Digital network modem and configuration system for a digital network modem

Abstract

A network modem has an initialization control module for setting its static local network address remotely via the local network in response to a request by a configuration station. The configuration station sends a request on the local network to the modem to obtain identification and a static IP address from the modem, receives a response from the modem and displays the static IP address, accepts user input to set said static IP address, and sends a request on the local network to the modem to set said static address. The system allows a user to set the static IP address for the modem, configure the modem settings, as well as the settings for the station. The system is easy to use and can work even if initial modem and configuration station communications parameters are incompatible.

1 . A network modem device configuration system connected to a modem via a local network, the system comprising 
 a first module sending a request on said local network to said modem to obtain identification and static IP address data from said modem,    a second module receiving a response from said modem and displaying said static IP address,    a third module accepting user input to set said static IP address, and    a fourth module sending a request on said local network to said modem to set said static IP address.    
     
     
         2 . The system according to  claim 1 , further comprising a fifth module testing said static address on said network and, when said testing fails to validate operation of said static address for said modem, preventing said fourth module from sending the request on said local network to said modem to set said static IP address, and one of displaying an error message and prompting said user to input new data for said static address.  
     
     
         3 . The system according to  claim 1 , wherein said first module sends a broadcast discover message on said local network to said modem to solicit a response identifying said modem, said second module receiving and decoding a response from said modem to obtain said identification and static IP address, and said fourth module broadcasts on said local network to said modem a message including said identification of said modem and an identification of said set static address.  
     
     
         4 . The system according to  claim 2 , wherein said broadcast message sent by said first and fourth modules, and received by said second module is transmitted on a proprietary port.  
     
     
         5 . The system according to  claim 1 , further comprising a parameter setting interface system allowing modem parameters to be set at said configuration system.  
     
     
         6 . The system according to  claim 5 , wherein said parameter setting interface system includes a save and restore mechanism allowing said modem parameters to be saved in storage external from said modem and restored to said modem from said storage.  
     
     
         7 . The system according to  claim 5 , wherein said parameter setting interface system is provided by a web browser displaying pages requested from said modem, said system further comprising a sixth module for launching said web browser with an HTTP request addressed to said static address.  
     
     
         8 . The system according to  claim 5 , wherein said modem is an ISDN modem, said modem parameters are selected from said group consisting of DHCP configuration settings, DNS settings, and ISDN connection settings.  
     
     
         9 . The system according to  claim 1 , wherein said system is a client station, further comprising a seventh module allowing a network configuration of said station to be set in consideration of changes to said local network due to an addition of said modem to said local network.  
     
     
         10 . A computer program comprising code means which when loaded into said client station provides said system according to any one of  claims 1  to  9 , embodied on a computer readable medium.  
     
     
         11 . A method for initializing a static IP address of a network modem device on a local network, comprising the steps of: 
 broadcasting a request from a configuration station onto said local network;    receiving a response to said request at said configuration station from said network modem device comprising an identification for said network modem device, said identification comprising at least an IP address for said network modem device;    verifying a compatibility of said identification with settings for said local network;    if said identification is compatible with said settings, send a confirmation message with said identification to said network modem device and receive a confirmation response from said network modem device;    if said identification is not compatible with said settings, send a new address message comprising a new IP address for said network modem device, receive a change of IP response from said network modem device, send a new address confirmation message with said new IP address to said network modem device and receive a new address confirmation response from said network modem device.    
     
     
         12 . The method according to  claim 11 , wherein said request by said configuration station comprises a broadcast message, and said identification comprises an IP address, a MAC address and an internal DHCP server status for said network modem device.  
     
     
         13 . The method according to  claim 12 , wherein said messages from said configuration station and said responses from said modem are sent on a proprietary port.  
     
     
         14 . The method according to  claim 12 , wherein said modem further comprises an integrated DHCP server, and said message sent from said modem further includes an activation status of said DHCP server.  
     
     
         15 . The method according to  claim 14 , wherein said modem automatically detects a presence of a network DHCP server on said local network and disables said integrated DHCP server when a network DHCP server is present on said local network.  
     
     
         16 . The method according to  claim 11 , wherein said device is a digital network modem.  
     
     
         17 . The method according to  claim 16 , wherein said device is an ISDN modem.  
     
     
         18 . The method according to  claim 11 , further comprising a parameter setting interface system allowing modem parameters to be set by remote connection via said local network.  
     
     
         19 . The method according to  claim 18 , wherein said interface system is provided by a web host mechanism.  
     
     
         20 . The method according to  claim 19 , wherein said web host mechanism provides for saving said modem parameters to, and restoring said modem parameters from, said remote connection.