System and method for automatic segment resolution on a local area network

A network monitor, for use in a network comprised of a plurality of segments, each segment connected to at least one other segment by a bridge operating transparently to stations on the network, and for resolving the location of a station on the network, includes a primary resolver for generating and sending a primary probe to the station, a primary observer for monitoring primary probes and for generating and sending a primary observation report in response to the primary probes, a first receiver for receiving the primary observation reports, and a circuit, responsive to the received primary observation reports, for generating and sending secondary probe requests. The network monitor also includes secondary resolvers for receiving the secondary probe requests and for generating and sending secondary probes in response thereto, secondary observers for monitoring secondary probes and for generating and sending a secondary observation report in response thereto, a second receiver for receiving the secondary observation reports, a circuit for creating and transmitting a summary of the received secondary observation reports, a third receiver for receiving the summaries, and a resolver for determining the location of the station based on the primary observation reports and the summaries.