NETWORK MANAGEMENT IN A COMMUNICATIONS NETWORK

摘要

A method and an apparatus discover a node in a communications network. The method and apparatus deploy a first crawler program in the network, where the first crawler program encounters a first node of the network. Network management information is collected from the first node using the first crawler program. An identity of a second node in communication with the first node is determined from the network management information using the first crawler program. The method and apparatus avoid or reduce the need for human operator involvement when the communications network is configured for the first time, or when there has been a change in the communications network such as the addition of a new node.