GARY W HOGLUND
Broker in Groton, MA

6385648, May 7, 2002

Nov 2, 1998

09/184522

James A. Philippou - Nashua NH
Kerry M. Hannigan - Boston MA
Gary W. Hoglund - Groton MA

Nortel Networks Limited - St. Laurent

G06F 1300

709222

Methods for initializing an uninitialized box in a data communications network. In one embodiment, the Internet protocol (IP) address, subnet mask and default gateway of a network switch or box is remotely initialized over a data communications network from a configuration utility on a host computer. In one embodiment, the configuration utility broadcasts a service announcement over the network indicating that it is available to initialize uninitialized boxes. An uninitialized box on the network replies to the service announcement. In one embodiment, the reply from the uninitialized box includes the serial number of the uninitialized box. In one embodiment, after the configuration utility receives the reply from the uninitialized box, the configuration utility prompts a network administrator to enter an IP address, subnet mask and default gateway to assign to the uninitialized box. In one embodiment, the configuration utility broadcasts an initialization message over network including the serial number of the uninitialized box and the entered IP address, subnet mask and default gateway. In one embodiment, after the uninitialized box receives the initialization message, the uninitialized box acknowledges their receipt indicating that the uninitialized box has been initialized using the entered IP address, subnet mask and default gateway.