Automatic discovery and configuration of network devices
First Claim
1. A method for automatically configuring a device comprising the steps of:
- enumerating at least one network adapter on a device with a DHCP DISCOVER request;
broadcasting a DHCP INFORM request over a network to obtain additional information;
listening for at least one response on the at least one network adapter;
receiving at least one response to the DHCP INFORM request; and
determining an action to take based on the response, wherein the action is related to configuring the device.
2 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
Various technologies and techniques are disclosed for automatically configuring devices on a network. The network adapters on a device are enumerated with a DHCP DISCOVER request. The system determines that the DHCP DISCOVER request will not return a complete set of information needed to configure the device, and broadcasts a DHCP INFORM request over a network to obtain additional information. The DHCP INFORM request includes a parameter requesting one or more server addresses, and at least one identification parameter that describes the device. The device listens for at least one response on its network adapters. Upon receiving at least one response to the DHCP INFORM request, the device takes an appropriate configuration action based on the response.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. A method for automatically configuring a device comprising the steps of:
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enumerating at least one network adapter on a device with a DHCP DISCOVER request;
broadcasting a DHCP INFORM request over a network to obtain additional information;
listening for at least one response on the at least one network adapter;
receiving at least one response to the DHCP INFORM request; and
determining an action to take based on the response, wherein the action is related to configuring the device. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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7. The method of claim I, wherein the enumerating, broadcasting, listening, receiving, and determining steps are used for performing error recovery for the device.
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12. A computer-readable medium having computer-executable instructions for causing a computer to perform steps comprising:
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enumerate at least one network adapter on a device with a DHCP DISCOVER request;
determine that the DHCP DISCOVER request did not return a complete set of information needed to configure the device;
broadcast a DHCP INFORM request over a network to obtain additional information, wherein the DHCP INFORM request includes a parameter requesting a server address and at least one identification parameter that describes the device;
listen for at least one response on the at least one network adapter;
receive at least one response to the DHCP INFORM request; and
take an appropriate configuration action based on the response. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14)
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15. A method for automatically configuring a device comprising the steps of:
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providing a computer that receives a DHCP INFORM request from a device over a network, wherein the DHCP INFORM request includes a parameter requesting a server address and at least one identification parameter that describes the device; and
connecting the computer to the device over the network and configuring the device with at least one configuration parameter that describes how the device should communicate with the computer. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification