Keith Allen - Austin TX, US Michael Russina - Austin TX, US
International Classification:
H04L009/32
US Classification:
713/202000
Abstract:
A subscriber authentication service is provided by a network access system. The system includes a remote access server (RAS) having ports for communicating with subscribers, a management interface for associating line identifiers with the subscriber ports, and a database for storing the line identifiers. In response to receiving a subscriber login request on a port, the RAS retrieves a corresponding line identifier from the database and transfers it to a service provider. The service provider can then authorize access to a requested network service based on the line identifier and other subscriber information, such as a user identifier (ID) and password. The line identifier is an additional piece of user information, assigned by the RAS and associated with an end-user device or connection port. The line identifier offers a higher level security to service providers, and can prevent unauthorized access to services by users having stolen user IDs and/or passwords.