Automated address discovery method and apparatus for local area networks

A method and apparatus for automatically associating physical network addresses with logical identifiers in local area networks. The physical network address is transmitted to a central administrator of the local area network, where the association between such address and a logical identifier is made. In the case where a new device is being installed on the network, the logical identifier may be an arbitrary word, number, or combination thereof which is supplied by the operator at the central administrator. In the situation where a device is being replaced, the logical identifier is the same as the identifier of the replaced device, while the physical network address of the replacement device is substituted in the association for the address of the replaced device. A compilation of the associations is maintained at the central administrator, and the associations are transmitted back to the devices being installed or replaced, as well as other devices on the network. A removal procedure is also utilized, whereby a selected association(s) may be removed from the system.