A broadband multi-server proxy server (BMPS) enables customers to select an ISP
of their choice from the Internet. The BMPS has a database and is coupled to a
router. In operation, the cable customers register with a selected ISP of their
choice. The selected ISP sends the customers a customer ID, password, a log on
script and updates its database and the database of the BMPS with the customer
information. The BMPS sends a customer logon request to the requested ISP using
the customer ID, password and the BMPS as the source address for any customer message.
The ISP verifies the customer address against its database and updates the router
address tables to accept customer messages with the new address. Future customer
messages are sent directly to the selected ISP bypassing the standard Internet
DHCP protocol.
