Method and apparatus for network identification code assignment

1. A method for registering a remote network device with a network control device, comprising:

determining a network identification code stored within the remote network device;

determining that the network identification code comprises a default network identification code;

in response to determining that the network identification code stored within the remote network device comprises the default network identification code:

transmitting a message indicative of a request to join an existing network;

determining whether a first response to the transmitted message was received;

when a first response to the transmitted message is received:

determining a second network identification code from the first response; and

assigning the second network identification code to the remote network device:

determining whether a second response to the transmitted message has been received; and

in response to receipt of the second response to the transmitted message:

placing the remote network device in an alternative operating mode;

receiving an instruction from the network control device instructing the remote network device to store a third network identification code contained within the instruction; and

storing the third network identification code.

2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the message comprises the network identification code.

3. The method of claim 1 , wherein the message comprises a serial number assigned to the remote network device.

4. The method of claim 1 , further comprising:

determining that the network identification code does not comprise a default network identification code and, in response;

upon determining that the network identification code does not comprise a default network identification code, allowing a user of the remote network device to set the network identification code to the default network identification code;

transmitting a message indicative of a request to join an existing network; and

determining that a response to the transmitted message was received and in response:

determining a second network identification code from the first response; and

assigning the second network identification code to the remote network device.

5. The method of claim 1 , further comprising:

assigning a random network identification code to the remote network device when the first response to the transmitted message is not received.

6. The method of claim 1 , further comprising:

assigning a predetermined network identification code to the remote network device when the first response to the transmitted message is not received.

7. The method of claim 1 , further comprising sending an acknowledgement message back to the network control device after successfully storing the third network identification code.

8. The method of claim 1 , further comprising;

determining whether a third response to the transmitted message has been received;

in response to receipt of the third response to the transmitted message, alerting a user of the remote network device that multiple messages were received by the remote network device.

9. The method of claim 8 , further comprising:

allowing the user to assign a new network identification code to the remote network device after the user is alerted to receipt of the multiple messages.

10. An apparatus for registering a remote network device with a network control device, comprising:

a transmitter for transmitting information;

a receiver for receiving information;

a processor coupled to the transmitter and the receiver; and

a memory coupled to the processor for storing a network identification code and processor-executable instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause the apparatus to:

determine when the network identification code comprises a default network identification code;

when the network identification code comprises the default network identification code:

transmit a message indicative of a request to join an existing network;

determine whether a first response to the transmitted message was received:

when a first response to the transmitted message is received:

determine a second network identification code from the first response; and

assign the second network identification code to the remote network device;

determine whether a second response to the transmitted message has been received;

in response to receipt of the second response to the transmitted message:

place the remote network device in an alternative operating mode;

receive an instruction from the network control device instructing the remote network device to change the network identification code to a third network identification code contained within the instruction; and

store the third network identification code in the memory.

11. The apparatus of claim 10 , wherein the message comprises the network identification code.

12. The apparatus of claim 10 , wherein the message comprises a serial number assigned to the remote network device.

13. The apparatus of claim 10 , wherein the processor-readable instructions further comprise instructions that cause the apparatus to:

determine when the network identification code does not comprise a default network identification code:

upon determining that the network identification code does not comprise a default network identification code, allow a user of the remote network device to set the network identification code to the default network identification code;

transmit a message indicative of a request to join an existing network; and

when a first response to the transmitted message was received:

determine a second network identification code from the first response; and

assign the second network identification code to the remote network device.

14. The apparatus of claim 10 , wherein the processor-readable instructions further comprise instructions that cause the apparatus to:

assign a random network identification code to the remote network device when a first response to the transmitted message is not received.

15. The apparatus of claim 10 , wherein the processor-readable instructions further comprise instructions that cause the apparatus to:

assign a predetermined network identification code to the remote network device when a first response to the transmitted message is not received.

16. The apparatus of claim 10 , wherein the processor-readable instructions further comprise instructions that cause the apparatus to:

send an acknowledgement message back to the network control device after successfully storing the third network identification code.

17. The apparatus of claim 10 , wherein the processor-readable instructions further comprise instructions that cause the apparatus to,

in response to receipt of a third response to the transmitted message, alert a user of the remote network device that multiple messages were received by the remote network device.

18. The apparatus of claim 17 , wherein the processor-readable instructions further comprise instructions that cause the apparatus to:

allow the user to assign a new network identification code to the remote network device after the user is alerted receipt of the multiple messages.

19. A non-transitory, processor-readable medium having processor-usable instructions stored thereon for execution by a processor to perform a method for registering a remote network device with a network control device, comprising:

determining a network identification code stored within the remote network device;

determining when the network identification code comprises a default network identification code;

when the network identification code stored within the remote network device comprises the default network identification code:

transmitting a message indicative of a request to join an existing network;

determining whether a first response to the transmitted message was received;

when a first response to the transmitted message is received:

determining a second network identification code from the first response; and

assigning the second network identification code to the remote network device;

determining whether a second response to the transmitted message has been received;

when the second response to the transmitted message has been received:

placing the remote network device in an alternative operating mode;

receiving an instruction from the network control device instructing the remote network device to change the network identification code to a third network identification code contained within the instruction; and

storing the third network identification.

20. The non-transitory, processor-readable medium of claim 19 , wherein the message comprises the network identification code.

21. The non-transitory, processor-readable medium of claim 19 , wherein the message comprises a serial number assigned to the remote network device.

22. The non-transitory, processor-readable medium of claim 19 , wherein the processor-usable instructions further comprise instructions for:

determining when the network identification code does not comprise a default network identification code:

upon determining that the network identification code does not comprise a default network identification code, allowing a user of the remote network device to set the network identification code to the default network identification code;

transmitting a message indicative of a request to join an existing network; and

when a first response to the transmitted message is received:

determining a second network identification code from the first response; and

assigning the second network identification code to the remote network device.

23. The non-transitory, processor-readable medium of claim 19 , wherein the processor-usable instructions further comprise instructions for:

assigning a random network identification code to the remote network device when a first response to the transmitted message is not received.

24. The non-transitory, processor-readable medium of claim 19 , wherein the processor-usable instructions further comprise instructions for:

assigning a predetermined network identification code to the remote network device when a first response to the transmitted message is not received.

25. The non-transitory, processor-readable medium of claim 19 , wherein the processor-usable instructions further comprise instructions for sending an acknowledgement message back to the network control device after successfully storing the third network identification code.

26. The non-transitory, processor-readable medium of claim 19 , wherein the processor-usable instructions further comprise instructions for:

determining whether a third response to the transmitted message has been received; and

when the third response to the transmitted message has been received:

alerting a user of the remote network device that multiple messages were received by the remote network device.

27. The non-transitory, processor-readable medium of claim 26 , wherein the processor-usable instructions further comprise instructions for:

allowing the user to assign a new network identification code to the remote network device after the user is alerted to receipt of multiple messages.