All Products for US Patent 6397248 - System and method to discover end node physical connectivity to networking devices

Inventor(s): Iyer; Pradeep J. (San Jose, CA)

Owner: Nortel Networks Limited (St. Laurent,CA)

Filing Date: May 4, 1999

Issue Date: May 28, 2002

Abstract: A server and method for determining physical connectivity between end nodes and networking devices within a network. With respect to one embodiment, the method comprises an initial act of establishing levels of priority for a plurality of link types capable of being established between networking devices and end nodes of a communication system. For example, as described herein, the types of links include an inferred link having a first level of priority, and other link types having a lesser priority. Once the priority levels are established, the method involves initially detecting a plurality of links associated with selected ports of the networking devices. After detection of these links, a determination is made from these links as to which links are associated with the end nodes and have the highest priority level. From that group, the physical connectivity between the end nodes and the networking devices is ascertained.