Method for discovering neighbor networks in mobile station and network system for enabling the method
First Claim
1. A network management server of a wireless network system, the server comprising:
- a neighborhood (NH) database configured to maintain capability/configuration information with respect to at least one neighbor network;
a communication interface configured to receive a request message for the capability/configuration information of a neighbor network or all of neighbor networks from a mobile station, which is connected via a predetermined access point or a predetermined base station; and
a database management unit configured toextract the capability/configuration information of the neighbor network, which is included in the request message, or of all of the neighbor networks, from the NH database, andcontrol a reply message comprising the capability/configuration information to be transmitted to the mobile station via the communication interface, the capability/configuration information comprising a network access server (NAS) identification (ID) of an access point or a base station of the neighbor network,wherein the mobile station receives beacon information comprising a media access control (MAC) address of the access point or the base station of the neighbor network, and the request messageincludes the MAC address when the reply message is to comprise the capability/configuration information of the neighbor network, anddoes not include the MAC address when the reply message is to comprise the capability/configuration information of all of the neighbor networks.
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Accused Products
Abstract
The present invention relates to a wireless network, and more particularly, a method (*“and system”?*) which a mobile station discovers a neighbor network in an Internet protocol based wireless network, a network management server for enabling the method, and a method of operating the network management server. A network management server of a wireless network system, the server including: a neighborhood (NH) database maintaining configuration information with respect to at least one neighbor network; a communication interface receiving a request message for capability/configuration information of the neighbor network from a mobile station which is connected via a predetermined access point or a base station; and a database management unit extracting the capability/configuration information of the neighbor network which is included in the request message by referring to the neighborhood database, and controlling a reply message including the capability/configuration information to be transmitted to the mobile station via the communication interface.
28 Citations
28 Claims
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1. A network management server of a wireless network system, the server comprising:
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a neighborhood (NH) database configured to maintain capability/configuration information with respect to at least one neighbor network; a communication interface configured to receive a request message for the capability/configuration information of a neighbor network or all of neighbor networks from a mobile station, which is connected via a predetermined access point or a predetermined base station; and a database management unit configured to extract the capability/configuration information of the neighbor network, which is included in the request message, or of all of the neighbor networks, from the NH database, and control a reply message comprising the capability/configuration information to be transmitted to the mobile station via the communication interface, the capability/configuration information comprising a network access server (NAS) identification (ID) of an access point or a base station of the neighbor network, wherein the mobile station receives beacon information comprising a media access control (MAC) address of the access point or the base station of the neighbor network, and the request message includes the MAC address when the reply message is to comprise the capability/configuration information of the neighbor network, and does not include the MAC address when the reply message is to comprise the capability/configuration information of all of the neighbor networks. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 25, 26, 27, 28)
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11. A method of discovering and connecting to a neighbor network for a mobile station, the method comprising:
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receiving beacon information from the neighbor network; identifying the neighbor network by using the beacon information; transmitting a request message for capability/configuration information of the neighbor network or all of neighbor networks to a network management server via a predetermined access point or a predetermined base station; receiving a reply message comprising the capability/configuration information with respect to the neighbor network or all of the neighbor networks from the network management server, the capability/configuration information comprising a network access server (NAS) identification (ID) of an access point or a base station of the neighbor network; and establishing a three-way handshake with the neighbor network based on the received capability/configuration information to provide a substantially seamless transition in service for the mobile station, wherein the beacon information comprises a media access control (MAC) address of the access point or the base station of the neighbor network, and the request message includes the MAC address when the reply message is to comprise the capability/configuration information of the neighbor network, and does not include the MAC address when the reply message is to comprise the capability/configuration information of all of the neighbor networks. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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21. A non-transitory computer-readable recording medium storing a program for implementing a neighbor network discovery and connection method for a mobile station comprising:
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receiving beacon information from the neighbor network; identifying the neighbor network by using the beacon information; transmitting a request message for capability/configuration information of the neighbor network or all of neighbor networks to a network management server via a predetermined access point or a predetermined base station; receiving a reply message comprising the capability/configuration information with respect to the neighbor network or all of the neighbor networks from the network management server, the capability/configuration information comprising a network access server (NAS) identification (ID) of an access point or a base station of the neighbor network; and establishing a three-way handshake with the neighbor network based on the received capability/configuration information to provide a substantially seamless transition in service for the mobile station, wherein the beacon information comprises a media access control (MAC) address of the access point or the base station of the neighbor network, and the request message includes the MAC address when the reply message is to comprise the capability/configuration information of the neighbor network, and does not include the MAC address when the reply message is to comprise the capability/configuration information of all of the neighbor networks.
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22. A method of providing neighbor network information, the method comprising:
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maintaining a neighborhood (NH) database recording capability/configuration information with respect to at least one neighbor network, which is located around a network management server; receiving a request message for the capability/configuration information of a neighbor network or all of neighbor networks from a mobile station, which is connected via a predetermined access point or a predetermined base station; extracting the capability/configuration information of the neighbor network, which is included in the request message, or of all of the neighbor networks, from the NH database; and transmitting a reply message comprising the capability/configuration information to the mobile station, the capability/configuration information comprising a network access server (NAS) identification (ID) of an access point or a base station of the neighbor network, wherein the mobile station receives beacon information comprising a media access control (MAC) address of the access point or the base station of the neighbor network, and the request message includes the MAC address when the reply message is to comprise the capability/configuration information of the neighbor network, and, does not include the MAC address when the reply message is to comprise the capability/configuration information of all of the neighbor networks. - View Dependent Claims (23)
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24. A non-transitory computer-readable recording medium storing a program for implementing a method of providing neighbor network information, the method comprising:
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maintaining a neighborhood (NH) database recording capability/configuration information with respect to at least one neighbor network, which is located around a network management server; receiving a request message for the capability/configuration information of a neighbor network or all of neighbor networks from a mobile station, which is connected via a predetermined access point or a predetermined base station; extracting the capability/configuration information of the neighbor network, which is included in the request message, or of all of the neighbor networks, from the NH database; and transmitting a reply message comprising the capability/configuration information to the mobile station, the capability/configuration information comprising a network access server (NAS) identification (ID) of an access point or a base station of the neighbor network, wherein the mobile station receives beacon information comprising a media access control (MAC) address of the access point or the base station of the neighbor network, and request message includes the MAC address when the reply message is to comprise the capability/configuration information of the neighbor network, and does not include the MAC address when the reply message is to comprise the capability/configuration information of all of the neighbor networks.
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Specification