APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR ANALYZING A CONTROL NETWORK

Aspects of the present invention provide isolating and applying a common protocol which may be used by multiple devices across multiple network levels to analyze an entire system of control networks. A generic message may be sent individually to targeted addresses across a network level. If a response is received from a device at a targeted address, such as within a timeout period, a specific message customized to the individual device may be sent to extract further detail about the device, including its connectivity to other devices and networks. The system may continue automatically until resource utilization of the entire system is determined to thereby provide diagnostic and reliability services.