Abstract: An apparatus for identifying network devices comprises a data acquisition unit that receives data from a multiplicity of network devices. It also comprises an interpretation unit that extracts identification data from the data and determines which of the multiplicity of network devices has sent the received data. A similarity of measured data of a physical clock to a predefined pattern and/or to previously measured data of the physical clock is analysed as a first criterion of an association of received data. In addition, at least one further criterion of an association of received data can be analysed among the identification data.

Abstract: An apparatus for identifying network devices comprises a data acquisition unit that receives data from a multiplicity of network devices. It also comprises an interpretation unit that extracts identification data from the data and determines which of the multiplicity of network devices has sent the received data. A similarity of measured data of a physical clock to a predefined pattern and/or to previously measured data of the physical clock is analysed as a first criterion of an association of received data. In addition, at least one further criterion of an association of received data can be analysed among the identification data.