Patent ID: 7450560

Claim:
A method of implementing Realm Specific Internet Protocol in a network access system, the method comprising the steps of: (a) providing a network access system comprising a plurality of network subdevices in a chassis and connected by an internal network, the plurality including a first network subdevice and a second network subdevice, the second network subdevice having an interface on an external network; (b) requesting, via the internal network, by the first network subdevice using a first protocol, a common external network address and one or more ports from the second network subdevice to identify the first network subdevice during communications with the external network; (c) receiving, via the internal network, the common external network address and an identifier of the one or more ports at the first network subdevice from the second network subdevice; (d) updating entries in an address-to-address table maintained by the second network subdevice to reflect assignment of the common external network address and one or more ports to the first network subdevice; and (e) creating a combination network address for the first network subdevice with the identifier of the one or more ports and the common external network address, the combination network address identifying the first network subdevice for communications with the external network by way of the interface on the external network.