Allocation of IP address by proxy to device in a local area network

• US 6,810,420 B1
• Filed: 01/31/2000
• Issued: 10/26/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 11/03/1999
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Hewlett Packard Enterprise Development LP (Hewlett-Packard Enterprise Company)
• Original Assignee: 3Com Corporation (HP Inc.)
• Inventors: Kirby, David, Allsworth, Robert, White, Andrew P, Bill, David E, Buse, Christopher J
• Primary Examiner(s): Jaroenchonwanit, Bunjob
• Application Number:
  US09/494,401
• Time in Patent Office: 1,730 Days
• Field of Search: 709/222-224, 709/220
• US Class Current: 709/224
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 61/5014 using dynamic host configuration protocol [DHCP] or bootstrap protocol [BOOTP]
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 61/5038 for local use, e.g. in LAN or USB networks, or in a controller area network [CAN]
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 61/5046 Resolving address allocation conflicts; Testing of addresses testing when self-assigning an address H04L61/5092
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 61/5092 by self-assignment, e.g. picking addresses at random and testing if they are already in use

Abstract

A device is discovered on a network by means of a discovery protocol operated by a proxy and a protocol address for the device is obtained if required by the proxy, which requests a protocol address in accordance with a dynamic host communication protocol, then in the absence of response to that request attempts automatic private addressing and finally if necessary allows manual entry of a protocol address for the device.

Claims

1. A method of allocating an internet protocol address to a device connected to a packet-based communication network, comprising:

placing on the network an interrogation in the form of a first control frame from a proxy, said proxy being separate from said device;

receiving at the proxy a response from said device in the form of a second control frame which defines an invalid internet protocol address for said device;

in response to said invalid internet protocol address, sending from the proxy to a separate server a request for an internet protocol address for said device;

in response to the reception of said second control frame by said proxy, operating said proxy to test potential internet protocol addresses for conflict with existing internet protocol addresses, and obtaining said valid internet protocol address when conflict thereof with existing internet protocol addresses is absent by at least one of steps (a) to (c) as follows;

(a) by means of said request addressed according to a dynamic host communication protocol;

(b) automatic private internet protocol addressing; and

(c) manual entry of the internet protocol address, wherein said steps (a) to (c) are performed in the order (a),(b) and (c) until said valid internet protocol obtained; and

sending from the proxy to said device a third control frame which includes a valid internet protocol address allocated to said device.