Patent ID: 8175008
Filing Date: 2012-05-08
Classification: H04L

Abstract:
1. A method, performed by a first network device, the method comprising: receiving, by the first network device, a message from a second network device in a group of network devices, of which the first network device is a member, the message including a network identifier associated with the second network device; selecting, by the first network device, a first network identifier for the first network device based on the received network identifier associated with the second network device; transmitting, from the first network device, a first message that includes the first network identifier to the second network device, where the first message includes a first continuity check message (CCM); listening, by the first network device, for a conflict message, from the second network device and in response to the first message, that indicates that the selected first identifier has already been assigned to another network device in the group of network devices, where the conflict message includes a second CCM; and assigning, by the first network device, the first network identifier to the first network device if the conflict message is not received from the second network device in response to the first message.