Network/system modelling using node discovery and node associated data

摘要

An electronic model of a communications network or system 10 having at least one host 12 and a plurality of nodes 14 connected thereto, directly or otherwise, is produced. The modelling apparatus determines the presence of and identifies nodes 14 in the network or system 10, obtains data relating to at least some of the nodes and/or the host 12 and creates an electronic model of the system or network using the data. The apparatus comprises a trusted computer host 16 for use in analysing the network 10. The trusted computer host 16 comprises means 18 for detecting nodes 14 on the network. As nodes 14 are detected, sampling probes 20 are inserted at each such node 14 wherever possible. The probes 20 take measurements at the respective nodes and return the resultant data to the trusted computer host 16. For a case where it is not possible to insert a probe 20 at a detected node 14, the trusted computer host 16 comprises means 22 for performing traffic analysis and obtaining a profile of behaviour between that node 14 and the network host 12. The data received from the probes 20 and the traffic analysis data is used by model simulation means 24 in the trusted computer host 16 to create a model of the network 10.