US6598057B1
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method and apparatus for generating configuration files using policy descriptions
Assignee: Cisco Technology Inc
•
Filing: 1999-12-22
•
Granted: 2003-07-22
•
Expires: 2019-12-22
Abstract
Abstract A method and apparatus for generating configuration files using policy descriptions is provided. The present invention provides a method of generating a binary configuration file by receiving an identification encoded filename, parsing the identification encoded filename to determine identification parameters, matching the identification parameters to a set of configuration policy data to create configuration file parameters, and generating the binary configuration file from the configuration file parameters. The identification encoded filename can be can be run through an authentication check to provide increased security. Once created, the binary configuration file can also be validated, providing increased integrity. In one aspect of the present invention implemented is provided on a TFTP server. In another aspect of the invention an LDAP server is queried for certain configuration policy data, the configuration policy data being optionally cached on the TFTP server. The resulting configuration can be generated according to the DOCSIS configuration file standard, including removing non-version applicable DOCSIS configuration file parameters. The present invention can also be used to generate an annotated configuration file from the configuration file parameters, the annotated configuration file being viewable through a user interface.
Inventors
- 👤 Erik J. Synnestvedt
- 👤 Gregory F. Morris
- 👤 Hugh W. Gabrielson
- 👤 Joshua B. Littlefield
- 👤 Kenneth I. Oliver
- 👤 Phillip T. DiBello
- 👤 Richard A. Coco
- 👤 Richard M. Woundy
- 👤 Andrew H. Sudduth
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-24 12:08
CPC Classifications
H; H04; H04L; H04L67/00; H04L67/34; H04L9/00; H04L9/40; H04L69/00; H04L69/30; H04L69/32; H04L69/322; H04L69/329
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 26
Claim 1
Independent Claim
80 words
A method of providing a configuration file to a configurable network device capable of sending a source identification encoded filename, comprising the steps of: receiving the source identification encoded filename from the configurable network device; parsing the source identification encoded filename to determine identification parameters; matching the identification parameters to a set of configuration policy data to create configuration file parameters; generating the configuration file from the configuration file parameters; and sending the configuration file to the configurable network device.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
80 words
A method of providing a configuration file to a configurable network device capable of sending a source identification encoded filename, comprising the steps of: receiving the source identification encoded filename from the configurable network device; parsing the source identification encoded filename to determine identification parameters; matching the identification parameters to a set of configuration policy data to create configuration file parameters; generating the configuration file from the configuration file parameters; and sending the configuration file to the configurable network device.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method of claim 1 further comprising the step of: authenticating the source identification encoded filename.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method of claim 1 further comprising the step of: validating the configuration file.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
36 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the steps are executed on a TFTP server, the source identification encoded filename is received from a cable modem and the configuration file is sent back to the cable modem.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 4 wherein matching further comprises: querying an LDAP server for certain configuration policy data.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method of claim 5 wherein the LDAP configuration parameters are cached on the TFTP server.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method of claim 4 wherein the configuration file is a DOCSIS compliant file.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 7 wherein non-version applicable DOCSIS configuration file parameters are not included when generating the configuration file.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
30 words
The method of claim 1 further comprising the steps of: generating an annotated configuration file from the configuration file parameters, the annotated configuration file being viewable through a user interface.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
27 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the configuration file parameters are drawn from a hierarchy of policy elements that correspond to the physical or logical network topology.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
91 words
A configuration file provider apparatus responsive to a configurable network device capable of sending a source identification encoded filenme, comprising: a receiver receiving the source identification encoded filename from the configurable network device; a parser determining identification parameters from the source identification encoded filename received from the configurable network device; a matcher matching the identification parameters to a set of configuration policy data to create configuration file parameters; a generator generating the configuration file from the configuration file parameters; and a sender sending the configuration file to the configurable network device.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
91 words
A configuration file provider apparatus responsive to a configurable network device capable of sending a source identification encoded filenme, comprising: a receiver receiving the source identification encoded filename from the configurable network device; a parser determining identification parameters from the source identification encoded filename received from the configurable network device; a matcher matching the identification parameters to a set of configuration policy data to create configuration file parameters; a generator generating the configuration file from the configuration file parameters; and a sender sending the configuration file to the configurable network device.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
15 words
The apparatus of claim 11 further comprising: an authenticator authenticating the source identification encoded filename.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
13 words
The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising: a validator validating the configuration file.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
43 words
The apparatus of claim 11 wherein the parser, the matcher, the generator and the transmitter are components of a TFTP server, the source identification encoded filename is received from a cable modem and the configuration file is sent back to the cable modem.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
22 words
The apparatus of claim 14 wherein the matcher further comprises: a query processor querying an LDAP server for certain configuration policy data.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
16 words
The apparatus of claim 15 wherein the LDAP configuration parameters are cached on the TFTP server.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
14 words
The apparatus of claim 14 wherein the configuration file is a DOCSIS compliant file.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
22 words
The apparatus of claim 17 wherein non-version applicable DOCSIS configuration file parameters are not included when the generator generates the configuration file.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
29 words
The apparatus of claim 11 further comprising: a reporter generating an annotated configuration file from the configuration file parameters, the annotated configuration file being viewable through a user interface.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
27 words
The apparatus of claim 11 wherein the configuration file parameters are drawn from a hierarchy of policy elements that correspond to the physical or logical network topology.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
99 words
A computer program product comprising: a computer usable medium for providing a configuration file to a configurable network device capable of sending a source identification encoded filename; a set of computer program instructions embodied on the computer usable medium, including instructions to: receive the source identification encoded filename from a the configurable network device; parse the source identification encoded filename to determine identification parameters; match the identification parameters to a set of configuration policy data to create configuration file parameters; generate the configuration file from the configuration file parameters; and send the configuration file to the configurable network device.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
99 words
A computer program product comprising: a computer usable medium for providing a configuration file to a configurable network device capable of sending a source identification encoded filename; a set of computer program instructions embodied on the computer usable medium, including instructions to: receive the source identification encoded filename from a the configurable network device; parse the source identification encoded filename to determine identification parameters; match the identification parameters to a set of configuration policy data to create configuration file parameters; generate the configuration file from the configuration file parameters; and send the configuration file to the configurable network device.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
92 words
A propagated signal carried on an electromagnetic waveform for providing a configuration file to a configurable network device capable of sending a source identification encoded filename, the signal comprising a set of computer program instructions to: receive the source identification encoded filename from the configurable network device; parse the source identification encoded filename to determine identification parameters; match the identification parameters to a set of configuration policy data to create configuration file parameters; generate the configuration file from the configuration file parameters; and send the configuration file to the configurable network device.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
92 words
A propagated signal carried on an electromagnetic waveform for providing a configuration file to a configurable network device capable of sending a source identification encoded filename, the signal comprising a set of computer program instructions to: receive the source identification encoded filename from the configurable network device; parse the source identification encoded filename to determine identification parameters; match the identification parameters to a set of configuration policy data to create configuration file parameters; generate the configuration file from the configuration file parameters; and send the configuration file to the configurable network device.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
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| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2006-07-21 | 2007-01-20 | 2007-07-22 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
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| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2014-07-21 | 2015-01-20 | 2015-07-22 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |