MESSAGE, CONTROL AND REPORTING INTERFACE FOR A DISTRIBUTED NETWORK ACCESS SYSTEM

摘要

A network access system includes an external processor and a programmable access device (PAD) (40a, 40b). The external processor (42) transmits a control message to the PAD (40a, 40b) to establish a configuration of the PAD. The PAD then communicates messages to the external processor (42) for service processing in accordance with the configuration. To limit the communication of network messages from the PAD to the external processor, the PAD can send a message setting message inteface flags in the PAD. The external processor may also transmit a monitor control message to the PAD to establish a configuration of a monitor in the PAD. The PAD then communicates reporting messages to the external processor in response to the configuration of the monitor.