Method and apparatus for configuring an endpoint device to a computer network
First Claim
1. A method for configuring an endpoint device to a computer network, the endpoint device being in one of a plurality of classes of endpoint devices, said method comprising the steps of:
- storing configuration information in a configuration database, the configuration information comprising one set of configuration information for each class of the plurality of classes of endpoint devices, such that each class associated with a different variety of endpoint device and each one set of configuration information is applicable to all endpoint devices in the each class;
monitoring a dynamic allocation of a first unique network address to the endpoint device when the endpoint device is connected to the computer network;
establishing, in response to said monitoring, a connection between a configuration manager and the endpoint device;
identifying, through said established connection, a class of the endpoint device connected to the network from said plurality of classes of endpoint devices;
retrieving the set of configuration information from the configuration database that is associated with the identified class of the endpoint device; and
configuring the endpoint device to the computer network using the retrieved configuration information.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A method and apparatus for dynamically and automatically configuring an endpoint device to a computer network of a network system. When the endpoint device, such as a computer or router, initially connects to a computer network, it is dynamically assigned or allocated a first unique network (IP) address, as by a DHCP (Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol) server. The allocation of the first network address is monitored and, in response to the monitored allocation, a connection between a configuration manager and the endpoint device is established. The class of the endpoint device is then remotely identified and appropriate configuration information stored in a configuration database is retrieved and utilized to automatically configure the endpoint device within the network system.
92 Citations
26 Claims
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1. A method for configuring an endpoint device to a computer network, the endpoint device being in one of a plurality of classes of endpoint devices, said method comprising the steps of:
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storing configuration information in a configuration database, the configuration information comprising one set of configuration information for each class of the plurality of classes of endpoint devices, such that each class associated with a different variety of endpoint device and each one set of configuration information is applicable to all endpoint devices in the each class; monitoring a dynamic allocation of a first unique network address to the endpoint device when the endpoint device is connected to the computer network; establishing, in response to said monitoring, a connection between a configuration manager and the endpoint device; identifying, through said established connection, a class of the endpoint device connected to the network from said plurality of classes of endpoint devices; retrieving the set of configuration information from the configuration database that is associated with the identified class of the endpoint device; and configuring the endpoint device to the computer network using the retrieved configuration information. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 21, 24)
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12. A server computer for configuring an endpoint device for connection to a computer network, the endpoint device being in one of a plurality of classes of endpoint devices, said server computer comprising:
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a network interface; a configuration database for storing configuration information comprising one set of configuration information for each class of the plurality of classes of endpoint devices, wherein each class is associated with a different variety of endpoint device and each one set of configuration information is applicable to all endpoint devices in the each class; means for verifying a first unique network address provided via said network interface to an endpoint device connected to the computer network and for providing a signal indicative of said verifying; a connection manager operable for establishing, in response to the signal from said verifying means, communication between the computer network and the endpoint device; and a configuration manager operable for identifying a class of the endpoint device connected to the computer network from said plurality of classes of endpoint devices, for retrieving from said configuration database configuration information for the identified class of the endpoint device, and for automatically configuring the endpoint device to the computer network using the retrieved configuration information. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 22, 25)
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16. A computer readable medium having stored thereon a plurality of instructions which, when executed by a processor, cause the processor to perform the steps of:
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storing configuration information in a configuration database, the configuration information comprising one set of configuration information for each class of the plurality of classes of endpoint devices, such that each class associated with a different variety of endpoint device and each one set of configuration information is applicable to all endpoint devices in the each class; monitoring a dynamic allocation of a first unique network address to an endpoint device when the endpoint device is connected to a computer network, the endpoint device being in one of a plurality of classes of endpoint devices; establishing, in response to said monitoring, a connection between a configuration manager and the endpoint device; identifying, through said established connection, a class of the endpoint device connected to the network from said plurality of classes of endpoint devices; retrieving configuration information from a configuration database for the identified class of the endpoint device; and configuring the endpoint device to the computer network using the retrieved configuration information. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19, 20, 23, 26)
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Specification