Importance

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Abstract

An apparatus and method for network node identification and network configuration. Prior to physical installation, a first node of a network is communicated with by a dedicated apparatus wherein the first node is requested to transmit a first unique identifier for the node to the apparatus. The apparatus then stores the first unique identifier received from the first node, and generates the first unique identifier on a medium (e.g. a label). This first unique identifier may be represented on the medium in a coded format. In one embodiment, the coded format is a code 39 bar code and the medium is an adhesive label. The labels obtained from querying the nodes prior to physical installation may be affixed to a floor plan of a networking system during installation, indicating each node's physical placement in that system. Each of the identifiers may then later be automatically read by an automated apparatus for network configuration. This apparatus (e.g. a general purpose programmed computer system) displays a physical layout of the networking system. This apparatus automatically reads the labels comprising the unique identifiers of nodes and assigns the identifiers to the respective positions on the physical layout of the networking system according to the position of the nodes on the diagram. Each of the codes, in a preferred embodiment, are associated with the physical placement of node in the networking system by a floor plan displayed on a display device (e.g. a CRT). Then, nodes in the system may be configured (by grouping, network address assignment, etc. . . . ) to communicate with other nodes in the network via the communication medium which is represented on the floor plan.

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First Claim