Abstract: A remote access server and method for using the remote access server in a packet network. In one embodiment, the remote access server includes a packet switch fabric, a packet network server and a dial access server. The packet network server has a first port for sending and receiving packet-based signals with the packet switch fabric and a second port for sending and receiving packet-based signals with the packet network. The dial access server has a port for sending and receiving packet-based signals with the packet switch fabric and the dial access server has a first digital signal processor for performing signal processing on the packet-based signals. The packet switch fabric transfers packet-based signals among the packet network server, and the dial access server. In a further embodiment, the dial access server includes a second digital signal processor for performing signal processing on the packet-based signals.

Abstract: The network negotiates user protocols, classes, and options between a calling user and a called user using the results to determine an optimal method of user information transport. A strategy for determining the optimal user information transport method from negotiated user protocols, classes and options includes querying the destination edge for destination related PC&O, sending this information back to the source and subsequently proceeding with traditional source to destination call processing.