Method and apparatus for coordinating a change in service provider between a client and a server
First Claim
1. A method of configuring a network access device having a first network address allocated to a subscriber of services of a first service provider provided by a first service network, with a new network address allocated to a subscriber of services of a second service provider provided by a second service network, wherein the network access device is connected to an access network connected to a plurality of service networks, comprising the steps of:
- sending a request from the network access device to the access network requesting a change to a second service provider;
receiving a response from the access network; and
initiating a network address change request using a configuration protocol, whereby, a second network address allocated to the subscriber of services of the second service provider is assigned to the network access device, the second network address being utilized by the network access device to communicate data packets to the service network providing the selected service.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A method of configuring a network access device having a first network address allocated to a subscriber of services of a first service provider provided by a first service network, with a new network address allocated to a subscriber of services of a second service provider provided by a second service network, wherein the network access device is connected to an access network connected to a plurality of service networks. The method comprises the steps of: sending a request from the network access device to the access network requesting a change to a second service provider; receiving a response from the access network; and initiating a network address change request using a configuration protocol. In this manner, a second network address allocated to the subscriber of services of the second service provider is assigned to the network access device to enable the network access device to communicate data packets to the service network providing the selected service. In one preferred embodiment of the invention, the subscriber is authenticated by a service activation system coupled to the access network prior to initiating the configuration protocol. Accordingly, the request to the access network includes an authentication request for the subscriber. The response received from the access network therefore includes an authentication status for the subscriber from the second service provider. If the subscriber is authenticated, the client initiates the network address change request.
-
Citations
12 Claims
-
1. A method of configuring a network access device having a first network address allocated to a subscriber of services of a first service provider provided by a first service network, with a new network address allocated to a subscriber of services of a second service provider provided by a second service network, wherein the network access device is connected to an access network connected to a plurality of service networks, comprising the steps of:
-
sending a request from the network access device to the access network requesting a change to a second service provider;
receiving a response from the access network; and
initiating a network address change request using a configuration protocol, whereby, a second network address allocated to the subscriber of services of the second service provider is assigned to the network access device, the second network address being utilized by the network access device to communicate data packets to the service network providing the selected service. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
-
-
7. A method of configuring a network access device having a first network address allocated to a subscriber of services of a first service provider provided by a first service network, with a new network address allocated to a subscriber of services of a second service provider provided by a second service network, wherein the network access is connected to an access network connected to a plurality of service networks, comprising the steps of:
-
sending a request from the network access device to the access network requesting a change to a second service provider;
receiving a response from the access network; and
initiating a network address change request using a DHCP configuration protocol, whereby a second network address allocated to the subscriber of services of the second service provider is assigned to the network access device, the second network address being utilized by the network access device to communicate data packets to the service network providing the selected service.
-
-
8. A method of configuring a network access device to obtain a network address allocated to a subscriber of services of a selected service provider provided by a service network of the selected service provider, wherein the network access device is connected to an access network connected to a plurality of service networks, comprising the steps of:
-
sending a request from the network access device to the access network requesting a change to the selected service provider, wherein said request includes an authentication request for the subscriber;
receiving a response from the access network, wherein said response includes an authentication status for the subscriber; and
if the subscriber is authenticated, initiating a network address change request using a configuration protocol, whereby a network address allocated to the subscriber of the selected service provider is assigned to the network access device, the network address being utilized by the network access device to communicate data packets to the service network providing the selected service. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10)
-
-
11. A method of configuring a network access device having a first network address allocated to a subscriber of services of a first service provider provided by a first service network, with a new network address allocated to a subscriber of services of a second service provider provided by a second service network, wherein the network access device is connected to an access network communicating with a service activation system and connected to a plurality of service networks, comprising the steps of:
-
sending authentication information for the second service provider to the service activation system over the access network;
receiving an authentication status from the service activation system and, if authenticated;
initiating a network address change request using a configuration protocol, whereby a network address allocated to the subscriber of the selected service provider is assigned to the network access device, the network address being utilized by the network access device to communicate data packets to the service network providing the selected service.
-
-
12. A method of configuring a network access device having a first network address allocated to a subscriber of services of a first service provider provided by a first service network, with a new network address allocated to a subscriber of services of a second service provider provided by a second service network, wherein the network access device is connected to an access network communicating with a service activation system and connected to a plurality of service networks, comprising the steps of:
-
sending authentication information for the second service provider to the service activation system over the access network;
receiving an authentication status from the service activation system and, if authenticated;
initiating a network address change request using a dynamic host configuration protocol (DHCP), whereby a network address allocated to the subscriber of the selected service provider is assigned to the network access device, the network address being utilized by the network access device to communicate data packets to the service network providing the selected service.
-
Specification