Patent ID: 8250189
Filing Date: 2012-08-21
Classification: H04L

Abstract:
1. A computer system for determining data-link layer addresses of host devices in a local network, the system comprising: a dynamic host configuration protocol (DHCP) server that maintains an address resolution protocol (ARP) table and that associates a first fractional IP address to a destination host device and a second fractional IP address to an originating host device, wherein the first fractional IP address includes an IPv4 address and a first value of the IP version field, wherein the second fractional IP address includes the IPv4 address and a second value of the IP version field; and the originating host device that broadcasts a request message to the DHCP server connected via the local network, wherein the request message includes the IPv4 address and a value of an IP version field, wherein the DHCP server reads the request message and compares the the first fractional IP address or the second fractional IP address against entries within the ARP table to identify an entry within the ARP table that includes a corresponding IPv4 address and value of the IP version field, wherein the DHCP server conveys a response to the request message, and wherein the response includes a data-link layer address that is referenced by the identified entry in the ARP table.