Patent ID: 6028848
Filing Date: 2000-02-22
Classification: H04L,H04M,H04Q

Abstract:
Apparatus for a network communication device comprising:a processor;a memory, connected to the processor, for storing executable instructions therein;communication circuitry, connected to and controlled by the processor, for establishing a communicative connection between a first network and, via a second network, to at least one host device connected to the second network; anda shared database residing in the memory and containing a host list having at least one host entry wherein the entry stores an corresponding internet protocol (IP) address for use by the one host device;wherein, in response to the executable instructions, the processor:implements domain name service (DNS) and dynamic host control protocol (DHCP) servers;in response to a DHCP request message received over the second network from the one host device, the message requesting an IP address for the host device from the DHCP server, wherein the DHCP request message identifies the one host device by its associated machine name and physical network address, defines in the entry the machine name of the one host and its corresponding physical network address so as to associate the one host device with the corresponding IP address stored in the entry, such that the DNS server can subsequently access the entry in order to translate the machine name of the one host device as supplied in a network message over the second network into the corresponding IP address so as to permit the one host device to be addressed via the machine name by any device then connected to the second network; andprovides a DHCP response message over the second network to the one host device wherein the response message contains the corresponding IP address stored in the entry for subsequent use by the one host device.