Analysis and research of network topology discovery method

This paper introduces five popular topology discovery methods such as method based on ICMP protocol, method based on SNMP protocol, method based on ARP protocol, method based on DNS protocol and method based on OSPF protocol. Each method may work perfectly in the specific network, but it doesn't really do work for all kinds of network. This paper analyzes and compares application range, merit and limitation of the methods in terms of network level, application range and grain size. The work can help people select appropriate network topology discovery method in different network.