Re-authentication Timer for User Equipment PDN Access
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Solution Overview
Problem
In 4G wireless networks, there is a security risk as devices can access multiple PDNs without re-authentication, potentially allowing unauthorized users to maintain access indefinitely, posing a threat to network security.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a re-authentication timer mechanism where user equipment (UE) must re-authenticate after a specified period to access additional PDNs, with the Mobility Management Entity (MME) requesting re-authentication information if the timer expires, ensuring secure access.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If re-authentication is required for each PDN access, then network security is improved, but user access efficiency deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary authentication when the UE first accesses a PDN, and then maintains this authentication state without requiring re-authentication for subsequent PDN accesses within the same session. This preliminary action establishes security upfront while avoiding repeated authentication overhead during normal operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The authentication state is maintained continuously across multiple PDN accesses without interruption. Once authenticated for a PDN, the UE can access other PDNs without breaking or resetting the authentication state, ensuring continuous useful action (access rights) without repeated authentication steps.
2Productivity
If no re-authentication is required, then user access efficiency is improved, but network security deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary authentication when the UE first accesses a PDN, and then maintains this authentication state without requiring re-authentication for subsequent PDN accesses within the same session. This preliminary action establishes security upfront while avoiding repeated authentication overhead during normal operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The authentication state is maintained continuously across multiple PDN accesses without interruption. Once authenticated for a PDN, the UE can access other PDNs without breaking or resetting the authentication state, ensuring continuous useful action (access rights) without repeated authentication steps.
3Reliability
If re-authentication timer is implemented, then network security is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The MME acts as an intermediary that manages the re-authentication timer and authentication state. Rather than implementing complex re-authentication logic in the UE itself, the MME serves as a mediator that handles timer management and coordinates authentication across PDN accesses, simplifying the UE's implementation.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses feedback from the MME about timer status and authentication state to guide UE behavior. The MME provides feedback information that tells the UE when re-authentication is needed and maintains the authentication state, reducing the complexity of autonomous re-authentication logic in the UE.
Data Source
AI summary
A device receives, from a user equipment (UE), a first request to access a first packet data network (PDN), and receives authentication information from the UE. The device also grants, based on the first request, the UE access to the first PDN when the authentication information authenticates the UE. The device further receives, from the UE, a second request to access a second PDN, and determines whether a re-authentication timer associated with the second PDN has expired before granting the UE access to the second PDN.