Method and apparatus for coordinating a change in service provider between a client and a server with identity based service access management

Abstract

A method of configuring a network access device connected to an access network connected to a plurality of service networks, the network device having a first network address allocated to a subscriber of services of a first service provider provided by a first service network, with a new network address allocated to a second subscriber of services of either the first service provider, or a second service provider provided by a second service network. The method comprises the steps of: sending a request from the network access device to the access network with user credentials for the second subscriber requesting access to the first service provider or a change to the second service provider; receiving a response from the access network; and initiating a network address change request using a configuration protocol. In this manner, a second network address allocated to the second subscriber of services of either the first or second service providers is assigned to the network access device to enable the network access device to communicate data packets to the service network providing the selected service.