Patent ID: 7428587
Filing Date: 2008-09-23
Classification: H04L

Abstract:
1. A method for maintaining device identity of a particular device in a network, comprising: receiving, from a device over a network connection, identification information stored in firmware of a main board of the device, and a plurality of serial numbers for a plurality of hardware components currently attached to the main board of the device, wherein the firmware includes a unique identifier for the main board; generating a first hash value and a second hash value, wherein the first hash value is generated from the information stored in the firmware of the main board and the second hash value is generated from the plurality of serial numbers for the plurality of hardware components currently attached to the main board of the device; searching a repository for a record that includes the first hash value, wherein the record includes a previously obtained plurality of serial numbers of hardware components that were previously attached to the main board of the device; determining, when a record that includes the first hash value is found, that a serial number of a specific component does not match a serial number of a previously attached component of the same type; and updating the record to include the serial number of the specific component.