Automatic self configuration of client-supervisory nodes

A system of controllers acting as nodes on a network and providing automatic self-configuration comprising:

• a first node having means for broadcasting a default identifier, said first node being addressable in a first domain by a first domain address;
• means for designating said first node as a supervisory node;
• a plurality of second nodes with each second node having means for
• broadcasting a default identifier, each said second node designated as a client node and addressable in said first domain by a first domain address;
• a communication medium coupling said supervisory node and each said client node;
• means at said supervisory node for receiving and storing said default identifier from each client node in a predefined array;
• means at said supervisory node for assigning a second identifier to each said client node and communicating said second identifier to each said client node;
• and
• means at each client node for changing said first domain address of said client node to a network address in a second domain thereby enabling communication of control information between said supervisory node and each said client node.

A method of configuring controllers to allow communication on a network comprising the steps of:

• providing controllers, with each controller having a first identifier and being configured from a default value to communicate said first identifier;
• designating one controller as a supervisory node;
• designating each remaining controller as a client node;
• connecting said supervisory node and each remaining controller to a network;
• initializing operation of said controllers;
• communicating said first identifiers;
• storing said first identifiers in an array at said supervisory node, with said first identifiers stored according to a characteristic contained in said first identifiers;
• and
• assigning a second identifier to each remaining controller, said second identifier enabling said supervisory node to communicate control information;
• and
• communicating control information between said supervisory node and each remaining controller.