US 2003/0233580 A1 · Authorization and authentication of user access to a distributed network communication system with roaming features

Abstract

A system and method for providing roaming access on a network are disclosed. The network includes a plurality of wireless and/or wired access points. A user may access the network by using client software on a client computer (e.g., a portable computing device) to initiate an access procedure. In response, a network management device operated by a network provider may return an activation response message to the client. The client may send the user's username and password to the network provider. The network provider may rely on a roaming partner, another network provider with whom the user subscribes for internet access, for authentication of the user. Industry-standard methods such as RADIUS, CHAP, or EAP may be used for authentication. The providers may exchange pricing and service information and account information for the authentication session. A customer may select a pricing and service option from a list of available options.

Claims72

Dependent claims

A method for providing access to a network, wherein a plurality of access points operated by a network provider are coupled to the network, the method comprising:

using client software on a client computer to perform a get operation on a server, wherein the client computer is communicatively coupled to a first access point;
in response to the get operation, returning an activation response message to the client software on the client computer from the network provider, wherein the activation response message comprises a router address;
the client software sending a username and a password to the network provider at the router address, wherein the username and password are usable to authorize access to the network for a user account;
sending the username and password from the network provider to a roaming partner;
the roaming partner determining whether the user account is authenticated;
sending an authentication response from the roaming partner to the network provider;
if the authentication response indicates that the user account is authenticated by the roaming partner, the network provider authorizing access to the network for the user account;
and
if the authentication response indicates that the user account is not authenticated by the roaming partner, the network provider denying access to the network for the user account.

6 more elements

A system comprising:

a network, wherein a network provider and a roaming partner are communicatively coupled to the network;
a plurality of access points coupled to the network, wherein at least one of the plurality of access points is operable to communicate with a client computer, wherein the client computer stores client software which is executable by the client computer;
wherein the client software is executable by the client computer to perform a get operation on a server;
wherein the network provider is configured to return an activation response message to the client software in response to the get operation, wherein the activation response message comprises a router address;
wherein the client software is executable by the client computer to send a username and a password to the network provider at the router address, wherein the username and password are usable to authorize access to the network for a user account;
wherein the network provider is configured to send the username and password to the roaming partner;
wherein the roaming partner is configured to determine whether the user account is authenticated and send an authentication response to the network provider;
wherein the network provider is configured to authorize access to the network for the user account if the authentication response indicates that the user account is authenticated by the roaming partner;
and
wherein the network provider is configured to deny access to the network for the user account if the authentication response indicates that the user account is not authenticated by the roaming partner.

7 more elements

A carrier medium comprising program instructions for providing access to a network, wherein a plurality of access points operated by a network provider are coupled to the network, wherein the program instructions are computer-executable to implement:

performing a get operation on a server using client software on a client computer to, wherein the client computer is communicatively coupled to a first access point;
in response to the get operation, returning an activation response message to the client software on the client computer from the network provider, wherein the activation response message comprises a router address;
sending a username and a password from the client software to the network provider at the router address, wherein the username and password are usable to authorize access to the network for a user account;
sending the username and password from the network provider to a roaming partner, wherein the roaming partner is configured to determine whether the user account is authenticated;
the network provider receiving an authentication response from the roaming partner;
if the authentication response indicates that the user account is authenticated by the roaming partner, the network provider authorizing access to the network for the user account;
and
if the authentication response indicates that the user account is not authenticated by the roaming partner, the network provider denying access to the network for the user account.

5 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Authorization and authentication of user access to a distributed network communication system with roaming features

Life of this patent

Authorization and authentication of user access to a distributed network communication system with roaming features

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims72