System and method for dynamic IP address management

• US 6,618,757 B1
• Filed: 05/17/2000
• Issued: 09/09/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 05/17/2000
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Avaya Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Nortel Networks Limited (Nortel Networks Corporation)
• Inventors: Abu-Amara, Hosame, Babbitt, Jeffrey G.
• Primary Examiner(s): Lim, Krisna
• Application Number:
  US09/572,345
• Time in Patent Office: 1,210 Days
• Field of Search: 709/226, 709/227, 709/229, 370/431
• US Class Current: 709/226
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 61/2514 between local and global IP addresses
• 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 61/5076 Update or notification mechanisms, e.g. DynDNS

Abstract

An architecture for dynamic IP address management is disclosed. The architecture includes a gateway (GW) coupled between a private IP network and a public IP network. A dynamic host configuration processor (DHCP) is operatively coupled to the GW. A network address translator (NAT) couples to the GW. Lastly, a processor, operatively coupled to the GW and the DHCP, is provided for dynamically assigning to a private IP network subscriber equipment an external IP address and a corresponding IP address hold time as a function of an application to be performed. Assignment of the external IP address and a corresponding IP address hold time is in response to a) a request for accessing the public IP network by a subscriber equipment of the private IP network to perform the application, or b) a request for accessing the private IP network by an entity of the public IP network. The external IP address is selected from a prescribed number of external IP addresses available to the private IP network.

Claims

1. An architecture for dynamic IP address management, comprising:

a gateway (GW) coupled between a private IP network and a public IP network;

a dynamic host configuration processor (DHCP) coupled to said GW; and

means, operatively coupled to said GW and said DHCP, for dynamically assigning to a private IP network subscriber equipment an external IP address and a corresponding address hold time as a function of an application to be performed, in response to a) a request for accessing the public IP network by a subscriber equipment of the private IP network to perform the application or b) a request for accessing the private IP network by an entity of the public IP network, the external IP address selected from a prescribed number of external IP addresses available to the private IP network.

2. The architecture of claim 1, wherein said dynamic external IP address assigning means further includes means for determining whether the IP address is actively being used by the subscriber equipment, and responsive to a determination that the IP address is not actively being used, determining whether the hold time has expired, and responsive to an expiration of the hold time, releasing the assigned IP address for reallocation.

3. The architecture of claim 1, wherein said dynamic external IP address assigning means is resident within said DHCP.

4. The architecture of claim 3, wherein said dynamic external IP address assigning means includes a timer for monitoring an expiration of an assigned IP address hold time.

5. The architecture of claim 4, wherein responsive to the expiration of the assigned IP address hold time, said DHCP releases the assigned external IP address for reallocation.

6. The architecture of claim 1, wherein said dynamic external IP address assigning means is resident within said GW.

7. The architecture of claim 6, wherein responsive to a request, said GW determines an assigned IP address hold time as a function of the application, further wherein said GW submits the request and the assigned IP address hold time to said DHCP.

8. The architecture of claim 7, wherein said dynamic external IP address assigning means includes a timer for monitoring an expiration of an assigned IP address hold time.

9. The architecture of claim 8, wherein responsive to the expiration of the assigned IP address hold time, said GW communicates information to said DHCP for releasing the assigned external IP address for reallocation.

10. An architecture for dynamic IP address management, comprising:

a gateway (GW) coupled between a private IP network and a public IP network;

a dynamic host configuration processor (DHCP) coupled to said GW; and

a processor, operatively coupled to said GW and said DHCP, for dynamically assigning to a private IP network subscriber equipment an external IP address and a corresponding address hold time as a function of an application to be performed and in response to a) a request for accessing the public IP network by a subscriber equipment of the private IP network to perform the application or b) a request for accessing the private IP network by an entity of the public IP network, the external IP address selected from a prescribed number of external IP addresses available to the private IP network, wherein said dynamic external IP address assigning processor is further for determining whether the IP address is actively being used by the subscriber equipment, and responsive to a determination that the IP address is not actively being used, determining whether the hold time has expired, and responsive to an expiration of the hold time, releasing the assigned IP address for reallocation.

11. A method for implementing dynamic IP address management, comprising:

providing a gateway (GW) coupled between a private IP network and a public IP network;

providing a dynamic host configuration processor (DHCP) coupled to the GW; and

providing a processor, operatively coupled to the GW and the DHCP, for dynamically assigning to a private IP network subscriber equipment an external IP address and a corresponding address hold time as a function of an application to be performed, in response to a) a request for accessing the public IP network by a subscriber equipment of the private IP network to perform the application or b) a request for accessing the private IP network by an entity of the public IP network, the external IP address selected from a prescribed number of external IP addresses available to the private IP network.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein providing the processor for dynamically assigning the external IP address and the corresponding hold time further includes determining whether the IP address is actively being used by the subscriber equipment, and responsive to a determination that the IP address is not actively being used, determining whether the hold time has expired, and responsive to an expiration of the hold time, releasing the assigned IP address for reallocation.

13. The method of claim 11, wherein the processor for dynamically assigning the external IP address is resident within the DHCP.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein the processor for dynamically assigning the external IP address includes a timer for monitoring an expiration of an assigned IP address hold time.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein responsive to the expiration of the assigned IP address hold time, the DHCP releases the assigned external IP address for reallocation.

16. The method of claim 11, wherein the processor for dynamically assigning the external IP address is resident within the GW.

17. The method of claim 16, wherein responsive to a request, the processor determines an assigned IP address hold time as a function of the application, further wherein, responsive to the request, the GW submits the request and the assigned IP address hold time to the DHCP.

18. The method of claim 17, wherein the processor for dynamically assigning the external IP address includes a timer for monitoring an expiration of an assigned IP address hold time.

19. The method of claim 18, wherein responsive to the expiration of the assigned IP address hold time, the GW communicates information to the DHCP for releasing the assigned external IP address for reallocation.

20. A method implementing dynamic IP address management, comprising:

providing a gateway (GW) coupled between a private IP network and a public IP network;

providing a dynamic host configuration processor (DHCP) coupled to the GW; and

providing a processor, operatively coupled to the GW and the DHCP, for dynamically assigning to a private IP network subscriber equipment an external IP address and a corresponding address hold time as a function of an application to be performed and in response to a) a request for accessing the public IP network by a subscriber of the private IP network to perform the application, or b) a request for accessing the private IP network by an entity of the public IP network, the external IP address selected from a prescribed number of external IP addresses available to the private IP network, wherein the processor is further for determining whether the IP address is actively being used by the subscriber equipment, and responsive to a determination that the IP address is not actively being used, determining whether the hold time has expired, and responsive to an expiration of the hold time, releasing the assigned IP address for reallocation.

21. An architecture for dynamic IP address management in an IP network, comprising:

at least one router;

a dynamic host configuration processor (DHCP) coupled to said router; and

means, operatively coupled to said router and said DHCP, for dynamically assigning to a first IP network subscriber equipment an IP address and a corresponding address hold time in response to a) a request for accessing the IP network by the first subscriber equipment to perform a network application or b) a request for accessing the IP network by a second subscriber equipment for communicating with the first subscriber equipment, the IP address selected from a prescribed number of IP addresses available to the IP network.

22. The architecture of claim 21, wherein said dynamic IP address assigning means further includes means for determining whether the IP address is actively being used by the first subscriber equipment, and responsive to a determination that the IP address is not actively being used, determining whether the hold time has expired, and responsive to an expiration of the hold time, releasing the assigned IP address for reallocation.

23. The architecture of claim 21, wherein said dynamic IP address assigning means is resident within said DHCP.

24. The architecture of claim 23, wherein said dynamic IP address assigning means includes a timer for monitoring an expiration of an assigned IP address hold time.

25. The architecture of claim 24, wherein responsive to the expiration of the assigned IP address hold time, said DHCP releases the assigned IP address for reallocation.

26. The architecture of claim 21, wherein said dynamic IP address assigning means assigns the IP address hold time as a function of the network application to be performed.

27. A method for implementing dynamic IP address management in an IP network, comprising:

dynamically assigning to a first IP network subscriber equipment, via a processor operatively coupled to at least one router and a dynamic host configuration processor (DHCP), an IP address and a corresponding address hold time, in response to a) a request for accessing the IP network by the first subscriber equipment of the IP network to perform a network application or b) a request for accessing the IP network by a second subscriber equipment for communicating with the first subscriber equipment, the IP address selected from a prescribed number of IP addresses available to the IP network.

28. The method of claim 27, wherein providing the processor for dynamically assigning the IP address and the corresponding hold time further includes determining whether the IP address is actively being used by the first subscriber equipment, and responsive to a determination that the IP address is not actively being used, determining whether the hold time has expired, and responsive to an expiration of the hold time, releasing the assigned IP address for reallocation.

29. The method of claim 27, wherein the processor for dynamically assigning the IP address is resident within the DHCP.

30. The method of claim 29, wherein the processor for dynamically assigning the IP address includes a timer for monitoring an expiration of an assigned IP address hold time.

31. The method of claim 30, wherein responsive to the expiration of the assigned IP address hold time, the DHCP releases the assigned IP address for reallocation.

32. The method of claim 27, wherein the processor for dynamically assigning the IP address assigns the IP address as a function of the network application to be performed.