| Network device configuration -> Monitor Keywords |
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Network device configurationRelated Patent Categories: Electrical Computers And Digital Processing Systems: Multicomputer Data Transferring, Network Computer Configuring, ReconfiguringNetwork device configuration description/claimsThe Patent Description & Claims data below is from USPTO Patent Application 20080028051, Network device configuration. Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION [0001] This application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 10/540,328, filed on Jun. 21, 2005. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0002] 1. Field of the Invention [0003] Technical Field This invention relates to connecting to the internet via a data connection which connection is remotely configurable as to access permissions. The connection may be via a modem or via a direct network connection. [0004] 2. Description of the Related Art [0005] Connection of network devices to a network typically require the attendance of a person on site to carry out the initial configuration of the device. For example, connection of a users business to the internet for access by internal parties may be by ADSL (Asymmetric Digital Subscriber Line) or some other connection protocol. [0006] Such a connection is typically via an ADSL modem and may include a router to route incoming data packets and a firewall to stop attempts to intrude into the users data. [0007] Typically the configuration of the router and firewall is done on site and will need to be changed on site to cater for variations over time in the users business. This involves a smaller user in expense as it requires specialized IT personnel to come on site to carry out the configuration. [0008] Connections for higher volume users also typically include routers and firewalls connected via a plurality of modems for internet access. Currently these are mainly configured on site by the users skilled personnel. It is known, once the initial configuration is carried out, that the device may be remotely connected to via the network and final configuration carried out. [0009] Typically such a network device will include an operating system of some sort which will be accessible by using an external name and password. Once the correct name and password is entered the remote user may modify the device settings, including settings for any router and firewall. This provides security problems, since it is possible for someone with knowledge of the name and password to alter the modem settings without authority. [0010] It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a network device which does not require any on site attendance for configuration of the network device but which is secure or which will at least provide the public with a useful choice. [0011] It is known to provide remotely configured routers to avoid attendance on site, for instance U.S. Pat. No. 6,012,088 shows one such router, however such routers may provide a security problem in that if access is gained to them from one of the networks the router configuration can be changed, and may be changed in such a manner as to compromise security. [0012] It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide an internet connection which does not require on site attendance for configuration of router or firewall but which does provide complete security of the configuration or which will at least provide the public with a useful choice. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION [0013] Accordingly, the invention may broadly be said to consist in a network device having operating software but no configuration data allowing it to carry out its intended purpose which network device is remotely programmable with configuration data as a whole but which network device or operating software has no facility to allow any incremental change of configuration data. [0014] Preferably the device configuration data is held in random access memory (RAM) and is lost when no network device supply voltage is present. [0015] Preferably the device software contains a routine which on initialization attempts to contact a remote verification authority to authorize retrieval of configuration data from a configuration authority. [0016] Preferably the device software contains only the routine for contacting the remote verification authority and receiving data from the remote configuration authority. [0017] Preferably the contact with the remote verification authority is subject to encryption. [0018] Preferably the device initially contains an input filter which will only receive configuration data from a specified remote configuration authority address. [0019] Preferably the device is a router which is integral with a modem. [0020] Preferably the modem is an asymmetric digital subscriber line (ADSL) modem. [0021] Alternatively the invention may be said to lie in the method of configuring a network device which loses its configuration data on power loss comprising providing a network device without user configuration data, providing within the network device a routine which securely contacts a remote verification authority, and downloading from a remote configuration authority authorized by the remote verification authority the entire configuration data. Continue reading about Network device configuration... Full patent description for Network device configuration Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims Click on the above for other options relating to this Network device configuration patent application. ###  How KEYWORD MONITOR works... a FREE service from FreshPatents1. Sign up (takes 30 seconds). 2. Fill in the keywords to be monitored. 3. Each week you receive an email with patent applications related to your keywords. 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