Detecting network devices

1. A method ( 400 ) for detecting a network device ( 211 , 212 , 300 ), the method ( 400 ) comprising:

issuing a first command to a first network device ( 211 ) using a computer processor ( 110 ), the first network device ( 211 ) in wired electrical communication ( 20 ) with a second network device ( 212 ), the first command causing the first network device ( 211 ) to generate error codes ( 222 ) and send the generated error codes ( 222 ) to the second network device ( 212 );

receiving a number of error codes ( 222 ) from the second network device ( 212 );

determining a presence of a third network device ( 300 ) when the number of error codes ( 222 ) received from the second network device ( 212 ) equals zero, the third network device ( 300 ) in wired electrical communication ( 20 ) between the first network device ( 211 ) and the second network device ( 212 ), communication between the first and second network devices ( 211 , 212 ) passing through the third network device ( 300 ); and

determining an absence of the third network device ( 300 ) when the number of error codes ( 222 ) of the second network device ( 212 ) equals a number of generated error codes ( 222 ) generated by the first network device ( 211 ).

2. The method ( 400 ) of claim 1 , wherein the first command causes the first network device ( 211 ) to generate packets ( 220 ) comprising the error codes ( 222 ).

3. The method ( 400 ) of claim 2 , wherein the error codes ( 222 ) are a cyclic redundancy check.

4. The method ( 400 ) of claim 1 , further comprising listening to the second network device ( 212 ) for receipt of the generated packets ( 220 ) having error codes ( 222 ).

5. The method ( 400 ) of claim 1 , further comprising before issuing the first command, issuing a clear command to the second network device ( 212 ) using the computer processor ( 110 ), the clear command comprising instructions to clear error codes ( 222 ) of the second network device ( 212 ).

6. The method ( 400 ) of claim 5 , further comprising after issuing the clear command, receiving the number of error codes ( 222 ) from the second network device ( 212 ), the number of error codes ( 222 ) equaling zero.

7. The method ( 400 ) of claim 1 , wherein the wired electrical communication ( 20 ) between the first, second, and third devices ( 211 , 212 , 300 ) comprises an Ethernet cable.

8. The method ( 400 ) of claim 1 , wherein the third network device ( 300 ) is one of a hub, a switch ( 300 ), or a router.

9. The method ( 400 ) of claim 1 , wherein the first and second network devices ( 211 , 212 ) are compatible with TR-069 protocol.

10. The method ( 400 ) of claim 1 , wherein receiving the number of error codes ( 222 ) from the second network device ( 212 ) is after a threshold time after issuing the first command.

11. A system ( 10 ) for detecting a network device, the system ( 10 ) comprising:

a first network device ( 211 );

a second network device ( 212 ) in wired communication with the first network device ( 211 ); and

a controller ( 110 ) in communication with the first and second network devices ( 211 , 212 ), the controller ( 110 ):

issuing a first command to a first network device ( 211 ), causing the first network device ( 211 ) to generate error codes ( 222 ) and send the generated error codes ( 222 ) to the second network device ( 212 );

receiving a number of error codes ( 222 ) from the second network device ( 212 );

determining a presence of a third network device ( 300 ) when the number of error codes ( 222 ) received from the second network device ( 212 ) equals zero, the third network device ( 300 ) in wired electrical communication ( 20 ) between the first network device ( 211 ) and the second network device ( 212 ), communication between the first and second network devices ( 211 , 212 ) passing through the third network device ( 300 ); and

determining an absence of the third network device ( 300 ) when the number of error codes ( 222 ) of the second network device ( 212 ) equals a number of generated error codes ( 222 ) generated by the first network device ( 211 ).

12. The system ( 10 ) of claim 11 , wherein the first command causes the first network device ( 211 ) to generate packets ( 220 ) comprising the error codes ( 222 ).

13. The system ( 10 ) of claim 12 , wherein the error codes ( 222 ) are a cyclic redundancy check.

14. The system ( 10 ) of claim 11 , wherein the controller ( 110 ) listens to the second network device ( 212 ) for receipt of the generated packets ( 220 ) having error codes ( 222 ).

15. The system ( 10 ) of claim 11 , wherein the controller ( 110 ) issues a clear command to the second network device ( 212 ) before issuing the first command to the first network device ( 211 ), the clear command comprising instructions to clear error codes ( 222 ) of the second network device ( 212 ).

16. The system ( 10 ) of claim 15 , wherein the controller ( 110 ) receives the number of error codes ( 222 ) from the second network device ( 212 ) after the controller ( 110 ) issues the clear command, the number of error codes ( 222 ) equaling zero.

17. The system ( 10 ) of claim 11 , wherein the wired electrical communication ( 20 ) between the first, second, and third devices ( 211 , 212 , 300 ) comprises an Ethernet cable.

18. The system ( 10 ) of claim 11 , wherein the third network device ( 300 ) is one of a hub, a switch ( 300 ), or a router.

19. The system ( 10 ) of claim 11 , wherein the first and second network devices ( 211 , 212 ) are compatible with TR-069 protocol.

20. The system ( 10 ) of claim 11 , wherein the system ( 10 ) receives the number of error codes ( 222 ) from the second network device ( 212 ) after a threshold time after the system ( 10 ) issues the first command.