System and method for provisioning broadband service in a PPPoE network using a random username

• US 20030039244A1
• Filed: 08/14/2001
• Published: 02/27/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 08/14/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Hughes Electronics Corporation (Rtx Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Hughes Electronics Corporation (Rtx Corporation)
• Inventors: Chong, Lester J., Owens, Craig Braswell
• Granted Patent: US 6,977,906 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 370/389
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/2856 Access arrangements, e.g. Internet access asynchronous transfer mode networks H04L12/5601; broadband local area networks H04L12/2801; optical access or distribution networks H04Q11/0067; access to open networks H04L12/5691; digital subscriber line end-user equipment and bit-level processing of data on a PSTN-based network H04M11/00; home network gateways H04L12/2834; wireless access networks H04W
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/2859 Point-to-point connection between the data network and the subscribers encapsulation H04L12/4633; virtual LANs H04L12/4641; routing of packets H04L45/00
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/2874 Processing of data for distribution to the subscribers
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 61/5076 Update or notification mechanisms, e.g. DynDNS
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/1001 for accessing one among a plurality of replicated servers

Abstract

According to the invention there is provided a computer implemented method for provisioning broadband service in a Point-to-Point Protocol over Ethernet (PPPoE) network. A PPPoE session is established, and a username is randomly chosen from a list of usernames stored on a modem. An authentication request is then transmitted from the modem to a Broadband Remote Access Server (BRAS) over a PPPoE network. The BRAS subsequently load balances the authentication request between the multiple Broadband Service Nodes (BSNs) and transmits the authentication request to one of the multiple BSNs determined by the load balancing. The modem then receives authorization from at least one of the multiple BSNs. The authorization preferably comprises a temporary dynamic Internet Protocol (IP) address. Full configuration details, including a static IP address, are then obtained from an Internet Service Provider (ISP). The invention also provides a system and computer program product for performing the above. (149 words)

Claims

1. A computer implemented method for provisioning broadband service in a Point-to-Point Protocol over Ethernet (PPPoE) network, comprising:

randomly choosing a username from a list of usernames stored on a modem;

transmitting an authentication request from said modem to a Broadband Remote Access Server (BRAS) over a PPPoE network, where said BRAS is configured to load balance said authentication request between multiple Broadband Service Nodes (BSNs); and

receiving authorization from at least one of said multiple BSNs.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising, prior to said receiving step, the steps of:

load balancing said authentication request between said multiple Broadband Service Nodes (BSNs);

transmitting said authentication request to one of said multiple BSNs determined by said load balancing.

3. The method of claim 1, further comprising, prior to said transmitting step, the step of establishing a PPPoE session.

4. The method of claim 1, further comprising, prior to said transmitting step, the steps of:

requesting only a single identifier from a user of a client computer;

receiving said identifier; and

storing said identifier.

5. A method of claim 1, wherein said receiving step comprises acquiring at least one temporary dynamic Internet Protocol (IP) address.

6. The method of claim 5, further comprising:

transmitting a configuration request to an Internet Service Provider (ISP), where said configuration request is addressed from said dynamic IP address;

receiving full configuration details from said ISP, where said full configuration details include a static IP address, and where said full configuration details are addressed to said dynamic IP address; and

automatically configuring said modem based on said full configuration details.

7. A system for provisioning broadband service in a Point-to-Point Protocol Over Ethernet (PPPoE) network, comprising:

at least one client computer;

a Broadband Remote Access Server (BRAS);

multiple Broadband Service Nodes (BSNs) coupled to said BRAS;

an authentication server coupled to each one of said multiple BSNs;

a modem coupled between said client computer and said BRAS, said modem including a memory comprising;

a list of usernames;

instructions for randomly choosing a username from said list of usernames;

instructions for transmitting an authentication request from said modem to said BRAS over a PPPoE network, where said BRAS is configured to load balance said authentication request between said multiple BSNs; and

instructions for receiving authorization from at least one of said multiple BSNs.

8. The system of claim 8, further comprising:

a Digital Subscriber Line Access Multiplexor (DSLAM) coupled between said modem and said BRAS; and

an Asynchronous Transfer Mode (ATM) network coupled between said DSLAM and said BRAS.

9. The system of claim 8, wherein said BSNs are coupled to the Internet.

10. The system of claim 8, wherein said memory further comprises a generic password.

11. The system of claim 8, wherein said BRAS includes a memory comprising:

instructions for load balancing said authentication request between said multiple Broadband Service Nodes (BSNs);

instructions for transmitting said authentication request to one of said multiple BSNs determined by said load balancing.

12. A computer program product for use in conjunction with a computer system for provisioning broadband service in a Point-to-Point Protocol Over Ethernet (PPPoE) network, the computer program product comprising a computer readable storage and a computer program stored therein, the computer program comprising:

instructions for randomly choosing a username from a list of usernames stored on a modem;

instructions for transmitting an authentication request from said modem tosaid BRAS over a PPPoE network, where said BRAS is configured to load balance said authentication request between said multiple BSNs; and

instructions for receiving authorization from at least one of said multiple BSNs.