Telefonaktiebolaget Lm Ericsson (Publ)

Ericsson Telecomunicacoes S.a.

Judith Kelner

Djamel Sadok

Martin Johnsson

Rafael Roque Aschoff

Reinaldo Gomes

Ricardo De Oliveira Schmidt

Eduardo Souto

Igor Cananea

A method of address allocation in a network comprises determining, from negotiations between nodes, whether a first node shall assume a server role responsible for distribution and management of network addresses to clients. If this determination is made, the first node is provided with a pool of network addresses. The invention provides a method of dynamic re-allocation of address pools between servers of the network, in accordance with, for example, network requirements or traffic load.

Address allocation in a network

A distributed network address allocation method is disclosed. For this purpose, an apparatus is provided for use as or in a node of the network. The apparatus comprises a portion () for maintaining a seed value n and a state value s. An address () of the node is determined from the seed value n by address setting portion (). A portion () is provided for receiving a request from a new node wishing to join the network and itself adapted to perform the method. A portion () is provided for generating a proposed seed value using the formula (n+2) and a proposed state value using the formula (s+1). A portion () is provided for offering the proposed seed and state values to the new node. A portion () is provided for updating the node's state value s to be the same as that accepted by the new node, if the proposed seed and state values are accepted by the new node. This provides unique address allocation to nodes in a Mobile Ad-Hoc Network.

Network address allocation method

A decentralised method is disclosed of deciding a common configuration parameter in a network. The network comprises at least one node designated to perform the method. In the method, a designated node makes a local decision relating to the configuration parameter in dependence upon information relating to its local operating environment (M). The designated node sends its local decision to other designated nodes, if any, and receives corresponding local decisions made by other designated nodes, if any (M). Following such receipt, the designated node makes a common decision relating to the configuration parameter in dependence upon its local decision and the received local decisions (M). The common decision is made using a decision algorithm common to the designated nodes.

Method and apparatus for use in a network

Growing community of inventors

Jaboatão dos Guararapes, Brazil

Judith Kelner