A uniform AAA handling scheme for heterogeneous networking environments

• Published in: 2009 IEEE 34th Conference on Local Computer Networks pp. 683 - 687
• Main Authors: Granlund, D., Andersson, K., Elkotob, M., Ahlund, C.
• Format: Conference Proceeding
• Language: English
• Published: IEEE 01.10.2009
• Series: Conference on Local Computer Networks. Proceedings
• Subjects: Access control; Access protocols; accounting; Authentication; Authorization; Conferences; Data security; Distribuerade datorsystem; heterogeneous networking environments; Home automation; Mobile and Pervasive Computing; Mobile radio mobility management; mobility management; Network servers; Quality of service
• ISBN: 1424444888; 9781424444885
• ISSN: 0742-1303
• DOI: 10.1109/LCN.2009.5355059

Starting with an efficient mobility management scheme for heterogeneous wireless networks, this paper proposes a solution for AAA handling using a common database for storing user information. Regardless of the access technology selected, user@realm identities are used for authentication, authorization, and accounting. In particular, a new function is introduced in which port-based network access control is used in combination with dynamic host configuration protocol mechanisms for IP address allocation. This way, PPP-based and Ethernet-based access technologies are handled uniformly. Advantages with the proposed solution include: using only standardized mechanisms in the mobile node, as well as in the access networks. Only an additional plug-in in the AAA server (located in the access networks) needs to be deployed. The proposed AAA architecture has been implemented and evaluated in a live experimental environment. Results show authentication and authorization to perform efficiently and seamlessly.