End to End Network Connectivity Detection Using SNMP and CAM

Abstract

In large organizations, wired Local Area Network (LAN) may spread across various buildings and floors for connecting PCs and servers. When there is increase in the network nodes, the complexity of monitoring, maintaining and troubleshooting also increases. To ensure security and problems in the network nodes, it is essential to identify the exact switch port to which a node is connected in the LAN network. The proposed system maps the location of all the switches present in the network and also helps network administrators to identify the exact switch port to which a device is connected and when there is an issue with the switches in the network, then the proposed system eliminates the need for manually tracing the network wires in the LAN organization. The devices plugged into each port of specified switches are also discovered by using Content Addressable Memory (CAM) entries of the switches. This is useful for system and network administrator to gain visibility into the IP, MAC, VLAN, status and availability of ports. The system also works in the dynamic environment and fulfills the need for the flexible access to the network. In order to overcome the infrastructure cost, this system introduces a network monitoring and management system using SNMP which helps to discover the devices like switches, routers, printers, and hosts and also discovers connectivity among these devices. This monitoring tool helps the Network Administrator to keep the entire network in a trouble free environment, thereby increasing the uptime of systems and user satisfaction.