Method for initializing a box on a data communications network
US6385648B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Nov 2, 1998 |
| Grant date | May 7, 2002 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Nov 2, 2018 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH04L61/00
- WIPO fieldDigital communication
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
Methods for initializing an uninitialized box in a data communications network. In one embodiment, the Internet protocol (IP) address, subnet mask and default gateway of a network switch or box is remotely initialized over a data communications network from a configuration utility on a host computer. In one embodiment, the configuration utility broadcasts a service announcement over the network indicating that it is available to initialize uninitialized boxes. An uninitialized box on the network replies to the service announcement. In one embodiment, the reply from the uninitialized box includes the serial number of the uninitialized box. In one embodiment, after the configuration utility receives the reply from the uninitialized box, the configuration utility prompts a network administrator to enter an IP address, subnet mask and default gateway to assign to the uninitialized box. In one embodiment, the configuration utility broadcasts an initialization message over network including the serial number of the uninitialized box and the entered IP address, subnet mask and default gateway. In one embodiment, after the uninitialized box receives the initialization message, the uninitia…
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.