Patent ID: 6970920
Filing Date: 2005-11-29
Classification: H04L

Abstract:
1. A method of establishing a connection to a network device which does not have an assigned network address, comprising: establishing a connection from a configuring device to the network device utilizing an unassigned network address for a network to which the network device is attached irrespective of whether the network device is attached to a network local to or remote from the configuring device; wherein establishing a connection to the network device comprises: receiving a connection request from a configuring device on a network local to the network device and remote from the configuring device, wherein the connection request includes the unassigned network address; sending an Address Resolution Protocol (ARP) message on the remote network responsive to receiving the connection request, the ARP message containing the unassigned network address; and wherein the network device carries out the following: responding to the ARP message to assume ownership of the unassigned network address; evaluating the received ARP message to determine a source address for the ARP message; setting a default routing path for messages to networks other than the remote network to the source address for the ARP message; receiving the connection request; and responding to the connection request using the default routing path so as to establish the connection utilizing the assumed unassigned network address.