Locating devices in a data network
First Claim
1. A method of determining a physical location of a client in a data communication network, the method comprising:
- assigning a connection point identifier to a bidirectional connection point through which the client communicates with a packet forwarding network device of the data communication network;
establishing communication between the client and the data communication network, via a cable-based communication path that includes the bidirectional connection point and the packet forwarding network device;
providing connection information to the client via the cable-based communication path, from the packet forwarding network device;
determining the connection point identifier by the client based at least in part on the provided connection information;
determining a physical location of the client, by the data communication network, based at least in part on the connection point identifier, including accessing a stored association between the connection point identifier and the physical location, wherein the connection point identifier is transmitted to the data communication network by the client via the cable-based communication path;
providing the determined physical location to the client via the cable-based communication path from the data communication network, wherein the physical location includes location information configured to identify a location of the client distinct from a location of the packet forwarding network device;
establishing the client as an authenticated user;
establishing at least one packet forwarding policy based, at least in part, upon the determined physical location and the authenticated user; and
forwarding one or more packets to or from the client, by the packet forwarding network device based, at least in part, upon the at least one packet forwarding policy.
8 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A system that associates physical locations with network-linked devices in a network to which such devices are connected. This system employs a variety of techniques for establishing device location. The system configuration can vary and can include any type of data network, including LANs, MANs, Wide Area Networks (WANs), Personal Area Networks (PANs), and Home Networks. The system provides location information for particular devices to the network devices and management, and may be used in any of a variety of ways to improve configuration accuracy, control, and security. The location information may also be used to control or secure a device itself.
517 Citations
40 Claims
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1. A method of determining a physical location of a client in a data communication network, the method comprising:
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assigning a connection point identifier to a bidirectional connection point through which the client communicates with a packet forwarding network device of the data communication network; establishing communication between the client and the data communication network, via a cable-based communication path that includes the bidirectional connection point and the packet forwarding network device; providing connection information to the client via the cable-based communication path, from the packet forwarding network device; determining the connection point identifier by the client based at least in part on the provided connection information; determining a physical location of the client, by the data communication network, based at least in part on the connection point identifier, including accessing a stored association between the connection point identifier and the physical location, wherein the connection point identifier is transmitted to the data communication network by the client via the cable-based communication path; providing the determined physical location to the client via the cable-based communication path from the data communication network, wherein the physical location includes location information configured to identify a location of the client distinct from a location of the packet forwarding network device; establishing the client as an authenticated user; establishing at least one packet forwarding policy based, at least in part, upon the determined physical location and the authenticated user; and forwarding one or more packets to or from the client, by the packet forwarding network device based, at least in part, upon the at least one packet forwarding policy. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34)
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35. A method of determining a physical location of a client in a data communication network, the method comprising:
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connecting the client to a bidirectional connection point, wherein the bidirectional connection point is part of a cable-based communication path from the client to a packet forwarding network device of the data communication network; identifying, by the client, the bidirectional connection point through which the client communicates; determining a physical location of the client, by the data communication network, based on the identified bidirectional connection point, wherein the physical location includes location information configured to identify a location of the client distinct from a location of the packet forwarding network device; providing the determined physical location to the client from the data communication network via the cable-based communication path; storing an association between the identified bidirectional connection point and the determined physical location; establishing the client as an authenticated user; establishing at least one packet forwarding policy based, at least in part, upon the determined physical location and the authenticated user; and forwarding one or more packets to or from the client, by the packet forwarding network device based, at least in part, upon the at least one packet forwarding policy. - View Dependent Claims (36, 37, 38, 39, 40)
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Specification