Broadband Device Protocol Conversion for eHRPD Dial-Up
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Solution Overview
Problem
Modem dial-up is not supported in eHRPD network environments due to terminal devices' lack of Extensible Authentication Protocol (EAP) authentication and Vendor-Specific Network Control Protocol (VSNCP) protocol support.
Innovation Solution
A broadband device processes EAP authentication fields in Link Control Protocol (LCP) messages to match the authentication protocols supported by both the terminal and the network, allowing for successful dial-up connections by converting between EAP, Password Authentication Protocol (PAP), and Challenge Handshake Authentication Protocol (CHAP) fields, and performs VSNCP negotiation to acquire an IP address.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the terminal device uses traditional authentication protocols (PAP/CHAP) in eHRPD network, then the terminal can maintain compatibility with existing protocols, but the terminal cannot complete authentication because the eHRPD network requires EAP authentication which the terminal does not support
Solution Approach 1:
The broadband device acts as an intermediary between the terminal and the eHRPD network. It receives LCP request messages from the terminal, converts the authentication protocol from PAP/CHAP to EAP, and forwards the converted messages to the network. This intermediary function resolves the protocol incompatibility without requiring terminal modification.
Solution Approach 2:
The broadband device changes the authentication protocol parameter from PAP/CHAP to EAP during message conversion. By modifying the protocol type in the LCP messages, the system enables EAP authentication to occur between the network and broadband device, while the terminal continues to use its native PAP/CHAP protocol.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the terminal device is modified to support EAP authentication and VSNCP protocol, then the terminal can perform dial-up in eHRPD network, but the device complexity and modification costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The broadband device serves as a protocol translation intermediary, eliminating the need to modify the terminal. It handles the complex EAP authentication and VSNCP protocol processing, while the terminal maintains its original simple PAP/CHAP implementation.
Solution Approach 2:
The system functionality is segmented between the terminal and broadband device. The terminal handles basic PPP connection establishment, while the broadband device handles the complex eHRPD-specific protocols (EAP authentication and VSNCP), distributing the complexity burden.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the broadband device performs protocol conversion between EAP and PAP/CHAP, then authentication compatibility is achieved, but the processing complexity of the broadband device increases
Solution Approach 1:
The broadband device is designed with multi-functionality to handle both PAP/CHAP and EAP authentication protocols. It can receive PAP/CHAP from the terminal, convert to EAP for the network, and also perform reverse conversion for response messages, making it universally compatible with both protocol types.
4Ease of manufacture
If existing terminals are used without modification in eHRPD network, then the terminal cost remains low, but the terminal cannot establish dial-up connection due to protocol incompatibility
Solution Approach 1:
The broadband device acts as a protocol translation intermediary, eliminating the need to modify the terminal. It handles the complex EAP authentication and VSNCP protocol processing, while the terminal maintains its original simple PAP/CHAP implementation.
Data Source
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AI summary
The present invention provides a method and a broadband device for modem dial-up. The method includes: receiving, by a broadband device, a first Link Control Protocol LCP request message of a wireless network side device; processing an Extensible Authentication Protocol EAP authentication field of the first LCP request message into an authentication field supported by a dial-up terminal; sending the processed first LCP request message to the dial-up terminal; receiving a first LCP response message returned by the dial-up terminal; processing an authentication field of the first LCP response message into an authentication field supported by the wireless network side device; sending the processed first LCP response message to the wireless network side device; and acquiring an Internet Protocol IP address from the wireless network side device, and sending the IP address to the dial-up terminal. In this way, a dial-up terminal can perform communication with an eHRPD network by using an existing protocol.