Method and apparatus for automatic IP allocation bootstrapping of embedded network management cards used in networked uninterruptible power supplies and other supported devices

• US 20040039821A1
• Filed: 08/21/2002
• Published: 02/26/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 08/21/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: American Power Conversion Corporation (Schneider Electric SE)
• Original Assignee: American Power Conversion Corporation (Schneider Electric SE)
• Inventors: Giglio, Scott, Leidigh, Christopher
• Granted Patent: US 7,912,958 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 709/227
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 41/0806 for initial configuration or provisioning, e.g. plug-and-play
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 41/0886 Fully automatic configuration
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 61/5007 Internet protocol [IP] addresses
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 61/5014 using dynamic host configuration protocol [DHCP] or bootstrap protocol [BOOTP]

Abstract

The present invention relates to a Network Management Card enabling communications to supported devices, for example, an uninterruptible power supply (UPS) connected to a network. The Network Management Card operates to provide IP allocation according to BootP and DHCP processes, to automatically select an appropriate process, and apply it automatically and intuitively without specific operator interference or configuration. The Network Management Card further utilizes vendor specific codes in the DHCP process to limit the IP addresses assigned to UPSs in order to maintain information about the location of the UPSs on the network.

Claims

1. A method for allocating IP addresses to an uninterruptible power supply connected to a network comprising the steps of:

executing a BootP process for allocation of IP addresses; and

executing a DHCP process for allocation of IP addresses, if the BootP process fails to allocate an IP address to the uninterruptible power supply.

2. The method for allocating IP addresses to an uninterruptible power supply connected to a network according to claim 1, the method further comprising the step of:

executing a second BootP process for allocation of IP addresses;

if the DHCP process fails to allocate an IP address to the uninterruptible power supply.

3. The method for allocating IP addresses to an uninterruptible power supply connected to a network according to claim 1, the method further comprising, before the step of executing the BootP process, the step of:

executing a gleaning process for allocation of IP addresses; and

wherein the step of executing the BootP process is not performed if the gleaning process succeeds in assigning an IP address to the uninterruptible power supply.

4. The method for allocating IP addresses to an uninterruptible power supply connected to a network according to claim 1, wherein the step of executing a DHCP process includes the steps of:

transmitting on the network a DHCP discover packet which includes a vendor specific option;

receiving from the network a DHCP offer packet, including an IP address allocation, in response to the DHCP discover packet;

determining whether the DHCP offer packet includes a vendor specific response corresponding to the vendor specific option; and

allocating the IP address allocation from the DHCP offer packet to the uninterruptible power supply if the DHCP offer packet includes the vendor specific response.

5. The method for allocating IP addresses to an uninterruptible power supply connected to a network according to claim 4, wherein the step of allocation the IP address allocation includes the steps of:

allocating the IP address allocation from the DHCP offer packet to the uninterruptible power supply; and

releasing the IP address allocation from the DHCP offer packet if the DHCP offer packet does not include the vendor specific response.

6. The method for allocating IP addresses to an uninterruptible power supply connected to a network according to claim 1, wherein the step of executing a BootP process includes the steps of:

transmitting on the network a BootP allocation request;

receiving from the network a BootP allocation, including an IP address;

determining whether the BootP allocation corresponds to a predetermined format; and

allocating the IP address from the BootP allocation to the uninterruptible power supply if the BootP allocation corresponds to a predetermined format.

7. A network management card for an uninterruptible power supply connected to a network comprising the steps of:

means for executing a BootP process for allocation of IP addresses; and

means executing a DHCP process for allocation of IP addresses, if the BootP process fails to allocate an IP address to the uninterruptible power supply.

8. The network management card of claim 7, further comprising:

means for executing a second BootP process for allocation of IP addresses;

if the DHCP process fails to allocate an IP address to the uninterruptible power supply.

9. The network management card of claim 7, further comprising:

means for executing a gleaning process for allocation of IP addresses.

10. The network management card of claim 7, wherein the means for executing the DHCP process includes:

means for transmitting on the network a DHCP discover packet which includes a vendor specific option;

means for receiving from the network a DHCP offer packet, including an IP address allocation, in response to the DHCP discover packet;

means for determining whether the DHCP offer packet includes a vendor specific response corresponding to the vendor specific option; and

means for allocating the IP address allocation from the DHCP offer packet to the uninterruptible power supply if the DHCP offer packet includes the vendor specific response.

11. The network management card of claim 10, wherein the means for allocating the IP address allocation includes:

means for allocating the IP address allocation from the DHCP offer packet to the uninterruptible power supply; and

means for releasing the IP address allocation from the DHCP offer packet if the DHCP offer packet does not include the vendor specific response.

12. The network management card of claim 7, wherein the means for executing a BootP process includes:

means for transmitting on the network a BootP allocation request;

means for receiving from the network a BootP allocation, including an IP address;

means for determining whether the BootP allocation corresponds to a predetermined format; and

means for allocating the IP address from the BootP allocation to the uninterruptible power supply if the BootP allocation corresponds to a predetermined format.