Configuration of LAN hosts

• US 20070174435A1
• Filed: 02/21/2007
• Published: 07/26/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 04/24/2001
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Ipaccess Limited (Mavenir Group Holdings Ltd.)
• Original Assignee: Ipaccess Limited (Mavenir Group Holdings Ltd.)
• Inventors: Johnson, Nicholas, Piercy, Neil
• Application Number:
  US11/709,453
• Publication Number:
  US 20070174435A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 709/220
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 41/0809 Plug-and-play configuration
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 41/0816 the condition being an adaptation, e.g. in response to network events
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 41/0886 Fully automatic configuration
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 41/26 using dedicated tools for LAN [Local Area Network] management
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 61/5014 using dynamic host configuration protocol [DHCP] or bootstrap protocol [BOOTP]
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 61/5061 Pools of addresses
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 61/59 using proxies for addressing

Abstract

A Local Area network is disclosed in which host specific configuration information, and in particular VSI, can be distributed. A network server is disclosed that is capable of supplying both network configuration information, including IP addresses, and VSI. This is used in addition to existing network servers. A relay agent is also supplied that is configured to add VSI to the network configuration information supplied by an existing network server. A network server is also disclosed that provides VSI only in response to DHCP INFORM requests.

Claims

1-11. -11. (canceled)

12. A Local Area Network comprising:

at least one network host configurable with network configuration information; and

at least one host network server configured to supply host specific configuration information utilizing a configuration protocol to said or each network host only in response to a first request issued by said network host after said network host has been configured with said network configured information.

13. A Local Area Network according to claim 12, further comprising at least one second network server configured to supply said network configuration information utilizing said configuration protocol in response to receiving a second request from said or each network host, wherein said second request is issued prior to said first request.

14. A Local Area Network according to claim 13, wherein said second request includes a request for a network address.

15. A Local Area Network according to claim 14, wherein only said or each second network server is configured to allocate a network address to a network host in response to said second request.

16. A Local Area Network according to claim 12, wherein only said or each first network server is configured to supply said host specific configuration information.

17. A Local Area Network according to claim 12, wherein said configuration protocol comprises a Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol.

18. A Local Area Network according to claim 17, wherein said host specific configuration information comprises Vendor Specific Information.