Conditional WiFi Roaming via Access Control Server
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Solution Overview
Problem
Managing seamless connectivity and operator control in a large number of WiFi hotspots becomes increasingly difficult as mobile terminals roam across multiple networks, requiring efficient access control mechanisms to facilitate both operator management and mobile terminal access.
Innovation Solution
A method and system where a mobile terminal, pre-provided with credentials, uses an application with a service part to connect to an access control server that creates and maintains an Extensible Authentication Protocol (EAP) account for a predetermined time period, allowing valid authentication and access to a wireless network, with an optional active access control server for enhanced security.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the number of WiFi hotspots is increased to provide seamless connectivity in roaming environments, then mobile terminal access to networks is improved, but operator control and network management difficulty worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an access control server as an intermediary between mobile terminals and WiFi hotspots. This server centralizes authentication and authorization management, allowing operators to control access to multiple hotspots without managing each one individually. The access control server receives credentials from terminals, validates them against authorized lists, and manages the authentication process across the entire network, thereby reducing operational complexity while maintaining extensive network coverage.
2Reliability
If operator control over network access is enhanced through centralized management, then network security and control are improved, but terminal access speed and convenience worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements pre-authentication where mobile terminals provide credentials in advance before actual network access is needed. The access control server pre-validates these credentials and maintains authorization state, so that when terminals actually need to access the network, the authentication process is already prepared or can be rapidly completed. This preliminary preparation reduces access time while maintaining strong operator control through centralized credential validation.
3Ease of operation
If centralized access control servers are deployed to manage roaming terminals, then operator management capability is improved, but system complexity and infrastructure requirements worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The access control server is designed as a universal system that handles multiple functions: authentication of mobile terminals, authorization to specific networks, credential validation, and session management. By consolidating these diverse functions into a single multi-functional server, the patent reduces the need for separate specialized systems for each function, thereby managing infrastructure complexity while enhancing operator management capability across the entire roaming network.
Data Source
AI summary
The embodiments herein relate to a mobile terminal and a method for accessing a wireless network in a roaming environment, the mobile terminal being pre-provided with credentials to access the wireless network, the mobile terminal further being provided with an application, said application includes a service part and an application part. The mobile terminal is configured to: send a request to a EAP server, the request including the credentials of the mobile terminal; connect the service part of the application to an access control server which adds/creates an EAP account for the mobile terminal for a predetermined time period; and to access the wireless network when the EAP server validly authenticates the credentials of the mobile terminal. The embodiments also relate to a method in the access control server and to the server.