Patent ID: 7460490

Claim:
A method for obtaining virtual path identifier, virtual channel identifier, and encapsulation values in an asynchronous transfer mode access device for a network using static internet protocol address assignments and asynchronous transfer mode adaptation layer 5, comprising: (a) generating a plurality of address resolution protocol packets; (b) adding headers to the plurality of address resolution protocol packets, such that a first set of address resolution protocol packets, each packet including a logical link control header, and a second set of address resolution protocol packets, each packet including a virtual channel multiplexed header, are realized; (c) encapsulating the first and second sets of address resolution protocol packets; (d) transmitting all the encapsulated address resolution protocol packets to a central office; (e) determining if a valid response packet has been received to any of the transmitted address resolution protocol packets; (f) establishing a virtual path identifier/virtual channel identifier pair value and encapsulation value based upon a virtual path identifier/virtual channel identifier pair value and encapsulation value of the received valid response; and (g) utilizing the established virtual path identifier/virtual channel identifier pair value and encapsulation value for transferring data between the asynchronous transfer mode access device and a central office.