Method of authenticating a channel authorization using a network access device in a combined broadcasting and communication system

Abstract

A method of authenticating a channel authorization using a NAD (Network Access Device) in a combined broadcasting and communication system is provided. The method can process an authorization of a user independently from an AAA (Authentication, Authorization and Accounting) server. The system includes a plurality of STBs (Set Top Boxes) for receiving a broadcasting, an OLT (Optical Line Terminal)/ONU (Optical Network Unit) for transferring a broadcasting stream to the STBs, and the AAA server for a channel authentication. In operation, the NAD determines whether to switch the broadcasting stream to the STBs in the ONU, and the NAD is initialized by receiving and storing authentication information of the channel authorization from the AAA server when booting the NAD. Next, the NAD performs an authentication using the stored authentication information of the channel authorization in accordance with a channel request from the STB and then switches the requested channel when approved. The authentication information is updated and stored in accordance with an update signal of the authentication information of the channel authorization from the AAA server.