| 摘要 |
A method and apparatus enables a Network Access Server (NAS) (220) in conjunction with a telecommunications switch (142) to combine computer protocols with telecommunications signaling. For instance, a Point-to-Point Protocol (PPP) (300) is combined with B-Answer (410) and B-on-Hook (510) signals. When a subscriber (205) dials into a NAS (220) to access a private network (166) (e.g., the Internet), the various phases of a PPP (300) are addressed. The network phase (340) provides communication throughput from the subscriber (205) to the Internet. According to a first aspect of the present invention, a B-Answer signal (410) is sent to the telecommunications network after the network phase (340) is entered. According to a second aspect of the present invention, a B-on-Hook signal (510) is sent to the telecommunications network approximately as the "Closing" transition of the PPP (300) occurs. Telecommunications network billing therefore occurs as a result of, and in direct proportion to, Internet communication provided to the subscriber (205). |
