System for reconfiguring and registering a new IP address for a computer to access a different network without user intervention
View Patent ↗A server and method is provided that allows a computer configured for a different network to access a network without hardware or software configuration changes to the computer. The invention allows users to plug into the network and access not only the network that their computer is connected to but also to the Internet, the Worldwide Web and the individual's email. This is particularly useful to visitors to multiple unit buildings such as hotels. Not only can the service be provided by the server and method of the invention connected to and carried out on the network but it does not require manual configuration changes to the computer or new software or hardware for the computer. In situations where access is to be controlled this is done through a registration driver and module. Only registered guests have access to the network and the services and access it provides. The invention determines and assigns addressing information to properly direct traffic to and from the computer. The invention provides for the storage and maintenance of the addressing data. Registration status information and billing information is collected and maintained to determine access to and billing for services.
1. A method of providing a user access to a network for a computer configured for a different network, the method being implemented by a server to allow the computer to access the network via a foreign network without user initiated software or hardware configuration changes, the method comprising the steps of;
automatically determining and assigning an Internet Protocol (IP) address for the computer connected on the foreign network;
registering the computer in association with addressing information including the assigned IP address and a Media Access Control (MAC) address of the computer;
storing and maintaining the addressing information for registered computers; and
filtering packets to permit only the registered computers to access the network; and
translating an IP address in a packet based on the MAC address, and transparently directing traffic to and from the computer from and to the network based on the addressing information; and
wherein the step of registering comprises the step of collecting and maintaining billing and registration status information, wherein the step of collecting and maintaining comprises the step of identifying the computer for billing purposes by using Simple Network Management Protocol (SNMP) and a network switching architecture to identify a switch port to which the computer is connected.
2. The method of claim 1 wherein the step of automatically determining and assigning comprises the step of examining whether an incoming packet from the computer is an IP or ARP packet, and the step of determining the assigned IP address based on the IP or ARP packet.
3. The method of claim 2 wherein the step of automatically assigning comprises the step of assigning an IP address to the computer from a pool of IP addresses for the foreign network.
4. The method of claim 3 wherein the step of registering comprises the step of fixing a registration period during which the computer is permitted access to the foreign network.
5. The method of claim 4 wherein the step of maintaining comprises the step of unregistering the computer when the registration period has expired.
6. The method of claim 1 wherein the step of maintaining billing information comprises the step of storing the collected information in a database.
7. The method of claim 1 wherein the steps of maintaining the addressing, billing and registration status information comprises the step of periodically backing up the said information.
8. The method of claim 1 wherein the steps of maintaining the addressing, billing and registration status information comprises the step of reloading the most current backup information in the event of a computer failure.
9. The method of claim 1 wherein the step of collecting and maintaining comprises the step of identifying the computer for billing purposes through use of a preissued access code.
10. A computer readable medium containing the computer instructions which when executed on a computer carries out the steps of claim 1 .