Method and system for using a transfer agent for translating a configuration file

TFTP server address, configuration file name and relay agent address contained in a DHCPACK are recorded; the TFTP server address is overwritten with the relay agent address before forwarding. Upon receipt of a TFTP request, a transfer identifier is selected from a pool of available port values, and the source address/port pair and relay agent's address are associated therewith. The relay agent's address and the transfer identifier replace the source address/port pair, and a check is made to determine whether the cable modem is requesting the correct configuration file. Action may be taken if the CM requests an incorrect filename, or if configuration TLVs are incorrect. The relay agent retrieves the TFTP server's address/port pair from the first TFTP data packet received, and associates these with the transfer identifier before returning it to the available pool. The transfer identifier is used to lookup the CM address/port pair.