Abstract: Exemplary embodiments are directed to generating Internet Protocol (IP) addresses using a mask that is applied to a plurality IP addresses to generate plural groups of IP addresses. A range of IP addresses is generated for each of the groups when the plurality of groups is less than or equal to a predetermined number of groups. When a range of IP addresses is selected from the plurality of ranges IP addresses, the network nodes associated with the selected range are displayed.

Abstract: A preferred system includes a processor, a discovery mechanism, and a connector evaluation mechanism. The discovery mechanism is configured to generate and store topology data specifying connectors and segments of a communication network. Additionally, the discovery mechanism is configured to determine a path between a start node and an end node based upon the topology data. For instance, such a path(s) may be based upon information corresponding to a type of path of interest and/or information corresponding to a type of connector of interest. The connector evaluation mechanism is configured to evaluate the connectors in the path.