Abstract: A method and apparatus for assigning a network address of a target server/host system in a network system having server/host systems interconnected by network links. The apparatus includes a first part residing in a management server/host system and a second part residing in the target server/host system and each part includes a plurality of network address sub-mechanisms and an address manager mechanism for controlling operation of the network address mechanisms. The network address mechanism include, for example, a setup wizard mechanism, a reverse address resolution protocol mechanism, a unit-cast address discovery mechanism and a dynamic host configuration protocol mechanism.