Abstract: In a computer network, a method for obtaining information regarding a device in a network, including obtaining said information using Telnet and using said information in the discovery of a network. The method uses a computer program on a computer readable medium loadable into a digital computer or embodied in a carrier wave. Said program comprising of the steps of, in respect of a device, creating a socket; connecting said socket to a Telnet port on said device; if connection was not successful, displaying the device as a generic device on a network map; if connection was successful, reading the login banner data; if the data did not read OK, display the device as a generic device on network map; if the data did read OK, parse the login banner data to obtain type; and use information to obtain device type ID and display relevant device on network map.