Patent ID: 6792474
Filing Date: 2004-09-14
Classification: H04L

Abstract:
A method for assigning an address to a computer system, the method comprising the steps of:receiving, from a computer system coupled to a first network, a request for an assignment of an address, the request for the assignment of an address received from the computer system in a secure manner that uses key encryption to verify and authenticate the identity of the computer system requesting an assignment of an address; identifying whether the computer system is allowed access to the first network; and if the computer system is allowed access to the first network, assigning an address to the computer system by performing the steps of: identifying, based on non-IP address information, a level of access permitted to the computer system from a plurality of levels of access to the first network, where the plurality of levels of access includes at least two guest levels of access and a local level of access, each level of access from the plurality having a set of addresses to assign in response to the request; if the computer system is permitted a guest level of access from the plurality of levels of access, assigning a guest address from the sets of addresses for the guest levels of access as the address for the computer system, the guest address indicative of selective transport within the first network; if the computer system is permitted a local level of access, assigning a local address from the set of addresses for the local level of access as the address for the computer system; and providing the assigned address to the computer system to allow the computer system to perform data communications on the first network, the assigned address, if a guest address, operative to indicate to a data communication device within the first network that receives data portions containing the quest address to selectively transport the data portions containing the quest address only on routes designated for transport of the data portions containing the quest address.