Abstract:
A network settings configuration system, implemented by a computer capable of network connection to another network entity. The network settings configuration system includes a library and a connection initiation unit. The library stores a plurality of groups of network protocol settings each containing a plurality of settings values. The connection initiation unit initiates a first network connection according to values of a first set of network protocol settings and, when failing to initiate the first network connection, initiates a second network connection according to values of a second set of network protocol settings.

Description:
BACKGROUND 
   The invention relates to methods and systems for configuring network settings, and in particular, to methods and systems for automatically changing network protocol settings for network connections. 
   A computer must retrieve network protocol settings before successfully establishing a connection to another network entity. Typically, network protocol settings are configured infrequently via an operating system (OS). Mobile computers, such as notebook computers, however, may connect to the Internet in different network environments requiring different network protocol settings. Hence, a mobile computer may be unable to connect to the Internet in different network environments with their original network protocol settings. Typically computers require several network protocol settings such as Internet Protocol (IP) addresses, a default gateway, Windows Internet Name Service (WINS) servers, a Domain Name System (DNS) server, and a proxy server. Thus, reconfiguring network protocol settings can be inconvenient. 
   SUMMARY 
   Accordingly, some embodiments of the invention provide a network settings configuration system, implemented in a computer capable of network connection to another network entity. The network settings configuration system comprises a library and a connection initiation unit. The library stores a plurality of network protocol settings groups each comprising a plurality of settings values. The connection initiation unit initiates a first network connection according to values of a first group of network settings, and when failing to initiate the first network connection, initiates a second network connection according to values of a second group of network protocol settings. 
   Additionally, the network settings configuration system further comprises a display module and an input module. The display module comprises a plurality of regions respectively representing the groups of network protocol settings therein. The input module receives network protocol settings values. 
   Embodiments of the invention additionally provide a network settings configuration method, implemented in a computer capable of network connection to another network entity. First, a plurality of groups of network protocol settings are stored, each comprising a plurality of settings values. A first network connection is initiated according to values of a first group of network protocol settings. When the first network connection fails to be initiated within a predetermined period, a second network connection is initiated according to values of a second group of network protocol settings. 

   
     DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     Embodiments of the invention can be more fully understood by reading the subsequent detailed description and examples with references made to the accompanying drawings, wherein: 
       FIG. 1  is a block diagram of a network settings configuration system according to an embodiment of the invention; 
       FIG. 2  is a schematic diagram showing a library and network protocol settings according to an embodiment of the invention; 
       FIG. 3  is a flowchart of a network settings configuration method according to a first embodiment of the invention; and 
       FIG. 4  is a flowchart of another network settings configuration method according to a second embodiment of the invention. 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
   The network settings configuration system according to embodiments of the invention may be implemented by a computer, such as a notebook or a personal digital assistant (PDA). The network settings configuration system in  FIG. 1  comprises library  10 , connection initiation module  12 , display module  14 , and input module  16 . 
   Library  10  may be implemented by a program comprising different groups of network protocol settings, each including a plurality of settings values. Connection initiation module  12  establishes connections between the computer and another network entity based on the groups of network protocol settings. When initiation of a connection utilizing a first group of network protocol settings fails, connection initiation module  12  utilizes a second group of network protocol settings to initiate another connection. 
   Display module  14  comprises a plurality of regions. Different groups of network protocol settings acquired from library  10  are presented in the display regions. Input module  16  switches the network settings configuration system to a configuration mode in which input module  16  receives network protocol settings values input by a user. 
   The first, second, and third set of network protocol settings in  FIG. 1  may be respectively assigned a name utilizing the input module  16 . As shown in  FIG. 2 , the first, second, and third set of network protocol settings may be respectively named as “Home”, “Office”, and “Travel”, but are not limited thereto. The first group comprises settings values required to initiate a connection in a network environment named “Home”. Each of the groups comprises essential network protocol settings, such as IP addresses and various computer settings values, such as a default gateway, WINS servers, a DNS server, a proxy server, and others. 
   First Embodiment 
     FIG. 3  is a flowchart of network settings configuration method according to the first embodiment of the invention. 
   The network settings configuration system according to the first embodiment of the invention performs the method. First, a user configures network protocol settings and values thereof (step S 31 ). For example, when using a dial-up connection in a household environment, a user configures the IP address of the computer, WINS server settings, gateway IP address, and other network protocol settings and names the group of configured network protocol settings as “Home”. Other groups of network protocol settings named “Office” and “Travel” are configured similarly. The computer is attached to a network entity such as the Internet via transmission media, such as a cable or a telephone line (step S 32 ). The network settings configuration system is then executed (step S 33 ). The user selects a group of network protocol settings corresponding to an environment (step S 34 ). Connection initiation module  12  defines network protocol values of the selected group as default network protocol settings values of the OS of the computer and initiates a network connection utilizing the values (step S 35 ). The network settings configuration is then complete (step S 36 ). 
   Second Embodiment 
     FIG. 4  is a flowchart of a network settings configuration method according to the second embodiment of the invention. 
   The network settings configuration system according to the second embodiment of the invention performs the method. First, a user configures groups of network protocol settings and their respective values therein (step S 31 ). For example, when using a dial-up connection in a household environment, a user configures the IP address of the computer, WINS server settings, gateway IP address, and other network protocol settings and names the group of the configured network protocol settings as “Home”. Other groups of network protocol settings named “Office” and “Travel” are configured similarly. The computer is attached to a network entity such as the Internet via transmission media, such as a cable or a telephone line (step S 32 ). The network settings configuration system is then executed (step S 33 ). 
   The previously described steps are the same as those described in the first embodiment. Connection initiation module  12  of the second embodiment automatically searches for appropriate network protocol settings without requiring manual selection. Connection initiation module  12  retrieves the first group of network protocol settings (step S 41 ), defines network protocol settings values of the first group as the default network protocol settings values of the OS of the computer, tries to initiate a network connection utilizing the default network protocol settings values (step S 42 ), and determines if the connection as successfully established within a predetermined period, such as 30 seconds, which may be user defined (step S 43 ). If the connection is successfully established within the predetermined period, the network settings configuration is then complete (step S 44 ). If the connection is not established within the predetermined period, connection initiation module  12  determines whether another group of network protocol settings is stored in library  10  (step S 45 ). When library  10  contains another group of network protocol settings, connection initiation module  12  retrieves the existing group of network protocol settings (step S 46 ) and returns to step S 42 . When library  10  does not contain another group of network protocol settings, display module  14  presents a connection failure message (step S 47 ), and the network settings configuration is then complete (step S 44 ). 
   The disclosed embodiments of the network settings configuration system and method enable a plurality of groups of network protocol settings to be pre-configured and selected manually or automatically when utilized for network connection. Thus, inconvenience encountered when reconfiguring network protocol settings for different environments can be alleviated. 
   While the invention has been described by way of example and in terms of preferred embodiment, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited thereto. To the contrary, it is intended to cover various modifications and similar arrangements (as would be apparent to those skilled in the art). Therefore, the scope of the appended claims should be accorded the broadest interpretation so as to encompass all such modifications and similar arrangements.