Patent ID: 7788347

Claim:
A method for incorporating a new network device into a network comprising: sending a request for registration by the new network device to a second network device; determining whether the second network device is operative to register the new network device on the network; registering the new network device on the network by the second network device if a determination is made that the second network device is operative to register the new network device on the network; forwarding the request for registration to a third network element if the second network element is inoperative to register the new network device on the network, the third network device being operative to register the new network device on the network; registering the new network device on the network by the third network device; sending an acknowledgement of successful registration to the new network device by the third network device, the acknowledgement including information on other network devices that are operative to perform administrative functions; requesting administrative information by the new network device from selected ones of the other network devices that are operative to perform administrative functions; providing the administrative information to the new network device; determining, by the new network device, whether the administrative information allows the new network device to operate as an administrator; initiating, by the new network device, normal processing to provide services, if the administrative information does not allow the new network device to operate as an administrator; determining, by the new network device, whether the administrative information allows the new network device to add users to the network, if the administrative information allows the new network device to operate as an administrator; initiating, by the new network device, normal processing to provide administrative services, if the administrative information allows the new network device to operate as an administrator but not add users to the network; and providing, by the new network device, administrative services that comprise adding users to the network, if the administrative information allows the new network device to operate as an administrator and add users to the network.