Optimized relaying of secure network entry of small base stations and access points

A method, comprising:

• receiving an authentication message initiated by a network access request to access a connectivity network, wherein the authentication message comprises a first protocol;
• converting the authentication message into a second protocol different from the first protocol;
• and
• transmitting the converted authentication message to an authentication function of a gateway of an access network prior to the authentication message being forwarded to the connectivity network.

An apparatus, comprising:

• a receiver configured to receive an authentication message initiated by a network access request to access a connectivity network, wherein the authentication message comprises a first protocol;
• a processor configured to convert the authentication message into a second protocol different from the first protocol, wherein the second protocol is configured to communicate with a gateway of an access network and configured to communicate with the connectivity network;
• and
• a transmitter configured to transmit the converted authentication message to an authentication proxy of the gateway of the access network prior to the authentication message being forwarded to the connectivity network.

A method, comprising:

• receiving an authentication message initiated by a network access request to access a connectivity network, wherein the authentication message comprises a first protocol;
• converting the authentication message into a second protocol different from the first protocol, wherein the second protocol is configured to communicate with a gateway of an access network and configured to communicate with the connectivity network;
• and
• transmitting the converted authentication message to an authentication proxy of the gateway of the access network prior to the authentication message being forwarded to the connectivity network.

An apparatus, comprising:

• receiving means for receiving an authentication message initiated by a network access request to access a connectivity network, wherein the authentication message comprises a first protocol;
• processing means for converting the authentication message into a second protocol different from the first protocol;
• and
• transmitting means for transmitting the converted authentication message to an authentication function of a gateway of an access network prior to the authentication message being forwarded to the connectivity network.

An apparatus, comprising:

• receiving means for receiving an authentication message initiated by a network access request to access a connectivity network, wherein the authentication message comprises a first protocol;
• processing means for converting the authentication message into a second protocol different from the first protocol, wherein the second protocol is configured to communicate with a gateway of an access network and configured to communicate with the connectivity network;
• and
• transmitting means for transmitting the converted authentication message to an authentication proxy of the gateway of the access network prior to the authentication message being forwarded to the connectivity network.

A computer program product embodied on a computer readable storage medium, the computer program product being encoded with instructions to control a processor to perform a process, the process comprising:

• receiving an authentication message initiated by a network access request to access a connectivity network, wherein the authentication message comprises a first protocol;
• converting the authentication message into a second protocol different from the first protocol;
• and
• transmitting the converted authentication message to an authentication function of a gateway of an access network prior to the authentication message being forwarded to the connectivity network.

A computer program product embodied on a computer readable storage medium, the computer program product being encoded with instructions to control a processor to perform a process, the process comprising:

• receiving an authentication message initiated by a network access request to access a connectivity network, wherein the authentication message comprises a first protocol;
• converting the authentication message into a second protocol different from the first protocol, wherein the second protocol is configured to communicate with a gateway of an access network and configured to communicate with the connectivity network;
• and
• transmitting the converted authentication message to an authentication proxy of the gateway of the access network prior to the authentication message being forwarded to the connectivity network.