INTERNET/INTRANET ACCESS MECHANISM

摘要

A method for connecting one of several customer premises equipment (CPE) via an ATM network to one of several service providers (SP). Each CPE is connected to the ATM network via a corresponding network termination point (NT). There is an access server function (ASF), having a permanent virtual connection (PVC) to each NT and a connection to each SP. A tunnelling protocol is established on the permanent virtual connection between each NT and the ASF. The tunnelling protocol is able to support an integrated signalling protocol. The CPE or its user selects an appropriate SP by using the integrated signalling protocol. Routing from the CPE to the selected SP is performed by the ASF. The ASF connects the CPE to the selected SP using the integrated signalling protocol.