According to a twenty-first aspect, an apparatus (for example, the apparatus may be a chip system) is provided. The apparatus includes a processor configured to support a residential gateway to implement a function related to the third aspect, for example, verifying validity of an access location of the residential gateway based on the first link information and the second link information. In a possible design, the apparatus further includes a memory. The memory is configured to store a program instruction and data that are required by the residential gateway. When the apparatus is a chip system, the apparatus may include a chip, or may include a chip and another discrete device.
For technical effects brought by any design manner in the sixteenth aspect to the twenty-first aspect, refer to technical effects brought by different design manners in the third aspect. Details are not described herein again.
According to a twenty-second aspect, an authentication system is provided. The authentication system includes a network device and a wireline access network device. The wireline access network device is configured to send first link information, where the first link information is used to represent an access location of a residential gateway. The network device is configured to receive the first link information. The network device is further configured to obtain subscription information of the residential gateway, where the subscription information of the residential gateway includes second link information of the residential gateway, and the second link information is used to represent a location of the residential gateway. The network device is further configured to verify validity of the access location of the residential gateway based on the first link information and the second link information.