Patent ID: 7197556
Filing Date: 2007-03-27
Classification: H04L

Abstract:
1. A network gateway device capable of providing location-based identification to network subscribers, comprising: a processor that communicates with an access concentrator to receive a plurality of port identifiers assigned by the access concentrator wherein each port identifier is associated with a location-specific connection port that provides connection for one or more hosts, the processor further determines which of the location-specific connection ports are currently accessing the network-by associating each of the received port identifiers with a location-specific connection port, and the processor further comprises a querying agent configured to request transmission of location information associated with the plurality of port identifiers from the associated access concentrator in response to a determination that a data packet has been received that fails to include location information; and a database associated with the network gateway device that stores the location-specific connection ports for the purpose of identifying one or more hosts associated with the connection port that have been granted network authorization.