1. A method of discovering a topology and identifying switches in an N-stage switch network comprising a plurality of interconnected switch boards, the method comprising: (i) ascertaining an intended topology of the N-stage switch network; (ii) creating a list of the plurality of switch boards that are present in the N-stage switch network; (iii) determining a connection pattern for each of the plurality of switch boards by obtaining information indicating how each of the plurality of switch boards is connected to neighboring switch boards; (iv) classifying each of the plurality of switch boards on the list of the plurality of switch boards as an outer switch board (OB), or an inner switch board (IB), and creating a respective OB list of the switch boards characterized as a OB, and creating a respective IB list of the switch boards characterized as an IB; (v) classifying each of the switch boards on the OB list as a stage 1 switch board, stage 2 switch board, or unknown; (vi) classifying each of the switch boards on the IB list as one of a stage 3 switch board to a stage N switch board; (vii) grouping the stage 2 switch boards into sectors; (viii) grouping the stage 1 switch boards into sectors; and (ix) determining a number for each switch board in stages 1 to N, thereby determining the topology of the N-stage switch network; and using a management server computer, executing a switch network manager program stored in a storage medium, to perform the step of determining the connection pattern for each of the plurality of switch boards by obtaining information indicating how each of the plurality of switch boards is connected to neighboring switch boards.