Deployment and upgrade of network devices in a network environment
First Claim
1. A Power-On-Auto-Provisioning (POAP) method of self-activating a switch in a network, comprising:
- broadcasting, from a network interface of the switch upon powering up, a Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP) discover message;
receiving a DHCP offer message in response to the DHCP discover message, the DHCP offer message comprising names of a script file and a script server hosting the script file, the script file comprising a plurality of instructions in script language that can be executed by a processor of the switch without compiling, wherein the instructions specify a configuration file relevant to the switch;
broadcasting a DHCP request message corresponding to the DHCP offer message;
receiving a DHCP acknowledgement message in response to the DHCP request message, the DHCP acknowledgement message comprising an Internet Protocol (IP) address of the switch;
downloading the script file from the script server; and
automatically executing the script file.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A method for deployment and upgrade of network devices in a network environment includes receiving (for example, at a switch being activated in the network environment), Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP) information (for example, from a DHCP server in the network environment). The DHCP information includes a filename and location of a script file. The method further includes downloading the script file from a script server in the network environment and executing the script file. Executing the script file includes copying a configuration file and one or more software images to a memory element of the switch, where the configuration file includes configuration settings relevant to at least a switch identity, and a switch location in the network environment, installing the software images on the switch, rebooting the switch, applying configuration settings from the configuration file to the software images, and saving the configuration file to the memory element.
478 Citations
20 Claims
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1. A Power-On-Auto-Provisioning (POAP) method of self-activating a switch in a network, comprising:
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broadcasting, from a network interface of the switch upon powering up, a Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP) discover message; receiving a DHCP offer message in response to the DHCP discover message, the DHCP offer message comprising names of a script file and a script server hosting the script file, the script file comprising a plurality of instructions in script language that can be executed by a processor of the switch without compiling, wherein the instructions specify a configuration file relevant to the switch; broadcasting a DHCP request message corresponding to the DHCP offer message; receiving a DHCP acknowledgement message in response to the DHCP request message, the DHCP acknowledgement message comprising an Internet Protocol (IP) address of the switch;
downloading the script file from the script server; andautomatically executing the script file. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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14. One or more non-transitory tangible media that includes instructions for execution, which when executed by a processor of a switch in a network, is operable to perform operations comprising:
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broadcasting, from a network interface of the switch upon powering up, a DHCP discover message; receiving a DHCP offer message in response to the DHCP discover message, the DHCP offer message comprising names of a script file and a script server hosting the script file, the script file comprising a plurality of instructions in script language that can be executed by a processor of the switch without compiling, wherein the instructions specify a configuration file relevant to the switch; broadcasting a DHCP request message corresponding to the DHCP offer message; receiving a DHCP acknowledgement message in response to the DHCP request message, the DHCP acknowledgement message comprising an Internet Protocol (IP) address of the switch; downloading the script file from the script server; and automatically executing the script file. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17)
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18. An apparatus, comprising:
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a network interface; a memory element for storing data; and a processor operable to execute instructions associated with the data, wherein the processor and the memory element cooperate, such that the apparatus is configured for; broadcasting, from the network interface upon powering up, a DHCP discover message; receiving a DHCP offer message in response to the DHCP discover message, the DHCP offer message comprising names of a script file and a script server hosting the script file, the script file comprising a plurality of instructions in script language that can be executed by a processor of a switch without compiling, wherein the instructions specify a configuration file relevant to the switch; broadcasting a DHCP request message corresponding to the DHCP offer message; receiving a DHCP acknowledgement message in response to the DHCP request message, the DHCP acknowledgement message comprising an Internet Protocol (IP) address of the switch; downloading the script file from the script server; and automatically executing the script file. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20)
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Specification