Method for managing access to networks by employing client software and a configuration protocol timeout

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:

• 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.

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:

• 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.

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:

• 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.

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:

• 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.