US 12,745,152 B2 · Methods and apparatus for optimizing UE re-authentication during mobility across different non-3GPP access points under a NSWOF

Abstract

Methods and apparatus for supporting EAP re-authentication for devices, e.g., UEs, connecting to APs such as WiFi APs, which are not 3GPP base stations such as gNBs are described. In accordance with the invention an ER service which supports EAP re-authentication is incorporated into an NSWOF which is coupled to multiple different APs. Once authenticated through the NSWOF via an EAP authorization process the ER service in the NSWOF stores UE re-authorization information and uses the information to re-authenticate a UE when it attaches to another AP to which the NSWOF is coupled. By supporting EAP re-authentication the need to contact an AUSF as part of a full authentication process is avoided and a UE can rapidly move between APs without having to perform a full EAP authentication involving contacting the AUSF each time the UE moves.

Claims22

Dependent claims

A method for use in a communications system, the method comprising:

operating a Non-Seamless Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN) Offload Function (NSWOF) including an Extensible Authentication Protocol (EAP) Re-authentication (ER) server to send a first User Equipment (UE) authentication request message to an Authentication Server Function (AUSF) for a first UE, said first UE authentication request message including a first ER indicator indicating that the NSWOF sending the first UE authentication request has ER server capabilities;
and
operating the NSWOF to receive a first UE authentication response message from the AUSF, said first UE authentication response message including a second ER indicator, said second ER indicator being an ER acknowledgment (ACK) indicating that ER is supported for the first UE or an ER negative acknowledgement (NACK) indicating that ER is not supported for the first UE.

A communications system, comprising:

a first Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN) Access Node (AN);
a second WLAN AN;
and
a Non-Seamless WLAN Offload Function (NSWOF) including an Extensible Authentication Protocol (EAP) Re-Authentication (ER) server and a first processor, the NSWOF being coupled to the first WLAN AN and the second WLAN, said first processor being configured to operate the NSWOF to:
send a first UE authentication request message to an Authentication Server Function (AUSF) for a first UE, said first UE authentication request message including a first ER indicator indicating that the NSWOF sending the first UE authentication request message has ER server capabilities;
and
receive a first UE authentication response message from the AUSF, said first UE authentication response message including a second ER indicator, said second ER indicator being an ER acknowledgment (ACK) indicating that ER is supported for the first UE or an ER negative acknowledgement (NACK) indicating that ER is not supported for the first UE.

4 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Methods and apparatus for optimizing UE re-authentication during mobility across different non-3GPP access points under a NSWOF

Life of this patent

Methods and apparatus for optimizing UE re-authentication during mobility across different non-3GPP access points under a NSWOF

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims22