Method to activate unregistered systems in a distributed multiserver network environment

摘要

The present invention includes a method and apparatus for registering devices in a computer network. Initially, for an unregistered device, the network establishes a unregistered enabled packet filter. The unregistered enabled packet filter discards all IP packets that originate at the unregistered device, except IP packets addressed to a registration server. IP packets sent to the registration server allow a user to authenticate the unregistered device. Subsequently, the network replaces the unregistered enabled packet filter with a registered enable packet filter. The registered enabled packet filter allows the device to send packets to a login server within the computer network. Subsequently, if the user fails to pay subscription fees (of for other applicable reason) the registered enabled packet filter may be replaced with a registered disabled packet filter to prevent the device from sending packets to the network. Devices used in attacks against the network may be assigned unregistered disabled packet filter to prevent their use in subsequent attacks.