Resolving duplication of IP addresses in IP networks

A method of resolving an Internet protocol (IP) address conflict between at least two devices connected over a private network, wherein the IP address conflict involves duplication of an IP address between the at least two devices, the method comprising:

• determining a local IP address and a media access control (MAC) address of each device in the network;
• determining whether the local IP address for each device in the private network is dynamically or statically configured, wherein the at least two devices having an IP address conflict include a device having a local IP address determined to be statically configured;
• assigning a global IP address to each device, the assignment associating the global IP address with a combination of the local IP address and the MAC address of each device, the global IP address being the same as the local IP address when the local IP address is determined to be dynamically configured, the global IP address being distinct from the local IP address when the local IP address is determined to be statically configured;
• maintaining a record of the assigned global IP address, a corresponding local IP address, and the MAC address, for each device;
• and
• resolving the IP address conflict based on a mapping of the global IP address with the combination of the local IP address and the MAC address.

A system adapted to resolve an Internet protocol (IP) address conflict between at least two devices connected over a private network, the system comprising:

• a switch configured for port to port security and connected to the at least two devices, and adapted to prevent disruptions in network communications;
• an address type determination module for determining whether the local IP address for each device in the private network is dynamically or statically configured, wherein the at least two devices having an IP address conflict include a device determined to be statically configured;
• an address assignment module for assigning a global IP address to each device, the assignment associating the global IP address with a combination of the local IP address and a media access control (MAC) address of each device, the global IP address being the same as the local IP address when the local IP address is determined to be dynamically configured, the global IP address being distinct from the local IP address when the local IP address is determined to be statically configured;
• a routing module coupled to the switch for resolving the IP address conflict between the at least two devices based on the MAC address information of each device;
• and
• an information module coupled to the routing module and providing the MAC address information to the routing module.

An apparatus for resolving a local Internet protocol (IP) address conflict between at least two devices connected over a private network, wherein the local IP address conflict includes duplication of a local IP address between at least two devices, the apparatus comprising:

• a processor;
• and
• logic encoded in one or more tangible media for execution by the processor, and when executed operable to:
• determine the local IP address and a media access control (MAC) address of the at least two devices in the network;
• determine whether the local IP address for each device in the private network is dynamically or statically configured, wherein the at least two devices having an IP address conflict include a device having a local IP address determined to be statically configured;
• assign a global IP address to each device including associating the global IP address with a combination of the local IP address and the MAC address of the device, the global IP address being the same as the local IP address when the local IP address is determined to be dynamically configured, the global IP address being distinct from the local IP address when the local IP address is determined to be statically configured;
• maintain a record of the assigned global IP address, a corresponding local IP address, and the MAC address, for each of the devices;
• and
• resolve the local IP address conflict based on a mapping of the global IP address with the combination of the local IP address and the MAC address.

A computer-readable storage device, comprising:

• one or more instructions for determining a local Internet protocol (IP) address and a media access control (MAC) address of devices in a private network;
• one or more instructions for determining whether the local IP address for each device in the private network is dynamically or statically configured, wherein at least two devices having an IP address conflict include a device having a local IP address determined to be statically configured;
• one or more instructions for assigning a global IP address to each network device including associating the global IP address with a combination of the local IP address and the MAC address of each network device, the global IP address being the same as the local IP address when the local IP address is determined to be dynamically configured, the global IP address being distinct from the local IP address when the local IP address is determined to be statically configured;
• one or more instructions for maintaining a record of the assigned global IP address, a corresponding local IP address, and the MAC address, for each of the devices;
• and
• one or more instructions for resolving the IP address conflict based on a mapping of the global IP address with the combination of the local IP address and the MAC address.