A network device such as a combination ONU-DSLAM deployed outside the
central office includes a wireless transceiver to enable a technician to
interface with the network device over a wireless control channel. This
allows the technician to monitor, interrogate, and control the network
device to ascertain performance of the network or the network device and
cause the network device to perform particular desired operations.
Additionally, providing a wireless interface enables the network
technician to fix specific perceived problems in the network device, such
as by uploading new software to the network device, to enable the network
device to have increased functionality or more reliable performance.
Infra-red, wireless, powerline, or another technology may be used to
interface with the network device. The wireless access port may also
enable subscribers to access the network, for example by causing the
network device to act as an 802.11 hot spot.