Method for managing access to networks by employing client software and a configuration protocol timeout
First Claim
1. A method of configuring a network access device associated with a subscriber of network services of a regional access network and having a network address associated with an extra-regional service network, with a new network address associated with the regional access network, wherein the network access device is connected to the regional access network by a cable modem and the regional access network is connected to a plurality of extra-regional service networks, the method comprising:
- receiving from the network access device, a first request for access to the extra-regional service network;
assigning, to the network access device in response to the first request, a first network address allocated to subscribers of the extra-regional service network, the first network address used by the network access device to communicate over the regional access network to the extra-regional service network;
receiving from the network access device, a second request at the regional access network requesting the release of access to the extra-regional service provider;
sending, to the network access device, a response to the second request from the regional access network;
receiving, from the network access device, a network address change request using a configuration protocol, andassigning to the network access device, a second network address allocated to subscribers of the regional access network, the second network address used by the network access device to communicate data packets with the regional access network.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A method of configuring a network access device having a network address associated with an extra-regional service provider with a new network address associated with a regional access network provider, where the network access device is connected to a regional access network connected to a plurality of extra-regional service networks. The method includes receiving a request from the network access device requesting the release of access to the extra-regional service network, sending a response from the regional access network, and receiving a network address change request using a configuration protocol. In another aspect of the invention, the network address associated with an extra-regional service provider is automatically released when a regional access network server fails to receive a request to renew the network address lease, and a new network address associated with the regional access network is assigned to the network access device.
180 Citations
24 Claims
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1. A method of configuring a network access device associated with a subscriber of network services of a regional access network and having a network address associated with an extra-regional service network, with a new network address associated with the regional access network, wherein the network access device is connected to the regional access network by a cable modem and the regional access network is connected to a plurality of extra-regional service networks, the method comprising:
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receiving from the network access device, a first request for access to the extra-regional service network; assigning, to the network access device in response to the first request, a first network address allocated to subscribers of the extra-regional service network, the first network address used by the network access device to communicate over the regional access network to the extra-regional service network; receiving from the network access device, a second request at the regional access network requesting the release of access to the extra-regional service provider; sending, to the network access device, a response to the second request from the regional access network; receiving, from the network access device, a network address change request using a configuration protocol, and assigning to the network access device, a second network address allocated to subscribers of the regional access network, the second network address used by the network access device to communicate data packets with the regional access network. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5)
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6. A method of configuring a network access device associated to a subscriber of network services of a regional access network and having a network address associated with a regional access network, with a new network address associated with an extra-regional service network, wherein the network access device is connected to the regional access network by a cable modem and the regional access network is connected to a plurality of extra-regional service networks, the method comprising:
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receiving, from the network access device, a first request for access to the regional access network; assigning, to the network access device in response to the first request, a first network address allocated to subscribers of the regional access network, the first network address used by the network access device to communicate to the regional access network; receiving, from the network access device, a second request to access an extra-regional service network, wherein the request includes an authentication request for the subscriber; sending, to the network access device, a response to the second request from the regional access network, wherein the response includes an authentication status for the subscriber; and when the subscriber is authenticated, receiving, from the network access device a network address change request using a configuration protocol, and assigning, to the network access device, a second network address allocated to subscribers of the extra-regional service provider, the second network address used by the network access device to communicate data packets to the extra-regional service network. - View Dependent Claims (7, 8)
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9. A method of configuring a network access device, the device being associated to a subscriber of network services and having a network address associated with a regional access network, with a new network address associated with an extra-regional service network, wherein the network access device is connected to the regional access network by a cable modem and the regional access network is connected to a plurality of extra-regional service networks, and the access network is in communication with a service activation system, the method comprising:
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receiving, from the network access device, a first request for access to the regional access network; assigning, to the network access device in response to the first request, a first network address allocated to subscribers of the regional access network, the first network address used by the network access device to communicate to the regional access network; receiving from the network access device, a second request to access an extra-regional service network, wherein the request includes an authentication request for the subscriber; receiving authentication information for the extra-regional service provider at the service activation system over the regional access network; sending an authentication status of the subscriber from the service activation system and, when the subscriber is authenticated; receiving, from the network access device, a network address change request using a configuration protocol, and assigning, to the network access device, a second network address associated with the extra-regional service provider is assigned to the network access device, the network address being utilized by the network access device to communicate data packets with the extra-regional service network. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11)
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12. A method of configuring a network access device of a subscriber of network services of a regional access network and having a network address associated with extra-regional service network, with a new network address allocated to subscribers of the regional access network, wherein the network access device is connected to the regional access network by a cable modem and the regional access network is connected to a plurality of extra-regional service networks, and the access network is in communication with a service activation system having a pre-set authentication period for receiving keep-alive messages from the network access device, the method comprising:
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receiving, from the network access device, a first request for access to the regional access network; assigning, to the network access device in response to the first request, a first network address allocated to subscribers of the regional access network, the first network address used by the network access device to communicate to the regional access network; receiving, from the network access device, a second request to access an extra-regional service network, wherein the request includes an authentication request for the subscriber; sending, to the network access device, a response to the second request from the regional access network, wherein the response includes an authentication status for the subscriber; when the subscriber is authenticated, receiving, from the network access device, a network address change request using a configuration protocol; assigning, to the network access device, a second network address allocated to subscribers of the extra-regional service provider, the second network address used by the network access device to communicate data packets to the extra-regional service network, the second network address having an authentication period; failing to receive a keep-alive message from the network access device prior to expiration of the authentication period; failing to renew a lease for the second network address associated with the extra-regional network service provider; and assigning new network address using the configuration protocol, the new network access address for communicating data packets with the regional access network. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22)
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23. A computer-readable medium having computer-executable instructions for enabling a regional access network to perform a method of allocating network addresses to a network address device having a cable modem, the method comprising:
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receiving, from the network access device of a subscriber of the regional access network, a first request to access the regional access network; assigning, to the network access device in response to the first request, a first network address allocated to subscribers of the regional access network, the first network address used by the network access device to communicate to the regional access network; receiving, from the network access device, a second request to access an extra-regional service network connected to the regional access network, wherein the request includes an authentication request for the subscriber; sending, to the network access device, a response to the second request from the regional access network, wherein the response includes an authentication status for the subscriber; when the subscriber is authenticated, receiving, from the network access device, a network address change request using a configuration protocol; assigning, to the network access device, a second network address allocated to subscribers of the extra regional service provider, the second network address used by the network access device to communicate data packets to the extra-regional service network, the second network address having an authentication period; and receiving, from the network access device, a keep-alive message for extending authentication of the second network address. - View Dependent Claims (24)
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Specification