Apparatus and methods for use therein for an ISDN LAN modem utilizing internal DNS and DHCP servers for transparent translation of local host names to IP addresses
First Claim
1. Apparatus for a network communication device comprising:
- a processor;
a memory, connected to the processor, for storing executable instructions therein;
communication circuitry, connected to and controlled by the processor, for establishing a communicative connection between a first network and, via a second network, to at least one host device connected to the second network; and
a shared database residing in the memory and containing a host list having at least one host entry wherein the entry stores an corresponding internet protocol (IP) address for use by the one host device;
wherein, in response to the executable instructions, the processor;
implements domain name service (DNS) and dynamic host control protocol (DHCP) servers;
in response to a DHCP request message received over the second network from the one host device, the message requesting an IP address for the host device from the DHCP server, wherein the DHCP request message identifies the one host device by its associated machine name and physical network address, defines in the entry the machine name of the one host and its corresponding physical network address so as to associate the one host device with the corresponding IP address stored in the entry, such that the DNS server can subsequently access the entry in order to translate the machine name of the one host device as supplied in a network message over the second network into the corresponding IP address so as to permit the one host device to be addressed via the machine name by any device then connected to the second network; and
provides a DHCP response message over the second network to the one host device wherein the response message contains the corresponding IP address stored in the entry for subsequent use by the one host device.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Apparatus, and accompanying methods for use therein, for an ISDN LAN modem (300) (and various aspects thereof) that is particularly, though not exclusively, suited for small user environments and which contains an internal ISDN router (305) having a self-contained network hub (340) for inter-connecting multiple network devices, such as workstations (10), to each other through a local area network (LAN) and for permitting each of those devices to each gain access through the router to any one of a number of different remote networks. Advantageously, to facilitate and simplify its configuration, the LAN modem automatically adapts itself to a current network environment of a workstation connected thereto, via the LAN, and then communicates with that workstation through a browser executing thereat to obtain configuration information from a user situated at the workstation. Additionally, the LAN modem, through use of a multi-tiered routing hierarchy including both destination- and source-based routing, accommodates several modalities of network communication not heretofore possible in a conventional router. Specifically, several different workstations can simultaneously communicate through the LAN modem with a common remote network (60) and share a single user account at a corresponding network service provider.
184 Citations
28 Claims
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1. Apparatus for a network communication device comprising:
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a processor; a memory, connected to the processor, for storing executable instructions therein; communication circuitry, connected to and controlled by the processor, for establishing a communicative connection between a first network and, via a second network, to at least one host device connected to the second network; and a shared database residing in the memory and containing a host list having at least one host entry wherein the entry stores an corresponding internet protocol (IP) address for use by the one host device; wherein, in response to the executable instructions, the processor; implements domain name service (DNS) and dynamic host control protocol (DHCP) servers; in response to a DHCP request message received over the second network from the one host device, the message requesting an IP address for the host device from the DHCP server, wherein the DHCP request message identifies the one host device by its associated machine name and physical network address, defines in the entry the machine name of the one host and its corresponding physical network address so as to associate the one host device with the corresponding IP address stored in the entry, such that the DNS server can subsequently access the entry in order to translate the machine name of the one host device as supplied in a network message over the second network into the corresponding IP address so as to permit the one host device to be addressed via the machine name by any device then connected to the second network; and provides a DHCP response message over the second network to the one host device wherein the response message contains the corresponding IP address stored in the entry for subsequent use by the one host device. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. A method for use in a network communication device, the device having a processor, a memory, connected to the processor, for storing executable instructions therein, communication circuitry, connected to and controlled by the processor, for establishing a communicative connection between a first network and, via a second network, to at least one host device connected to the second network, and a shared database residing in the memory and containing a host list having at least one host entry wherein the entry stores an corresponding internet protocol (IP) address for use by the one host device;
- wherein the method comprises the steps, implemented through the executable instructions, of;
implementing domain name service (DNS) and dynamic host control protocol (DHCP) servers; in response to a DHCP request message received over the second network from the one host device, the message requesting an IP address for the host device from the DHCP server, wherein the DHCP request message identifies the one host device by its associated machine name and physical network address, defining in the entry the machine name of the one host and its corresponding physical network address so as to associate the one host device with the corresponding IP address stored in the entry, such that the DNS server can subsequently access the entry in order to translate the machine name of the one host device as supplied in a network message over the second network into the corresponding IP address so as to permit the one host device to be addressed via the machine name by any device then connected to the second network; and providing a DHCP response message over the second network to the one host device wherein the response message contains the corresponding IP address stored in the entry for subsequent use by the one host device. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28)
- wherein the method comprises the steps, implemented through the executable instructions, of;
Specification