Patent ID: 7296152

Claim:
A method for authenticating an end user in a network environment comprising: positioning an identification element in a first device that is configured to provide an interface for an end user, wherein the first device is further configured to communicate with an internet protocol (IP) network and with a second device whereby the first and second devices achieve synchronization with each other, and whereby data propagate between the first and second devices; authenticating the end user with a selected one of the first and second devices through the IP network using the identification element such that the end user operate the first and second devices in multiple access networks that cooperate to provide connectivity to the end user, each of the access networks operable to facilitate communications between the end user and the IP network; and configuring each of the first and second devices to designate a preference for a selected one of the access networks, wherein the preference is invoked as a default for the end user unless another one of the access networks is selected by the end user.