Patent ID: 7039688
Filing Date: 2006-05-02
Classification: H04L

Abstract:
1. A method for providing dynamic configuration services comprising: requesting, with a local device, configuration services from a first remote device over a network in response to connecting the local device to the network, the requested configuration services including acquiring an IP (Internet protocol) address and a domain name for the local device from the first remote device, wherein the first remote device operates as a DHCP (dynamic host configuration protocol) server to the network; operating the local device as a configuration services server to provide configuration services to one or more second remote devices of said network if the response to the requested configuration services is not received by the local device from said first remote device within a predetermined period of time or if the response to the requested configuration services is received by the local device from said first remote device within the predetermined period of time and the response indicates that the local device has a higher priority than the first remote device, wherein the local device is operated as a DHCP server to the network to provide the configuration service, the configuration services provided by the local device including assigning an IP address and allocating a domain name for each of the second remote devices; and operating the local device as a configuration services client to receive configuration services from said first remote device if the response is received within the predetermined period of time and said first remote device has a higher priority than said local device, wherein the local device is configured to use the received configuration services from the first remote device when entering the network, including acquiring an IP address and a domain name for the local device from the first remote device, wherein the local device utilizes the acquired IP address and domain name to boot the local device up and enter the network using the acquired IP address and domain name as an identity representing the local device in the network.