Systems and methods for efficient discovery of a computing device on a network

A computing device configured for discovering a device on a computer network, the computing device comprising:

• a processor;
• memory in electronic communication with the processor;
• a communications interface in electronic communication with a computer network;
• and
• executable instructions executable by the processor, wherein the executable instructions are configured to implement a method comprising:
• receiving an initiation message from an origination device on the computer network, wherein the initiation message includes key data, and wherein the origination device has not yet discovered the computing device on the computer network;
• obtaining the key data from the initiation message;
• providing key reply data based on the key data;
• and
• sending an initiation reply to the origination device on the computer network, wherein the initiation reply includes the key reply data.

A computer-readable medium for storing program data, wherein the program data comprises executable instructions for implementing a method for discovering a device on a computer network, the method comprising:

• receiving an initiation message from an origination device on the computer network, wherein the initiation message includes key data, and wherein the origination device has not yet discovered the computing device on the computer network;
• obtaining the key data from the initiation message;
• providing key reply data based on the key data;
• and
• sending an initiation reply to the origination device on the computer network, wherein the initiation reply includes the key reply data.