Techniques for replacing point to point protocol with dynamic host configuration protocol
First Claim
1. A method for providing remote access to a service provider network comprising the step of exchanging a plurality of Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP) formatted messages instead of any Point to Point Protocol (PPP) message to provide all PPP functions for accessing a service provider network on provider premises from a customer node on customer premises different from the provider premises.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Techniques for providing remote access to a service provider network include exchanging multiple Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP) formatted messages instead of any Point to Point Protocol (PPP) message to provide all PPP functions for accessing a service provider network from a customer node. The service provider network is on provider premises and the customer node is on customer premises different from the provider premises. The DHCP format is used to exchange authentication messages, user profile data on Authentication, Authorization and Accounting (AAA) servers, or session keep-alive echo messages, alone or in some combination. When all are message types are combined, these techniques provide a remote access server (RAS) with the capability to perform all functions presently provided by PPP processes. In some combinations, these techniques allow a modified DHCP server to replace a legacy AAA server.
157 Citations
36 Claims
- 1. A method for providing remote access to a service provider network comprising the step of exchanging a plurality of Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP) formatted messages instead of any Point to Point Protocol (PPP) message to provide all PPP functions for accessing a service provider network on provider premises from a customer node on customer premises different from the provider premises.
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5. A method for communicating configuration data for user access to a service provider network, comprising the steps of:
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receiving mapping data that indicates an association between a plurality of configuration attributes available from an Authentication, Authorization and Accounting (AAA) server for communicating with a service provider network and a plurality of option types for a Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP);
receiving from a customer node a DHCP request message for configuration data for communications between the customer node and the service provider network;
forming an AAA request message based on the DHCP request message and the mapping data; and
sending the AAA request message to the AAA server to obtain values for configuration attributes. - View Dependent Claims (6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A method for communicating configuration data for user access to a service provider network, comprising the steps of:
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receiving mapping data that indicates an association between a plurality of configuration attributes available from an Authentication, Authorization and Accounting (AAA) server for communicating with a service provider network and a plurality of option types for a Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP);
receiving from a customer node a first DHCP request message for configuration data for communications between the customer node and the service provider network;
sending a second DHCP request message based on the first DHCP request message to a DHCP server to obtain values for DHCP option types;
in response to sending the second DHCP request message, receiving an DHCP response message that holds data that indicates values for a plurality of option types;
determining a value for a particular configuration attribute for a remote access server based on the DHCP response message and the mapping data; and
configuring the remote access server to communicate with the customer node based on the value for the particular configuration attribute. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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18. An apparatus for communicating configuration data for user access to a service provider network, comprising:
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means for receiving mapping data that indicates an association between a plurality of configuration attributes available from an Authentication, Authorization and Accounting (AAA) server for communicating with a service provider network and a plurality of option types for a Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP);
means for receiving from a customer node a DHCP request message for configuration data for communications between the customer node and the service provider network;
means for forming an AAA request message based on the DHCP request message and the mapping data; and
means for sending the AAA request message to the AAA server to obtain values for configuration attributes.
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19. An apparatus for communicating configuration data for user access to a service provider network, comprising:
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means for receiving mapping data that indicates an association between a plurality of configuration attributes available from an Authentication, Authorization and Accounting (AAA) server for communicating with a service provider network and a plurality of option types for a Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP);
means for receiving from a customer node a DHCP request message for configuration data for communications between the customer node and the service provider network;
means for sending a second DHCP request message based on the first DHCP request message to a DHCP server to obtain values for DHCP option types;
means for receiving an DHCP response message that holds data that indicates values for a plurality of option types in response to sending the second DHCP request message;
means for determining a value for a particular configuration attribute for a remote access server based on the DHCP response message and the mapping data; and
means for configuring the remote access server to communicate with the customer node based on the value for the particular configuration attribute.
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20. An apparatus for providing remote access to a service provider network, comprising:
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a network interface that is coupled to a network for communicating one or more packet flows therewith;
one or more processors;
a computer readable medium; and
one or more sequences of instructions stored on the computer readable medium, which, when executed by the one or more processors, causes the one or more processors to carry out the step of exchanging a plurality of Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP) formatted messages instead of any Point to Point Protocol (PPP) message to provide all PPP functions for accessing a service provider network on provider premises from a customer node on customer premises different from the provider premises. - View Dependent Claims (21, 22, 23)
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24. An apparatus for communicating configuration data for access to a service provider network, comprising:
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a network interface that is coupled to a network for communicating one or more packet flows therewith;
one or more processors;
a computer readable medium; and
one or more sequences of instructions stored on the computer readable medium, which, when executed by the one or more processors, causes the one or more processors to carry out the steps of;
receiving mapping data that indicates an association between a plurality of configuration attributes available from an Authentication, Authorization and Accounting (AAA) server for communicating with a service provider network and a plurality of option types for a Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP);
receiving from a customer node a first DHCP request message for configuration data for communications between the customer node and the service provider network;
forming an AAA request message based on the DHCP request message and the mapping data; and
sending the AAA request message to the AAA server to obtain values for configuration attributes. - View Dependent Claims (25, 26, 27, 28, 29)
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30. An apparatus for communicating configuration data for access to a service provider network, comprising:
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a network interface that is coupled to a network for communicating one or more packet flows therewith;
one or more processors;
a computer readable medium; and
one or more sequences of instructions stored on the computer readable medium, which, when executed by the one or more processors, causes the one or more processors to carry out the steps of;
receiving mapping data that indicates an association between a plurality of configuration attributes available from an Authentication, Authorization and Accounting (AAA) server for communicating with a service provider network and a plurality of option types for a Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP);
receiving from a customer node a first DHCP request message for configuration data for communications between the customer node and the service provider network;
sending a second DHCP request message based on the first DHCP request message to a DHCP server to obtain values for DHCP option types;
in response to sending the second DHCP request message, receiving an DHCP response message that holds data that indicates values for a plurality of option types;
determining a value for a particular configuration attribute for a remote access server based on the DHCP response message and the mapping data; and
configuring the remote access server to communicate with the customer node based on the value for the particular configuration attribute. - View Dependent Claims (31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36)
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Specification