Patent ID: 6049826
Filing Date: 2000-04-11
Classification: G06F,H04L

Abstract:
In a data-over-cable system including a plurality of network devices, a method of initializing a network device, the method comprising the following steps:receiving a first message on a first protocol server with a first protocol from a network device including a request for a first configuration file to configure the network device, wherein the name for the first configuration file was obtained by the network device from a second protocol server using a second protocol during an initialization sequence;determining an identity for the network device by performing a reverse Domain Name System lookup on a network address from the first message, wherein the identity includes a device type for the network device;constructing a second configuration file with a plurality of configuration parameters based on a determined identity for the network device; andtransferring the second configuration file to the network device from the first protocol server using the first protocol in response to the request in the first message for the first configuration file, thereby providing a second configuration file specifically for the network device and different from the requested first configuration file.