Method for discovering neighbor networks in mobile station and network system for enabling the method

A method of discovering and connecting to a neighbor network for a mobile station, the method comprising:

• receiving beacon information from the neighbor network;
• identifying the neighbor network by using the beacon information;
• transmitting a request message for capability/configuration information of the neighbor network or all of neighbor networks to a network management server via a predetermined access point or a predetermined base station;
• receiving a reply message comprising the capability/configuration information with respect to the neighbor network or all of the neighbor networks from the network management server, the capability/configuration information comprising a network access server (NAS) identification (ID) of an access point or a base station of the neighbor network;
• and
• establishing a three-way handshake with the neighbor network based on the received capability/configuration information to provide a substantially seamless transition in service for the mobile station,
• wherein the beacon information comprises a media access control (MAC) address of the access point or the base station of the neighbor network, and the request message
• includes the MAC address when the reply message is to comprise the capability/configuration information of the neighbor network, and
• does not include the MAC address when the reply message is to comprise the capability/configuration information of all of the neighbor networks.

A non-transitory computer-readable recording medium storing a program for implementing a neighbor network discovery and connection method for a mobile station comprising:

• receiving beacon information from the neighbor network;
• identifying the neighbor network by using the beacon information;
• transmitting a request message for capability/configuration information of the neighbor network or all of neighbor networks to a network management server via a predetermined access point or a predetermined base station;
• receiving a reply message comprising the capability/configuration information with respect to the neighbor network or all of the neighbor networks from the network management server, the capability/configuration information comprising a network access server (NAS) identification (ID) of an access point or a base station of the neighbor network;
• and
• establishing a three-way handshake with the neighbor network based on the received capability/configuration information to provide a substantially seamless transition in service for the mobile station,
• wherein the beacon information comprises a media access control (MAC) address of the access point or the base station of the neighbor network, and the request message
• includes the MAC address when the reply message is to comprise the capability/configuration information of the neighbor network, and
• does not include the MAC address when the reply message is to comprise the capability/configuration information of all of the neighbor networks.

A method of providing neighbor network information, the method comprising:

• maintaining a neighborhood (NH) database recording capability/configuration information with respect to at least one neighbor network, which is located around a network management server;
• receiving a request message for the capability/configuration information of a neighbor network or all of neighbor networks from a mobile station, which is connected via a predetermined access point or a predetermined base station;
• extracting the capability/configuration information of the neighbor network, which is included in the request message, or of all of the neighbor networks, from the NH database;
• and
• transmitting a reply message comprising the capability/configuration information to the mobile station, the capability/configuration information comprising a network access server (NAS) identification (ID) of an access point or a base station of the neighbor network,
• wherein the mobile station receives beacon information comprising a media access control (MAC) address of the access point or the base station of the neighbor network, and the request message
• includes the MAC address when the reply message is to comprise the capability/configuration information of the neighbor network, and,
• does not include the MAC address when the reply message is to comprise the capability/configuration information of all of the neighbor networks.

A non-transitory computer-readable recording medium storing a program for implementing a method of providing neighbor network information, the method comprising:

• maintaining a neighborhood (NH) database recording capability/configuration information with respect to at least one neighbor network, which is located around a network management server;
• receiving a request message for the capability/configuration information of a neighbor network or all of neighbor networks from a mobile station, which is connected via a predetermined access point or a predetermined base station;
• extracting the capability/configuration information of the neighbor network, which is included in the request message, or of all of the neighbor networks, from the NH database;
• and
• transmitting a reply message comprising the capability/configuration information to the mobile station, the capability/configuration information comprising a network access server (NAS) identification (ID) of an access point or a base station of the neighbor network,
• wherein the mobile station receives beacon information comprising a media access control (MAC) address of the access point or the base station of the neighbor network, and request message
• includes the MAC address when the reply message is to comprise the capability/configuration information of the neighbor network, and
• does not include the MAC address when the reply message is to comprise the capability/configuration information of all of the neighbor networks.