Method and system using ARP cache data to enhance accuracy of asset inventories

A computer program product in a computer readable medium for selectively updating information pertaining to computer devices in a group of said computer devices connectible to a specified transmission network, wherein each device is disposed to transmit packets to a router in a set of routers included in said network and each packet contains an element uniquely identifying its transmitting computer device, said computer program product comprising:

• first instructions for maintaining an inventory that includes information identifying at least some of said computer devices as assets of an entity associated with said specified network;
• second instructions for acquiring data contained in one or more ARP caches at selected intervals, wherein each of said ARP caches is associated with one of said routers;
• third instructions for processing said acquired cache data to detect all of said elements contained therein that respectively identify said computer devices;
• fourth instructions for constructing a database from said acquired date that includes said detected identifying elements, and further includes information indicating prior use of each computer device identified by said detected identifying elements;
• and
• fifth instructions for comparing information contained in said database with information contained in said inventory, and selectively using results of said comparison to update said inventory.

Apparatus for selectively updating information pertaining to computer devices in a group of said computer devices connectible to a specified transmission network, wherein each device is disposed to transmit packets to a router in a set of routers included in said network and each packet contains an element uniquely identifying its transmitting computer device, said apparatus comprising:

• a storage device for storing an inventory that includes information identifying at least some of said computer devices as assets of an entity associated with said specified network;
• a first component for acquiring data contained in one or more ARP caches at selected intervals, wherein each of said ARP caches is associated with one of said routers;
• a processor adapted to process said acquired cache data to detect all of said elements contained therein that respectively identify said computer devices;
• a storage device for storing a database constructed from said acquired data that includes said detected identifying elements, and further includes information indicating prior use of each computer device identified by said detected Identifying elements;
• and
• a second component for comparing information contained in said database with information contained in said inventory, and selectively using results of said comparison to update said inventory.