GUSS Timestamp Verification for Wireless Data Transfer
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Solution Overview
Problem
In wireless communications systems, the frequent transfer of Generic Bootstrapping Architecture User Security Settings (GUSS) between a Bootstrapping Server Function (BSF) and a Home Subscriber Server (HSS leads to unnecessary bandwidth and resource waste, as the HSS sends updated GUSS every time a new authentication vector is requested, even if the BSF already has a valid copy.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a timestamp parameter (GUSSTIMESTAMP) with the GUSS to determine its validity, allowing the HSS to only send the GUSS if the timestamp stored in the BSF differs from the one in the HSS, thereby minimizing unnecessary data transfers and optimizing traffic load.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the HSS sends updated GUSS every time a new authentication vector is requested, then the BSF always has the latest security settings, but unnecessary bandwidth and resource waste occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The BSF includes the timestamp of its currently stored GUSS in the authentication vector request to the HSS. This preliminary action allows the HSS to determine in advance whether the BSF needs an updated GUSS, avoiding unnecessary data transfers when the BSF already has valid data.
Solution Approach 2:
The HSS compares the timestamp received from the BSF with its own stored GUSS timestamp and provides feedback by either sending an updated GUSS or indicating that the current one is still valid. This feedback mechanism ensures the BSF receives updated security settings only when necessary.
2Loss of information
If the HSS sends updated GUSS with every authentication vector request, then data freshness is ensured, but network traffic load increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the timestamp parameter from the GUSS data and uses it as a separate indicator of data freshness. This allows the HSS to verify data freshness without transferring the entire GUSS data structure, reducing network traffic while ensuring data is current when needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the parameter being transferred from the complete GUSS data to just the timestamp parameter. This parameter change allows the system to verify data freshness with minimal data transfer, improving network efficiency while maintaining data freshness guarantees.
3Loss of energy
If timestamp verification is implemented to reduce unnecessary GUSS transfers, then bandwidth is saved, but additional processing steps are required
Solution Approach 1:
The BSF copies its stored GUSS timestamp into the authentication vector request message. This simple copying operation allows the HSS to perform verification without requiring complex processing, as the timestamp is already in a comparable format and can be directly compared with the HSS's stored timestamp.
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus and method for sharing data in a communications system include a bootstrapping server function (BSF) configured to transmit a first message. The first message includes a timestamp parameter corresponding to a generic bootstrapping architecture user security settings (GUSS) stored in the BSF. A home subscriber server (HSS) is configured to receive the first message, to compare the timestamp parameter corresponding to the GUSS stored in the BSF with a timestamp parameter corresponding to a GUSS stored in the HSS, and to transmit a second message back to the BSF excluding the GUSS when the timestamp parameters of the GUSS of the BSF and the HSS are equal.