Method for initializing a box on a data communications network

Details Method for initializing a box on a data communications network Method for initializing a box on a data communications network

1998-11-02

2002-05-07

Harrell, Robert B. (Department: 2154)

Electrical computers and digital processing systems: multicomput

Network computer configuring

Initializing

Reexamination Certificate

active

06385648

ABSTRACT:

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to the field of data communications networks and, more specifically, the present invention relates to the method for initializing data communications network devices.
2. Background Information
Computer networks are used to interconnect many boxes or computing resources, such as for example computers, workstations, servers, printers, modems, storage devices and the like. For example, two or more computers may be connected together through a network. Network users are able to share files, printers and other resources, send messages and run applications on remote computers. An important part of any computer network includes the physical components or network communications devices used to interconnect the computing resources.
To illustrate,
FIG. 1
shows a plurality of networks
111
,
113
and
115
. In computing resources including boxes
101
,
103
,
105
,
107
and
109
are interconnected through network
111
. As illustrated in
FIG. 1
, box
107
links network
111
to network
113
and box
105
links network
111
to network
115
. As such, boxes
105
and
107
may be bridges, routers, switches or the like.
Computing resources in a network communicate with one another by using identifiers or addresses in accordance with the particular protocol used by the network. Therefore, when a box is added to a network, the box must be initialized with a network identifier or address so that it will be recognized by and can communicate with other computing resources in the network.
To illustrate, assume for example that network
111
uses the Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol (TCP/IP) suite of communications protocols to interconnect resources on network
111
. Accordingly, in order for a box, device, computing resource, etc. to be identified on network
111
, each box must have an Internet protocol (IP) address. Networks using the TCP/IP protocol route messages based on the IP address of the destination.
FIG. 1
shows that the IP address
121
of the box
105
is set using a configuration device
117
. In some instances, configuration device
117
may be a feature on the back panel of box
105
enabling a network administrator to manually set the IP address
121
of box
105
. In other instances, configuration device
117
may be a separate device that is coupled to box
105
using a serial connection
119
.
FIG. 1
also shows that other configuration parameters of box
105
may be set using configuration device
117
. These configuration parameters include subnet mask
123
and default gateway
125
.
An inconvenience with the arrangement illustrated in
FIG. 1
is that whenever a box or computing resource is added to the network, the network administrator must manually set the network identifier before the box is recognized in the network. As a consequence, in some instances the network administrator must connect configuration device
117
through serial connection
119
to each box that must be initialized. In situations where more than one box is added to the network, the network administrator must separately initialize the network identifier of each box.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
A method of initializing an uninitialized box in network is disclosed. In one embodiment, the method includes the step of broadcasting a service announcement over the network from a configuration utility. The service announcement is used to indicate to the uninitialized box that it may be initialized. After receiving the service announcement, the uninitialized box may transmit an acknowledgement message directed to the configuration utility or the network in response to the service announcement. The acknowledgement message directed to the configuration utility includes a unique identifier of the uninitialized box. Once the acknowledgement is received from the uninitialized box, the configuration utility broadcasts an initialization message over the network to the uninitialized box. The initialization message includes the unique identifier of the uninitialized box and a network identifier that the box can use to be recognized in the network. Additional features and benefits of the present invention will become apparent from the detailed description, figures and claims set forth below.


REFERENCES:
patent: 6105100 (2000-08-01), Dean et al.
Droms, R.: “Interoperation Between DHCP and BOOTP”, RFC 1534, Bucknell University, Oct. 1993.
Droms, R.: “Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol”, RFC 2131, Bucknell University, Mar., 1997.

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