System and method of network independent remote configuration of internet server appliance

Abstract

A server appliance self-adaptively configures to the operating parameters of a communications network to enable remote configuration control exclusively via the communications network. The server appliance includes a host computer system including a network interface controller and an operating system, executable by the host computer system, that is configurable by a defined set of network values for transmitting and receiving data packets through the network interface controller without network configuration conflicts. A control program, executable by the host computer system in conjunction with the operating system, determines, on initial start-up and specifically with respect to the communications network, an initial set of network values to configure the operating system. The control program is subsequently responsive to a first broadcast data packet containing network configuration parameters that are used to determine and apply a second set of network values to configure the operating system, which are then applied as the operating configuration of the operating system with respect to the network.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0001]1. Field of the Invention[0002]The present invention is generally related to the configuration and management of network connected computer systems and, in particular, to a server appliance that is automatically network adaptive to an otherwise unknown connected network and, further, is configurable securely over the network without requiring prior local configuration of the server.[0003]2. Description of the Related Art[0004]Although network connectivity has grown substantially both in the number of connected users and the scope of information that is available through public and private networks, fundamental configuration and reconfiguration problem remain. That is, in conventional networking systems, significant initial and ongoing maintenance is required to manage the individual network connection of each computer system with a particular network. This is conventionally true, whether the computer system is in a small network environment or just o...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0014]An advantage of the present invention is that, independent of the configuration of any other clients and servers connected to a network, a network server appliance can be initially connected to the network and immediately become configurable entirely through the network. No local terminal device, whether provided as a built-in display and keypad or connectable through a serial port, is required to enter any initial network configuration values.

Problems solved by technology

Although network connectivity has grown substantially both in the number of connected users and the scope of information that is available through public and private networks, fundamental configuration and reconfiguration problem remain.

That is, in conventional networking systems, significant initial and ongoing maintenance is required to manage the individual network connection of each computer system with a particular network.

The management of individual network connections represents a significant cost to users, to network computer providers, and to the network service providers.

Until a computer system is properly configured and attached to the network, remote diagnostics and other centrally administrable configuration tests cannot be run.

Conversely, an incorrectly configured computer system can significantly impair if not halt the functioning of an otherwise normally operating network.

Thus, where the computer system user is not immediately familiar with the network connectively initialization process or is uninterested in performing the process themselves, an on-site service technician is required to configure landand initialize the network connection.

Such one-on-one service, though. conventionally required, is both costly and time-inefficient.

Since using a static IP assignment is incompatible with using a DHCP, a computer system must be specifically pre-configured individually with either a static IP address or as a DHCP client before any meaningful interoperation with a connected network is possible.

If the IP address is not compatible, other locally connected computer systems will simply be unable to communicate with the incompatible network computer system.

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