Methods and apparatus for automatically connecting a dynamic host configuration protocol (DHCP) client network device to a virtual local area network (VLAN)

摘要

A method for automatically connecting a DHCP endpoint to a VLAN in an ATM network having a switch operative to provide LAN emulation for a plurality of non-ATM endpoints, the method including the steps of maintaining a LEC for the VLAN in the absence of any request by any of the endpoints to communicate via the VLAN, the LEC having been previously established for the VLAN, connecting the DHCP endpoint to a port on the switch, determining a predefined association between the VLAN and either the address of the port or the network address of the DHCP endpoint, and mapping either the network address of the DHCP endpoint or the address of the port to the LEC for communication via the VLAN.