Abstract: In an embodiment, a data processing apparatus comprising one or more electronic digital processors; Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP) server logic coupled to the one or more processors; an active leasequery channel response logic coupled to the DHCP server logic which when executed causes the one or more processors to perform receiving, from a particular DHCP client among a plurality of DHCP clients, an active leasequery initiation message requesting the DHCP server logic to actively send update messages about changes in network address leases that the DHCP server logic manages; wherein the active leasequery initiation message comprises a channel identifier value; determining whether the channel identifier value matches a client class that the DHCP server logic manages; in response to determining that the channel identifier value does match a client class identifier that the DHCP server logic manages, sending, to the particular DHCP client, one or more DHCP response messages describing any changes in

Abstract: In an embodiment, an apparatus comprises one or more processors; logic coupled to the one or more processors for execution and configured to perform receiving, from a second computer, a request for information about a first address of a customer premises equipment (CPE) device and including a second address of the second computer; determining that an address record of the first address identifies a third address, which is different from the second address, for a termination unit associated with the CPE device; in response to the determining: causing the generating and sending of one or more updates of inter-domain routing protocol information for the CPE device; updating the address record by storing the second address in a location that identifies the termination unit that is associated with the CPE device.

Abstract: In an embodiment, a data processing apparatus comprising one or more electronic digital processors; Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP) server logic coupled to the one or more processors; an active leasequery channel response logic coupled to the DHCP server logic which when executed causes the one or more processors to perform receiving, from a particular DHCP client among a plurality of DHCP clients, an active leasequery initiation message requesting the DHCP server logic to actively send update messages about changes in network address leases that the DHCP server logic manages; wherein the active leasequery initiation message comprises a channel identifier value; determining whether the channel identifier value matches a client class that the DHCP server logic manages; in response to determining that the channel identifier value does match a client class identifier that the DHCP server logic manages, sending, to the particular DHCP client, one or more DHCP response messages describing any changes in

Abstract: In an embodiment, an apparatus comprises one or more processors; logic coupled to the one or more processors for execution and configured to perform receiving, from a second computer, a request for information about a first address of a customer premises equipment (CPE) device and including a second address of the second computer; determining that an address record of the first address identifies a third address, which is different from the second address, for a termination unit associated with the CPE device; in response to the determining: causing the generating and sending of one or more updates of inter-domain routing protocol information for the CPE device; updating the address record by storing the second address in a location that identifies the termination unit that is associated with the CPE device.

Abstract: Techniques for managing leased network addresses for multiple networks using overlapping address spaces include storing banks of addresses corresponding to the multiple networks. A request for a network address for a host on a first network is received from a relay agent on an intermediate device. The request includes a qualifier associated with the first network by the relay agent. A first bank of addresses is selected based on the qualifier. A first network address from the first bank is identified based at least in part on the request. A response for the host is sent to the relay agent. The response indicates the first network address and the qualifier. Thus a dynamic host configuration protocol (DHCP) server can provide the same network address for several hosts spread over different networks, such as different virtual private networks (VPNs).

Abstract: Techniques for providing sets of network addresses for dynamically configuring hosts on a network include sending to a first server a first request for a first count of network addresses in a first set of network addresses. A first message indicating the first set of network addresses is received. A second message is received from a second server that requests a second count of network addresses for a second set of network addresses. The second set of network addresses is determined based at least in part on the first set of network addresses and the second count. In response to the second message, a first response indicating the second set is sent to the second server. The techniques allow an administrator to enter available subnets at any DHCP server. The DHCP servers using these techniques then automatically apportion subnets among each other based on the relative usage of the subnets.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for providing network addresses for hosts on a network includes generating and storing network configuration information in a subnet management process, where a subnet is a set of contiguous network addresses. The network configuration information indicates network addresses to be distributed among a plurality of network devices. Policy information is also generated and stored. The policy information indicates a policy set of one or more policy processes. Each policy process selects an available subnet from available network addresses. A request for a subnet is received from a subnet requesting process. A particular subnet is determined based on the network configuration information, the request, and the policy set. A response indicating the particular subnet is sent to the subnet requesting process. These techniques allow an administrator to choose a policy for selecting subnets that better utilizes network resources for a wide range of network architectures.

Abstract: Techniques for managing leased network addresses for multiple networks using overlapping address spaces include storing banks of addresses corresponding to the multiple networks. A request for a network address for a host on a first network is received from a relay agent on an intermediate device. The request includes a qualifier associated with the first network by the relay agent. A first bank of addresses is selected based on the qualifier. A first network address from the first bank is identified based at least in part on the request. A response for the host is sent to the relay agent. The response indicates the first network address and the qualifier. Thus a dynamic host configuration protocol (DHCP) server can provide the same network address for several hosts spread over different networks, such as different virtual private networks (VPNs).

Abstract: A method for providing leased network addresses for a host from a server executing on a server device is disclosed. A first request for a leased network address from the host, relayed by an intermediate device, is received. The intermediate device filters communications between the host and the server device. A response is generated for the host, by the server, which offers a leased network address for a particular period of time and includes a network address of the intermediate device. The network address of the intermediate device is provided in a portion of the response normally designated for indicating a network address of the server. By providing the address of the intermediate device in the portion of the response designated for the server address, the server causes the client to send renewal requests to the intermediate device so that a relay process on the intermediate device can properly operate on the request, without modifying the client process.

Abstract: Techniques for providing sets of network addresses for dynamically configuring hosts on a network include sending to a first server a first request for a first count of network addresses in a first set of network addresses. A first message indicating the first set of network addresses is received. A second message is received from a second server that requests a second count of network addresses for a second set of network addresses. The second set of network addresses is determined based at least in part on the first set of network addresses and the second count. In response to the second message, a first response indicating the second set is sent to the second server. The techniques allow an administrator to enter available subnets at any DHCP server. The DHCP servers using these techniques then automatically apportion subnets among each other based on the relative usage of the subnets.

Abstract: A method for establishing class of service configuration in a network device of a broadband cable network using Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP) is disclosed. A request to obtain a network address presented using DHCP is received from a network interface unit over the cable network, generally upon boot up of the network interface unit. A DHCP message is received from a registration center, and the message includes a network address and a quality of service code value associated with the network interface unit. Based on the quality of service code value, a quality of service configuration is established in the cable network for the network interface unit. As a result, quality of service information is obtained for each network interface unit in the network, specifically when the network interface unit is activated, and as part of its boot-up sequence.