Method for automatically allocating address prefixes
AssigneeMotorola, Inc.
InventorsAaron N. Smith, Gregory W. Cox
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
As routers (15) are added to an existing network (41), links serviced by such routers that lack a pre-existing corresponding address prefix may occur. The router (15) can contact a prefix server (14) and engage in a process to automatically receive a new address prefix from the prefix server (14) to use with such links. In one embodiment, the prefix server (14) can automatically assign such address prefixes to form or maintain an aggregation of routes to facilitate the efficient operation of routers within the network and overall network growth.
Claims19
A method comprising:
- providing a prefix server having a plurality of address prefixes for use within at least a portion of a communications network;
- receiving over the communications network and at the prefix server a communication from a router;
- in response to the communication from the router, using the prefix server to assign at least a single address prefix from the plurality of address prefixes;
- and
- sending over the communications network a communication to the router containing at least a single address prefix causing the router to advertise at least the single address sent by the prefix server for use by endpoints attached to the router.
A method for operating a prefix server, the method comprising the steps of:
- receiving a communication from a communication unit;
- retrieving from the communication an address that corresponds to the communication unit;
- determining that the communication unit requires at least one additional address prefix;
- determining a topology position of the communication unit within a communications network as a function, at least in part, of the address;
- selecting at least one additional address prefix as a function, at least in part, of the topology position;
- and
- sending a communication to the communication unit, the communication containing at least a single address prefix which causes the communication unit to advertise at least the single address prefix for use by endpoints attached to the communication unit.
A method comprising:
- providing a prefix server having a plurality of address prefixes for use within at least a portion of a communications network;
- automatically maintaining a record of assigned address prefixes and topological locations within the communications network to which the address prefixes have been assigned;
- automatically determining that at least one new address prefix from the plurality of address prefixes should be assigned for use by a specific communications unit within the at least a portion of a communications network;
- automatically selecting the at least one new address prefix as a function, at least in part, of:
- facilitating topological aggregation of a route that passes through to the specific communications unit via the new address prefix;
- and
- ensuring, when possible, that the new address prefix is at least not sequentially adjacent to another address prefix that is already assigned.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.