RE: Network discovery tools
The best GPL tool that I've come across in a long while, as far as network discovery goes, would have to be the discovery engine inside Netdisco (http://www.netdisco.org). This tool is fairly Cisco-centric, but Max has put a lot of work into a tool for folks who are tired of CiscoWorks not working. -B -Original Message- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of [EMAIL PROTECTED] Sent: Thursday, May 06, 2004 11:13 AM To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subject: Network discovery tools I was wondering if anyone could recommend a good shareware or demo network discovery tool. I was hoping to find something that will show vendor type during node discovery. I came across a tool called network ferret that did the job, but nothing downloadable. I'm hoping to do some more work on the effects of network diversity, and wanted to do testing on real world networks. I figured starting of with GMU would get us going, but if anyone knows of any available datasets with node-link topology and vendor type it would be great to play with them. thanks, sean
Re: Network discovery tools
The best GPL tool that I've come across in a long while, as far as network discovery goes, would have to be the discovery engine inside Netdisco (http://www.netdisco.org). This tool is fairly Cisco-centric, but Max has put a lot of work into a tool for folks who are tired of CiscoWorks not working. netdisco does automated topology discovery for CDP-speaking devices (where the C is Cisco and not Cabletron). That includes Cisco gear and some HP stuff (at least the ProCurve line of switches - not sure what else they have it in). netdisco will also do topology discovery using Bay's discovery protocol (though this probably only exists in old stuff and likely didn't make the cut in the move to Nortel). There's some hope for using the work done by some guys at Bell Labs to do the L2 topology discovery relying on existing MIBs (primarily the BRIDGE MIB), and there is proof-of-concept code, but that's mostly wishful thinking at this point.
Re: Network discovery tools
Sean, The one I downloaded, tried and then bought was solarwinds. They have a demo copy that you can get the magic key to. If gives as much SNMP as the router operators allow. One feature that is nice is give it the base router and it will discover everything attached to it. John Lee http://www.solarwinds.com/ [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: I was wondering if anyone could recommend a good shareware or demo network discovery tool. I was hoping to find something that will show vendor type during node discovery. I came across a tool called network ferret that did the job, but nothing downloadable. I'm hoping to do some more work on the effects of network diversity, and wanted to do testing on real world networks. I figured starting of with GMU would get us going, but if anyone knows of any available datasets with node-link topology and vendor type it would be great to play with them. thanks, sean
Re: Network discovery tools
Thanks for the suggestions. The network ferret tools reports to do layer 2 discovery as well, maybe not so wishful thinking but I could be wrong - http://www.panix.com/~logikos/ - Original Message - From: Mark Boolootian [EMAIL PROTECTED] Date: Thursday, May 6, 2004 11:59 am Subject: Re: Network discovery tools The best GPL tool that I've come across in a long while, as far as network discovery goes, would have to be the discovery engine inside Netdisco (http://www.netdisco.org). This tool is fairly Cisco- centric, but Max has put a lot of work into a tool for folks who are tired of CiscoWorks not working. netdisco does automated topology discovery for CDP-speaking devices (where the C is Cisco and not Cabletron). That includes Cisco gear and some HP stuff (at least the ProCurve line of switches - not sure what else they have it in). netdisco will also do topology discovery using Bay's discovery protocol (though this probably only exists in old stuff and likely didn't make the cut in the move to Nortel). There'ssome hope for using the work done by some guys at Bell Labs to do the L2 topology discovery relying on existing MIBs (primarily the BRIDGE MIB),and there is proof-of-concept code, but that's mostly wishful thinkingat this point.
Re: Network discovery tools
Thanks for the suggestions. The network ferret tools reports to do layer 2 discovery as well, maybe not so wishful thinking but I could be wrong - http://www.panix.com/~logikos/ Thanks for the pointer. HPOV claims their layer 2 discovery is independent of vendor-proprietary technology. The wishful-thinking I referred to was more about finding someone with enough cycles and perl chops that they might attempt to integrate the Bell Labs stuff into netdisco (as opposed to wishful-thinking that L2 discovery is possible without an L2 discovery protocol, though I have to admit to having my doubts).
