초록 ▼

A technique for configuring address information automatically for intelligent port cards such as in a cell multiplexer, router, or other internetwork device. A maintenance or control processor is included in the device together with a number of, for example, line and trunk units. The line and trunk

A technique for configuring address information automatically for intelligent port cards such as in a cell multiplexer, router, or other internetwork device. A maintenance or control processor is included in the device together with a number of, for example, line and trunk units. The line and trunk units are loaded, monitored, and controlled by the controller via a backplane network. The backplane network must be assigned a subnet address which does not conflict with the management network interface also on the controller. In order to accomplish this, a LINK_LOOP broadcast packet is periodically sent over the backplane network containing the IP subnet address of the current master system controller. Line and trunk cards in a configuration state therefore wait to hear such a datagram configure their own IP addresses and to acquire the system controller IP address based on the message contents and then are able to initiate IOS IPC protocol over the backplane network as required. The invention eliminates the need for customers to configure the system controller's backplane management internet IP address, providing increased reliability and ease of use, as well as automatic rendevous with current controller in charge in a failure event.

대표청구항 ▼

1. A method for assigning addresses to a managed internetwork device which itself includes a controller for controlling other managed devices comprising the steps of:connecting the controller to a management network segment; connecting the other managed devices to an internal network segment; receiv

1. A method for assigning addresses to a managed internetwork device which itself includes a controller for controlling other managed devices comprising the steps of:connecting the controller to a management network segment; connecting the other managed devices to an internal network segment; receiving an assigned address for the controller to use for communication on the management network segment; determining a non-conflicting internal network address different from the assigned management network address for the controller; broadcasting a control message to the other managed devices connected to the internal network segment, the control message containing the non-conflicting internal network address for the controller; and for at least one other managed device, receiving the broadcast control message and determining a device address using the non-conflicting internal network address.