EP0472874A1
Expired / Lapsed
EP
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Automated address discovery method and apparatus for local area networks
Assignee: International Business Machines Corp
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Filing: 1991-07-15
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Granted: —
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Expires: 2011-07-15
Abstract
Abstract A method and apparatus for automatically associating physical network addresses with logical identifiers in local area networks. The physical network address is transmitted to a central administrator of the local area network, where the association between such address and a logical identifier is made. In the case where a new device is being installed on the network, the logical identifier may be an arbitrary word, number, or combination thereof which is supplied by the operator at the central administrator. In the situation where a device is being replaced, the logical identifier is the same as the identifier of the replaced device, while the physical network address of the replacement device is substituted in the association for the address of the replaced device. A compilation of the associations is maintained at the central administrator, and the associations are transmitted back to the devices being installed or replaced, as well as other devices on the network. A removal procedure is also utilized, whereby a selected association(s) may be removed from the system.
Inventors
- 👤 Thomas Brian Mathias
- 👤 Richard Jeffrey Planutis
- 👤 Judith Ann Wierbowski
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
EP
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-01 03:42
CPC Classifications
H; H04; H04L; H04L41/00; H04L41/26
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim
132 words
In a local area network comprised of a plurality of intelligent devices including a central administrator device, wherein each such device has a physical network address stored therein, a method of automatically associating the physical network address of a device with a logical identifier for the device, comprising the steps of, transmitting the physical network address of the device from the device to the central administrator, receiving the physical network address of the device at the central administrator, associating the physical network address of the device with a logical identifier at the central administrator, transmitting the logical identifier back to the device, and maintaining a compilation of such associations between physical network addresses and logical identifiers which have been made for intelligent devices of the local area network at the central administrator.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
62 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the device for which the association is made is being installed on the network, and the logical identifier is a new logical identifier which was not previously used in the local area network, or is a replacement device, and the logical identifier is the same as the logical identifier of the device which is being replaced.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
32 words
The method of claim 2 wherein the physical network address of the device which is being replaced is replaced with the physical network address of the replacement device at the central administrator.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
29 words
The method of claim 1, 2 or 3 wherein the logical identifier is inputted by an operator to the central administrator, or is originated internally at the central administrator.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
49 words
The method of claim 1 or anyone of claims 2 to 4 wherein the compilation of associations or a subset thereof is transmitted to the device, or the compilation of associations especially the new association or some subset thereof is transmitted to other devices of the local area network.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
47 words
The method of claim 5 wherein said other devices to which the new association is transmitted comprise a subset of all of the devices on the network, which subset of devices have a need to communicate to the device for which the new association has been made.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
46 words
The method of claim 1 or anyone of claims 2 to 6 wherein when a device is removed from the local area network, its logical identifier and associated physical network address are removed from the compilation of such associations which is maintained at the central administrator.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
33 words
The method of claim 5, 6 or 7 wherein when a new association is made, a message indicating that a change has occurred is transmitted to other devices of the local area network.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
138 words
In a local area network comprised of a plurality of intelligent devices including a central administrator device, wherein each such device has a physical network address stored therein, apparatus for automatically associating the physical network address of a device with a logical identifier for the device, comprising, means for transmitting the physical network address of the device from the device to the central administrator, means for receiving the physical network address of the device at the central administrator, means for associating the physical network address of the device with a logical identifier at the central administrator, means for transmitting the logical identifier back to the device, and means for maintaining a compilation of such associations between physical network addresses and logical identifiers which have been made for intelligent devices of the local area network at the central administrator.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
62 words
The apparatus of claim 9 wherein the device for which the association is made is being installed on the network, and the logical identifier is a new logical identifier which was not previously used in the local area network, or is a replacement device, and the logical identifier is the same as the logical identifier of the device which is being replaced.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
FR2337478A1
Cited
GB2216365A
Cited
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