Patent ID: 7958505

Claim:
A method of downloading software for a host comprising a set top box on a cable distribution network, comprising: receiving a host file at a host file database, wherein the host file contains a message used by a cable service provider for configuring said host on said cable distribution network and wherein the host file is associated for use with a specific host manufacturer and a model of the specific host manufacturer; maintaining a first list in the host file database associating said at least one enhanced services system of said cable service provider with a destination address and the host file; maintaining a second list in the host file database associating said at least one enhanced services system of said cable service provider with a set of communication parameters, the set of communication parameters including authentication information; establishing a communications path between the host file database and the enhanced services system, the communications path using the destination address; authenticating the host file database to the enhanced services system using in part the set of communications parameters; transmitting the host file from the host file database to the enhanced services system; receiving a confirmation of the receipt of the host file from the enhanced services system; and recording an indication of the confirmation of the receipt of the host file wherein the indication is recorded in the host file database.