network segment. A topology discovery tool of implementing this algorithm can find the accurate physical network topology showing switch-to-switch, switch-to-hub, switch-to-dumb-switch and switch-to-host interconnections in the local area network.