Patent ID: 7558845

Claim:
A method for modifying a Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP) server configuration for a dynamically configured system within a network, comprising: receiving a request from a first system to register for a lease time modification privilege at a daemon of said DHCP server, wherein said first system is an installation server for installing software on at least one dynamically configured system independent from said DHCP server, wherein said daemon of said DHCP server allows a plurality of systems to each register for at least one of a plurality of types of modification privileges at said DHCP server; responsive to said first system qualifying for modification privileges, storing by said daemon a record of said registration at said DHCP server for authenticating any modify packets received from said first system; receiving a first modify packet from said first system by said daemon of said DHCP server which manages a stored configuration file specifying a dynamic internet protocol (IP) address for said dynamically configured system, wherein said first modify packet requests an extension of a lease time of said dynamic IP address for said dynamically configured system for a duration of an installation on said dynamically configured system by said first system; and responsive to said daemon confirming said first system as registered with said DHCP server, modifying by a service controller of said DHCP server said stored configuration file for said dynamically configured system according to said first modify packet received from said first system, such that said first system is enabled to request modification of said configuration file for said dynamically configured system to maintain a same address for said dynamically configured system during said installation and said DHCP server controls the modification of said configuration file.