Node detection and ring configuration for physical star connected networks
A novel and useful mechanism for detecting the nodes connected to a network device and for creating a ring network from the nodes detected thereby. The invention simplifies insertion, removal and modification of nodes in the ring by detecting and reconfiguring the S ring without requiring intervention by a user. Identification information messages generated by network devices and sent out on all links and received over a plurality of ports are used in identifying and determining the connectivity and topology of the network devices. The resulting topology information is stored in a node database. The contents of the node database are then used to generate one or more ring networks, wherein each ring generated corresponds to a unique line speed. The connectivity of the one or more rings generated is stored in a ring database and the rings configured therefrom.
1. Apparatus to detect a plurality of network devices connected to a concentrator having a plurality of ports, the apparatus comprising:
a node database adapted to store node information representing the connectivity of network devices connected to the concentrator;
an interface to receive identification information on each port connected to a network device; and
a processor to:
match valid pairs of ports wherein each valid port pair represents a detected node;
verify that each detected node comprises an A interface and a B interface connection; and
add new detected nodes to the node database.
2. The apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the processor is configured to modify the names of the detected nodes so as to make all node names unique.
3. The apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the processor is configured to discard nodes previously entered into the node database that no longer exist.
4. The apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the processor is configured to modify those nodes already in the node database that have changed.
5. The apparatus according to claim 4 , wherein a change comprises a new port for a node already in the node database.
6. The apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the processor is configured to discard detected nodes that have the same Internet Protocol (IP) address.
7. The apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the identification information comprises network device related information including device name, Internet Protocol (IP) address, interface card ID and side ID.
8. The apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the identification information is transmitted via Synchronous Digital Hierarchy (SDH) J1 path overhead trace bytes.
9. The apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the identification information is transmitted via Synchronous Optical Network (SONET) J1 path overhead trace bytes.
10. The apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein a match is declared upon detecting two network devices having the same Internet Protocol (IP) address and name.
11. The apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the node database comprises a plurality of records, each record including a node name field, Internet Protocol (IP) address field, interface ID field, port ID field, line speed field and configuration data field.
12. The apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the processor is configured to connect the nodes in the node database into a ring by connecting the A interface of one node to the B interface of a node subsequent thereto in the node database.
13. Apparatus to detect and connect in ring fashion a plurality of network devices connected to a concentrator having a plurality of ports, the apparatus comprising:
a node database adapted to store node information representing the connectivity of network devices connected to the concentrator;
a ring database adapted to store ring information representing the configuration of one or more rings;
an interface to receive identification information on each port connected to a network device;
a processor to:
match valid pairs of ports wherein each valid port pair represents a detected node;
verify that each detected node comprises an A interface and a B interface connection; and
add new detected nodes to the node database; and
at least one switch to:
connect the B interface of each node in the node database to the A interface of a node subsequent thereto in the node database; and
connect the A interface of a first node in the node database to the B interface of a last node in the node database thus forming a ring.
14. The apparatus according to claim 13 , wherein the processor is configured to modify the names of the detected nodes so as to make all node names unique.
15. The apparatus according to claim 13 , wherein the processor is configured to discard detected nodes that have the same Internet Protocol (IP) address.
16. The apparatus according to claim 13 , wherein the identification information comprises network device related information including device name, Internet Protocol (IP) address, interface card ID and side ID.
17. The apparatus according to claim 13 , wherein a match is declared when two network devices having the same Internet Protocol (IP) address and name are detected.
18. The apparatus according to claim 13 , wherein the node database comprises a plurality of records, each record including a node name field, Internet Protocol (IP) address field, interface ID field, port ID field, line speed field and configuration data field.
19. The apparatus according to claim 13 , wherein the processor is configured to create additional rings wherein each ring created corresponds to a different line speed.
20. Apparatus to detect a plurality of network devices connected to a concentrator having a plurality of ports, the apparatus comprising:
means for establishing a node database adapted to store node information representing the connectivity of network devices connected to said concentrator;
means for receiving identification information on each port connected to a network device;
means for matching valid pairs of ports wherein each valid port pair represents a detected node;
means for verifying that each detected node comprises an A interface and a B interface connection; and
means for adding new detected nodes to said node database.