Automatic network topology analysis

A system and a method for automatic detection of physical network topology, by correlating information from computers connected to the network. Preferably, this information is gathered through the operation of a plurality of agents, which are distributed throughout the network and which are operated by a computer connected to the network. More preferably, the agents exchange information in order to at least partially determine the physical topology of the network. In addition, information is preferably gathered from other sources of physical topology information, such as bridging tables from network switches. The physical topology is preferably built by first determining the relative location of the agents, such as the segment of the network on which the agent is located. Next, switches and other connectivity elements are added in order to connect these segments, and additional segments are created from other sources of information. The remaining connections are then determined. Thus, the method and system of the present invention enable the map of the physical topology of the network to be automatically constructed.