Mobile Station Identifier Assignment for Concurrent Network Access
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing network services systems often restrict concurrent access from multiple mobile nodes using the same user identifier, limiting simultaneous access and complicating subscriber management and billing.
Innovation Solution
A method and system that assign an Internet Protocol (IP) address based on both the user identifier and the mobile node identifier, allowing simultaneous access from separate mobile nodes by appending the mobile station identifier (MSID) to the registration request (RRQ) and forwarding it to the home agent for IP address assignment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If an IP address is assigned based only on user identifier, then subscriber management is simplified, but concurrent access from multiple mobile nodes is not allowed
Solution Approach 1:
The IP address assignment is segmented into two components: user identifier and mobile node identifier. This segmentation allows the system to distinguish between different mobile nodes accessing from the same user, enabling concurrent access while maintaining simplified subscriber management through the use of a single user identifier for billing and management purposes.
Solution Approach 2:
The system transitions from a one-dimensional IP address assignment (based solely on user identifier) to a two-dimensional assignment (combining user identifier with mobile node identifier). This dimensional expansion resolves the contradiction by adding the mobile node dimension without complicating the user management dimension, allowing multiple mobile nodes to access simultaneously while preserving simplified subscriber management.
2Productivity
If IP address is assigned based on both user identifier and mobile node identifier, then simultaneous access from separate mobile nodes is allowed, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The mobile station identifier is appended to the registration request in advance, before the request reaches the home agent. This preliminary action ensures that the home agent receives complete information for IP address assignment without needing to perform additional queries or processing, thereby enabling simultaneous access while minimizing the increase in system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The registration request serves as an intermediary carrier that transports both the user identifier and mobile node identifier from the mobile node to the home agent. This intermediary mechanism efficiently conveys necessary identification information without requiring complex direct communication protocols between components, thus enabling simultaneous access with minimal added complexity.
3Ease of operation
If multiple individuals use the same user identifier, then subscriber management is simplified, but concurrent access from different mobile nodes is restricted
Solution Approach 1:
Access authorization is segmented into two independent verification stages: user identifier verification (for subscriber management and billing) and mobile node identifier verification (for access control). This segmentation maintains the simplicity of using a single user identifier for multiple individuals while ensuring reliable access authorization by also verifying the mobile node identifier, thus resolving the contradiction between management simplicity and access reliability.
Data Source
AI summary
A method for providing network services includes receiving a mobile station identifier (MSID) from a mobile node at a packet data serving node. The packet data serving node is operable to communicate with the mobile node. The method includes receiving a registration request (RRQ) from the mobile node and appending the MSID to the RRQ. The method includes forwarding the RRQ to a home agent. The home agent is operable to communicate with the packet data serving node. The method also includes receiving an Internet Protocol (IP) address from the home agent. The IP address corresponds to the MSID. The MSID may be included in a normal vendor specific extension (NVSE) constructed by the packet data serving node. Appending the MSID to the RRQ may comprise appending the NVSE to the RRQ.