Patent ID: 7657615

Claim:
An apparatus for configuring a network device, the apparatus comprising a memory configured to store instructions which, when executed by one or more processors, cause the one or more processors to perform the steps of: powering up the network device, wherein the network device is associated with a private virtual local area network (VLAN) prior to being powered up; supplying, after powering up the network device, first boot data to the network device over a network, wherein processing of the first boot data by the network device during a first startup of the network device causes the network device to bootup in image mode and, once in image mode, execute a provisioning process over the network; instructing the provisioning process to supply at least one computer program to the network device over the network; powering down the network device after receiving the at least one computer program; re-configuring, after powering down the network device after receiving the at least one computer program, the network to remove the network device from the private VLAN; powering up, after re-configuring the network, the network device; and supplying, after powering up the network device, second boot data to the network device over the network, wherein processing of the second boot data by the network device during a second startup of the network device causes the network device to bootup in application mode and to execute the at least one computer program, wherein the first boot data is a first boot loader script and the second boot data is a second boot loader script.