A network map is a diagram used to find bottlenecks or redirect locations in computer networks. They have been used since the early days of computer networking and have evolved with the introduction of automatic monitoring tools. There are three methods of creating a network map: SNMP, active discovery, and path analysis.
A network map is a diagram of a computer network. These maps are built to find bottlenecks in network systems or locations that need redirection. The network map is one of the most basic tools in a network designer’s toolkit. The physical layout of the network and information about its usage provide a wealth of information that would be difficult to obtain by other means.
People have been creating network maps since the early days of computer networking. These days, the technology behind networking was in its infancy. It was not uncommon for large networks to have only one or two individuals who fully understood their scope. These maps have been used to help those less familiar with the systems find the information they need for layout and repairs.
One of the biggest innovations in network mapping came next, with automatic monitoring tools. These tools provided hard numbers on network connection usage and latency. When this information was combined with a standard network map, designers could see the real effects of their changes. Small changes in network design have been found to have a major impact on network usage patterns.
In the beginning, most of these maps were made by hand. Later, automatic network monitoring programs came on the market. These programs would operate across entire network spaces, locating all endpoints, terminals, and nodes. This information will feed back to the main program and may create a map of the system. These maps differed from a standard network map in that they showed interactivity between parts, but rarely a true blueprint-style map.
There are three basic methods of creating a network map other than just drawing; simple network management protocol (SNMP), active discovery and path analysis. SNMP is an industry standard protocol and was originally developed as a way to locate failed hardware. With this method, the mapping software uses links to hardware locations that it already knows about. Then he asks those pieces of hardware about those they know, ultimately drawing the entire network.
An active probing network map takes a more aggressive approach. It floods the network with a special kind of information packet. These packets communicate with the system hardware and report back to the program. Based on the information retrieved and the time taken to retrieve it, the program can create a basic hardware map.
Path analysis is the most recent of the three forms and is the only one explicitly designed for network mapping. These programs mimic some of the tendencies of a network router, often acting as a clone of an existing piece of hardware. They monitor information passing through the system, cataloging addresses and times. Eventually, they get enough information to put together a basic network map—the longer the program runs, the more accurate the map.
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