Authentication Element for WLAN Roaming Federation Network Selection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current wireless local area network (WLAN) roaming technologies, such as OpenRoaming, face challenges in managing client devices connecting to multiple access networks due to the lack of bilaterally exchanged information between identity providers (IdPs) and access network providers (ANPs), leading to suboptimal network selection and increased complexity.
Innovation Solution
The proposed solution involves a computer-implemented method that enables an authentication element for an identity provider to obtain access network information for neighboring access networks, determine alternative access networks or identity provider profiles based on this information and roaming criteria, and facilitate the client device's connection to these alternatives.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If OpenRoaming is implemented to enable WLAN roaming, then client devices can connect to multiple access networks, but the lack of bilaterally exchanged information between identity providers and access network providers leads to suboptimal network selection
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an authentication element as an intermediary that collects access network information from multiple sources (access networks, client devices) and provides recommendations to the client device. This mediator resolves the information asymmetry between identity providers and access network providers by centralizing information gathering and processing, enabling informed network selection without requiring direct bilateral information exchange between all parties
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements feedback mechanisms where the authentication element receives access network information from various sources, processes it against roaming criteria, and provides recommendations back to the client device. This feedback loop enables continuous optimization of network selection based on current network conditions, client device capabilities, and roaming policies
2Reliability
If more access network information is collected and processed, then more informed network selection can be made, but the complexity of managing this information increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the complex information processing functionality from the client device and places it in the authentication element. The authentication element takes out the burden of collecting, processing, and analyzing access network information, while the client device only needs to receive and act on simple recommendations. This extraction reduces client device complexity while maintaining high network selection quality
Solution Approach 2:
The authentication element serves as an intermediary that handles the complexity of information management. It collects information from multiple sources, processes it against roaming criteria, and provides simplified recommendations to the client device. This intermediary approach centralizes complexity management while keeping the client device simple
Data Source
AI summary
Presented herein are techniques associated with providing an alternative network indication to a client device in a wireless local area network (WLAN) roaming federation. In one example a method is provided that may include obtaining access network information for each of a plurality of access networks that neighbor a first access network through connection of a client device with the first access network involving a first identity provider profile; determining an alternative access network with which the client device is recommended to seek connection or an alternative identity provider profiles with which the client device is recommended to connect to the first access network; and enabling the client device to initiate a connection with the alternative access network or to re-initiate a connection with the first access network utilizing the alternative identity provider profile.