US6115545A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Automatic internet protocol (IP) address allocation and assignment
Assignee: Hewlett Packard Enterprise Development LP
•
Filing: 1997-07-09
•
Granted: 2000-09-05
•
Expires: 2017-07-09
Abstract
Abstract A network device connected to a local network is configured using a module operating within a console connected to the local network. Once activated, the module obtains an unused network address. After obtaining the unused network address, the console waits for receipt of a request from the network device. Upon receipt of the request, the console forwards to the network device a response. The response includes the unused address along with subnet and gateway information for the console. The console then establishes a network connection to the network device and displays on a monitor for the console, an address value, a subnet mask value and a gateway value for the network device.
Inventors
- 👤 Peter E. Mellquist
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 20:14
CPC Classifications
H; H04; H04L; H04L67/00; H04L67/14; H04L61/00; H04L61/50; H04L61/5007; H04L61/5014; H04L9/00; H04L9/40; H04L69/00; H04L69/30; H04L69/32; H04L69/322; H04L69/329
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 21
Claim 1
Independent Claim
117 words
A computer implemented method used in configuration of a network device connected to a local network comprising the following steps performed by a module operating within a console connected to the local network: (a) in response to activation of the module, obtaining an unused network address; (b) upon receipt by the console of a request from the network device, forwarding to the network device a response which includes the unused address obtained in step (a) along with subnet and gateway information for the console; (c) establishing a network connection to the network device; and, (d) displaying on a monitor for the console, an address value, a subnet mask value and a gateway value for the network device.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
117 words
A computer implemented method used in configuration of a network device connected to a local network comprising the following steps performed by a module operating within a console connected to the local network: (a) in response to activation of the module, obtaining an unused network address; (b) upon receipt by the console of a request from the network device, forwarding to the network device a response which includes the unused address obtained in step (a) along with subnet and gateway information for the console; (c) establishing a network connection to the network device; and, (d) displaying on a monitor for the console, an address value, a subnet mask value and a gateway value for the network device.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
34 words
A computer implemented method as in claim 1 wherein step (a) comprises the following substeps: (a.1) sending a ping request via the local network; and, (a.2) receiving a ping response via the local network.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
25 words
A computer implemented method as in claim 1 wherein in step (b) the request is a BOOTP request and the response is a BOOTP response.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
42 words
A computer implemented method as in claim 1 additionally comprising the following step: (e) providing opportunity for a user via the console to accept, deny or modify the address value, the subnet mask value and the gateway value for the network device.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
33 words
A computer implemented method as in claim 1 wherein step (d) includes launching a world wide web browser by which the address value, the subnet mask value and the gateway value are displayed.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
21 words
A computer implemented method as in claim 5 wherein the module is a plug-in module of the world wide web browser.
Claim 8
Independent Claim
98 words
A method for configuring a network device connected to a local network comprising the following steps: (a) from a console located within the local network, interrogating active network devices to determine an unused network address; (b) upon the console receiving a request from the network device, forwarding, by the console to the network device, a response which includes the unused address determined in step (a) along with subnet and gateway information for the console; and, (c) configuring of the network device using the unused address and the subnet and gateway information within the response forwarded in step (b).
Claim 9
Independent Claim
98 words
A method for configuring a network device connected to a local network comprising the following steps: (a) from a console located within the local network, interrogating active network devices to determine an unused network address; (b) upon the console receiving a request from the network device, forwarding, by the console to the network device, a response which includes the unused address determined in step (a) along with subnet and gateway information for the console; and, (c) configuring of the network device using the unused address and the subnet and gateway information within the response forwarded in step (b).
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
39 words
A method as in claim 7 wherein step (a) comprises the following substeps: (a.1) sending a ping request from the console out to the local network; and, (a.2) receiving a ping response by the console from the local network.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
23 words
A method as in claim 7 wherein in step (b) the request is a BOOTP request and the response is a BOOTP response.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
47 words
A method as in claim 7 additionally comprising the following steps: (d) establishing a network connection between the console and the network device; and, (e) displaying on a monitor for the console, an address value, a subnet mask value and a gateway value for the network device.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
40 words
A method as in claim 10 additionally comprising the following step: (f) providing opportunity for a user via the console to accept, deny or modify the address value, the subnet mask value and the gateway value for the network device.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
33 words
A method as in claim 10 wherein in step (e) the address value, the subnet mask value and the gateway value are displayed within a window of a world wide web net browser.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
129 words
Storage media which stores a software module, the software module, when run on a console connected to a local network, performing a method used in configuration of a network device connected to the local network, the method comprising the following steps: (a) in response to activation of the software module, obtaining an unused network address; (b) upon receipt by the console of a request from the local network, forwarding to the local network, a response which includes the unused address found in step (a) along with subnet and gateway information for the console; (c) establishing a network connection between the console and the network device; and, (d) displaying on a monitor for the console, an address value, a subnet mask value and a gateway value for the network device.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
129 words
Storage media which stores a software module, the software module, when run on a console connected to a local network, performing a method used in configuration of a network device connected to the local network, the method comprising the following steps: (a) in response to activation of the software module, obtaining an unused network address; (b) upon receipt by the console of a request from the local network, forwarding to the local network, a response which includes the unused address found in step (a) along with subnet and gateway information for the console; (c) establishing a network connection between the console and the network device; and, (d) displaying on a monitor for the console, an address value, a subnet mask value and a gateway value for the network device.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
32 words
Storage media as in claim 13 wherein step (a) comprises the following substeps: (a.1) sending a ping request via the local network; and, (a.2) receiving a ping response via the local network.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
23 words
Storage media as in claim 13 wherein in step (b) the request is a BOOTP request and the response is a BOOTP response.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
43 words
Storage media as in claim 13 wherein the method additionally comprises the following step: (e) providing opportunity for a user via the console to accept, deny or modify the address value, the subnet mask value and the gateway value for the network device.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
31 words
Storage media as in claim 13 wherein step (d) includes launching a world wide web browser by which the address value, the subnet mask value and the gateway value are displayed.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
20 words
Storage media as in claim 17 wherein the software module is a plug-in module of the world wide web browser.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US5649100A
Cited
US5557748A
Cited
US5819042A
Cited
US5784555A
Cited
US5734831A
Cited
US5724510A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2003-09-05 | 2004-03-06 | 2004-09-05 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2007-09-05 | 2008-03-06 | 2008-09-05 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2011-09-05 | 2012-03-06 | 2012-09-05 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |