Method and system for dynamic assignment of network addresses in a communications network

A method for automatically assigning dynamic IP addresses without user interaction, comprising:

• maintaining at least one pool of a plurality of types of unused IP addresses at an IP address server in communication with a first network element of a transport ring, the IP address server comprising a DHCP server external to the transport ring;
• using a link state routing protocol to transmit, from the first network element, an advertisement message to a plurality of additional network elements in the transport ring, the advertisement message identifying the first network element as a gateway to the IP address server;
• receiving the advertisement message at a second network element in the transport ring, the second network element comprising a new network element;
• using CLNP to transmit an IP address request message from the second network element to the first network element, the IP address request message identifying the second network element and a specified type of IP address;
• in response to receiving the IP address request message at the first network element, relaying the IP address request message to the IP address server;
• using the IP address server to dynamically assign an IP address from the at least one pool of unused IP addresses to the second network element, the IP address of the specified type;
• transmitting the dynamically assigned IP address from the IP address server to the first network element;
• and
• using CLNP to transmit the dynamically assigned IP address from the first network element to the second network element.

A method for automatically assigning dynamic IP addresses without user interaction, comprising:

• maintaining at least one pool of unused IP addresses;
• transmitting an advertisement message from a first network element to at least one additional network element in a transport ring, the advertisement message identifying the first network element as providing IP address assignment services;
• receiving, at the first network element, an IP address request message from a second network element in the transport ring;
• and
• in response to the IP address request message, dynamically assigning an IP address from the at least one pool of unused IP addresses;
• and
• transmitting the dynamically assigned IP address from the first network element to the second network element.

A system for automatically assigning dynamic IP addresses without user interaction, comprising:

• a database storing at least one pool of unused IP addresses;
• an intermediate system comprising at least a first network element and a second network element forming at least a portion of a transport ring;
• wherein the first network element is operable to:
• transmit an advertisement message to the second network element, the advertisement message identifying the first network element as providing IP address assignment services;
• receive an IP address request message from the second network element in the transport ring;
• and
• transmit a dynamically assigned IP address to the second network element, the dynamically assigned IP address selected from the at least one pool of unused IP addresses.

Logic for automatically assigning dynamic IP addresses without user interaction, the logic being embodied in a computer-readable medium and when executed operable to:

• maintain at least one pool of unused IP addresses;
• transmit an advertisement message from a first network element to at least one additional network element in a transport ring, the advertisement message identifying the first network element as providing IP address assignment services;
• receive an IP address request message from a second network element in the transport ring;
• and
• in response to the IP address request message, dynamically assign an IP address from the at least one pool of unused IP addresses;
• and
• transmit the dynamically assigned IP address from the first network element to the second network element.

A system for automatically assigning dynamic IP addresses without user interaction, comprising:

• means for maintaining at least one pool of unused IP addresses;
• means for transmitting an advertisement message from a first network element to at least one additional network element in a transport ring, the advertisement message identifying the first network element as providing IP address assignment services;
• means for receiving an IP address request message from a second network element in the transport ring;
• and
• in response to the IP address request message, means for dynamically assigning an IP address from the at least one pool of unused IP addresses;
• and
• means for transmitting the dynamically assigned IP address from the first network element to the second network element.