Patent ID: 7363260

Claim:
A method of automatically providing inventory information describing a modular network device to a network management point, the method comprising the computer-implemented steps of: by instructions executed in the modular network device, creating and storing inventory information for the modular network device for use by the management point, wherein the network management point comprises a server configured to receive the inventory information from the device, update a database of configuration information, automatically generate a permanent configuration for the device based on the inventory messages, and communicate the permanent configuration to the device, wherein the inventory information comprises one or more absolute interface references that identify physical slot locations of one or more interfaces in the modular network device, and wherein creation of the inventory information is self-initiated by the device without receiving a request for inventory from the management point; and communicating the inventory in a request for a permanent configuration that is sent from the modular network device to a management point through a network, wherein communication of the inventory information to the management point is self-initiated by the device without receiving a request for inventory from the management point.