Method and system for automatic allocation of resources in a network
First Claim
1. In a broadband cable data network where information is distributed from at least one DHCP server to a plurality of user terminals, a method for automatically allocating network resources to control access to the network comprising:
- generating a discover message from a user wanting to receive allocation of a network resource;
at a DHCP server, detecting user identification information from the discover message to determine whether an address entry is currently stored for the user;
creating an unregistered class entry and assigning a temporary IP address to the user which allows only limited access rights to the network if an address entry does not exist; and
sending an offer message which communicates the temporary IP address to allow limited access to a network user registration service.
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0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
In a broadband cable data network, a method and system for automatically allocating network resources such as IP addresses to control access to the network utilizes at least one DHCP server, and a common network database formed from a LDAP directory for storing respective user configuration parameters, hardware address registration, and current binding information. A DHCP server can add new hardware address registrations to the LDAP using an "unregistered" service class. The DHCP server sends a DHCP reply tailored for unregistered devices, such as by allocating a privately-allocated IP address with no Internet access, or an IP address for a self-provisioning web server. A DHCP server views IP address allocation as indefinite, while a user will view an IP address allocation as having a short duration. Thus, if the IP network configuration does not change, the user terminal will continue to receive the same allocated IP address due to the DHCP server'"'"'s perception of an indefinite lease. The consistency of the IP addresses simplifies many operational concerns about dynamic addresses, such as minimizing DNS (domain name service) hostname updates, mapping IP addresses to user terminals during security incidents, etc.
469 Citations
12 Claims
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1. In a broadband cable data network where information is distributed from at least one DHCP server to a plurality of user terminals, a method for automatically allocating network resources to control access to the network comprising:
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generating a discover message from a user wanting to receive allocation of a network resource; at a DHCP server, detecting user identification information from the discover message to determine whether an address entry is currently stored for the user; creating an unregistered class entry and assigning a temporary IP address to the user which allows only limited access rights to the network if an address entry does not exist; and sending an offer message which communicates the temporary IP address to allow limited access to a network user registration service. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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Specification