System using server to provide mobile computer accessing to a different network without reconfiguring the mobile computer
DCFirst Claim
1. A server for use with a network to provide access to a mobile computer configured for a different network without reconfiguring the mobile computer through hardware or software, the server comprising:
- 1) a registration module to register the mobile computer to access the network;
2) a registration driver to assign internet protocol (IP) addresses and maintain and access addressing information including IP addresses and media access control (MAC) addresses, wherein the assigned IP address assigned to the computer is mapped to the MAC address of the mobile computer;
3) an internal interface to connect the server to the computer;
4) an external interface to connect the server to the network;
5) a packet driver module to perform network address translation (NAT) between the assigned IP address and a configured IP address of the mobile computer at the internal interface;
6) a packet filter that permits transmission of packets to and from the external interface based on registration status;
7) a dynamic host configuration protocol(DHCP) module to service DHCP request based on assigned IP address; and
8) an address resolution protocol (ARP) module that uses the registration driver to provide MAC address for an assigned IP address so that the mobile computer configured for a different network is provided with access to the network without reconfiguring the mobile computer through hardware or software.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A server and method is provided that allows a computer configured for a different network to access a network without hardware or software configuration changes to the computer. The invention allows users to plug into the network and access not only the network that their computer is connected to but also to the Internet, the Worldwide Web and the individual'"'"'s email. This is particularly useful to visitors to multiple unit buildings such as hotels. Not only can the service be provided by the server and method of the invention connected to and carried out on the network but it does not require manual configuration changes to the computer or new software or hardware for the computer. In situations where access is to be controlled this is done through a registration driver and module. Only registered guests have access to the network and the services and access it provides. The invention determines and assigns addressing information to properly direct traffic to and from the computer. The invention provides for the storage and maintenance of the addressing data. Registration status information and billing information is collected and maintained to determine access to and billing for services.
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Citations
23 Claims
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1. A server for use with a network to provide access to a mobile computer configured for a different network without reconfiguring the mobile computer through hardware or software, the server comprising:
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1) a registration module to register the mobile computer to access the network; 2) a registration driver to assign internet protocol (IP) addresses and maintain and access addressing information including IP addresses and media access control (MAC) addresses, wherein the assigned IP address assigned to the computer is mapped to the MAC address of the mobile computer; 3) an internal interface to connect the server to the computer; 4) an external interface to connect the server to the network; 5) a packet driver module to perform network address translation (NAT) between the assigned IP address and a configured IP address of the mobile computer at the internal interface; 6) a packet filter that permits transmission of packets to and from the external interface based on registration status; 7) a dynamic host configuration protocol(DHCP) module to service DHCP request based on assigned IP address; and 8) an address resolution protocol (ARP) module that uses the registration driver to provide MAC address for an assigned IP address so that the mobile computer configured for a different network is provided with access to the network without reconfiguring the mobile computer through hardware or software. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. A server for providing a user access to a network for a computer that is configured for a different network, the server comprising:
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a registration module for automatically determining and assigning an Internet Protocol (IP) address for the computer connected on the foreign network; a registration driver for registering the computer in association with addressing information including the assigned IP address and a Media Access Control (MAC) address of the computer, and for storing and maintaining the addressing information for registered computers; a packet fitter for filtering packets to permit only the registered computers to access the network; and a packet driver module for translating an IP address in a packet based on the MAC address; and wherein the server allows the computer to access the network via a foreign network without user initiated software or hardware configuration changes, and transparently directs traffic to and from the computer from and to the network based on the addressing information; and the registration driver comprises a user interface for collecting and maintaining billing and registration status information, and for identifying the computer for billing purposes by using Simple Network Management Protocol (SNMP) and a network switching architecture to identify a switch port to which the computer is connected. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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17. A server for providing a user access to an external network for a mobile computer, the mobile computer configured for a first network, the server comprising:
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a registration module for registering the mobile computer to access the network; a registration driver for transparently assigning internet protocol (IP) address to the computer, and for maintaining and accessing addressing information including the assigned IP address and a media access control (MAC) address of the computer, wherein the assigned IP address assigned to the mobile computer is mapped to the MAC address of the mobile computer; an internal interface for connecting the server to the computer; an external interface for connecting the server to the external network; a packet driver module for performing network address translation (NAT) between the assigned IP address and a configured IP address of the mobile computer at the internal interface based on the MAC address; a packet fitter for filtering packets to permit transmission of the packets to and from the external interface from and to the internal interface based on registration status; a dynamic host configuration protocol (DHCP) module for servicing DHCP request based on the assigned IP address; and an address resolution protocol (ARP) module for detecting an ARP request and for causing the registration driver to associate the MAC address and the assigned IP address, wherein in response to the traffic from the computer to the external network, the server transparently redirects the traffic and accesses the external network based on the addressing information. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23)
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Specification