Ethernet-based broadband access network nodes like an IP DSLAM are required to provide many new Ethernet/IP-based features for, e.g., end user device autoconfiguration by DHCP, authentication and authorization based on IEEE 802.1 X, and multicast distribution. At control plane, a lot of information exchange is needed to configure, administer, and control these features and services. Cost-effective access network and system structures highly depend on an efficient and optimized feature positioning. ACIP is a new Access Control and Information Protocol which enables optimized, cost-effective functional decomposition of features without loosing feature options and supports optimized feature positioning. It provides transport of configuration and control information in Ethernet networks, e.g., for providing DSL line identification used for DHCP relay agent option 82 to centralized systems and for transmitting control information to remotely control DSL user ports by a centralized 802.1 X authentication mechanism. ACIP is designed for being as simple as possible and open for new extensions to provide future network control functions.
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