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`Cisco Systems, Inc.. A network access server (NAS) 72 is typically used for dial-up
`accounts. By way of example, the network access server 72 may take the form of a server
`made by US Robotics Communications or by Livingston Enterprises, Inc. An ISDN
`router 74 is used for communication over ISDN lines. By way of example, such devices
`5 are made by Ascend Communications, Inc. A leased line router 76 is typically used for
`high speed communications over a leased line using, for example, a frame relay circuit
`standard. By way of example, leased line routers are currently sold by Cisco Systems,
`Inc. A cable router 78 may be used to communicate over a cable television network.
`
`":
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`Now having described an embodiment of the Internet, Figure 4 illustrates an
`10 arrangement 80 in which an Internet access device 100 facilitates communication between
`end users 92 and the Internet 10. Figures 4, 5, and 6 illustrate an embodiment of an
`. Internet access device while Figures 7 through 12 show and describe a technique by which
`such an Internet access device may. connect to and configure itself for communication with
`the Internet.
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`15
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`Internet access device 100 connects to a POP 42 of an Internet service provider 14
`which in tum connects to a global carrier 16. In this fashion, access is provided to the
`Internet. In one embodiment, Internet access device 100 connects to a local area network
`(LAN) 90 at a customer site. By way of example, LAN 90 may take the form of an
`Ethernet LAN of a corporate or other customer. LAN 90 may connect end users 92, an
`20 administrator 94, a server 96, and any number of other devices 98. End users 92 may be a
`wide variety of users using a wide variety of computing devices. By way of example, end
`users 92 may use a single personal computer. a network computer, a laptop computer, a
`workstation, any type of super computer, or any other type of computer used by a user or
`operating on its own to request, gather, process. send or display information. The
`25 administrator 94 is typically a computer used by a system administrator or the like to
`monitor and administer the LAN 90. Server 96 may be any type of server such as an e-mail
`server, file server, or other server used for storing information which may be accessed by
`users on the LAN 90. Other devices 98 may include printers, routers, facsimile machines,
`gateways, etc.
`
`30
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`Internet access device 100 includes an analog modem 104, an ISDN adapter 106, or a
`synchronous serial interface 108 that are all used to connect through communication line 82
`to the POP 42. One or all of these interface devices may be present within the Internet
`access device 100, although typically only one is in use at a given time for communication
`with the Internet. Other types of interfaces devices may also be included. By way of
`35 example, it is expected that in the near future ADSL and other very high speed modems will
`be commercially available for use with POTS lines. It is contemplated that such modems
`can readily be incorporated in the described access device either in place or'or in addition to
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`a standard analog modem. Internet access device 100 also includes a router 240 for
`communicating between one of the interfaces 104, 106 or 108 and the LAN 90.
`
`Figure 5 shows in greater detail an embodiment of the hardware architecture of the
`Internet access device 100 shown in Figure 4. Internet access device 100 includes a system
`5 bus 101 to which are connected various devices such as an analog modem 104, an ISDN
`adapter 106, a synchronous serial interlace 108, an Ethernet LAN adapter 112, a power
`supply 114, a CPU 116, RAM 118, a hard disk drive 120, a keypad 122, an LCD display
`124, and a speaker 126.
`
`Typically, analog modem 104 is present in the Internet access device, while devices
`10 106 and 108 may be present if the customer desires one of these types of connections to the
`Internet. Analog modem 104 may be any suitable analog modem used for communicating
`over an analog line. By way of example, analog modem 104 is a V.34 28.8 Kbps modem.
`ISDN adapter 106 may be any suitable ISDN adapter used for communicating over an
`ISDN line. Synchronous serial interface 108 may be any suitable device used for
`15 communicating via a high-speed serial port, and in one embodiment is arranged for
`communicating using a frame relay packet based interface standard. In one embodiment,
`Internet access device 100 acts as a frame relay access device (FRAD) when
`communication using frame relay technology is desired. It is contemplated that other
`communications interface devices such as 104, 106 and 108 may be used within the
`20 Internet access device 100 in order to communicate over a particular type of communication
`line and using a particular protocol.
`
`LAN adapter 112 may be any suitable device for providing an interface between the
`Internet access device 100 and a LAN 90. By way of example, LAN adapter 112 may be
`based upon a LocalTalk or a token ring standard. In the embodiment shown,. LAN adapter
`25 112 is for an Ethernet LAN with an integral 4-port l0BaseT hub, although of course, a
`wide variety of other LAN adapters may be used in conjunction with or alternately to the
`adapter shown. Internet access device 100 also includes a power supply 114 that includes
`a battery backup. CPU (central processing unit) 116 may be any suitable CPU and in the
`embodiment shown, is an Intel 80486 CPU. RAM 118 provides random access memory
`30 used to store temporary data such as routing tables, packet buffers, program storage, etc.
`for the Internet access device. Hard disk drive 120 may be any suitable hard disk, and in
`one embodiment is a 1.2GB IDE hard disk drive used for storing user information such as
`accounts, electronic mail, web pages, etc. Of course, it is expected that each of the
`described components may be upgraded as more powerful components become available
`35 and cost effective.
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`Keypad 122 may be any suitable keypad for entering numbers and information by a
`user to the Internet access device. By way of example, keypad 122 may take the form of
`an 18 key keypad including a numeric keypad similar to that found on a push button
`telephone, and other keys for inputting information to the Internet access device. LCD
`5 display 124 is provided for presenting information to the user, along with status lights
`indicating the status of the Internet access device. The status lights include information
`such as power, system activity, disk activity, LAN activity, and WAN activity. In the
`described embodiment, the LCD display 124 takes the form of a 128x 64 pix.el LCD
`display, although other displays are possible. Speaker 126 is any suitable speaker for
`10 presenting audible information to a user.
`
`Figure 6 illustrates an embodiment of the software architecture 200 of the Internet
`access device 100 of Figure 5. The software architecture 200 includes an operating system
`210 that communicates with each of an e-mail server 212, an FTP daemon 214, a LAN
`Manager/ AppleTalk file server 216, an automatic configuration engine 218, a web server
`15 220, and other servers 222. These elements 212-222 are each in communication with a
`system administration module 228 that uses a graphical user interface.
`
`Operating system 210 may be any suitable operating system. By way of example, in
`the described embodiment, operating system 210 is the BSD UNIX operating system.
`This operating system 210 includes an Ethernet driver 230, PPP (Point to Point Protocol)
`20 software 232, and a frame relay driver 234 in communication with an IP Routing/address
`translation module 240. Ethernet driver 230 communicates over line 231 to an Ethernet
`carcl. PPP software communicates over line 233 to either a modem or an ISDN adapter.
`Frame relay driver 234 communicates over line 235 to a synchronous serial interface card.
`The address translation module 234 allows for both host (l-N) and network (N-N) address
`25 translation. The module 240 is also in communication with a domain name server (DNS)
`and a dynamic host configuration protocol (DHCP) server 238 which supply appropriate
`connectivity protocols to the Internet. The IP routing may be performed by any suitable
`routing software used for receiving information over the Internet and routing it to the
`appropriate device on LAN 90. By way of example, a GateD router with support for
`30 OSPF, RIP and BGP routing protocols may be used.
`
`E-mail server 212 provides e-mail service both internally to users of a LAN 90 of a
`company, and also externally to the world via the Internet. Every user on the LAN 90 is
`provided with their own unique e-mail address. FTP (file transfer protocol) daemon 214 is
`used for both internal and external file storage and transfer using industry standard Internet
`35 file transfer protocols. LAN Manager/AppleTalk file server 216 is a file server providing a
`central location by which users may exchange files. Automatic configuration engine 218
`provides for the automatic configuration of the Internet access device 100 for
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`communication with the Internet. An embodiment of how this automatic configuration
`engine configures the Internet access device will be discussed in more detail below with
`reference to the flow charts of Figures 10, 11 and 12.
`
`Web server 220 may be any suitable web server for providing both internal and
`5 public web pages for not only a company, but also for each user on the LAN 90. In one
`embodiment. web server 220 is an Apache HITP web server. Other servers 222 indude
`such servers as directory servers, news servers, catalog servers, search engines, proxy
`servers, authentication servers, etc.
`
`System administration module 228 provides a graphical user interface by which a
`10 system administrator and/or individual users may access the Internet access device in order
`to manage e-mail and web pages, perform system administration, allow access by
`individual users, and in general monitor and support the functioning of the Internet access
`device by users on the LAN 90. In one embodiment, system administration module 222
`uses an HTML-based animated user interface for use with either Netscape NAVIGATOR
`15 or Microsoft INTERNET EXPLORER that allows all-in-one administration from any
`desktop and from any platform. System administration module 228 also provides for self(cid:173)
`maintenance via an agent based metaphor, automated backups of any user data to any
`workstation on the LAN 90 or to the ISP, automated software management for software
`updates, and automated log and audit management. An aspect of system administration
`20 module 228 is disclosed in greater detail in U.S. Patent Application entitled "Automatic
`Setup Of Services For Computer System Users" referenced above.
`
`Now that an embodiment of an Internet access device has been described, a method
`of advantageously using such a device will be described. The Internet access device is
`advantageous because, once installed at a customer site it is able to automatically connect
`25 itself to an appropriate location on the Internet, download configuration information and
`configure itself for a level of service desired by the customer. Figures 10, 11 and 12
`illustrate one embodiment of a method of automatically configuring the Internet access
`device. Before the Internet access device configures itself, the customer and an Internet
`service provider communicate in order to determine an appropriate level of service for that
`30 customer and corresponding configuration information for the Internet access device. This
`interaction will now be described.
`
`When a customer first determines that he or she desires a connection to the Internet
`the customer contacts an Internet service provider to request a particular level of service.
`This desired level of service includes many different variables. For example, the customer
`35 must first determine if they wish to connect a LAN to the ISP or simply a single machine to
`the ISP. Also, the type of connection must be determined. A customer may be connecting
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`to the ISP over a dial-up line or over a permanent leased line. Also, the customer may
`desire an analog line using a conventional or high speed modem, an ISDN line using an
`ISDN adapter, or a leased line that may be a T-1 or a T-3 line using frame relay technology.
`Other types of lines and levels of service may also be specified by the customer. The
`5 customer may also determine a desired domain name, and a range of IP addresses that it
`requires. A customer with only a single host computer may need only a dynamic IP
`address, while a customer such as a corporation or provider of infonnation may require not
`only a static IP address but also a range of addresses for various computers connected to a
`LAN. Other information from the customer may also be required by the ISP such as the
`10 number of users on the LAN. geographic location ( used to detennine which POP to
`connect to), anticipated storage needed for a web site, etc.
`
`Once the customer has specified his needs, the ISP assembles all of this customer
`information and inputs it into an ISP database. Some of this customer information comes
`from the customer itself (e.g., a desired domain name), while some information is
`15 generated by the ISP itself (e.g., the IP address block). Using the information in this
`database, the ISP is then able to generate a configuration file for future use by the
`customer. The configuration file contains all of the configuration needed by the customer
`to configure his Internet access device for the customer's desired level of service. Any
`suitable form and language for a configuration file may be used. By way of example, one
`20 such suitable configuration language for representing customer configuration information
`may be found in the Appendix.
`
`If the configuration file is stored on the configuration server as a flat text file it is
`possible to create this file manually using any text editor. It is also possible that a
`configuration file may be automatically generated from the ISP customer database once all
`25 of the customer information has been entered, or the configuration file may be generated on
`the fly from the customer database when a request is made from an Internet access device to
`download a particular configuration file from a configuration server.
`
`Once a configuration file has been generated, this configuration file is stored by the
`ISP onto a configuration server. In one embodiment, the configuration file is stored as a
`30 configuration record of a database on a dedicated configuration server. This configuration
`server may be located on an IP network within the ISP itself, or the configuration server
`may be located at any appropriate location on the Internet that is accessible by an address.
`In other embodiments, the configuration server may be located outside of the Internet or an
`internet, in a location that is accessible by a customer desiring access to a configuration file.
`
`35
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`'
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`A more detailed description of the types of information contained within this
`configuration file is explained below with reference to Figure 12. Once the ISP has
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`determined an IP address for the configuration server that holds the customer's
`configuration fi]e, the ISP generates a registration identification number for that customer.
`Generation of this registration identification number will now be explained in more detail
`with reference to Figure 7.
`
`5
`
`Figure 7 illustrates a method 300 by which a registration identification number
`(registration ID) may be generated. Initially, a registration ID 302 includes a 32-bit IP
`address 304 for the configuration server on which the customer's configuration record
`resides, a 32-bit account identifier (account ID) 306, and an 8-bit check sum 308. The 32-
`bit IP address 304 uniquely identifies the configuration server on the Internet. The 32-bit
`10 account ID 306 is an arbitrary 32-bit number that uniquely identifies the Internet access
`device for a particular customer. This account ID 306 will be used to access that customer's
`unique configuration record on the configuration server identified by the IP address 304.
`The 8-bit check sum 308 is used for detecting erroneous customer keypad entries on the
`Internet access device. Without the check sum 308, the Internet access device would have
`15 to dial-up and connect to the configuration server before being able to alert the customer
`that an entered registration ID was invalid.
`
`Next, a series of six "O" bits 314 are concatenated onto the registration ID 302 to
`produce a registration ID 312. Of course, the size of the various fields may be widely
`varied and additional or alternative fields may be used as well. After the registration ID has
`20 been concatenated, it is encrypted to produce an encrypted registration ID. In the described
`embodiment., the 78-bit registration ID 312 is encrypted to produce a new 78-bit encrypted
`registration ID 318. As will be appreciated by one of skill in the art, any suitable
`encryption technique may be used. Next, the encrypted registration ID 312 is divided into
`groups of multi-digit numbers to create a decimal digit registration ID 326. When a 78-bit
`25 encrypted registration ID is used, the encrypted 78 bits are divided into groups of 13 bits
`each as shown at 322. Finally, each group of 13 bits is transformed into its corresponding
`four digit decimal numeral resulting in a 24 decimal digit registration ID 326. It is this
`registration ID 326 which is delivered to the customer from the ISP. Thus, the registration
`ID 326 contains information allowing a customer to access a configuration server on the
`30 Internet and to download a specific configuration file unique to that customer's
`requirements.
`
`Once the registration ID has been generated, the ISP then ships to the customer an
`Internet access device, the registration ID, and a telephone number for accessing the ISP.
`Typically, this telephone number is a local telephone number or a toll-free "800" telephone
`35 number that the customer may use to dial into a network access server 72 of a local point of
`presence 42 for that Internet service provider. However, this telephone number may be any
`suitable number that allows the customer to gain access to the Internet and thereby begin the
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`process of retrieving its configuration file from the configuration server. Once the
`customer receives the Internet access device, the registration ID and the telephone number,
`the customer is then able to install the Internet access device, connect it to his computer
`system or LAN and begin the process of automatic configuration. This process of
`5 automatic configuration will be discussed in more detail below with reference to the flow
`charts of Figures 10, 11 and 12, and with reference to the illustrations of Figures 8 and 9.
`
`""=
`
`Figure 8 shows an arrangement 400 in which an Internet access device 100 is
`connected to a local point of presence 42 through a network access server. In this
`arrangement, Internet access device 100 has connected to the POP 42 using a dynamic IP
`10 address of "200.100.1.1" (for example) and has requested access to configuration server
`410 which contains a database 420 of customer configuration records. Figure 8 will be
`discussed in greater detail below with reference to steps 714 through step 724 of Figure 11.
`
`Figure 9 illustrates an arrangement 500 in which an Internet access device 100 has
`downloaded its configuration record, has automatically configured itself, and is now
`15 connected to the Internet at its desired level of service. Figure 9 shows an Internet access
`device 100 that is connected to a leased line router 76 of a local POP 42 using a leased line
`and frame relay technology. Through this line the Internet access device now has access to
`the Internet 10 through communications line 46. The Internet access device 100, already
`having been configured, routes to the LAN having (for example) address 207.76.205.X
`20 (where "X" represents one of a range of IP addresses, such as from "2" to "5"), and has a
`LAN 90 with attached computers 99 having IP addresses of 207.76.205.2, 207.76.205.3,
`207.76.205.4 and 207.76.205.5. The Internet access device itself occupies an address at
`207.76.205.l. It should be noted that these addresses are for example only. Each
`customer will receive a globally unique range of addresses. Figure 9 will be discussed in
`25 greater detail below with reference to Figure 12.
`
`Once a customer has received a registration ID and a local telephone number from the
`ISP, the customer may begin the automatic configuration process for the Internet access
`device. Figure 10 is a flowchart showing the overall automatic configuration steps 600.
`As preparation, the customer first installs the Internet access device by supplying power,
`30 connecting the Internet access device to a telephone line and to the customer's computer
`system or LAN.
`
`In step 602 the customer enters the encrypted registration ID supplied by the ISP onto
`the Internet access device 100 by way of keypad 122. Next, in step 604 the user enters the
`local telephone number of a network access server located on the ISP' s network. This
`35 number may be the number of a local point of presence (POP) for the Internet service
`provider. This telephone number is a number for a basic analog dial-up telephone line by
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`which the Internet access device may dial into and connect with a corresponding modem of ~
`the network access server of the ISP. In this fashion, the Internet access device may
`connect to the ISP (and to the Internet) with a minimum of configuration. During this
`phase, the Internet access device emulates a simple single address host. This allows it to
`5 utilize existing configuration protocols such as LCP and IPCP to gain an initial temporary
`connection. This is a "bootstrapping" technique in which a simple mechanism is employed
`to load and initiate a more complex one. The Internet access device comes ready to connect
`to an ISP over a standard dial-up analog telephone line (i.e. a POTS line); the customer is
`not required to perform any setup, configuration or entering of information in order to
`10 access the ISP.
`
`In step 606 the user inputs a start command using keypad 122. In step 608 the
`Internet access device detennines whether the entered registration ID is valid by using the
`8-bit check sum. H the registration ID is not valid then in step 610 the Internet access
`device provides error feedback by way of the LCD display 124. If the registration ID is
`15 valid, then in step 612 the Internet access device begins execution of an automatic
`configuration process which will configure the Internet access device for communication
`with the Internet at a customer desired level of service. For example, the Internet access
`device will be configured for using an ISDN line or a frame relay circuit, and may be
`configured with a static IP address and a range of IP addresses for use by various
`20 computers connected to the Internet access device. This type of configuration typically
`requires extensive manual effort on the part of the customer at the customer site; the present
`invention is advantageous because it performs this type of configuration automatically.
`Step 612 will be explained in greater detail below with reference to Figure 11.
`
`H automatic configuration has been successful, then in step 614 the program ends.
`25 However, if automatic configuration was not successful, then in step 610 error feedback
`related to this condition is provided to the user and control returns to step 602 where the
`user is able to enter the registration ID and telephone number once again. In step 614 the
`automatic configuration process may fail due to ~ problem with the modem, a hardware
`failure, an incorrect configuration server IP address, an incorrect account ID for the user,
`30 or other error.
`
`Figures 1 IA and 1 lB illustrate in greater detail one method suitable for carrying out
`the automatic configuration process step 612 of Figure 10. This step allows the Internet
`access device to automatically dial into an Internet service provider without any
`configuration needing to be performed by the user. Once connected to an ISP, the Internet
`35 access device is then able to automatically locate a configuration server, request a unique
`configuration record for that Internet access device, download that configuration record,
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`and then automatically configure itself for communication with the Internet using the
`configuration record.
`
`"'
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`In step 702 the analog modem 104 of Internet access device 100 automatically dials
`the local telephone number provided by the ISP and entered by the customer to contact a
`5 network access server (NAS) 72 of a local point of presence 42 of the ISP. This
`connection is made over a basic analog, dial-up telephone line that is straightforward to use
`and requires no configuration or input from the user of the Internet access device. Step 704
`detennines whether a successful connection has been made from the Internet access device
`to the network access server of the ISP. If no connection was made, then control returns to
`10 step 702 and the NAS is dialed again, unless in step 706 it is determined that the redial
`count has already been exceeded, in which case control moves to step 708. In step 708 the
`Internet access device displays an error message, terminates the calling procedure and then
`returns to step 614 of Figure 10 with a negative result.
`
`If the connection is successful, then in step 710 a Point to Point Protocol (PPP)
`15 connection is established between the Internet access device and the NAS of the ISP.
`Establishing a PPP connection is known to those of skill in the art and involves password
`negotiations, exchange of addresses, and other standard handshaking. If this PPP
`connection is not successful, then step 712 moves control to step 708, an error message is
`displayed, and a negative result is returned to step 614 of Figure 10. Reasons why a
`20 connection may not be successful include an invalid password used by the Internet access
`device, an incorrect telephone number, malfunctioning equipment, busy signal, or other.
`
`If the connection is successful, then in step 714 the registration ID entered by the user
`is decoded into an IP address of the configuration server and a customer account ID. It
`should be appreciated that an encoded registration ID may be decoded into its various parts
`25 in a wide variety of fashions. By way of example, a registration ID may be decoded with
`reference to Figure 7 in a reverse fashion to the procedure previously described for
`encoding a registration ID. First, a 24 decimal digit registration ID 326 is divided up into
`six groups of four digit decimal numbers and then each four digit numeral is transformed
`into its representative 13 binary digits to form a registration ID 322. These six groups of
`30 13 bits each form a registration ID 318 of 78 bits. Next, the 78-bit encrypted registration
`ID 318 is decrypted to form a 78-bit registration ID 312. The first 32 bits are the IP
`address of the configuration server 304, the second 32 bits are a unique customer account
`ID 306, the next 8 bits are a check sum, and the last six bits are all zeros.
`
`Using the decoded IP address 304 of the configuration server, in step 716 a
`35 connection is opened to this configuration server via the network access server over the
`Internet. Any standard technique may be used to open a connection to a configuration
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`server located on the Internet using its IP address. By way of example, an HTTP protocol
`may be used, although it is contemplated that an LDAP (light weight directory access
`protocol) may also be used. Figure 8 illustrates a connection from an Internet access device
`100 to a network access server of a POP 42 of an ISP, which in tum is connected to a
`5 configuration server 410. The Internet access device has connected to the ISP using a
`dynamic IP address of "200.100.1.1". Connecting in this fashion using an analog modem
`and a dynamic IP address is a simpler technique and requires no configuration of the
`Internet access device on the part of the customer. In the embodiment shown, the
`configuration server 410 is located within the Internet service provider, although the
`10 configuration server may be present at any location on the Internet and accessed via its IP
`address.
`
`If this connection is not successful, then in step 708 an appropriate error message is
`displayed, the call is terminated, and a negative result is returned to step 614 of Figure 10.
`In step 718 a connection may be unsuccessful because of an incorrect registration ID, an
`15 incorrect configuration server, trouble on the Internet, the configuration server being down,
`or other communications difficulties. However, if the connection is successful, then step
`718 transfers control to step 720 of Figure 11B.
`
`In step 720 the Internet access device asks the configuration server 410 for the
`configuration record stored in database 420 that is identified by the customer account ID.
`20 This is typically done using an HTTP "get" request. The configuration record may be
`· stored in a database 420 using a wide variety of techniqtJes. By way of example, a
`configuration record may be stored in any typical database. In other embodiments, the
`configuration record takes the form of a configuration file on the configuration server. For
`example, a configuration file may be stored as a flat text file in a directory on the
`25 configuration server 410. In a second embodiment, the URL requested from the server
`resolves to a CGI ( Common Gateway Interface) script, which takes the registration ID as
`extra path information. This extra path information is passed to the CGI script which then
`accesses the ISP database as required and outputs the configuration file corresponding to
`the customer account ID. In this second embodiment, the "get" request also sends two
`30 field values to be stored on the server, namely the Internet access device's Ethernet
`address, and the registration ID.
`
`If the configuration record does not exist, then in step 734 an appropriate error
`message is displayed, the call is terminated, and a negative result is returned to step 614 of
`Figure 10. A record may not exist due to an incorrect customer account ID, an unknown
`35 customer account ID, a record not being present, or other discrepancy or problem with the
`database.
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`If however, the record does exist, then in step 724 this configuration record is
`downloaded from the configuration server 410 via the Internet and the ISP to the Internet
`access device 100 at its temporary IP address. Figure 8 illustrates a database 420
`containing a configuration record that may be downloaded to the Internet access device in
`5 this fashion. This configuration record may store the configuration information needed by
`the Internet access device in any suitable format. By way of example, a configuration
`language such as may be found in the Appendix may be used. Next, in step 726 the
`Internet access device automatically configures itself using the information from the
`configuration record. This step will be explained in greater detail below with reference to
`10 Figure 12.
`
`If the configuration is unsuccessful, then in step 734 an appropriate error message is
`displayed, the call is terminated, and a negative result is returned to step 614 of Figure 10.
`If the configuration was successful, then in step 730 the call is terminated and in step 732 a
`.. configuration successful" message is displayed to the use