Patent ID: 7734738

Claim:
A computer-readable storage medium having computer-executable instructions, which when executed performs steps-acts, comprising: detecting data corresponding to a DHCP assigned IP configuration associated with a DHCP service of a router when a server is coupled to a user network; storing the data on the server; disabling the DHCP service of the router; using at least part of the stored data to automatically configure at least one server service; setting a network card of the server to a static state corresponding to a static IP address; installing to the server, while in the static state, at least one server application that requires a static IP address to install; closing a firewall to block incoming traffic; promoting the server to a domain controller; and setting the network card of the server to a dynamic state after installing the at least one server application; attempting to connect to the Internet without manual intervention; if the attempt fails, launching a mechanism by which the user can manually connect to the Internet.