Femtocell Bootstrap Server Authentication
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Solution Overview
Problem
Femtocells, particularly those connected to WiMAX or WiFi networks, face challenges in being initialized and recognized by wireless service providers, as they often require manual provisioning and cannot automatically join an operator's network, limiting indoor wireless service coverage.
Innovation Solution
A method for pre-provisioning femtocells with credentials and using a bootstrap server to facilitate automatic authentication and configuration, enabling them to connect securely to the operator's network by discovering and establishing connections through DNS or DHCP, and obtaining necessary configuration parameters for operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If manual provisioning is used for femtocell initialization, then authentication security is maintained, but deployment complexity and time consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The femtocell access point is pre-provisioned with authentication credentials and configuration parameters before deployment. This preliminary action stores security information in the device, enabling automatic authentication without manual intervention during deployment, thus resolving the contradiction between security and deployment complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The femtocell access point automatically performs authentication and network attachment using pre-stored credentials without requiring manual configuration. The device serves itself by autonomously completing the initialization process, eliminating the need for operator intervention while maintaining security through pre-provisioned credentials
2Loss of time
If automatic initialization is implemented for femtocells, then deployment time is reduced, but network security requirements become more stringent
Solution Approach 1:
Authentication credentials and security parameters are pre-provisioned in the femtocell access point before deployment. This advance preparation enables automatic authentication without manual intervention, reducing deployment time while maintaining security through pre-configured credentials
Solution Approach 2:
A bootstrap server acts as an intermediary between the femtocell access point and the operator's network. The server facilitates automatic authentication by verifying pre-provisioned credentials and providing configuration parameters, enabling fast deployment while maintaining network security through controlled authentication
3Extent of automation
If pre-provisioning with credentials is performed, then automatic network attachment is enabled, but initial device configuration complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The femtocell access point is pre-provisioned with authentication credentials and configuration parameters during manufacturing or before deployment. This preliminary configuration enables the device to automatically attach to the operator's network without requiring complex initial setup, resolving the contradiction between automation and configuration complexity
Data Source
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AI summary
A femtocell may be initialized on a network by automatically contacting a network service provider. The access point then automatically downloads an initial configuration from a bootstrap server belonging to the network service provider. In some cases, a femtocell access point may automatically determine, after boot up, whether it was pre-provisioned with credentials to authenticate itself with the network service provider. If so, it may use a domain name service to obtain an address of a bootstrap server. Otherwise, it may use dynamic host configuration protocol to discover the bootstrap server's Internet Protocol address.