System and method for dynamic IP address management

An architecture for dynamic IP address management, comprising:

• a gateway (GW) coupled between a private IP network and a public IP network;
• a dynamic host configuration processor (DHCP) coupled to said GW;
• and
• a processor, operatively coupled to said GW and said DHCP, for dynamically assigning to a private IP network subscriber equipment an external IP address and a corresponding address hold time as a function of an application to be performed and in response to a) a request for accessing the public IP network by a subscriber equipment of the private IP network to perform the application or b) a request for accessing the private IP network by an entity of the public IP network, the external IP address selected from a prescribed number of external IP addresses available to the private IP network, wherein said dynamic external IP address assigning processor is further for determining whether the IP address is actively being used by the subscriber equipment, and responsive to a determination that the IP address is not actively being used, determining whether the hold time has expired, and responsive to an expiration of the hold time, releasing the assigned IP address for reallocation.

A method for implementing dynamic IP address management, comprising:

• providing a gateway (GW) coupled between a private IP network and a public IP network;
• providing a dynamic host configuration processor (DHCP) coupled to the GW;
• and
• providing a processor, operatively coupled to the GW and the DHCP, for dynamically assigning to a private IP network subscriber equipment an external IP address and a corresponding address hold time as a function of an application to be performed, in response to a) a request for accessing the public IP network by a subscriber equipment of the private IP network to perform the application or b) a request for accessing the private IP network by an entity of the public IP network, the external IP address selected from a prescribed number of external IP addresses available to the private IP network.

A method implementing dynamic IP address management, comprising:

• providing a gateway (GW) coupled between a private IP network and a public IP network;
• providing a dynamic host configuration processor (DHCP) coupled to the GW;
• and
• providing a processor, operatively coupled to the GW and the DHCP, for dynamically assigning to a private IP network subscriber equipment an external IP address and a corresponding address hold time as a function of an application to be performed and in response to a) a request for accessing the public IP network by a subscriber of the private IP network to perform the application, or b) a request for accessing the private IP network by an entity of the public IP network, the external IP address selected from a prescribed number of external IP addresses available to the private IP network, wherein the processor is further for determining whether the IP address is actively being used by the subscriber equipment, and responsive to a determination that the IP address is not actively being used, determining whether the hold time has expired, and responsive to an expiration of the hold time, releasing the assigned IP address for reallocation.

An architecture for dynamic IP address management in an IP network, comprising:

• at least one router;
• a dynamic host configuration processor (DHCP) coupled to said router;
• and
• means, operatively coupled to said router and said DHCP, for dynamically assigning to a first IP network subscriber equipment an IP address and a corresponding address hold time in response to a) a request for accessing the IP network by the first subscriber equipment to perform a network application or b) a request for accessing the IP network by a second subscriber equipment for communicating with the first subscriber equipment, the IP address selected from a prescribed number of IP addresses available to the IP network.