System and method for provisioning broadband service in a PPPoE network using a configuration domain name

• US 7,603,470 B2
• Filed: 03/16/2006
• Issued: 10/13/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 08/14/2001
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: The DIRECTV Group, Inc. (AT&T, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: The DIRECTV Group, Inc. (AT&T, Inc.)
• Inventors: Senapati, Ananta Sankar, Sharma, Manish
• Primary Examiner(s): Pwu; Jeffrey
• Assistant Examiner(s): Li; Guang
• Application Number:
  US11/376,815
• Publication Number:
  US 20060161643A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,307 Days
• Field of Search: 709/229, 709/220, 370/352, 370/386, 726/4, 726/17, 726/21
• US Class Current: 709/229
• 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 61/5007 Internet protocol [IP] addresses

Abstract

A modem that includes a configuration domain name associated with a configuration Broadband Service Node (BNS) is firstly provided. A PPPoE session is established, and an authentication requested is transmitted, containing the identifier and a generic password, from the modem to a single configuration domain name over the PPPoE network. Authorization is then received from the configuration domain name. 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 provisioning broadband service in a Point-to-Point Protocol Over Ethernet (PPPoE) network.

Claims

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

transmitting an authentication request from a modem to a single configuration domain name over a PPPoE network; and

receiving authorization from said configuration domain name, comprising

acquiring at least one temporary dynamic Internet Protocol (IP) address;

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

receiving configuration information from said ISP, where the configuration information includes a static IP address, and where said configuration information is addressed to said temporary dynamic IP address; and

automatically configuring said modem based on said configuration information.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising, prior to said transmitting step, the step of providing a modem that includes a configuration domain name associated with a configuration Broadband Service Node (BSN).

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. The method of claim 4, wherein said transmitting step comprises transmitting an authorization request containing said identifier and a generic password to said single configuration domain name.

6. An apparatus for provisioning broadband service in a Point-to-Point Protocol over Ethernet (PPPoE) network, comprising:

means for transmitting an authentication request from a modem to a single configuration domain name over a PPPoE network; and

means for receiving authorization from said configuration domain name, comprising acquiring at least one temporary dynamic Internet Protocol (IP) address, comprising;

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

means for receiving configuration information from said ISP, where the configuration information includes a static IP address, and where said configuration information is addressed to said temporary dynamic IP address; and

means for automatically configuring said modem based on said configuration information.

7. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein a modem that includes a configuration name associated with a configuration Broadband Service Node (BSN) is provided prior to transmitting the authentication request.

8. The apparatus of claim 6, further comprising means for establishing a PPPoE session prior to transmitting the authentication request.

9. The apparatus of claim 6, further comprising:

means for requesting only a single identifier from a user of a client computer, receiving said identifier, and storing said identifier prior transmitting the authentication request.

10. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein said means for transmitting comprises means for transmitting an authorization request containing said identifier and a generic password to said single configuration domain name.

11. An apparatus for provisioning broadband service in a Point-to-Point Protocol over Ethernet (PPPoE) network, comprising:

a transmitter configured to transmit an authentication request to a single configuration domain name over a PPPoE network; and

a receiver, configured to receive authorization from said configuration domain name, comprising acquiring at least one temporary dynamic Internet Protocol (IP) address;

wherein the transmitter is further configured to transmit a configuration request to an Internet Service Provider (ISP), where said configuration request is addressed from said temporary dynamic IP address;

wherein the receiver is further configured to receive configuration information from said ISP, where the configuration information includes a static IP address, and where said configuration information is addressed to said temporary dynamic IP address; and

wherein the modem is automatically configured based on said configuration information.

12. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the apparatus comprises a modem including a configuration name associated with a configuration Broadband Service Node (BSN) and wherein the modem is provided prior to transmitting the authentication request.

13. The apparatus of claim 11, further comprising means for establishing a PPPoE session prior to transmitting the authentication request.

14. The apparatus of claim 11, further comprising:

means for requesting only a single identifier from a user of a client computer, receiving said identifier, and storing said identifier prior transmitting the authentication request.

15. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein the transmitter comprises means for transmitting an authorization request containing said identifier and a generic password to said single configuration domain name.

16. 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 transmitting an authentication request from a modem to a single configuration domain name over a PPPoE network; and

instructions for receiving authorization from said configuration domain name comprising instructions for acquiring at least one temporary dynamic Internet Protocol (IP) address;

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

receiving configuration information from said ISP, where said configuration information includes a static IP address, and where said configuration information is addressed to said temporary dynamic IP address; and

automatically configuring said modem based on said configuration information.

17. The computer program product of claim 16, wherein the computer program further comprises instructions for establishing a PPPoE session prior to said transmitting the authentication request.

18. The computer program product of claim 16, wherein the computer program further comprises instructions for requesting only a single identifier from a user of a client computer, for receiving said identifier, and for storing said identifier prior to transmitting the authentication request.

19. The computer program product of claim 18, wherein said instructions for transmitting the authentication request comprises transmitting an authorization request containing said identifier and a generic password to said single configuration domain name.