Use of generic classifiers to determine physical topology in heterogeneous networking environments

A system for determining a physical topology of a network, comprising:

• a plurality of nodes within the network;
• means for determining, from a selected network node, values of communications parameters including round trip time, bottleneck link speed, and hop count to each of a plurality of other network nodes;
• means for classifying the selected network node and the plurality of other network nodes into one or more site groups utilizing the communications parameters;
• and
• means for classifying each network node within a site group into one or more physical groups utilizing round trip time values.

A computer program product within a computer usable medium for determining a physical topology of a network, comprising:

• instructions for determining, from a selected network node, values of communications parameters including round trip time, bottleneck link speed, and hop count to each of a plurality of other network nodes;
• instructions for classifying the selected network node and the plurality of other network nodes into one or more site groups utilizing the communications parameters;
• and
• instructions for classifying each network node within a site group into one or more physical groups utilizing round trip time values.