Discovering devices in a network
AssigneeSiemens Schweiz AG
InventorsWilliam H. Choi, Scott Allan Pearson, Anthony J. Bednaroski
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A network asset manager is provided that comprises a network interface coupled to a processor and a memory that broadcasts a first “Start Discovery” message. The “Start Discovery” message instructs unconfigured devices in an EIA-485 network to generate random number identifiers within a predetermined range and results in receipt of a “I Have Random ID” message from at least one of the unconfigured devices with a specific random number identifier associated with the at least one of the unconfigured devices. Receipt of the “I Have Random ID” message results in a broadcast message from the network interface to at least one of the unconfigured devices using the specific random number identifier.
Claims12
A network asset manager (NAM), comprising:
- a processor;
- a memory;
- a network interface coupled to the processor and the memory that broadcasts a first “Start Discovery” message, which instructs unconfigured devices in an EIA-485 network to generate random number identifiers within a predetermined range set to a maximum range that is specified in the “Start Discovery” message and results in receipt of a “I Have Random ID” message from at least one of the unconfigured devices with a specific random number identifier associated with the at least one of the unconfigured devices, which specific random number identifier is within the predetermined range, where receipt of the “I Have Random ID” message results in a broadcast message from the network interface to at least one of the unconfigured devices using the specific random number identifier.
A method of discovering devices in an EAI-485 network with a network asset manager (NAM), comprising:
- generating a “Start Discovery” message with a processor that instructs unconfigured devices in the EIA-485 network to generate random number identifiers within a range specified in the “Start Discovery” message;
- sending the “Start Discovery” message from a network interface where the range is set to a maximum predetermined range;
- receiving a “I Have Random ID” message at a network interface, where the “I Have Random ID” message has the generated random number identifier associated with one of the unconfigured devices, which generated random number identifier is within the predetermined range;
- and
- sending a “Get Device Information” message to one of the unconfigured devices that is associated with the random number identifier in order to receive information parameters from one of the unconfigured devices.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.