Abstract: A system for identifying a subscriber includes an access server coupled to a number of subscribers using a first communication network and further coupled to a second communication network, a memory coupled to the access server, and a processor coupled to the memory. The access server receives a communication from a particular subscriber using a particular one of a number of virtual circuits associated with the first communication network. The memory stores path information that identifies a virtual circuit assigned to the particular subscriber. The processor identifies the particular subscriber for connection to the second communication network based upon the path information and the particular virtual circuit used to receive the communication from the particular subscriber.

Abstract: A network management system has a bus and a system controller connected to the bus. The bus has a plurality of fixed ports, where each of the ports is capable of connecting a router card to the system controller. A method of sending a file from the system controller to a router card includes receiving a request packet from the router card where the request packet includes a file type and the port address, identifying the file from the file type and the port address, and sending the file to the router card. The system controller has a memory storing the location of files associated with each of the port addresses, a request receiver for receiving a request for a file of a file type from a router card, an identifier for identifying a file, and a sender for sending the identified file to the router card.