Discover Your Network's Topology

Note   You must have Modify permission for the Site security object class or instance to perform this procedure.

1. 

   Navigate to Discovery Methods.

2.  Systems Management Server
      Site Database
        Site Hierarchy
          site name
            Site Settings
              Discovery Methods

3. Right-click Network Discovery, and then click Properties.
4. In the Network Discovery Properties dialog box, complete the settings in the following tabs:
   • In the General tab, select Enable Network Discovery and Topology.
   • In the SNMP tab, specify community names. These must be read community names. You should also place the most popular names at the top of the list because the list is searched from the top down. At the bottom of the tab, specify how many router hops the Network Discovery should make. If you are unsure, use a small number (you can increase it later). For more information, see the example.
   • In the Schedule tab, specify when Network Discovery should run. Generally, Network Discovery generates large amounts of network traffic, so it is best to run it when you anticipate your network being lightly loaded. However, a topology-only discovery is fairly light and can be run during working hours without network disruption.
5. After Network Discovery is finished (for more information, see Verify that Network Discovery Is Done), use Network Trace to view a map of the routes between SMS site systems.

   Use this map as a guide when running network discoveries that find resources and their operating systems. Generally, it is best to discover one subnet at a time to keep network traffic down.

Related Topics

Verify that Network Discovery Is Done

Configure Network Discovery

Network Discovery Overview