Automatic network discovery in precision time protocol networks
AssigneeRockwell Automation Technologies, Inc.
InventorsKevin J. Riederer, Gerry M. Nagel, Manas Sawant
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Abstract
Aspects of the present invention provide systems and methods using precise timing relationships between nodes in computer networks to generate mappings depicting the physical arrangement or ordering of nodes in the computer networks. The technical effect is by tracking the timing delays between nodes as observed by an individual node, and collecting such information together for subsequent processing, nodes may receive and/or construct an entire physical network topology using an algorithm accordingly.
Claims20
A method for determining an arrangement of nodes configured in a computer network, the method comprising:
- (a) from at least two nodes, sending a broadcast packet to be received by other nodes configured in the computer network, wherein the broadcast packet includes a time correction field reflecting a time of departure of the broadcast packet from the sending node;
- (b) at each node receiving a broadcast packet, evaluating the time correction field of the broadcast packet for subsequently determining a relative transit time of the broadcast packet from a sending node to the receiving node, then updating the time correction field reflecting an updated time of departure of the broadcast packet before forwarding the broadcast packet to a next receiving node;
- (c) determining an ordering arrangement of the nodes configured in the computer network based on the number of nodes and the relative transit times of the broadcast packets;
- and
- (d) placing a greater power consuming node closer to a power delivery node and a lesser power consuming node further from the power delivery node in accordance with the ordering arrangement.
A network discovery program stored in a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium executable on an electronic computer operable to:
- (a) send from at least two nodes configured in a computer network broadcast packets receivable by other nodes in the network, wherein each broadcast packet includes a time correction field reflecting a time of departure of the broadcast packet;
- (b) at each node receiving a broadcast packet, evaluate the time correction field of the broadcast packet, then update the time correction field reflecting an updated time of departure of the broadcast packet at the receiving node before forwarding the broadcast packet to a next receiving node;
- (c) evaluate relative transit times of the broadcast packet from each sending node to each receiving node using the time correction field;
- (d) determine an ordering arrangement of the nodes in the network based on the total number of nodes and the relative transit times;
- and
- (e) determine placement a greater power consuming node closer to a power delivery node with a lesser power consuming node further from the power delivery node in accordance with the ordering arrangement.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.