Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for identifying internal occupants of a communications system with an Ethernet backplane and an internal occupant. Verification that a system switch processor (“SSP”) has been assigned an IP address is completed. A discovery protocol data package from the SSP is requested. A determination is made as to whether the discovery protocol data package corresponds to an internal occupant. If the discovery protocol data package corresponds to the internal occupant, then occupant information corresponding to the internal occupant is discovered.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for identifying internal occupants of a communications system apparatus with an Ethernet backplane and at least one internal occupant. The method comprising: verifying that a system switch processor (“SSP”) has been assigned an IP address; requesting a discovery protocol data package from the SSP; determining whether the discovery protocol data package corresponds to at least one internal occupant; and if the discovery protocol data package corresponds to the at least one internal occupant, then discovering occupant information corresponding to the at least one internal occupant.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for identifying internal occupants of a communications system apparatus with an Ethernet backplane and at least one internal occupant. The method comprising: verifying that a system switch processor (“SSP”) has been assigned an IP address; requesting a discovery protocol data package from the SSP; determining whether the package corresponds to at least one internal occupant; and if the package corresponds to the internal occupant, then discovering occupant information corresponding to the internal occupant. The apparatus comprising means for verifying that a system switch processor (“SSP”) has been assigned an IP address; means for requesting a discovery protocol data package from the SSP; means for determining whether the package corresponds to at least one internal occupant; and if the package corresponds to the internal occupant, then means for discovering occupant information corresponding to the internal occupant.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for a communications system apparatus with an Ethernet backplane and at least one system processing engine (“SPE”) and a system manager SPE (“SMSPE”), for requesting chassis data from the SMSPE by the SPE and SMSPE. The method comprising: determining the IP address of the SMSPE; and issuing a request for Chassis Data to the SMSPE. Also, a method and apparatus for the communications system for sending chassis data from the SMSPE to the at least one SPE and SMSPE and verifying that the requesting SPE and SMSPE are part of the communications system.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for assigning IP addresses to occupants in a communications system chassis with an Ethernet backplane and at least one internal chassis occupant, comprising receiving a request for an IP address from a component, determining whether the component is an internal chassis occupant, if the component is an internal chassis occupant, assigning an IP address to the component.

Abstract: Approaches for determining the actual physical topology of network devices in a network are disclosed. To determine a physical topology, a discovery mechanism determines a set of network addresses for identifying devices within a network. Based on the set of network addresses, the discovery mechanism identifies a group of devices that are associated with the network. Layer 2 and Layer 3 configuration information is gathered from the group of devices to identify possible neighboring devices within the network. The configuration information is then processed to generate topology information that identifies true neighboring devices and the actual links that exist between each of the neighboring devices. The approaches eliminate misleading information and prevent generation of incorrect topologies.

Abstract: A mechanism for determining the actual physical topology of network devices in a network is disclosed. To determine a physical topology, a discovery mechanism determines a set of network addresses for identifying devices within a network. Based on the set of network addresses, the discovery mechanism identifies a group of devices that are associated with the network. Layer 2 and Layer 3 configuration information is gathered from the group of devices to identify possible neighboring devices within the network. The configuration information is then processed to generate topology information that identifies true neighboring devices and the actual links that exist between each of the neighboring devices. The mechanism eliminates misleading information and prevents generation of incorrect topologies.