Patent ID: 8255497
Filing Date: 2012-08-28
Classification: H04L

Abstract:
1. A method of initially establishing communication with a welding device on a local area network (LAN) in a substantially automated manner, said method comprising: transmitting a broadcast discovery request over said network; monitoring said network for responses to said broadcast discovery request from devices connected to said network; selecting a welding device from a list of said devices that respond to said broadcast discovery request, and transmitting a broadcast message causing an indicator on said selected welding device to activate; using a computer to determine if a primary IP address of said selected welding device is within a predetermined subnet; using a computer to determine if a current alternate IP address of said selected welding device is within said predetermined subnet if said current alternate IP address exists and if said primary IP address is determined not to be within said predetermined subnet; generating a new alternate IP address if said primary IP address and said current alternate IP address, if existing, of said selected welding device are determined not to be within said predetermined subnet; checking that said new alternate IP address does not already exist on the network if said new alternate IP address is generated; and assigning said new alternate IP address to said selected welding device if said new alternate IP address is generated and said new alternate IP address does not already exist on the network.