Connection management for data networks

A method of making a digital subscriber line (DSL) connection to a remote network, the method comprising:

• detecting, at a DSL modem coupled to a local network, a presence of a powered-on network capable device that is connected to the DSL modem via the local network, the local network including at least one network capable device that contains a graphical activation display icon to illustrate a connection status of the powered-on network capable device with respect to the DSL modem, wherein in response to receiving a user command, the graphical activation display icon selectively connects the powered-on network capable device to the DSL modem via a point-to-point protocol over Ethernet (PPPoE) connection;
• establishing a network connection over a DSL line to a remote network after detecting the presence of the powered-on network capable device that is connected to the DSL modem on the local network;
• disconnecting the network connection over the DSL line to the remote network in response to detecting an absence of one or more powered-on network capable devices of the at least one network capable device connected to the DSL modem on the local network;
• disconnecting the network connection over the DSL line to the remote network in response to receiving a second user command to disconnect the PPPoE connection;
• releasing network resources supported by the remote network after the network connection is disconnected;
• assigning a dynamic lease to the powered-on network capable device;
• determining when the dynamic lease expires;
• and
• disconnecting the network connection over the DSL line after detecting that the dynamic lease has expired.