Activation sequence for a network router

• US 5,805,594 A
• Filed: 08/23/1996
• Issued: 09/08/1998
• Est. Priority Date: 08/23/1996
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
• Original Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
• Inventors: Hartung, Robert Edward, Kotchey, Christopher Michael
• Primary Examiner(s): Patel, Ajit
• Application Number:
  US08/702,342
• Time in Patent Office: 746 Days
• Field of Search: 370/401, 370/402, 370/403, 370/404, 370/405, 370/406, 370/407, 370/254, 370/255, 370/389, 395/200
• US Class Current: 370/401
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 45/04 Interdomain routing, e.g. hierarchical routing
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 45/26 Route discovery packet

Abstract

Method and apparatus for enabling an IPX router to enter a network. The router does so by (a) transmitting on the network an RIP general request with null source and destination network designations; (b) receiving replies from other routers and determining therefrom the correct source and destination network designations; and thereafter (c) activating an interface to the network including transmitting a RIP response broadcast with the correct source and destination network designations; and (d) in the event that a reply is not received to the RIP general request within a predetermined time, otherwise activating the interface to the network.

Claims

1. A method for operating a digital computing device to enable a router to enter a network, the router including a routing table, comprising the steps of:

transmitting to said network a first general request broadcast with zero source and zero destination network numbers;

receiving replies from other routers on said network and determining therefrom the correct source and destination network numbers and information required for updating said routing table; and

thereafter

transmitting further general request and response broadcasts on said network, each with correct source and destination network numbers.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein said router is an Internet Packet exchange (IPX) router, wherein said first general request is a Routing Information Protocol (RIP) request, and wherein said response broadcasts include an RIP response.

3. A method for operating a digital computing device to enable an Internet Packet exchange (IPX) router to enter a network, comprising the steps of:

transmitting to said network a Routing Information Protocol (RIP) general request with zero source and zero destination network numbers;

receiving replies from routers on said network and determining therefrom the correct source and destination network numbers; and

thereafter

transmitting an RIP response broadcast to said network with correct source and destination network numbers.

4. A method for operating a digital computing device to enable a router to enter a network, comprising the steps of:

receiving a request from a host to activate a router interface to a network, said request including a first network number;

transmitting to said network a first general request with a zero network number;

receiving a reply from another router on said network, said reply including a second network number;

responsive to said first and second network numbers comparing equal, activating said router interface; and

responsive to said first and second network numbers not comparing equal, terminating router interface activation.

5. A method for operating a digital computing device to enable a router to enter a network, comprising the steps of:

receiving a request from a host to activate a

router interface to a network, said request including a first network number;

transmitting to said network a first general request with a zero network number;

waiting for a predetermined time for a reply from another router on said network;

responsive to expiration of said predetermined time without receiving said reply, activating said router interface.

6. The method of claim 5 wherein said router interface is activated with said first network number.

7. A method for operating a digital computing device to enable router to enter a network, comprising the steps of:

receiving a request from a host to activate a router interface to a network, said request including a first network number;

transmitting to said network a first general request with a zero network number;

waiting for a predetermined time for a reply from any other router on said network;

responsive to expiration of said predetermined time without receiving said reply, activating said router interface; and

responsive to receiving a reply from any other router on said network prior to expiration of said predetermined time, said reply including a second network number, if said first and second network numbers compare equal, activating said router interface;

otherwise, terminating router interface activation.

8. A computer readable memory device used to enable a router to enter a network according to the steps of:

transmitting to said network a first general request with zero source and zero destination network numbers;

receiving replies from other routers on said network and determining therefrom the correct source and destination network numbers; and

thereafter

transmitting further general request and response broadcasts on said network, each with correct source and destination network numbers.

9. A network router for activating router interface to a communications network, comprising:

means for transmitting to said network a first general request with zero source and zero destination network numbers;

means for receiving replies from other routers on said network and determining therefrom the correct source and destination network numbers; and

means for activating said router interface by transmitting further general request and response broadcasts, each with correct source and destination network numbers.