A system automatically discovers and maintains geographic location
information for entities and devices making up a computer network. The
system preferably includes a computing unit and a geographic location
generator, such as a Global Positioning System (GPS) receiver. The
computing unit includes a location discovery entity and a message
generator. The GPS receiver, which is mounted to and in communication
with the computing unit, may be augmented with an inertial navigation
unit to facilitate the generation of location information inside of
buildings where GPS signals can be difficult to receive. The computing
unit further includes a network communications facility so that it can
communicate with one or more network devices, such as a network switch.
The switch includes a location recording/reporting entity and a location
database. Physical coordinates of network entities or devices are
obtained by the GPS receiver and/or inertial navigation unit and
transmitted to the network switch, and the recording/reporting entity
stores the physical coordinates at the location database.