Method and apparatus for retrieving network configuration from a remote network node

A hardware system to retrieve a network configuration from a first network node located outside a subnet for a second network node located inside the subnet, the system comprising:

• the first network node coupled to a network located outside the subnet and having a list of unassigned network configurations;
• the second network node coupled to the subnet, the second network node initially without a network address, and wherein the second network node:
• provokes a response from at least one other network node located inside the subnet, the response expected to contain network address information other than an address assignment to the second network node in response to a provocation;
• determines an available network address based on the network address information contained in the response provoked from the at least one other network node;
• assumes the available network address;
• locates an IP address for at least one router by causing an error response capable of being elicited from a router and not other network nodes;
• accesses the first network node for an available network configuration from the list of unassigned network configurations by using the located network address for the at least one router;
• and
• assumes the available network configuration.

A first hardware network node capable of retrieving a network configuration from a second network node, the first hardware network node being initially without a network address, the first hardware network node comprising:

• an interface to couple the first hardware network node to a network, the network including at least one other network node;
• and
• a processor operating a processor routine, the processor being coupled to the interface to:
• provoke a response from the at least one other network node, the response expected to contain network address information other than an address assignment to the first hardware network node, in response to a provocation;
• determine an available network address based on the network address information contained in the response provoked from the at least one other network node;
• assume the available network address;
• locate a network address for at least one router by causing an error response capable of being elicited from a router and not other network nodes;
• access the second network node for an available network configuration from a list of network configurations by using the located network address for the at least one router;
• and
• assume the available network configuration.

Logic encoded in one or more tangible computer readable storage media for execution and when executed operable to:

• provoke a response from at least one other network node, the response expected to contain network address information other than an address assignment to a first hardware network node, in response to a provocation;
• determining an available network address based on the network address information contained in the response provoked from the at least one other network node;
• assign the available network address to the first network node;
• locate an IP address for at least one subnet router;
• locate a network address for at least one router by causing an error response capable of being elicited from a router and not other network nodes;
• access a second network node for an available network configuration from a list of network configurations by using the located network address for the at least one router;
• and
• assign the available network configuration to the first network node.