Configuration of a network device via the network
AssigneeSun Microsystems, Inc.
InventorStephen D. Paul
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A method and apparatus are provided that configure a new network device via the network. The method consists of initiating a boot sequence on a first device. The boot process is suspended prior to performing network set up. The new device sends a configuration request to a computer on the network. The computer generates configuration data for the new device and sends configuration data the new device via a multicast message. The new device then writes the configuration data into a file used by an operating system for network configuration on the first device and continues the boot sequence.
Claims45
A method of configuring a network device comprising:
- sending a configuration request from a first device to a second device via multicast;
- generating configuration data for the first device on the second device;
- sending configuration data from the second device to the first device via multicast;
- and
- writing configuration data into one or more files used by an operating system for network configuration on the first device.
A method of configuring a network device comprising:
- setting up a multicast socket with a predetermined number for communication with the network device;
- listening to the socket for a configuration request from the network device;
- responsive to receiving the configuration request on the socket, acknowledging the configuration request via multicast;
- generating configuration data for configuring the network device;
- and
- sending the configuration data to the network device via multicast.
A method of configuring a network device comprising:
- sending a configuration request on a predetermined multicast port of the network device;
- responsive to receiving a configuration pending message on the predetermined multicast port, listening for a packet containing configuration data;
- and
- writing the configuration data into one or more files used by an operating system of the network device for configuring network settings.
A network configuration device comprising:
- a storage device having stored therein a configuration routine for configuring a second device coupled to a network;
- and
- a processor coupled with said storage device which, when executing said configuration routine, configures said second device by;
- setting up a multicast socket with a predetermined number for communication with the second device,
- listening to the socket for a configuration request from the second device,
- responsive to receiving the configuration request on the socket, acknowledging the configuration request via multicast,
- generating configuration data appropriate for the second device, and sending the configuration data to the second device via multicast.
A network device comprising:
- a storage device having stored therein a configuration routine;
- and
- a processor coupled with said storage device which, when executing said configuration routine, configures said network device by;
- repeatedly sending a configuration request on a predetermined multicast port of the network device;
- responsive to receiving s configuration pending message on the predetermined multicast port, listening for a packet containing configuration data;
- and
- writing the configuration data into one or more files used by an operating system of the network device for configuring network settings.
A machine-readable medium having stored thereon data representing sequences of instructions, said sequences of instructions which, when executed by a processor, cause said processor to configure a network device by:
- setting up a multicast socket with a predetermined number for communicating with the network device;
- listening to the socket for a configuration request from the network device;
- responsive to receiving the configuration request on the socket, acknowledging the configuration request via multicast;
- generating configuration data appropriate for configuring the network device;
- and
- sending the configuration data to the network device via multicast.
A machine-readable medium having stored thereon data representing sequences of instructions, said sequences of instructions which, when executed by a processor, cause said processor to configure a network device by:
- repeatedly sending a configuration request on a predetermined multicast port of the network device;
- responsive to receiving a configuration pending message on the predetermined multicast port, listening for a packet containing configuration data;
- and
- writing the configuration data into one or more files used by an operating system of the network device for configuring network settings.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.