Methods, DSL modems, and computer program products for provisioning DSL service using downloaded username/password

• US 20070186113A1
• Filed: 02/06/2006
• Published: 08/09/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 02/06/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I LP (AT&T, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I LP (AT&T, Inc.)
• Inventors: Warshawsky, Marc, Cuberson, Russel
• Granted Patent: US 8,064,357 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 713/183
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/083 using passwords cryptographic mechanisms or cryptographic arrangements for entity authentication using a predetermined code H04L9/3226

Abstract

A method of providing communications can include transmitting a default username and password for a subscriber account from a Digital Subscriber Link (DSL) modem to an authentication server. The subscriber account is authorized based on the default username and password subscriber. A unique username and password for the subscriber account is transmitted to the DSL modem if the subscriber account is authenticated.

Claims

1. A method of providing communications comprising:

transmitting a default username and password for a subscriber account from a Digital Subscriber Link (DSL) modem to an authentication server;

authenticating the subscriber account based on the default username and password subscriber; and

transmitting a unique username and password for the subscriber account to the DSL modem if the subscriber account is authenticated.

2. A method according to claim 1 further comprising:

storing the unique username and password for the subscriber account in the DSL modem.

3. A method according to claim 1 further comprising:

transmitting the unique username and password for the subscriber account from the DSL modem to the authentication server;

determining that the unique username and password for the subscriber account are not the default username and password;

indicating that the unique username and password for the subscriber account are authentic to a network access server; and

authorizing the subscriber account at the network access server based the authentication.

4. A method according to claim 1 wherein transmitting a default username and password for a subscriber account comprises transmitting the default username and password and DSL modem parameters including a unique DSL modem identifier.

5. A method according to claim 1 wherein authenticating the subscriber account further comprises:

receiving the default username and password at the authentication server;

providing a connection between the DSL modem and a walled garden website providing terms and conditions for the subscriber account thereon;

receiving input via the connection indicating acceptance or rejection of the terms and conditions for the subscriber account; and

transmitting DSL modem parameters including a unique DSL modem identifier to a Customer Premises Equipment Management System (CPEMS) indicating acceptance of the terms and conditions for the subscriber account.

6. A method according to claim 1 wherein the default username and password for the subscriber account are stored in the DSL modem prior to delivery to a subscriber.

7. A method according to claim 1 wherein transmitting a default username and password for a subscriber account comprises uploading the default username and password from the DSL modem to the authentication server using a CPE initiated notification message including a unique DSL modem identifier and DSL modem manufacturer.

8. A method according to claim 7 wherein transmitting a unique username and password for the subscriber account comprises downloading the unique username and password to the DSL modem using an asynchronous Customer Premises Equipment Management System (CPEMS) initiated notification message.

9. A method according to claim 8 wherein the CPE initiated notification message and the CPEMS initiated notification message comprise TR-069 CPE WAN Management Protocol formatted communications.

10. A computer system configured to carry out the method according to claim 1.

11. A Digital Subscriber Line (DSL) modem comprising:

a transceiver circuit configured to transmit and receive data via a connection to a network;

a processor circuit coupled to the transceiver circuit, the processor circuit configured to coordinate communications between subscriber equipment and the network and configured to transmit a default username and password for a subscriber account from the modem to an authentication server included in the network via the transceiver circuit; and

a non-volatile memory coupled to the processor circuit and configured to store the default username and password subscriber therein.

12. A DSL modem according to claim 11 wherein the default username and password for the subscriber account are stored in the DSL modem prior to delivery to a subscriber.

13. A DSL modem according to claim 11 wherein the processor circuit is further configured to upload the default username and password to the authentication server using a CPE initiated notification message including a unique DSL modem identifier and DSL modem manufacturer.

14. A DSL modem according to claim 13 wherein the CPE initiated notification message comprises TR-069 CPE WAN Management Protocol formatted communications.

15. A DSL modem according to claim 11 wherein the processor circuit is further configured to receive a unique username and password for the subscriber account for storage in the non-volatile memory.

16. A DSL modem according to claim 15 wherein the processor circuit is further configured to receive the unique username and password for the subscriber at the DSL modem via the connection and transmit the unique username and password to the authentication server without subscriber intervention.

17. A DSL modem according to claim 15 wherein the processor circuit is further configured to receive the unique username and password in an asynchronous Customer Premises Equipment Management System (CPEMS) initiated notification message.

18. A DSL modem according to claim 15 wherein the CPE initiated notification message and the CPEMS initiated notification message comprise TR-069 CPE WAN Management Protocol formatted communications.

19. A method of establishing Digital Subscriber Line (DSL) service comprising:

transmitting a unique usemname and password for a DSL subscriber account from a DSL authentication server to a DSL modem associated with the DSL subscriber account responsive to authenticating the DSL subscriber account using a default username and password received from the DSL modem during an installation of the DSL modem.

20. A method according to claim 20 wherein transmission of the unique username and password occurs after receiving the default username and password without subscriber intervention therebetween.