Network system role determination

A computer readable medium having stored thereon a data structure comprising:

• (a) a first data field containing data representing a role of a basis system;
• (b) a second data field associated with the first data field containing data representing a test probe identifier indicative of a test probe;
• and
• (c) a third data field associated with the second data field containing data representing a signature response of the basis system in response to the test probe.

A computer readable medium having computer executable components comprising:

• (a) a signature data store component for storing a role identifier associated with at least one test probe identifier, each test probe identifier being associated with a signature response;
• (b) a probe engine component for sending a test probe to a target system, and for receiving a response from the target system in response to the test probe;
• and
• (c) a role resolver for determining a role of the target system based on a comparison of the response from the target system with the signature response.

A system for managing systems comprising:

• (a) a database component that stores a role associated with a test probe identifier indicative of a test probe sendable to a target system, and a signature response to the test probe;
• (b) a memory in which machine instructions are stored;
• and
• (c) a processor that is coupled to the database and the memory, the processor executing the machine instructions to carry out a plurality of functions including:
• (i) sending a plurality of test packets to a target system;
• (ii) receiving at least one response from the target system;
• (iii) matching the at least one response to a signature response of a basis system;
• and
• (iv) associating a role of the basis system with the target system.