# US 2019/0379602 A1 · Dynamic Access-Point Link Aggregation > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2019/0379602 A1 - Document ID: US20190379602A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 16/549,791 - Filed: 2019-08-23 - Published: 2019-12-12 - Earliest claimed: 2017-03-08 - Assignees: ARRIS Enterprises LLC - Applicants: ARRIS Enterprises LLC - Inventors: Venkat Chirreddy; Yun Wu; Gun Li; Ta-Chien Lin; Yong Seok Joo - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20190379602A1 ## CPC - H04L 12/2856: {Access arrangements, e.g. Internet access (asynchronous transfer mode networks H04L12/5601; broadband local area networks H04L12/2801; optical access or distribution networks H04Q11/0067; access to open networks H04L12/5691; digital subscriber line end-user equipment and bit-level processing of data on a PSTN-based network H04M11/00; home network gateways H04L12/2834; wireless access networks H04W)} - H04L 12/4641: {Virtual LANs, VLANs, e.g. virtual private networks [VPN] (LAN interconnection over a bridge based backbone H04L12/462; encapsulation techniques H04L12/4633; routing of packets H04L45/00; packet switches H04L49/00; virtual private networks for security H04L63/0272)} - H04L 45/745: Address table lookup; Address filtering - H04L 61/103: across network layers, e.g. resolution of network layer into physical layer addresses or address resolution protocol [ARP] - H04L 61/5007: Internet protocol [IP] addresses - H04L 61/5014: using dynamic host configuration protocol [DHCP] or bootstrap protocol [BOOTP] - H04L 61/58: Caching of addresses or names - H04L 2101/622: Layer-2 addresses, e.g. medium access control [MAC] addresses - H04L: TRANSMISSION OF DIGITAL INFORMATION, e.g. TELEGRAPHIC COMMUNICATION (arrangements common to telegraphic and telephonic communication H04M) ## Abstract An access point that provides link aggregation is described. During operation, this access point receives a message that may include a Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP) response with an Internet protocol (IP) address of a gateway for an electronic device to access a network and a media access control (MAC) address of the electronic device. Based on the MAC address and/or at least a characteristic of the electronic device (such as a configuration, a capability and/or an operating system of the electronic device), the access point may determine a different IP address of another gateway for the electronic device to access the network. Moreover, the access point may modify the DHCP response by substituting the IP address of the other gateway for the IP address of gateway in a modified DHCP response. Next, the access point provides the modified DHCP response to the electronic device. ## Claims ### Claim 1 An electronic device, comprising: an interface node; an interface circuit, coupled to the interface node, configured to wired or wirelessly communicate with a second electronic device, wherein the electronic device is configured to perform operations comprising: receiving, at the interface node, Gratuitous Address Resolution Protocol (ARP) packets associated with the second electronic device; when the electronic device subsequently does not receive a Gratuitous APR packet associated with the second electronic device within a time interval, assuming a second logical address of the second electronic device, which is in addition to an existing logical address of the electronic device; and in response to receiving an ARP request associated with a third electronic device that comprises the second logical address of the second electronic device, providing, to the interface node, an ARP response intended for the third electronic device, wherein the ARP response comprises a physical address of the electronic device, so that subsequent packets or frames associated with the third electronic device are directed to the electronic device instead of the second electronic device. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The electronic device of claim 1, wherein the communication is wired when the second electronic device is a gateway access point for a subnet and the communication is wireless when the second electronic device is an access point that is not the gateway access point for the subnet. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The electronic device of claim 1, wherein the electronic device comprises an access point. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The electronic device of claim 1, wherein the electronic device is configured to provide preassigned redundancy coverage for the second electronic device. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The electronic device of claim 1, wherein the existing logical address of the electronic device comprises an Internet Protocol (IP) address and the second logical address of the second electronic device comprises a second IP address; and wherein the electronic device is configured to implement IP aliasing. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The electronic device of claim 1, wherein the physical address of the electronic device comprises a Media Access Control (MAC) address of the electronic device. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The electronic device of claim 1, wherein the physical address of the electronic device is different from a second physical address of the second electronic device. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The electronic device of claim 1, wherein the electronic device is configured to implement ARP spoofing or proxy ARP. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The electronic device of claim 1, wherein the operations comprise, after assuming the second logical address of the second electronic device and prior to receiving the ARP request: receiving, at the interface node, a frame or packet associated with the third electronic device, wherein the frame or packet comprises a second physical address of the second electronic device and the second logical address of the second electronic device; and providing, to the interface node, a second frame or packet intended for the third electronic device that indicates that the second physical address of the second electronic device is incorrect. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The electronic device of claim 1, wherein the operations comprise, after providing the ARP response, receiving, at the interface node, a frame or packet associated with the third electronic device; and wherein the frame or packet comprises the physical address of the electronic device and the second logical address of the second electronic device. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) The electronic device of claim 1, wherein the operations comprise, after providing the ARP response: receiving, at the interface node, a second Gratuitous APR packet associated with the second electronic device; and in response to the second Gratuitous ARP packet, no longer assuming the second logical address of the second electronic device. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) The electronic device of claim 11, wherein the operations comprise, after no longer assuming the second logical address of the second electronic device: receiving, at the interface node, a frame or packet associated with the third electronic device, wherein the frame or packet comprises the physical address of the electronic device and the second logical address of the second electronic device; and providing, to the interface node, a second frame or packet intended for the third electronic device that indicates that the physical address of the electronic device is incorrect. ### Claim 13 (depends on 11) The electronic device of claim 11, wherein the operations comprise, after no longer assuming the second logical address of the second electronic device, provide, to the interface node, a third Gratuitous ARP packet to a subnet, which indicates that the physical address of the electronic device is incorrect for the second logical address of the second electronic device. ### Claim 14 A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium for use in conjunction with an electronic device, the computer-readable storage medium storing program instructions that, when executed by the electronic device, cause the electronic device to provide preassigned redundancy coverage for a second electronic device by performing operations comprising: receiving Gratuitous Address Resolution Protocol (ARP) packets associated with the second electronic device, wherein communication with the second electronic device involves wired or wirelessly communication; when the electronic device subsequently does not receive a Gratuitous APR packet associated with the second electronic device within a time interval, assuming a second logical address of the second electronic device, which is in addition to an existing logical address of the electronic device; and in response to receiving an ARP request associated with a third electronic device that comprises the second logical address of the second electronic device, providing an ARP response intended for the third electronic device, wherein the ARP response comprises a physical address of the electronic device, so that subsequent packets or frames associated with the third electronic device are directed to the electronic device instead of the second electronic device. ### Claim 15 (depends on 14) The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium of claim 14, wherein the communication is wired when the second electronic device is a gateway access point for a subnet and the communication is wireless when the second electronic device is an access point that is not the gateway access point for the subnet. ### Claim 16 (depends on 14) The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium of claim 14, wherein the operations comprise, after assuming the second logical address of the second electronic device and prior to receiving the ARP request: receiving a frame or packet associated with the third electronic device, wherein the frame or packet comprises a second physical address of the second electronic device and the second logical address of the second electronic device; and providing a second frame or packet intended for the third electronic device that indicates that the second physical address of the second electronic device is incorrect. ### Claim 17 (depends on 14) The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium of claim 14, wherein the operations comprise, after providing the ARP response: receiving a second Gratuitous APR packet associated with the second electronic device; and in response to the second Gratuitous ARP packet, no longer assuming the second logical address of the second electronic device. ### Claim 18 A method for provide preassigned redundancy coverage for a second electronic device, comprising: by an electronic device: receiving Gratuitous Address Resolution Protocol (ARP) packets associated with the second electronic device, wherein communication with the second electronic device involves wired or wirelessly communication; when the electronic device subsequently does not receive a Gratuitous APR packet associated with the second electronic device within a time interval, assuming a second logical address of the second electronic device, which is in addition to an existing logical address of the electronic device; and in response to receiving an ARP request associated with a third electronic device that comprises the second logical address of the second electronic device, providing an ARP response intended for the third electronic device, wherein the ARP response comprises a physical address of the electronic device, so that subsequent packets or frames associated with the third electronic device are directed to the electronic device instead of the second electronic device. ### Claim 19 (depends on 18) The method of claim 18, wherein the communication is wired when the second electronic device is a gateway access point for a subnet and the communication is wireless when the second electronic device is an access point that is not the gateway access point for the subnet. ### Claim 20 (depends on 18) The method of claim 18, wherein the method comprises, after assuming the second logical address of the second electronic device and prior to receiving the ARP request: receiving a frame or packet associated with the third electronic device, wherein the frame or packet comprises a second physical address of the second electronic device and the second logical address of the second electronic device; and providing a second frame or packet intended for the third electronic device that indicates that the second physical address of the second electronic device is incorrect.