METHOD OF MAINTAINING A NETWORK TOPOLOGY DATABASE

Each network node in a communications network maintains its own copy of the network topology database defining network resources. Each resource record contains a "timer" field which is initially set to a maximum value but which may be decremented on a daily basis. If the timer field is decremented to zero without being reset, the node unilaterally removes the resource record from its copy of the database. The timer field will normally reach zero only for obsolete resource records since each network node responsible for a resource broadcasts a timer-resetting message for the resource (1) each time the resource status changes, (2) when the node first joins or rejoins the network, and (3) on a periodic (weekly) basis regardless of whether conditions (1) or (2) have occurred.