System and method for a specialized dynamic host configuration protocol proxy in a data-over-cable network

In a data-over-cable system, a method for proxying first protocol network services, the method comprising:

• creating a database record comprising identification data of a second network device and identification data of a first protocol network server selected by the second network device;
• intercepting at a first network device a first protocol offer message from the first protocol network server to the second network device;
• wherein the first protocol offer message comprises a routable network address for the second network device and a lease time interval for the routable network address;
• modifying the lease time interval in the first protocol offer message intercepted on the first network device;
• sending the modified first protocol offer message from the first network device to the second network device;
• generating a first protocol request message on the first network device using the identification data of the second network device the first protocol request message defining a lease renewal request for the routable network address of the second network device;
• sending the first protocol request message from the first network device to the first protocol network server prior to an expiration of the lease time interval specified in the first protocol offer message received from the first protocol network server;
• and
• receiving a first protocol reply message from the first protocol network server, the first protocol reply message defining a new lease time interval for the routable network address of the second network device.

In a data-over-cable system, a method for proxying first protocol network services, the method comprising:

• creating a database record comprising identification data of a second network device and identification data of a first protocol network server associated with the second network device;
• intercepting at a first network device a first protocol offer message from the first protocol network server to the second network device, the first protocol offer message comprising a routable network address for the second network device and a first lease time interval associated with the routable network address;
• modifying the lease time interval defined in the first protocol offer message, wherein the lease time interval is modified to a shorter lease time interval;
• sending the modified first protocol offer message to the second network device;
• generating a first protocol request message on the first network device using the identification data of the second network device, the first protocol request message comprising a lease renewal request for the routable network address associated with the second network device;
• and
• sending the first protocol request message to the first protocol network server prior to an end of the lease time interval specified in the first protocol offer message;
• receiving a first protocol response message from the first protocol network server, the first protocol response message defining a new lease time interval for the routable network address associated with the second network device;
• intercepting the first protocol request message from the second network device, the first protocol request message defining a lease renewal request;
• generating the first protocol response message on the first network device using the identification data of the first protocol network server, the first protocol response message defining a second lease time interval, wherein the second lease time interval comprises a shortened lease time interval defined in the first protocol response message received from the first protocol network server;
• and
• sending the first protocol response message generated on the first network device to the second network device.

A system for proxying first protocol network services in a data-over-cable system, the system comprising:

• a database comprising a record for a second network device in communication with a first network device, the record comprising identification data of the second network device and identification data of a first protocol network server selected by the second network device;
• and
• the first network device intercepting first protocol messages between the second network device and the first protocol network server associated with the second network device, the first network device modifying a first protocol offer message from the first protocol network server, wherein the first network device modifies a lease time interval of a routable network address for the second network device and sends the modified first protocol offer message to the second network device,
• wherein the first network device uses the identification data of the first protocol network server, the lease time interval specified in the first protocol offer message and the modified lease time interval to generate a first protocol response message for the second network device upon intercepting a first protocol lease renewal request message from the second network device, the second network device sending the first protocol lease renewal request message upon an end of the modified lease time interval.