Router which dynamically requests a set of logical network addresses and assigns addresses in the set to hosts connected to the router
AssigneeScientific-Atlanta, Inc.
InventorsMark E. Schutte, Scott E. Hrastar
Life of this patent
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Abstract
The problem of wasting IP addresses by statically assigning them to hosts is solved as follows: when a cable router or RF modem becomes active, it sends a message requesting a set of IP addresses from the head end, which dynamically assigns the set of IP addresses and sends a message comprising the set of IP addresses to the cable router or RF modem. The cable router or RF modem then responds to requests by the hosts for IP addresses by assigning them IP addresses from the set. Furthermore, the set of IP addresses is released when the session terminates with the cable router or RF modem.
Claims62
A method employed in a router which is coupled between a first bidirectional link and a second bidirectional link of dynamically assigning a logical internet protocol network address to a host on the second bidirectional link, the method comprising the steps performed in the router of:
- obtaining a set of logical internet protocol network addresses for hosts on the second bidirectional link from a logical address assignment agent that dynamically assigns the set of logical internet protocol network addresses and is accessible via the first bidirectional link, the set of logical internet protocol network addresses being obtained by sending a request to the logical address assignment agent, the request specifying a number of logical internet protocol network addresses to be obtained, the number of logical internet protocol network addresses indicating how many logical internet protocol addresses are to be returned from the logical address assignment agent in the set of logical internet protocol network addresses;
- and
- responding to a request from a host for a logical internet protocol network address by assigning one of the set of logical internet protocol network addresses to the host.
A method employed in a router which is coupled between a first path and a second path of dynamically assigning a logical internet protocol network address to a host on said second path, the method comprising the steps performed in the router of:
- obtaining a set of logical internet protocol network addresses for hosts on said second path from a logical address assignment agent that dynamically assigns said set of logical internet protocol network addresses and is accessible via said first path, the set of logical internet protocol network addresses being obtained by sending a request to the logical address assignment agent, the request specifying a number of logical internet protocol network addresses to be obtained, the number of logical internet protocol network addresses indicating how many logical internet protocol addresses are to be returned from the logical address assignment agent in the set of logical internet protocol network addresses;
- and
- responding to a request from a host for a logical internet protocol network address by dynamically assigning one of said set of logical internet protocol network addresses to said host.
A system employed in a router which is coupled between a first path and a second path for dynamically assigning a logical internet protocol network address to a host on the second path, comprising:
- logic configured to obtain a set of dynamically assigned logical internet protocol network addresses for hosts on said second path, the set of logical internet protocol network addresses obtained by sending a request to the logical address assignment agent, the request specifying a number of logical internet protocol network addresses to be obtained, the number of logical internet protocol network addresses indicating how many logical internet protocol addresses are to be returned from the logical address assignment agent in the set of logical internet protocol network addresses;
- a logical address assignment agent that dynamically assigns said set of logical internet protocol network addresses and is accessible via said first path;
- and
- said router responding to a request from said host for one of said logical internet protocol network address by dynamically assigning one of said set of logical internet protocol network addresses to said host.
A router which is coupled between a first path and a second path, comprising:
- means for obtaining a set of dynamically assignable logical internet protocol network addresses for hosts on said second path from a logical address assignment agent, the set of logical internet protocol network addresses being obtained by sending a request to the logical address assignment agent, the request specifying a number of logical internet protocol network addresses to be obtained, the number of logical internet protocol network addresses indicating how many logical internet protocol addresses are to be returned from the logical address assignment agent in the set of logical internet protocol network addresses;
- and
- means for dynamically assigning said host on said second path upon request one of said logical internet protocol network addresses dynamically assigned to said router.
A router coupled between a first link and a second link for dynamically obtaining and assigning a logical internet protocol network address to at least one host on the second link, comprising:
- logic configured to dynamically obtain on the first link a set of logical internet protocol network addresses for at least one host on the second link, the set of logical internet protocol network addresses being obtained by sending a request to a logical address assignment agent, the request specifying a number of logical internet protocol network addresses to be obtained, the number of logical internet protocol network addresses indicating how many logical internet protocol addresses are to be returned from the logical address assignment agent in the set of logical internet protocol network addresses;
- and
- logic configured to respond to a request from said host and dynamically assign a logical internet protocol address from one of the set of logical internet protocol network addresses to said host on the second link.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.