Authentication of a wlan connection using gprs/umts infrastructure
First Claim
1. A method for establishing a signaling connection between a client terminal and a communications network, the method comprising the steps of:
- establishing an authentication connection between the client terminal and the communications network;
transmitting an authentication message from the communications network to the client terminal;
transmitting set-up parameters from the communications network to the client terminal, the set-up parameters including information for establishing a signaling connection tunnel between the client terminal and the communications network for transferring control data;
establishing the control data signaling connection tunnel using the set-up parameters;
transmitting signaling information between the client terminal and the communications network via the control data signal connection tunnel; and
closing the authentication connection.
2 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A method for communicating between a cellular system and a client terminal such as a mobile terminal by way of a standard wireless LAN and the Internet allows data communications to traverse the core of the cellular network, thereby allowing monitoring of the time and volume usage by the subscriber for billing purposes. The mobile terminal has a communication protocol for communicating with the wireless LAN, over which is a EAP/EAPOL protocol. A Radio Adaptation Layer protocol overlies the EAP/EAPOL protocol. At the cellular system, a Serving GPRS Support Node establishes initial control contact with the mobile terminal by way of EAP/EAPOL. During authentication, the Support Node gives the mobile terminal parameters for an alternative tunnel connection. Once authorization is complete, the mobile terminal closes the EAP/EAPOL connection and opens a new connection tunnel to the Support Node using the parameters.
36 Citations
20 Claims
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1. A method for establishing a signaling connection between a client terminal and a communications network, the method comprising the steps of:
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establishing an authentication connection between the client terminal and the communications network;
transmitting an authentication message from the communications network to the client terminal;
transmitting set-up parameters from the communications network to the client terminal, the set-up parameters including information for establishing a signaling connection tunnel between the client terminal and the communications network for transferring control data;
establishing the control data signaling connection tunnel using the set-up parameters;
transmitting signaling information between the client terminal and the communications network via the control data signal connection tunnel; and
closing the authentication connection. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A method for implementing communications, said method comprising the steps of:
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providing a wireless local area network access point having protocol stacks;
initially establishing an EAP/EAPOL connection by way of said wireless local area network access point between a mobile terminal and a cellular system server for the flow of authentication and control information including parameters for a control data signaling connection tunnel;
following authentication by said server, closing said EAP/EAPOL connection and opening a corresponding control data signaling connection tunnel using said parameters. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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18. A method for operating a client terminal to establish a control connection to a communications network, said method comprising the steps of:
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from said client terminal, establishing an authentication connection between said client terminal and said communications network, and requesting authentication;
at said client terminal, receiving an authentication message from said communication network, said authentication message including set-up parameters defining a control data signaling connection tunnel between said client terminal and said communications network;
from said client terminal, setting up said control data signaling connection tunnel by use of said set-up parameters;
transmitting control information between said client terminal and said communications network via said control data signaling connection tunnel; and
closing said authentication connection. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20)
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Specification