Patent Publication Number: US-7216175-B1

Title: System and method for determining subscriber information

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
   This application is related to and filed concurrently with pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/488,394, entitled “System and Method for Identifying a Subscriber for Connection to a Communication Network.” These applications have been commonly assigned to Cisco Technology, Inc. 
   TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
   This invention relates in general to data communication, and more particularly to a system for determining subscriber information. 
   BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   Communication systems support the provisioning of voice, data, multimedia or other services and information to subscribers. A problem with prior communication systems is that a particular subscriber may pirate the services of another subscriber in the system without properly subscribing for the services. One solution to this problem is to assign a unique user name and password to the subscribers and to restrict access to particular services based upon a successful response to a query for a subscriber&#39;s user name and password. This solution is ineffective, however, when one subscriber assumes the identity of another subscriber by misappropriating the user name and password of the other subscriber and, thereby, obtains access to the other subscriber&#39;s services. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   In accordance with the present invention, the disadvantages and problems associated with prior communication systems have been substantially reduced or eliminated. 
   In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, a system for determining subscriber information includes an access server coupled to a number of subscribers using a communication network, a memory coupled to the access server, and a processor coupled to the memory. The access server receives a communication from a particular subscriber using a particular one of a number of virtual circuits associated with the communication network. The memory stores subscriber information for the subscribers, wherein the subscriber information is indexed by path information that identifies a virtual circuit assigned to the particular subscriber. The processor determines the subscriber information for communication to the particular subscriber based upon the path information and the particular virtual circuit used to receive the communication from the particular subscriber. 
   Another embodiment of the present invention is a method for determining subscriber information that includes receiving a communication from a particular one of a number of subscribers using a particular one of a number of virtual circuits associated with a communication network. The method continues by storing subscriber information for the subscribers. The subscriber information is indexed by path information that identifies a virtual circuit assigned to the particular subscriber. The method concludes by determining the subscriber information for communication to the particular subscriber based upon the path information and the particular virtual circuit used to receive the communication from the particular subscriber. 
   Yet another embodiment of the present invention is an information server that includes a memory and a processor. The memory stores subscriber information for a number of subscribers. The subscriber information is indexed by path information that identifies a virtual circuit assigned to a particular subscriber. The processor determines the subscriber information for communication to the particular subscriber based upon the path information and a particular virtual circuit that couples the particular subscriber to an access server. 
   Still another embodiment of the present invention is an access server that includes an interface coupled to a number of subscribers using a communication network and a controller coupled to the interface. The interface receives a communication from a particular subscriber using a particular one of a number of virtual circuits associated with the communication network. The controller communicates a request to an information server for determining subscriber information associated with the particular subscriber. The request identifies the particular virtual circuit used to receive the communication from the particular subscriber. 
   Technical advantages of the present invention include a system that identifies subscribers and determines subscriber information based, in part, upon path information and the particular virtual circuit used to receive a communication from a particular subscriber. Whereas in prior communication systems a particular subscriber may pirate the services of another subscriber by misappropriating the other subscriber&#39;s user name and password, the present invention provides services based upon “trusted” information which is generally not discoverable by another subscriber. Such “trusted” information includes, for example, path information and information identifying the particular virtual circuit actually used to receive a communication from a particular subscriber. In this respect, subscribers of the present invention cannot access services and information designated for other subscribers. Therefore, the identification techniques of the present invention provide integrity to the communication system. 
   Other technical advantages are readily apparent to one skilled in the art from the following figures, descriptions and claims. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     For a more complete understanding of the present invention and its advantages, reference is now made to the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like reference numbers indicate like features and wherein: 
       FIG. 1  illustrates a communication system according to the present invention; 
       FIG. 2  illustrates one embodiment of an access server used by the system; 
       FIG. 3  illustrates one embodiment of an identification table used by the system; 
       FIG. 4  illustrates one embodiment of a routing table used by the system; and 
       FIG. 5  illustrates a flowchart of an exemplary method according to the present invention. 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     FIG. 1  illustrates a communication system  10  that includes subscribers  12  coupled to access servers  18  using a first communication network  14 . In general, access servers  18  initiate the identification of a subscriber  12  and, in response, communicate information to the subscriber  12  and/or grant the subscriber  12  access to a second communication network  20 . 
   Subscribers  12  comprise any suitable number and combination of communication devices, such as customer premises equipment, that employ any appropriate communication techniques to communicate with access server  18  using communication network  14 . In one embodiment, subscribers  12  couple to a communication server  22  in the local loop using traditional twisted pair subscriber lines  24 . Subscribers  12  and communication server  22  exchange information using high bandwidth digital subscriber line technology, referred to generally as XDSL. Communication server  22  may reside at a central office, remote terminal, or other access point in communication system  10  that allows coupling to local loops formed by twisted pair subscriber lines  24 . 
   Subscribers  12  may also be associated with a local area network (LAN), such as an Ethernet network  30 , a token ring network  32 , a fiber distributed data interface (FDDI) network, an asynchronous transfer mode (ATM) network  36 , or any other association or arrangement of subscribers  12  in a network environment (referred to generally as LAN  30 ). LAN  30  supports Ethernet (10 Mbps), Fast Ethernet (100 Mbps), Gigabit Ethernet, switched Ethernet, or any other suitable networking protocol or technology. LAN  30  couples to communication network  14  using communication server  22 , network interface  34 , or any combination of communication server  22  and network interface  34 . In one embodiment, network interface  34  comprises hubs, routers, bridges, gateways, and other suitable communication devices and related software that support suitable communication protocols to couple LAN  30  to communication network  14 . 
   Communication network  14  comprises a plurality of virtual circuits  16  that support communication between communication server  22 , network interface  34 , and access server  18 . In a particular embodiment, communication network  14  is part of a wide area network (WAN) that supports a suitable communication technology, such as ATM, frame relay, X.25 packet switching, statistical multiplexers, switched multi-megabit data service (SMDS), high-level data link control (HDLC), serial line Internet protocol (SLIP), point-to-point protocol (PPP), transmission control protocol/Internet Protocol (TCP/IP) or any other suitable WAN protocol or technology. Although the discussion below focuses on a particular ATM embodiment of communication network  14 , communication system  10  contemplates any suitable WAN protocol or technology. 
   Access server  18  comprises any number and combination of interfaces, switches, routers, or any other suitable communication devices and related software that terminates a preassigned virtual circuit  16  for each subscriber  12 . Access server  18  is described in greater detail with respect to  FIG. 2 . Access server  18  is coupled to an information server  50  using a link  52 . 
   Communication network  20  comprises any combination of local area networks (LANs), wide area networks (WANs) global computer networks, hubs, routers, bridges, gateways, switches, servers, databases, or any other association of suitable wireline or wireless communication devices and networks, and related software, that provides subscribers  12  access to voice, data, multimedia, or other services and/or information. 
   A service provider associated with communication network  20 , such as an Internet Service Provider (ISP), may employ one or more access servers  18  to restrict access to network  20  based upon the proper identification of subscribers  12 . Access servers  18  may further be used to restrict access to information based upon the proper identification of subscribers  12 . In general, system  10  assigns to each subscriber  12  a unique virtual circuit  16  that is to be used by the subscriber  12  to communicate with access server  18 . When an access server  18  receives a communication from a particular subscriber  12 , information server  50  identifies the subscriber  12  based, in part, upon the virtual circuit  16  assigned to the subscriber  12  and the virtual circuit  16  actually used to receive the communication from the subscriber  12 . 
   Each virtual circuit  16  comprises a communication path between a particular subscriber  12  and an access server  18  that supports the appropriate communication technology of communication network  14 . Although the following description of the present invention is detailed with respect to virtual circuits  16  in an ATM networking environment, it should be understood that a virtual circuit  16  assigned to a subscriber  12  in system  10  may be defined in any suitable networking environment using any suitable communication technologies and protocols, without deviating from the scope of the present invention. 
   A virtual circuit  16  in an ATM networking environment comprises a series of virtual path identifiers (VPI) and virtual channel identifiers (VCI). Together, a VPI and a VCI identify the next destination of an ATM cell as it passes through a series of communication devices in network  14  and terminates in access server  18 . A unique virtual circuit  16  can therefore be assigned to each subscriber  12  by storing predetermined virtual circuit information, such as VPI and VCI information defining the virtual circuit  16 , in communication server  22 , network interface  34 , and the communication devices associated with network  14  and access server  18 . 
   Specific virtual circuit information defining some portion of a virtual circuit  16 , such as the portion of the virtual circuit  16  coupled to communication server  22  and/or communication server  34  or the portion of the virtual circuit  16  coupled to access server  18 , may be used to identify uniquely the entire virtual circuit  16  to the other components of system  10 , and is generally referred to as a “virtual circuit identifier.” Therefore, for example, the virtual circuit identifier of a particular virtual circuit  16  may be defined using the VPI and VCI information for that portion of the virtual circuit  16  terminating in access server  18 . 
   Information server  50  comprises a processor  54  coupled to a memory  56 . Processor  54  may comprise a central processing unit associated with a computer system, such as a mainframe, a workstation, or any other suitable general purpose data processing facility. Memory  56  comprises any suitable volatile or non-volatile memory device associated with processor  54 . Memory  56  generally stores a number of files, lists, tables, or any other arrangement of information that supports the identification of subscribers  12  in system  10 . For example, memory  56  includes identification table  58  having path information  60  and subscriber information  62  for subscribers  12  in system  10 . Path information  60  comprises virtual circuit information identifying the unique virtual circuits  16  assigned to subscribers  12  (e.g., virtual circuit identifiers), access server information, interface information, user information, and/or any other type of information used to identify subscribers  12 . Subscriber information  62  comprises address information, configuration information, and/or any other suitable information used to upgrade, monitor, modify, or otherwise operate subscribers  12 . 
   The components and information stored in information server  50  may be arranged integral to or remote from access server  18 . Furthermore, information server  50  may comprise any combination of processors  54  and memory  56  to form any number of separate information servers  50  that may each be accessed by access server  18  using appropriate communication protocols. For example, information server  50  may comprise any number and combination of information servers  50  that may be accessed using a RADIUS protocol, a Trivial File Transfer Protocol (“TFTP”), a Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (“DHCP”), or any suitable communication protocol. 
   In operation, access server  18  supports the provisioning of services to subscribers  12  in system  10 . In particular, access server  18  receives a communication from a particular subscriber  12  using a particular one of the virtual circuits  16  associated with communication network  14 . The communication issued by subscriber  12  may comprise the initiation of a point-to-point protocol session, a TFTP broadcast message, or any suitable request for services. In one example, a subscriber  12  requests connectivity to communication network  20 . In another example, a subscriber  12  requests subscriber information  62 . Prior to granting the subscriber  12  access to network  20  or communicating subscriber information  62  to the subscriber  12 , access server  18  and/or information server  50  identify subscriber  12  based, in part, upon path information  60  associated with the particular subscriber  12  and the particular virtual circuit  16  actually used by the access server  18  to receive the communication from the particular subscriber  12 . 
   A problem with prior communication systems is that a particular subscriber  12  may assume the identity of another subscriber  12 , such as by using a misappropriated user name and password, and thereby pirate the services of the other subscriber  12 . A particular advantage of the present invention is that path information  60  for a particular subscriber  12  is information that is generally not discoverable by another subscriber  12  and, therefore, is not easily misappropriated by other subscribers  12 . System  10 , therefore, overcomes the disadvantages of prior communication systems by identifying a particular subscriber  12  based, in part, upon path information  60  and the particular virtual circuit  16  used by access server  18  to receive a communication from the particular subscriber  12 . Accordingly, system  10  identifies subscribers  12  to support provisioning the proper services to the proper subscribers  12 . 
     FIG. 2  illustrates access server  18  in more detail. Virtual circuits  16  of communication network  14  couple to one or more interfaces  70 . Each interface  70  couples to an associated first port  72  of a switch fabric  74 . A number of route processors  76  couple to second ports  78  of switch fabric  74 . Route processors  76  also couple to interface  80 , which in turn couples to communication network  20 . In a particular embodiment, interfaces  70 , switch fabric  74 , route processors  76 , and interface  80  reside in a single housing, rack mount, or other arrangement of integrated or separate components at a single location in communication system  10 . 
   A controller  82  manages the overall operation of access server  18 . Controller  82  communicates information with components of access server  18  using bus  84 . A memory  86  coupled to controller  82  stores program instructions  88  and an access server identifier  90 . Interfaces  70 , switch fabric  74 , route processors  76 , and interface  80  access memory  86  directly using bus  84  or indirectly using controller  82 . Alternatively, information maintained in memory  86  may reside in different components of access server  18  or in components external to access server  18 . 
   Program instructions  88  include software code, parameters, protocols, and other instructions and data structures that controller  82  accesses and executes to generate and communicate a request  104 , such as an identification request, to information server  50 . Access server identifier  90  comprises any suitable information, such as a management IP address, uniquely identifying access server  18  to the other components of system  10 . 
   Each interface  70  comprises any suitable combination of hardware and software components that terminate virtual circuits  16  in access server  18 . In one embodiment, an interface  70  comprises one or more network line cards  92 , each network line card  92  having an interface identifier  94 . An interface identifier  94  may comprise a module identifier, a slot identifier, a port identifier, or any other suitable information used to identify an interface  70  uniquely within access server  18 . 
   Switch fabric  74  comprises any suitable combination of hardware and software components that directs, couples, and/or switches information communicated by subscribers  12  to a selected route processor  76  and/or controller  82 . Switch fabric  74  maintains virtual circuit identifiers  96  reported to it by one or more components of communication network  14 . Virtual circuit identifiers  96  may also reside in memory  86 . Virtual circuit identifiers  96  comprise any suitable information that uniquely identifies the virtual circuit  16  upon which a particular communication  102  is received from a particular subscriber  12  by access server  18 . In one embodiment, a virtual circuit identifier  96  may be defined using the VPI and VCI information for that portion of a particular virtual circuit  16  terminating in the access server  18 . 
   Each route processor  76  comprises any suitable combination of hardware and software components that perform termination, conversion, segmentation, reassembly, addressing, and other functions supported by routers, bridges, gateways, multiplexers, and other WAN and LAN networking devices. Each route processor  76  maintains a routing table  98 . Routing table  98  maintains information that allows route processor  76  to route information between communication network  14  using interface  70  and communication network  20  using interface  80  according to communication sessions established by access server  18  in response to identifying subscribers  12 . Routing table  98  is described in greater detail with reference to  FIG. 4 . 
   Interface  80  comprises any suitable combination of hardware and software components that communicate information received from route processors  76  to communication network  20  using any suitable communication protocols. Controller  82  couples to information server  50  using link  52  and comprises any suitable combination of hardware and software components that execute program instructions  88  to initiate the identification of subscribers  12  in system  10 . 
   In operation, access server  18  receives a communication  102  from subscriber  12  using a particular virtual circuit  16 . The virtual circuit identifier  96  for the virtual circuit  16  upon which communication  102  was received is determined by switch fabric  74 . Controller  82  receives and examines communication  102  to determine if it contains a request for services. For example, communication  102  may include a request for subscriber information  62  and/or a request for access to communication network  20 . 
   If communication  102  includes a request for services, controller  82  executes program instructions  88  to generate a request  104  for communication to information server  50  to identify the subscriber  12  that sent communication  102 . Controller  82  generates request  104  according to any suitable communication protocols used by information server  50 , such as TFTP, DHCP or RADIUS protocol. Request  104  includes any appropriately formatted or configured combination of request parameters, such as an appropriate access server identifier  90 , interface identifier  94 , and virtual circuit identifier  96 . 
   Information server  50  receives request  104  and identifies subscriber  12  based upon path information  60  and the request parameters included in request  104 . In particular, information server  50  identifies subscriber  12  if an entry exists in identification table  58  that is indexed by path information  60  corresponding to the request parameters included in request  104 . For example, if processor  54  locates an entry in identification table  58  indexed by path information  60  corresponding to the access server identifier  90 , the interface identifier  94 , and the virtual circuit identifier  96  communicated in request  104 , then processor  54  identifies subscriber  12 . 
   Upon identifying subscriber  12 , information server  50  and/or access server  18  provide the services requested by subscriber  12  in communication  102 . For example, information server  50  and/or access server  18  communicates particular subscriber information  62  to subscriber  12  using, for example, communication network  14 . In another example, access server  18  initiates a connection between subscriber  12  and communication network  20 , such as by establishing a communication session between subscriber  12  and one or more communication devices associated with communication network  20 . 
   A particular advantage provided by the present invention is that system  10  identifies subscribers  12  based upon “trusted” information to which subscribers  12  cannot readily gain access, such as path information  60 , access server identifiers  90 , interface identifiers  94 , and virtual circuit identifiers  96 . In this respect, subscriber  12  cannot access services designated for other subscribers  12  by misappropriating the user name and password of the other subscribers  12 . Therefore, the identification techniques of the present invention provide integrity to communication system  10 . 
     FIG. 3  illustrates the contents of identification table  58  stored in memory  56  of information server  50 . Each entry of identification table  58  includes path information  60  and subscriber information  62  for each subscriber  12 . In particular, path information  60  includes virtual circuit information  110 , interface information  112 , and access server information  114 . In one embodiment, path information  60  further includes user information  116 . 
   Virtual circuit information  110  identifies virtual circuits  16  assigned to subscribers  12 . In a particular embodiment, virtual circuit information  110  may include a VPI, a VCI, or any other information that uniquely identifies a virtual circuit  16  assigned to the corresponding subscriber  12 . As with virtual circuit identifiers  96 , virtual circuit information  110  may be defined using the VPI and VCI information for that portion of an assigned virtual circuit  16  terminating in the access server  18 . One particular ATM implementation includes an eight bit VPI and a sixteen bit VCI, as illustrated having two numbers separated by period. Another implementation includes decimal values for VPI and VCI separated by a slash. 
   Interface information  112  identifies interfaces  70  assigned to subscribers  12  to terminate the virtual circuits  16  identified by corresponding virtual circuit information  110 . In a particular embodiment, interface information  112  includes information identifying the slot, module, and port of a network line card  92  of interface  70 . Access server information  114  identifies access servers  18  assigned to subscribers  12  to terminate the virtual circuits  16  identified by corresponding virtual circuit information  110 . 
   User information  116  identifies user names and passwords assigned to the corresponding subscribers  12  and/or the users of subscribers  12 . For example, user information  116  may identify the user name and password for customer premises equipment associated with subscriber  12 . In another example, user information  116  may identify the user name and password for a user of a communication device, such as a computer, coupled to the customer premises equipment of subscriber  12 . In this respect, system  10  supports the identification of subscribers  12  and the users of subscribers  12 . 
   Subscriber information  62  comprises address information  118  and configuration information  120  that may be communicated to a corresponding subscriber  12  upon identification. Address information  118  includes a numerical or textual representation of one or more Internet protocol addresses, a network/node designation, netmask attributes, or any other network addresses used by subscriber  12  to communicate with communication network  20 . Configuration information  120  includes configuration files, firmware patches, or any other suitable information used to upgrade, monitor, modify, or otherwise operate subscribers  12 . 
   It should be understood that information  110 – 120  is arranged in separate columns of identification table  58  for illustrative purposes only, and that the contents of information  110 – 120  may be formatted or configured in any manner suitable for storage and/or communication using the communication protocols of information server  50 . For example, identification table  58  may store the contents of information  110 – 120  according to any suitable format or configuration associated with TFTP, DHCP or RADIUS protocol. If path information  60  is formatted according to a particular communication protocol associated with information server  50 , then it should be understood that the information communicated in request  104  may also be formatted in the particular communication protocol to support a consistent and accurate identification of subscribers  12 . 
   Information server  50  identifies a particular subscriber  12  based upon path information  60  and the request parameters communicated by access server  18  in request  104 . As described above, request  104  includes a virtual circuit identifier  96  of the particular virtual circuit  16  upon which access server  18  received communication  102 . Request  104  further includes an interface identifier  94  indicating the interface  70  terminating the virtual circuit  16  used by the subscriber  12  to send communication  102 . Request  104  also includes access server identifier  90  indicating the network address of the access server  18  receiving communication  102  from subscriber  12 . Processor  54  identifies the subscriber  12  that sent communication  102  if processor  54  identifies an entry in identification table  58  having virtual circuit information  110 , interface information  112 , and access server information  114  corresponding to the virtual circuit identifier  96 , interface identifier  94 , and access server identifier  90 , respectively, communicated in request  104 . 
   In one embodiment, request  104  further includes a user name and password sent by subscriber  12  in communication  102 . In this embodiment, processor  54  identifies an entry in identification table  58  indexed by user information  116  corresponding to the user name and password provided in request  104 . Processor  54  identifies subscriber  12  if the virtual circuit information  110 , interface information  112 , and access server information  114  associated with the identified user information  116  corresponds to the virtual circuit identifier  96 , interface identifier  94 , and access server identifier  90  communicated in request  104 . 
   Upon identifying the subscriber  12 , access server  18  and/or information server  50  provides the services requested by subscriber  12  in communication  102 . For example, access server  18  and/or information server  50  communicates the appropriate address information  118  and/or configuration information  120  to the corresponding subscriber  12  using, for example, communication network  14  or any other suitable link to subscriber  12 . In another example, access server  18  initiates the connection between subscriber  12  and communication network  20 , such as by establishing a communication session between subscriber  12  and one or more communication devices associated with communication network  20 , and by modifying routing table  98  to support the communication session. 
     FIG. 4  illustrates the contents of routing table  98  associated with route processors  76  of access server  18 . Each entry in routing table  98  includes session information  130 , address information  132 , mapping information  134 , address information  136 , and routing information  138 . Session information  130  is a unique or different designator assigned to each communication session initiated by access server  18  upon identification of a subscriber  12 . Address information  132  represents a network address used by the subscriber to connect to communication network  20  during a corresponding communication session. In one embodiment, address information  132  comprises address information  118  issued to subscriber  12  upon identification. 
   Mapping information  134  includes a VPI, a VCI, identifiers for ports associated with interface  80 , or any other information that enables interface  80  to convey information received from route processors  76  to communication network  20 . In a particular embodiment, interface  80  includes a switching capability that allows segmentation of communication network  20  for more efficient, modular, and fault tolerant communication. Information  134  may also be used by interface  80  to direct information received from communication devices associated with communication network  20  to a particular route processor  76 . 
   Address information  136  is a numerical or textual representation of an Internet protocol address, a network/node designation, or any other network address used to deliver information to a particular domain, communication device, or any other suitable recipient within communication network  20 . Route processor  76  may convert address information  136  for each session into an appropriate format, depending on the particular implementation of access server  18  and communication network  20 . 
   Routing information  138  includes routing information protocol (RIP) information, open-shortest-path-first (OSPF) information, or any other suitable routing information that provides the most efficient, available, or optimum path to communicate information to a particular communication device associated with communication network  20 . Routing information  138  identifies particular nodes, paths, or other intermediate devices that establish a desirable route to the appropriate destination communication device within communication network  20 . 
   Upon identification of a subscriber  12  as described with reference to  FIGS. 1–3 , access server  18  may establish and support a communication session between the identified subscriber  12  and communication network  20 . In particular, access server  18  creates an entry for subscriber  12  in routing table  98  having session information  130 , address information  132 , mapping information  134 , address information  136 , and routing information  138 , and supports the communication session according to information  130 – 138 . Upon the expiration of a communication session (e.g., time out, user termination, equipment malfunction) access server  18  removes the corresponding entry in routing table  98 . 
     FIG. 5  illustrates a flowchart of an exemplary method according to the present invention. The method begins at step  150  where information server  50  stores path information  60  in identification table  58 . Path information  60  includes virtual circuit information  110 , interface information  112 , and access server information  114 . Execution proceeds to step  152  where information server  50  stores subscriber information  62  indexed by path information  60 . Subscriber information  62  includes address information  118  and configuration information  120 . 
   Access server  18  receives communication  102  from a particular subscriber  12  at step  154 . Controller  82  of access server  18  determines the appropriate request parameters for communication  102  at step  156 , such as the appropriate access server identifier  90 , interface identifier  94 , and virtual circuit identifier  96 . Controller  82  generates and communicates request  104  at step  158 . Request  104  generally includes the request parameters determined at step  156 . 
   Processor  54  of information server  50  determines whether the subscriber  12  is identified at step  160 . In particular, processor  54  determines whether an entry in identification table  58  includes virtual circuit information  110 , interface information  112 , and access server information  114  corresponding to virtual circuit identifier  96 , interface identifier  94 , and access server identifier  90  communicated in request  104 . If not, execution proceeds to step  162  where information server  50  and/or access server  18  indicates to subscriber  12  that identification has failed. Execution then proceeds to step  154 . 
   If subscriber  12  is identified as determined at step  160 , execution proceeds to step  164  where access server  18  and/or information server  50  provide to subscriber  12  the requested services and/or information. In one example, access server  18  and/or information server  50  may communicate subscriber information  62  to subscriber  12 . In another example, access server  18  initiates a communication session between subscriber  12  and communication network  20 . Access server  18  determines whether it has received another communication  102  at step  166 . If so, execution returns to step  154 . If not, execution terminates at step  168 . 
   Although the present invention has been described in several embodiments, a myriad of changes, variations, alterations, transformations, and modifications may be suggested to one skilled in the art, and it is intended that the present invention encompass such changes, variations, alterations, transformations, and modifications as fall within the spirit and scope of the appended claims.