Patent ID: 7640324

Claim:
A computer-readable storage medium having computer-executable instructions that when executed by a first computer connected to a local computer network cause the first computer to perform steps of: discovering a secured computer network group within the local computer network, the secured network group not depending on a dedicated device for providing centralized management; responsive to said discovering, selecting a computer within the secured computer network group; establishing a communication between the first computer and the computer within the secured computer network group; establishing trust between the first computer and the computer within the secured computer network group to allow the first computer to join the secured computer network group; responsive to said establishing of trust, replicating user accounts to and from computers in the secured network group and the first computer, to enable the computers to access a user account originating from the first computer, wherein: the step of discovering includes broadcasting a discover request over the local computer network to computers connected to the local computer network; and the discovery request is constructed according to a Simple Service Discovery Protocol.