Auto-configuration of broadband service for one of a plurality of network communication protocols

A computer implemented method for automatically configuring a bidirectional IP communication device for use with one of multiple network communication protocols, comprising:

• broadcasting from a bidirectional Internet Protocol (IP) communication device a first discovery packet for establishing a communication session using a first network communication protocol;
• transmitting from said bidirectional IP communication device a second discovery packet for establishing a communication session using a second network communication protocol, where said second network communication protocol is different to said first network communication protocol;
• receiving a response to said first discovery packet;
• identifying said first network communication protocol, based on said response;
• and
• automatically configuring said bidirectional IP communication device to operate using said first network communication protocol.

A system for automatically configuring a bidirectional IP communication device for use with one of multiple network communication protocols, comprising:

• a client computer;
• a broadband communication network;
• a bidirectional Internet Protocol (IP) communication device coupled between said client computer and said broadband communication network, where said bidirectional IP communication device includes:
• a central processing unit;
• a communications circuit;
• multiple ports;
• and
• a memory comprising:
• communication procedures for:
• broadcasting a first discovery packet for establishing a communication session using a first network communication protocol;
• transmitting a second discovery packet for establishing a communication session using a second network communication protocol, where said second network communication protocol is different to said first network communication protocol;
• receiving a response to said first discovery packet or said second discovery packet;
• and
• configuration procedures for:
• identifying which network communication protocol is in use, based on said response;
• and
• configuring said bidirectional IP communication device for said network communication protocol that is in use.

The system of claim 18, wherein said broadband communication network is selected from a group consisting of:

• a Broadband Service Node (BSN) coupled to said bidirectional IP communication device;
• a Digital Subscriber Line Access Multiplexor (DSLAM) coupled between said bidirectional IP communication device and said BSN;
• an Asynchronous Transfer Mode (ATM) network coupled between the DSLAM and the BSN;
• a Broadband Remote Access Server (BRAS) coupled between the ATM network and the BSN;
• and any combination of the aformentioned.

A system for automatically configuring a bidirectional IP communication device for use with one of multiple network communication protocols, comprising:

• a client computer;
• a broadband communication network;
• a bidirectional Internet Protocol (IP) communication device coupled between said client computer and said broadband communication network, where said bidirectional IP communication device includes:
• a central processing unit;
• a communications circuit;
• multiple ports;
• and
• a memory comprising:
• communication procedures for:
• broadcasting a first discovery packet for establishing a communication session using a first network communication protocol;
• transmitting a second discovery packet for establishing a communication session using a second network communication protocol, where said second network communication protocol is different to said first network communication protocol;
• receiving a response to said first discovery packet;
• and
• receiving a response to said first discovery packet;
• configuration procedures for:
• identifying said first network communication protocol, based on said response;
• and
• automatically configuring said bidirectional IP communication device to operate using said first network communication protocol.