Abstract: Network device discovery method and system performs network device discovery in a more efficient manner by retrieving information from a registration network device about other network devices and then using the retrieved information to select discovery tests to discover the configuration of the other network devices in a more efficient manner. For instance, video network device discovery process identifies a gatekeeper and retrieves the registration list of video devices from the gatekeeper. The video devices on the gatekeeper registration list are then queried with selected discovery tests to determine network configuration for the devices, such as device type, without having to use unnecessary discovery tests associated with the discovery of other types of network devices.

Abstract: Network device discovery method and system performs network device discovery in a more efficient manner by retrieving information from a registration network device about other network devices and then using the retrieved information to select discovery tests to discover the configuration of the other network devices in a more efficient manner. For instance, video network device discovery process identifies a gatekeeper and retrieves the registration list of video devices from the gatekeeper. The video devices on the gatekeeper registration list are then queried with selected discovery tests to determine network configuration for the devices, such as device type, without having to use unnecessary discovery tests associated with the discovery of other types of network devices.

Abstract: In a system for discovering devices in a video network, a network management system (NMS) determines whether a video device in the video network supports a first network protocol, such as SNMP. If the device supports the first protocol, the NMS automatically uses the first protocol to retrieve attributes of the device from the device. If the device does not support the first protocol, the NMS automatically determines whether the device supports a second protocol, such as HTTP. If the device supports the second protocol, the NMS automatically uses the second protocol to retrieve the attributes of the device. In an example embodiment, if the device does not support the second protocol, the NMS may test for support of additional protocols, such as Telnet or VT-100. If one of those protocols is supported, the NMS may automatically use that protocol to retrieve the attributes of the device.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a system and method are described for communicating information that includes multiple network devices that each having at least one network communication port. Each network device is connected to other network device through the communication port. One or more of the network devices is also coupled to an advanced manager through the network device communication port. The advanced manager serves to determine the functionality of the least one network device via the communication port and manage the network device based upon its functionality.