Network resource location detection probe apparatus and method

Abstract

Mechanisms for network device information collection and change detection are disclosed. An apparatus in accordance with the present invention may include a reporting module hosted on a PC connected to a network. The reporting module may be capable of querying an intelligent network infrastructure device, such as a switch, a router, or a hub, to obtain end point connection information corresponding to the PC. The apparatus may also include a correlation module capable of associating the end point connection information acquired by the PC to a location identifier corresponding to the physical location at which the PC is actually installed at the physical site of the network. The reporting module may transmit the end point connection information to a central database. The reporting module may also include an update module capable of detecting changes in end point connection information corresponding to PCs connected to the network, which may be occasioned by movement of the PCs from one location to another on the network or removal of the PCs from the network. The reporting module may also include an inventory module capable of detecting other network devices, such as printers or scanners, connected to the network and local to a PC or workstation connected to the network. The correlation module may also include a matching module capable of matching software license records to the software installed on devices connected to the network to determine whether the organization has sufficient software licenses to cover actual software installations on the network. Moreover, the correlation module may include a device recognition module capable of identifying the nomenclature of devices connected to the network.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.