Method and apparatus for authenticated quality of service reservation

• US 20030137944A1
• Filed: 01/24/2003
• Published: 07/24/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 01/24/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Google Technology Holdings LLC (Alphabet Inc.), Fag Kugelfischer Georg Schafer
• Original Assignee: General Instrument Corporation (CommScope Holding Company, Inc.)
• Inventors: Medvinsky, Alexander
• Granted Patent: US 7,656,794 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 370/252
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 47/70 Admission control; Resource allocation
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 47/724 at intermediate nodes, e.g. resource reservation protocol [RSVP]
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 47/805 QOS or priority aware
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 47/808 User-type aware
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/06 for supporting key management in a packet data network cryptographic mechanisms or cryptographic arrangements for key management H04L9/08
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/126 the source of the received data

Abstract

A method and apparatus for providing authenticated quality of service reservation in a communication system. According to one embodiment of the invention a signaling controller distributes keys for use by a first quality of service server and a router for establishing quality of service over a communication system.

Claims

1. A method of securing a quality of service reservation, the method comprising:

providing a signaling controller;

coupling said signaling controller with a first Quality of Service (QoS) server operable for establishing quality of service in a communication system;

coupling said QoS server with a router located on a local network of a user, wherein said router is coupled with a client computer operable for requesting a QoS reservation from said first QoS server;

wherein the user provides a key for use by said router.

2. The method as described in claim 1 and further comprising:

distributing said key to said signaling controller.

3. The method as described in claim 2 and further comprising:

the user communicating said key to a customer support representative.

4. The method as described in claim 2 wherein said distributing said key to said signaling controller comprises:

the user calling a customer support representative for said signaling controller and notifying the customer support representative of the value of said key.

5. The method as described in claim 2 wherein said distributing said key to said signaling controller comprises:

the user transmitting said key to a customer support representative via email.

6. The method as described in claim 3 wherein said customer support representative enters said key received from said user into a subscriber profile.

7. A method of securing a quality of service reservation, the method comprising:

providing a signaling controller;

coupling said signaling controller with a first Quality of Service (QoS) server operable for establishing quality of service in a communication system;

coupling said signaling controller with a router located on a local network of a user, wherein said router is coupled with a client computer operable for requesting a QoS reservation from said first QoS server;

wherein the user establishes a key for use by said router;

receiving from said user said key for use by said signaling controller;

receiving at said signaling controller a request from said client computer to authorize said first QoS server to provide said router with a QoS reservation;

conveying an authorization from said signaling controller to said first QoS server so as to authorize said first QoS server to provide said router with said QoS reservation;

wherein said conveying an authorization comprises conveying said key to said first QoS server.

8. The method as described in claim 7 and further comprising:

receiving a QoS reservation request at said first QoS server from said router.

9. The method as described in claim 7 and further comprising:

in response to receipt by said first QoS server of said QoS reservation request from said router, said first QoS server checking for said authorization received from said signaling controller; and

utilizing said key to authenticate said reservation request.

10. The method as described in claim 9 and further comprising:

conveying a reply to said router so as to grant said QoS reservation request.

11. The method as described in claim 10 and further comprising:

utilizing RSVP for said QoS reservation.

12. The method as described in claim 10 wherein said client computer is a media terminal adapter.

13. The method as described in claim 7 wherein a secure interface between said signaling controller and said QoS server comprises IPSEC.

14. The method as described in claim 7 wherein a secure interface between said signaling controller and said client computer comprises IPSEC.

15. The method as described in claim 7 and further comprising utilizing RSVP to implement the QoS reservation and wherein said key is an RSVP authentication key.

16. The method as described in claim 7 and further comprising implementing an IP telephony call with said QoS reservation.

17. The method as described in claim 16 wherein said client computer is a media terminal adapter.