Automatic address management method

Abstract

In a system-wide network of a hierarchical structure, address allocation is to be managed optimally. The system-wide network has a core portion having a static connection pertinence and a terminal portion connected dynamically to the core portion. The upper order server allocates an address block to a lower order server, whilst the lower order server returns the address block to the upper order server. The address allocation in network addition is classed into address allocation phase in the network core portion and an address allocation phase in the network terminal portion. For completing a link for outside with respect to the system-wide network, a representative server acquires its own IP address. The representative server then requests allocation of an address block used in the network terminal portion to its directly higher order server and acquires the so-requested address block. The representative server then executes automatic address allocation processing using e.g., DNCP in the network terminal portion.

1 - 24 . (canceled)  
   
   
       25 . An automatic address management method, comprising: 
 (a) establishing a fixed address for a core network portion having a predetermined interconnection;    (b) dynamically connecting a terminal network portion to said core network portion, in which an upper-lower order relation is established such that an upper order server allocates an address block to a lower order server and a lower order server returns the address block to the upper order server;    (c) establishing a link to said lower order server contained in said terminal network portion to a segment contained in said core network portion;    (d) requesting allocation of an address block to the upper order server supervising said segment by said lower order server ; and    (e) distributing the address block in said terminal network portion through said lower order server.    
   
   
       26 . The automatic address management method according to  claim 25  wherein, in said step (c), said lower order server requests connection using an already known address owned by the upper order server of said segment.  
   
   
       27 . The automatic address management method according to  claim 26  wherein, in said step (c), said lower order server requests acquisition of its own IP address.  
   
   
       28 . The automatic address management method according to  claim 27  wherein, in said step (c), an address is automatically allocated to said lower order server in accordance with DHCP (Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol) or IPCP (Internet protocol Control Protocol).  
   
   
       29 . The automatic address management method according to  claim 25  wherein if, in said step (d), an upper order server receiving an address block allocation request does not own a sufficient address pool, an address block allocation request is recursively issued to a further upper order server.  
   
   
       30 . A router system for a network comprising: 
 a core network portion with fixed addresses, having a predetermined interconnection to said network;    a terminal network portion with dynamic addresses, dynamically connected to said core network portion, in which an upper-lower order relation is established such that an upper order server allocates an address block to a lower order server and the lower order server returns the address block to the upper order server; and    a router, functioning as a lower order server for said terminal network portion; said router comprising: 
 (a) connection means through which the lower order server communicates to a segment contained in said core network portion;  
 (b) address acquisition means in which said lower order server requests allocation of an address block to an upper order server supervising said segment; and  
 (c) address distribution means in which said lower order server distributes an address block in said terminal network portion.  
   
   
   
       31 . The router according to  claim 30  wherein said connection means (a) requests connection using an already known address owned by an upper order server of said segment.  
   
   
       32 . The router according to  claim 31  wherein said connection means (a) requests acquisition of an IP address of the lower order server itself.  
   
   
       33 . The router according to  claim 32  wherein said connection means (a) has an address of said lower order server automatically allocated in accordance with DHCP (Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol) or IPCP (Internet protocol Control Protocol).  
   
   
       34 . The-router according to  claim 30  wherein, if the upper order server receiving an address block allocation request from said address acquisition means (b) does not own a sufficient address pool, an address block allocation request is recursively issued to a further upper order server.  
   
   
       35 . A computer program, furnished on a computer-readable medium, said program comprising: 
 (a) an executable step for establishing a fixed address for a core network portion with fixed addresses having a predetermined interconnection;    (b) an executable step for dynamically connecting a terminal network portion to said core network portion, in which an upper-lower order relation is established such that an upper order server allocates an address block to a lower order server and the lower order server returns the address block to the upper order server;    (c) an executable step for assuring automatic address management when said terminal network portion is connected to said core network portion, wherein a lower order server contained in said terminal network portion connects to a segment contained in said core network portion;    (d) an executable step for requesting allocation of an address block to the upper order server supervising said segment by said lower order server; and    (e) an executable step for distributing the address block in said terminal network portion.    
   
   
       36 . The program furnishing medium according to  claim 35  wherein, in said step (c), said lower order server requests connection using an already known address owned by an upper order server of said segment.  
   
   
       37 . The program furnishing medium according to  claim 36  wherein, in said step (c), said lower order server requests acquisition of its own IP address.  
   
   
       38 . The program furnishing medium according to  claim 37  wherein, in said step (c), an address is automatically allocated to said lower order server in accordance with DHCP (Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol) or IPCP (Internet protocol Control Protocol).  
   
   
       39 . The program furnishing medium according to  claim 35  wherein if, in said step (d), an upper order server receiving the address block allocation request does not own a sufficient address pool, an address block allocation request is recursively issued to a further upper order server.