Abstract: A method and apparatus for providing notification to a client that an access server is on-line during a communication session is disclosed. The client and the access server execute an embedded protocol, such as telnet, to define the communication session. The protocol defines a negotiation-style communication session in which a client issues a request and a server must issue a mandatory acknowledgment that identifies how the request is handled. A command option is sent from the client to the access server, wherein the option is an invalid telnet option. The access server responds, indicating that the option is invalid. The access server's response provides a positive indication to the client that the access server is on-line. The process can be repeated frequently without requiring any significant system resources.