(19) United States
`(12) Patent Application Publication (10) Pub. No.: US 2002/0073182 A1
`Zakurdaev et al.
`(43) Pub. Date:
`Jun. 13, 2002
`
`US 20020073182A1
`
`(54) METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR A SMART
`DHCP RELAY
`(76) Inventors: Maxim V. Zakurdaev, Nepean (CA);
`Robert W. Froehlich, McKinney, TX
`(US); Dinesh Pai, Plano, TX (US);
`Stephane S. Roch, Gatineau PQ (CA);
`Paul J. Shields, Plano, TX (US)
`Correspondence Address:
`p
`Garlick & Harrison
`P.O. BOX 670007
`Dallas, TX 75367 (US)
`
`(21) Appl. No.:
`(22) Filed:
`
`09/733,426
`Dec. 8, 2000
`Publication Classification
`
`(51) Int. Cl. ................................................... G06F 15/177
`
`(52) U.S. Cl. .............................................................. 709/220
`(57)
`ABSTRACT
`A Smart DHCP Relay server is formed for receiving all IP
`address requests, to determine the ISP to which the request
`should be forwarded, and then to forward the request to the
`ISP. Accordingly, when the ISP responds, the Smart DHCP
`Relay generates an IP address for delivery to the user
`terminal that initiated the request. The user terminal, upon
`receiving the one response, automatically loads the IP
`address for use whenever access to the Internet by way of the
`ISP equipment is desired. The System includes a gateway
`device that forwards all address requests (DHCPDIS
`COVER). The Smart DHCP Relay includes a database that
`maps MAC addresses with corresponding selected IP
`addresses from a number of ISPs offering a service to the
`subscribers. The duration that the MAC address is assigned
`to the IP address provided by the selected ISP is variable. It
`may be made to last only for a specified Session or period.
`Alternatively, it can be made to last indefinitely.
`
`NOC PROXY
`SERVER
`
`Of ISP
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`NETWORK
`
`-300
`
`
`
`PROVIDER (Essa)
`--
`GATEWAY
`
`
`
`
`
`320
`
`328
`
`- C --> O
`332 Ol
`Ob
`324
`
`Exhibit 1007
`IPR2023-00581
`U.S. Patent 8,886,772
`
`Page 1 of 11
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`Patent Application Publication
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`US 2002/0073182 A1
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`Patent Application Publication
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`Jun. 13, 2002 Sheet 2 of 5
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`US 2002/0073182 A1
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`Patent Application Publication
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`US 2002/0073182 A1
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`Patent Application Publication Jun. 13, 2002 Sheet 4 of 5
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`US 2002/0073182 A1
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`TRANSMIT TERMINAL Df MAC ADDRESS TO
`GATEWAY DEV. WITH PADDRESS REQUEST
`
`404
`
`DENTFY TYPEOF SIGNAL RCVDAT GIW AND
`FORWARD TO NETWORK OPER. CENTER
`
`RECEIVE AT NOC, LOOK UPASSIGNED ISP
`
`TRANSMIT INFO TO CORRESP. SP
`
`408
`
`412
`
`416
`
`TRANSMIT, FROM ISP, P ADDRESS INFO TO
`TERMINAL BY WAY OF GIW DEVICE
`
`420
`
`AT G/W DEVICE, RECEIVE AND FORWARD
`ADDRESS INFORMATION TO TERMINAL
`
`424
`
`FIG. 4
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`Page 5 of 11
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`Patent Application Publication Jun. 13, 2002 Sheet 5 of 5
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`US 2002/0073182 A1
`
`
`
`PROXY SERVER
`
`PROCESSOR
`504
`
`ADDRESS MAP
`
`COMM. PROTOCOLS
`
`OPERATIONAL LOGIC
`
`BUS CONTROLLER
`
`NETWORK PORT
`
`520
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`US 2002/0073182 A1
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`Jun. 13, 2002
`
`METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR A SMART DHCP
`RELAY
`
`BACKGROUND
`0001) 1. Technical Field
`0002 The present invention relates to computer networks
`and, more particularly, to a System and method for facili
`tating the provisioning of an Internet Service provider Inter
`net Protocol (IP) V4 address into a terminal or other com
`puter equipment.
`0003 2. Related Art
`0004 Internet Service Provider (ISP) Dynamic Host
`Control Protocol (DHCP) specifies how IP addresses are
`entered into a specific register of a terminals networking
`Software driver, So the terminal can properly create and
`maintain a connection between the terminal and the ISP
`whenever a user of the terminal SeekS access to the Internet
`through the equipment of the ISP. Accordingly, a traditional
`part of establishing service with a selected ISP is to enter,
`usually with the help of an ISPs technical support person
`nel, the Settings and parameters required for the terminal to
`connect properly with the ISP equipment each time the user
`chooses to "Surf the web.'
`0005 While this approach does not seem, in theory, too
`onerous, it often is a frustrating process as technical Support
`technicians are overwhelmed with calls. It is not uncommon
`for one to have to wait hours while enduring annoying music
`and constant reminders that the call is important and will be
`picked as Soon as possible. The problem becomes much
`worse when the end user decides to change an ISP or
`multiple users, subscribed to the different ISP use the same
`terminal one after another.
`0006. This is where DHCP protocol was defined in the
`IETF to facilitate a process that reduces the likelihood that
`a user will require the assistance of a technical Support
`technician thereby reducing using frustration and enabling
`technical Support perSonnel to lend their efforts to real
`problems.
`0007 Along these lines, software companies have cre
`ated the capability (DHCP client) in their software for the
`terminal to automatically store the IP address and the
`asSociated parameters in the Specified registers. The issue,
`however, includes delivering the IP address for the ISP of
`choice for automatic installation into the user terminal.
`0008 One solution that is being considered and, perhaps,
`tried is to forward an address request signal (DHCP Request)
`to all ISPs connected to the acceSS network equipment
`communicating with the user terminal. One problem with
`this approach, however, is that most of the ISP equipment is
`programmed to automatically respond with an IP address
`whenever it detects Such a request. Thus, a user terminal
`would be inundated with multiple responses to the issued
`DHCP single DHCP request. Accordingly, there is no guar
`antee that the proper IP address would be loaded into the
`computer terminal memory registers.
`0009. One solution to this problem would be to create a
`database within the equipment of each ISP to only respond
`to address requests from its own ISP account holders (cus
`tomers). A problem with this approach, however, is that it is
`inefficient and would require Significant maintenance effort
`
`by the ISPs. For these reasons, ISPs are not too eager to
`implement this Solution. Also this method ties user terminal
`profile with a single ISP, which doesn’t work in case of a
`shared terminal or change of a terminal by the user.
`0010 Another proffered solution is to create one very
`large database including DHCP addresses of all ISP service
`subscribers at a network operations center (NOC). Thus, the
`database includes a mapping between user terminals and all
`of the corresponding ISP information including the IP
`addresses of the ISP. This approach is not desirable because
`of the Significant maintenance requirements. Not only would
`user ISP preferences be stored, but also all of the corre
`sponding ISP information. Accordingly, updates are required
`when ISP information or user preferences change.
`0011 What is needed, therefore, is a method and appa
`ratus that Supports automatic generation of a user Selected
`ISP IP address and delivery of the same to the user's terminal
`for automatic loading/installation.
`
`SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
`0012 A Smart DHCP Relay proxy server is placed
`between the user terminal and the ISP formed forto receiving
`receive all IP address requests, and more particularly, DHCP
`address requests, to determine the ISP to which the request
`should be forwarded, based on the user preferences and
`Supplied credentials and then to forward the request to the
`ISP. Accordingly, the ISP equipment responds, upon receiv
`ing the forwarded request, and generates an IP address for
`delivery to the user terminal that generated the request. The
`user terminal, upon receiving the one response, automati
`cally loads the IP address for use whenever access to the
`Internet by way of the ISP equipment is desired.
`0013 More particularly, the system includes a gateway
`device that forwards all IP address requests to the Smart
`DHCP Relay regardless of what system is requesting an
`address. The gateway device further receives and forwards
`a DHCP response to the system that previously requested the
`address. In one embodiment of the present invention, a
`temporary address is assigned to the System requesting the
`address for identifying the System and for delivering the
`address to it.
`0014) A Smart DHCP Relay includes a database that
`maps user equipment (terminal) identity or user account
`information with a select Internet Service Provider. In one
`embodiment, whenever an end user (or a Subscriber) Selects
`an ISP, the ISP updates the Smart DHCP Relay proxy server.
`Accordingly, the first time the Subscriber equipment is
`initialized and connected to the network, the Smart DHCP
`Relay receives an IP address request from the gateway
`device, which address request was generated by the Sub
`Scriber equipment. The IP address request includes an iden
`tifier that uniquely identifies the Subscriber and/or the Sub
`scriber equipment. Accordingly, the Smart DHCP Relay
`identifies the select ISP and forwards the address request to
`it. The ISP then responds by generating and transmitting an
`IP address to the subscriber equipment.
`
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`0015 Abetter understanding of the present invention can
`be obtained when the following detailed description of the
`preferred embodiment is considered with the following
`drawings, in which:
`
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`Jun. 13, 2002
`
`0016 FIG. 1 is a functional block diagram illustrating a
`prior art communication network.
`0017 FIG. 2 is a signal sequence diagram illustrating
`System operation in a network formed according to one
`embodiment of the present invention.
`0.018
`FIG. 3 is a functional block diagram illustrating a
`System for automatically loading an IP address in a user
`terminal.
`0019 FIG. 4 is a flow chart illustrating a method for
`automatically loading an IP address into a user computer
`terminal.
`0020 FIG. 5 is a functional block diagram of a Smart
`DHCP Relay formed according to one embodiment of the
`present invention.
`
`DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`0021
`FIG. 1 is a functional block diagram illustrating a
`prior art communication network. In particular, FIG. 1
`illustrates a shortcoming of prior art network that may be
`used to attempt to automatically load an IP address into a
`user terminal. AS may be seen, an address request is trans
`mitted from the user computer terminal 104 to a gateway
`system 108 by way of a local access network 112. The
`gateway System then forwards the address request in a
`broadcast mode through a data network 116 to each of a
`plurality of NISP servers 120-128.
`0022 Responsive to receiving an IP address request, each
`of the ISP servers 120-128 respond to the user terminal with
`an ISP address for automatic loading and Storage at the user
`terminal. Accordingly, as may be seen, N ISP addresses are
`transmitted to the user computer terminal, if ISPs choose to
`automatically respond to the address request.
`0023. How the user terminal responds may vary. For
`example, it may accept only the first address received.
`Alternatively, it may replace each Stored address with each
`new address received. Accordingly, the one certain aspect of
`this approach is that the user computer terminal may receive
`and store an IP address, but, more than likely, it will not be
`the one, desired by the user.
`0024 FIG. 2 is a signal sequence diagram illustrating
`System operation in a network formed according to one
`embodiment of the present invention. Referring now to FIG.
`2, a user terminal 204 initially transmits an IP address
`request to a gateway device 208. In the described embodi
`ment of the present invention, the address request is a signal
`referred to a DHCPDISCOVER signal as defined in the
`Internet Engineering Task Force Request for Comments
`(IETF RFC) standard. One purpose of the DHCDISCOVER
`signal is to request an IP address of the ISP that is to provide
`Internet access service to the user. Typically, the DHCPDIS
`COVER Signal is a broadcast Signal that is automatically
`generated by a user terminal network interface card (NIC).
`The NIC card transmits its Media Access Control (MAC)
`address as a part of the DHCPDISCOVER signal or other IP
`address request signal.
`0.025 The gateway device 208, upon receiving the
`address request or DHCPDISCOVER signal, analyzes it to
`determine that it is a DHCPDISCOVER signal, and respon
`sive thereto, forwards the received DHCPDISCOVER sig
`nal to a Smart DHCP Relay 212. In one embodiment of the
`
`present invention, the Smart DHCP Relay 212 is formed as
`a part of a Network Operations Center (NOC) as is Sug
`gested by the dashed box around relay 212. In alternate
`embodiment, relay 212 may be formed as a separate entity
`or as a part of a different System.
`0026. The Smart DHCP Relay 212, upon receiving the
`DHCPDISCOVER signal, analyzes it to discover one of a
`user ID, a user terminal ID or a terminal MAC address to
`determine the IP address of the DHCP Server of a the
`corresponding ISP. Once the Smart DHCP Relay 212 deter
`mines the IP address of the corresponding ISP, it forwards
`the DHCPDISCOVER signal to the corresponding ISP216.
`0027. The corresponding ISP 216, upon receiving the
`DHCPDISCOVER signal, generates a DHCPOFFER signal
`that is transmitted back to the Smart DHCP Relay 212. The
`Smart DHCP Relay 212, upon receiving the DHCPOFFER
`signal, stores (maps) an IP address for the ISP server 216 to
`a Subscriber MAC address. Thereafter, the IP address 216 is
`forwarded to the user computer terminal 204 for automatic
`loading.
`0028. In an alternate embodiment of the invention, the
`ISPDHCP server 216 generates a response signal containing
`its own IP address that the user terminal 204 is to use when
`Seeking renewal of the assigned (or “leased”) IP address.
`This response Signal is transmitted directly to the user
`terminal by way of gateway device 208. In this embodiment
`of the present invention, the response signal is a DHCPOF
`FER signal, but unlike before, it is transmitted directly to the
`user terminal. The DHCPOFFER signal, here, also includes
`the IP address of the ISP DHCP Server.
`0029. In one embodiment of the present invention, the
`mapping between the MAC address and the ISP 216 iden
`tified in the DHCPOFFER signal lasts until changed mean
`ing that the allocation is reserved for the particular user until
`the relationship between the ISP and the user is terminated.
`0030. In an alternative embodiment, the mapping occurs
`only for a given Session. In yet another alternative embodi
`ment, the mapping occurs only for a specified period or
`number of Sessions. Thereafter, the IP address is released for
`use by another user computer terminal.
`0031
`FIG. 3 is a functional block diagram illustrating a
`network that includes a System for automatically loading an
`IP address in a user terminal according to one embodiment
`of the present invention. A network 300 includes a Network
`Operations Center (NOC) 304 for controlling network
`operations as is suggested by its name. NOC 304 includes a
`database 308 for mapping user IDs with selected Internet
`service providers. The user ID may be in the form of an
`account number, a terminal ID or MAC address or an ID of
`any other form. The ISP is, in one embodiment of the
`invention, identified by its IP address at a minimum.
`0032. A gateway device 312 is coupled to communicate
`with NOC 304 by way of a data packet network 314 as well
`as with a plurality of user terminals by way of a plurality of
`networks. For example, gateway device 312 is coupled to
`communicate with user terminal 316 by way of a private
`network 320. Private network 320 may comprise, for
`example, a corporate local area network.
`0033 Gateway device 312 also is coupled to a wireless
`terminal 324 by way of a wireless network 328. A wireless
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`
`link332 carries the communication Signals between wireleSS
`user terminal 324 and wireless network 328. Finally, gate
`way device 312 is coupled to a user terminal 336 by way of
`a telephone network 340. Telephone network 340 includes
`conventional public Switched telephone networks (PSTNs)
`as well as SS7 and other similar intelligent networks (IN).
`0034 AS may also be seen, gateway device 312 also is
`coupled to communicate with a plurality of ISPs 344, 348
`and 352 representing up to N ISPs by way of data packet
`network 314. Each of the users of user terminals typically
`selects one of the ISPs 344,348 and 352 to provide Internet
`access Service. The issue, therefore, is to create a System for
`automatically loading an ISP's IP address utilizing the
`auto-loading capability of the user's user terminal.
`0035) In operation, a user terminal generates an address
`request that is transmitted to a gateway device. By way of
`example, user terminal 324 generates an address request
`Signal through the local acceSS network 328 to the gateway
`device 312. The gateway device 312 analyzes the Signal and
`identifies it as an IP address request Signal. In one embodi
`ment of the present invention, the address request signal is
`a DHCPDISCOVER signal.
`0.036 Upon identifying the IP address request signal,
`gateway device 312 forwards the signal to the NOC 304.
`NOC 304, upon receiving the address request Signal, exam
`ines the contents of database 308 to determine a selected ISP
`for the user terminal 324. Upon determining the selected
`ISP, for example, ISP 344, NOC 304 forwards the address
`request signal to the ISP344. If the address request signal is
`a DHCPDISCOVER signal, then the DHCPDISCOVER
`signal is forwarded to ISP 344.
`0037 Upon receiving the DHCPDISCOVER signal or
`the address request signal, ISP 344 responds with a
`DHCPOFFER signal. In the described embodiment of the
`invention, the DHCPOFFER signal is transmitted to NOC
`304 where the ISP's IP address is mapped with the user
`terminal's MAC address. Thereafter, the ISP's IP address is
`transmitted to user terminal 324 by way of gateway device
`312 and local access network 328. It is understood, of
`course, that alternatives exist to the ways of transmitting a
`DHCPOFFER signal from the ISP DHCP server 344.
`0038. In general, a signal is transmitted by the ISPDHCP
`server 344 that indicates a willingness (ability) to provide
`service to the user terminal 324. One advantage of the
`system and network of FIG. 3 is that only the selected ISP
`server 344 receives the DHCPDISOCOVER signal. In the
`present example of the invention shown in FIG. 3, ISP
`DHCP Servers 348 and 352 do not receive the DHCPDISO
`COVER signal.
`0039 While the network of FIG. 3 illustrates one gate
`way device 312, many other gateway devices 312 may be
`included. For example, each of the networks 320, 328 and
`340 may have a dedicated gateway device. Additionally,
`private networks such as network 320 may include a firewall
`between the gateway device 312 and the private network.
`Alternatively, the gateway device and firewall may be com
`bined as one System. Only one gateway device 312 is shown
`herein for simplicity.
`0040. The operation of the network of FIG. 3 is illus
`trated by the Sequentially numbered signals transmitted
`through the network. AS may be seen, an IP address request
`
`signal 1 is transmitted by the user terminal 324 to the local
`acceSS network 328. From there, address request Signal 2 is
`transmitted to the gateway device 312. Gateway device 312
`forwards the address request signal 3 to data network 314
`which in turn forwards address request signal 4 to NOC 304.
`NOC 304 then transmits the address request signal 5 to data
`network 314 where address request signal 6 is then routed to
`the ISP 344.
`0041) ISP 344 responds with a DHCPOFFER signal 7
`that is transmitted to data network 314. Because of the
`aforementioned alternatives, only a DHCPOFFER signal 8
`is shown being transmitted from data network 314 to gate
`way device 312. As was explained already, the DHCPOF
`FER signal may be sent directly to the user terminal or it
`may be send to NOC 304 first. If it is sent to NOC 304 first,
`NOC304 then transmits the DHCPOFFER signal to indicate
`that resources are allocated to the user terminal as identified
`by its MAC address.
`0042. The DHCPOFFER signal 8 is then received by
`gateway device 312 and is forwarded to the wireless net
`work as DHCPOFFER signal 9 and then to the user terminal
`324 as DHCPOFFER signal 10.
`0043 FIG. 4 is a flow chart illustrating a method for
`automatically loading an IP address into a user computer
`terminal. Initially, a terminal ID (or MAC address) is trans
`mitted to a gateway device by a user terminal along with a
`request for the IP address from its ISP (step 404). In one
`embodiment of the invention, the transmitted Signal is a
`DHCPDISCOVER signal. Thereafter, the gateway device,
`upon receiving the Signal, identifies it and forwards it to a
`network operations center (NOC) for processing (step 408).
`The NOC, in turn, determines the identity (IP address) of a
`select (assigned) ISP (step 412). In the described embodi
`ment, the NOC includes a database that maps MAC
`addresses to the selected IP addresses.
`0044) Thereafter, the NOC transmits the DHCPDIS
`COVER signal to the selected ISP to prompt the ISP to
`respond with an IP address for the user terminal (step 416).
`Accordingly, the ISP responds with IP address information
`for use by the user terminal to enable it to access the Internet
`using the assigned IP address. More specifically, the ISP
`sends IP address information to the user terminal by way of
`the gateway device (Step 420). The gateway device, in turn,
`receives the transmission from the ISP and forwards the
`ISP's IP address to the user terminal (step 424). In the
`described embodiment of the invention the response is a
`DHCPOFFER signal.
`004.5 FIG. 5 is a functional block diagram of the DHCP
`Relay formed according to one embodiment of the present
`invention. Referring now to FIG. 5, the DHCP Relay 500
`includes a processor 504 that is coupled to receive computer
`instructions stored in a memory 508 by way of a bus 512.
`Bus 512 further is coupled and is controlled by a bus
`controller 516. Bus controller 516 also is coupled to a
`network port 520. Accordingly, processor 504 also is able to
`transmit and to receive transmissions for processing through
`network port 520 by way of bus 512 and bus controller 516.
`0046) The computer instructions stored within memory
`508 define the operational logic of the Smart DHCP Relay
`including the logic for creating a database for mapping user
`terminal MAC addresses with the ISPs IP addresses. The
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`
`computer instructions further define logic for communica
`tion protocols for communicating over the network port 520.
`Finally, the computer instructions also define all other opera
`tional logic of the Smart DHCP Relay 500. With respect to
`the operational logic of Smart DHCP Relay 500, the com
`puter instructions define logic that, among other tasks,
`enable a System to perform the methods and processes
`described herein this application.
`0047 The inventive method and apparatus disclosed
`herein are particularly advantageous in that they provide a
`capability for automatically loading IP addresses into a
`user's terminal. Thus, the process of establishing a new
`account with a new ISP is facilitated reducing the number of
`problems that may be encountered and the amount of time
`required to achieve the Same. Additionally, technical Support
`resources are freed for use in tackling other and perhaps
`more Significant problems.
`0.048 While the invention is susceptible to various modi
`fications and alternative forms, specific embodiments
`thereofhave been shown by way of example in the drawings
`and detailed description. It should be understood, however,
`that the drawings and detailed description thereto are not
`intended to limit the invention to the particular form dis
`closed, but on the contrary, the invention is to cover all
`modifications, equivalents and alternatives falling within the
`Spirit and Scope of the present invention as defined by the
`claims. AS may be seen, the described embodiments may be
`modified in many different ways without departing from the
`Scope or teachings of the invention. For example, any
`combination of the described methods may be combined to
`create an inventive System that Supports auto-loading of an
`IP addresses into a user's terminal.
`
`1. A method for auto-loading an IP address into a user
`terminal, comprising:
`transmitting an IP address request Signal from the user
`terminal to a gateway device;
`transmitting the IP address request signal from the gate
`way device to a network operations center (NOC);
`determining a corresponding ISP Selected for assigning an
`IP address for the user terminal;
`transmitting the IP address request signal from NOC to
`the ISP;
`transmitting, from the ISP to the gateway device, a
`response Signal comprising an IP address for usage by
`the user terminal; and
`transmitting, from the gateway device, the response Signal
`to the user terminal.
`2. The method of claim 1 wherein the IP address request
`signal comprises a DHCPDISCOVER signal.
`3. The method of claim 1 wherein the response signal
`comprises a DHCPOFFER signal.
`4. The method of claim 1 wherein the IP address request
`signal comprises a DHCPDISCOVER signal and wherein
`the response signal comprises a DHCPOFFER signal.
`5. The method of claim 1 wherein the response signal is
`transmitted to the gateway device by way of the NOC.
`6. The method of claim 5 wherein the NOC maps the user
`terminal's MAC address to the IP address of the selected
`ISP.
`
`7. The method of claim 6 wherein the NOC maps the
`MAC address to the IP address of the selected ISP for a
`defined Session.
`8. The method of claim 6 wherein the NOC maps the
`MAC address to the IP address of the selected ISP for a
`defined period.
`9. The method of claim 6 wherein the NOC maps the
`MAC address to the IP address of the selected ISP for an
`indefinite period until a change is entered into the NOC.
`10. A method in a Network Operations Center (NOC) for
`auto-loading an IP address form the selected ISP into a
`user's terminal, comprising:
`receiving a DHCPDISCOVER signal from the user's
`terminal;
`determining a corresponding ISP for the IP address to be
`assigned to the user terminal;
`informing the ISP of the DHCPDISCOVER signal;
`receiving a DHCPOFFER signal from the ISP; and
`transmitting the ISP's IP address to the user's computer
`terminal So that its Software can automatically load the
`IP address.
`11. The method of claim 10 further including the step of
`Storing, within a database formed within or coupled to the
`NOC, a MAC address for the user's terminal in relation to
`the IP address.
`12. The method of claim 11 wherein the MAC address is
`Stored in relation to the IP address from the elected ISP for
`a specified Session.
`13. The method of claim 11 wherein the MAC address is
`stored in relation to the IP address form the selected ISP for
`a specified period.
`14. The method of claim 11 wherein the MAC address is
`stored in relation to the IP address from the selected ISP for
`an indefinite period and until changed.
`15. A Smart DHCP Relay, comprising:
`a proceSSOr,
`an internal bus, and
`a memory for Storing computer instructions, which com
`puter instructions define the logical operation of the
`proxy Server, the logical operation including logic to
`prompt the Smart DHCP Relay to:
`receive address request Signals generated by user ter
`minals,
`for each address request Signal, determine a corre
`sponding ISP; and
`prompt the corresponding ISP to respond to the address
`request Signal.
`16. The Smart DHCP proxy Relay server of claim 15
`wherein the computer instructions further define operational
`logic to process an IP address request Signal transmitted as
`a DHCPDISCOVER signal.
`17. The Smart DHCP Relay of claim 15 wherein the
`computer instructions further define operational logic to
`process a response signal transmitted by the ISP.
`18. The Smart DHCP Relay of claim 15 wherein the
`computer instructions further define operational logic to
`
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`US 2002/0073182 A1
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`5
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`Jun. 13, 2002
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`process a response Signal transmitted by the ISP in the form
`of a DHCPOFFER signal.
`19. The Smart DHCP Relay of claim 18 further including
`computer instructions that define logic to prompt the Smart
`DHCP Relay to store a MAC address for the user terminal
`in relation to the IP address of the selected ISP.
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`20. The Smart DHCP proxy Relay server of claim 19
`further including computer instructions that define logic to
`prompt the proxy server to transmit the response DHCPOF
`FER signal to the user terminal.
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`k
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