US6385653B1
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Responding to network access requests using a transparent media access and uniform delivery of service
Assignee: Cisco Technology Inc
•
Filing: 1998-11-02
•
Granted: 2002-05-07
•
Expires: 2018-11-02
Abstract
Abstract Network access requests, which may based on different access methods, are processed by using a protocol gateway that insulates the processing of the access requests from the specialized protocols required to obtain the necessary services required for the different access methods supported. In a first aspect of the present invention, this includes using a protocol handler that is responsive to the network protocol used by the access request. The protocol handler performs a set of steps necessary for responding to the access request. If the steps include procuring a state service, a state object is used to obtain the state service, insulating the protocol handler from having to communicate with a provider of the state service, such as a service component. Upon completion of the steps defined within the set of steps, the protocol handler denies or grants network access.
Inventors
- 👤 Aravind Sitaraman
- 👤 Shuxian Lou
- 👤 Shujin Zhang
- 👤 Sampath Kumar Sthothra Bhasham
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-07 22:10
CPC Classifications
H; H04; H04L; H04L69/00; H04L69/18
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 50
Claim 1
Independent Claim
139 words
A method of responding to network access requests which may be based on more than one type of network access protocol, said method comprising the steps of: receiving a first access request which is based on a first network protocol; processing said first access request using a subscriber service independent of said network access protocol as a first task; processing said first task by using a first protocol handler chosen by a state manager responsive to said first network protocol, said first protocol handler performing a first set of steps necessary for responding to said first access request, said first set of steps including at least one service request; procuring at least one service upon request by said first protocol handler; and granting or denying said first access request when a response to said step of procuring is received.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
139 words
A method of responding to network access requests which may be based on more than one type of network access protocol, said method comprising the steps of: receiving a first access request which is based on a first network protocol; processing said first access request using a subscriber service independent of said network access protocol as a first task; processing said first task by using a first protocol handler chosen by a state manager responsive to said first network protocol, said first protocol handler performing a first set of steps necessary for responding to said first access request, said first set of steps including at least one service request; procuring at least one service upon request by said first protocol handler; and granting or denying said first access request when a response to said step of procuring is received.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
38 words
The method of claim 1 , wherein said first set of steps define at least one transaction required to respond to said first access request, wherein said at least one transaction is compatible with said first network protocol.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
116 words
The method of claim 1 , further including the steps of: receiving a second access request which is based on a second network protocol; processing said second access request as a second task; processing said second task by using a second protocol handler responsive to said second network protocol, said second protocol handler performing a second set of steps necessary for responding to said second access request, said second set of steps including at least one service request; procuring at least one service when requested by said second protocol handler; and granting or denying said second access request in response to said step of procuring at least one service when requested by said second protocol handler.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 1 , further including a step of queuing said first response from said at least one service.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method of claim 1 , wherein said step of procuring at least one service includes a step of obtaining authentication and authorization services.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
49 words
The method of claim 5 , wherein said step of obtaining authentication, and authorization services includes obtaining a user identification (ID) and password from said access request and using said user ID and password to generate a remote authentication dial-in user service (RADIUS) authentication, authorization, and accounting request packet.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
28 words
The method of claim 1 , wherein said step of procuring at least one service includes a step of procuring a state service that provides a host address.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
30 words
The method of claim 7 , wherein said step of procuring a service that provides a host address includes generating a dynamic host configuration protocol (DHCP) host address request packet.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
30 words
The method of claim 1 , wherein said step of procuring at least one service includes a step of obtaining a service that provides a domain name service (DNS) component.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
27 words
The method of claim 9 , wherein said step of obtain in a state service that provides a domain name service includes generating a DNS request packet.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
33 words
The method of claim 1 , wherein said step of procuring at least one service includes a step of obtaining said service from a service component that provides a cable modem registration service.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
31 words
The method of claim 11 , wherein said step of obtaining a state service that provides a cable modem registration service includes generation a multimedia cable network system (MCNS) request packet.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
36 words
The method of claim 12 , wherein said step of obtaining a service further includes receiving configuration information corresponding to said MCNS request packet, said configuration information based on a trivial file transfer protocol (TFTP) protocol.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
29 words
The method of claim 1 , wherein said step of procuring at least one service includes a step of obtaining a state service that provides a user record service.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
29 words
The method of claim 14 , wherein said step of obtaining a service that provides a user record service includes generating a lightweight directory access protocol (LDAP) request packet.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
135 words
A network access point responsive to more than one network access method, said network access point comprising: a protocol layer responsive to a first access request based on a first protocol; a state manager defining more than one set of process states required for each of the network access methods supported; at least one task engine for processing said first access request using a subscriber service independent of said network access method as a first task, said task engine having a set of protocol handlers; a first protocol handler from said set of protocol handlers which is responsive to a first set of process states within said more than one set of process states; and at least one state object which is responsive to at least one protocol handler from said set of protocol handlers.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
135 words
A network access point responsive to more than one network access method, said network access point comprising: a protocol layer responsive to a first access request based on a first protocol; a state manager defining more than one set of process states required for each of the network access methods supported; at least one task engine for processing said first access request using a subscriber service independent of said network access method as a first task, said task engine having a set of protocol handlers; a first protocol handler from said set of protocol handlers which is responsive to a first set of process states within said more than one set of process states; and at least one state object which is responsive to at least one protocol handler from said set of protocol handlers.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
37 words
The network access point of claim 16 , wherein said first set of process states define the necessary transactions which must be performed by said first protocol handler in order to respond to said first access request.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
39 words
The network access point of claim 16 , wherein said set of protocol handlers further include a second protocol handler which is responsive to a second set of process states within said more than one set of process states.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
28 words
The network access point of claim 16 , further including at least one client for providing an access point interface between a host and said network access point.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
19 words
The network access point of claim 19 , wherein said at least one client includes a network access server.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
20 words
The network access point of claim 19 , wherein said at least one client includes a digital subscriber line-based interface.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
19 words
The network access point of claim 19 , wherein said at least one client includes a cable modem interface.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
19 words
The network access point of claim 19 , wherein said at least one client includes a wireless communication interface.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
114 words
A communications system comprising: a protocol layer responsive to a first access request based on a first protocol; a state manager defining more than one set of process states required for each of the network access methods supported; at least one task engine for processing said first access request using a subscriber service independent of said network access method as a first task, said task engine having a set of protocol handlers; a first protocol handler from said set of protocol handlers which is responsive to a first set of process states within said more than one set of process states; and at least one state service responsive to at least one state object.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
114 words
A communications system comprising: a protocol layer responsive to a first access request based on a first protocol; a state manager defining more than one set of process states required for each of the network access methods supported; at least one task engine for processing said first access request using a subscriber service independent of said network access method as a first task, said task engine having a set of protocol handlers; a first protocol handler from said set of protocol handlers which is responsive to a first set of process states within said more than one set of process states; and at least one state service responsive to at least one state object.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
24 words
The communication system of claim 24 , wherein said at least one state service includes at least one authentication, authorization, and accounting service component.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
23 words
The communication system of claim 24 , wherein said at least one service includes at least one dynamic host configuration protocol service component.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
32 words
The communication system of claim 24 , wherein said at least one state service includes at least one cable modem registration service component based on the multimedia cable network system (MCNS) protocol.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
32 words
The communication system of claim 24 , wherein said at least one state service includes at least one cable modem configuration service component based on the trivial file transfer protocol (TFTP) protocol.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
14 words
The communication system of claim 24 , further including a domain name service component.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
12 words
The communication system of claim 24 , further including an Internet backbone.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
21 words
The communication system of claim 24 , further including at least one client for interfacing a host with said protocol layer.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
18 words
The communication system of claim 31 , wherein said at least one client includes a network access server.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
19 words
The communication system of claim 31 , wherein said at least one client includes a digital subscriber line-based interface.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
18 words
The communication system of claim 31 , wherein said at least one client includes a cable modem interface.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
18 words
The communication system of claim 31 , wherein said at least one client includes a wireless communication interface.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
36 words
The communication system of claim 24 , wherein said first set of process states defines the necessary transactions which must be performed by said first protocol handler in order to respond to said first access request.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
38 words
The communication system of claim 24 , wherein said set of protocol handlers further include a second protocol handler which is responsive to a second set of process states within said more than one set of process states.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
21 words
The communication system of claim 24 , wherein said at least one state object is responsive to said first protocol handler.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
94 words
A network access point responsive to more than one network access method, said network access point comprising: a protocol layer responsive to a first access request based on a first protocol; a state manager defining more than one set of process states required for each of the network access methods supported; a first protocol handler from said set of protocol handlers which is responsive to a first set of process states within said more than one set of process states; and at least one state object which is responsive to said first protocol handler.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
94 words
A network access point responsive to more than one network access method, said network access point comprising: a protocol layer responsive to a first access request based on a first protocol; a state manager defining more than one set of process states required for each of the network access methods supported; a first protocol handler from said set of protocol handlers which is responsive to a first set of process states within said more than one set of process states; and at least one state object which is responsive to said first protocol handler.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
37 words
The network access point of claim 39 , wherein said first set of process states define the necessary transactions which must be performed by said first protocol handler in order to respond to said first access request.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
33 words
The network access point of claim 39 , further including a second protocol handler which is responsive to a second set of process states within said more than one set of process states.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
28 words
The network access point of claim 39 , further including at least one client for providing an access point interface between a host and said network access point.
Claim 47
Dependent Claim
19 words
The network access point of claim 42 , wherein said at least one client includes a network access server.
Claim 48
Dependent Claim
20 words
The network access point of claim 42 , wherein said at least one client includes a digital subscriber line-based interface.
Claim 49
Dependent Claim
19 words
The network access point of claim 42 , wherein said at least one client includes a cable modem interface.
Claim 50
Dependent Claim
19 words
The network access point of claim 42 , wherein said at least one client includes a wireless communication interface.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2005-05-06 | 2005-11-05 | 2006-05-07 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2009-05-06 | 2009-11-05 | 2010-05-07 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2013-05-06 | 2013-11-05 | 2014-05-07 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |