IP network topology discovery using SNMP

Network topology information helps one analyze faults in IP networks and their locations. Rectifying such faults is a key role of an enterprise IP network management system. Thus, the automatic discovery of enterprise network topology has been the subject of rigorous study for many years. This paper proposes a Simple Network Management Protocol (SNMP)-based solution that handles various types of network devices, including L2/L3/L4/L7 switches, routers, printers, and hosts; and discovers connectivity among these devices. Key contribution of this paper is a simple algorithm to discover end host connectivity with the switches and routers. We show the network topology in combination of graph and tree layouts.