Approach for provisioning network devices
First Claim
1. An apparatus for configuring a network device, the apparatus comprising a memory configured to store instructions which, when executed by one or more processors, cause the one or more processors to perform the steps of:
- powering up the network device, wherein the network device is associated with a private virtual local area network (VLAN) prior to being powered up;
supplying, after powering up the network device, first boot data to the network device over a network, wherein processing of the first boot data by the network device during a first startup of the network device causes the network device to bootup in image mode and, once in image mode, execute a provisioning process over the network;
instructing the provisioning process to supply at least one computer program to the network device over the network;
powering down the network device after receiving the at least one computer program;
re-configuring, after powering down the network device after receiving the at least one computer program, the network to remove the network device from the private VLAN;
powering up, after re-configuring the network, the network device; and
supplying, after powering up the network device, second boot data to the network device over the network, wherein processing of the second boot data by the network device during a second startup of the network device causes the network device to bootup in application mode and to execute the at least one computer program,wherein the first boot data is a first boot loader script and the second boot data is a second boot loader script.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An approach for provisioning network devices generally involves supplying boot data to network devices over a network so that the network devices can be booted up in an imaging mode or an application mode, depending upon the particular boot data supplied to the network device. When booted up in the imaging mode, imaging data can be downloaded and stored on network devices. When booted up in the application mode, the network devices execute one or more programs contained in the image data stored on the network devices. The first and second boot data may be in the form of boot loader scripts. Furthermore, the first and second boot data may be provided to the network device in the payload of a dynamic host configuration protocol (DHCP) reply. The DHCP reply may be generated and provided by a DHCP server to the network device in response to receiving a DHCP request from the network device. The approach may be implemented using a secure network environment.
38 Citations
21 Claims
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1. An apparatus for configuring a network device, the apparatus comprising a memory configured to store instructions which, when executed by one or more processors, cause the one or more processors to perform the steps of:
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powering up the network device, wherein the network device is associated with a private virtual local area network (VLAN) prior to being powered up; supplying, after powering up the network device, first boot data to the network device over a network, wherein processing of the first boot data by the network device during a first startup of the network device causes the network device to bootup in image mode and, once in image mode, execute a provisioning process over the network; instructing the provisioning process to supply at least one computer program to the network device over the network; powering down the network device after receiving the at least one computer program; re-configuring, after powering down the network device after receiving the at least one computer program, the network to remove the network device from the private VLAN; powering up, after re-configuring the network, the network device; and supplying, after powering up the network device, second boot data to the network device over the network, wherein processing of the second boot data by the network device during a second startup of the network device causes the network device to bootup in application mode and to execute the at least one computer program, wherein the first boot data is a first boot loader script and the second boot data is a second boot loader script. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. A method for configuring a network device in a network, the method comprising the machine-implemented steps of:
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powering up the network device, wherein the network device is associated with a private virtual local area network (VLAN) prior to being powered up; supplying, after powering up the network device, first boot data to the network device over the network, wherein processing of the first boot data by the network device during a first startup of the network device causes the network device to bootup in image mode and, once in image mode, to execute a provisioning process over the network; instructing the provisioning process to supply image data to the network device over the network, wherein the image data includes at least one computer program; powering down the network device after receiving the at least one computer program; re-configuring, after powering down the network device after receiving the at least one computer program the network to remove the network device from the private VLAN powering up, after re-configuring the network, the network device; and supplying, after powering up the network device, second boot data to the network device over the network, wherein processing of the second boot data by the network device during a second startup of the network device causes the network device to bootup in application mode and to execute the at least one computer program contained in the image data, wherein the first boot data is a first boot loader script and the second boot data is a second boot loader script. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. A machine-readable medium for configuring a network device in a network, the machine-readable medium carrying instructions which, when executed by one or more processors, cause the one or more processors to perform the steps of:
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powering up the network device, wherein the network device is associated with a private virtual local area network (VLAN) prior to being powered up; supplying, after powering up the network device, first boot data to the network device over the network, wherein processing of the first boot data by the network device during a first startup of the network device causes the network device to bootup in image mode and, once in image mode, to execute a provisioning process over the network; instructing the provisioning process to supply image data to the network device over the network, wherein the image data includes at least one computer program; powering down the network device after receiving the at least one computer program; re-configuring, after powering down the network device after receiving the at least one computer program, the network to remove the network device from the private VLAN powering up, after re-configuring the network, the network device; and supplying, after powering up the network device, second boot data to the network device over the network, wherein processing of the second boot data by the network device during a second startup of the network device causes the network device to bootup in application mode and to execute the at least one computer program contained in the image data, wherein the first boot data is a first boot loader script and the second boot data is a second boot loader script. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21)
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Specification