Security and differentlated hotspot services through policy-based management architecture

Abstract

We have studied the case of deploying services in public wireless networks based on IEEE802. 11 standard.Due to low cost, easy deployment, cost effectiveness and high performance, this technology appears as a very attractive solution for providing internet aceess and services in public piaces ca11ed hotspot like airports, hotels, train stations... etc Actua11y, there are numerous solutions that a11ow user management in WLAN networks.However, most of them do not support multiple service providers and provide a11 users with the same level of services to Internet access. In our paper, we propose a new software management architecture for hotspot networks, which is based on policy-based management principles introdueed as a result of co11aboration with the IETF. Our solution enables multiple service provider support and it allows user and service differentiation in hotspot networks. It provides efficient, flexible and scalable user management solution by implementing coherent combination of AAA functions, quality of service guarantee and seeurity assurance for hotspot operators and service providers.For policy configurat ion, XML schemes have been defined, offering open, easy and customizable management architecture.Moreover, since our solution is layer 2 agnostic, it can be extended to different access technologies such as DSL, PLC... This management architecture has been implemented, tested and validated on the 6WINDGate™ routers and it can easily be ported onto other software architectures and open standard platforms. © 2004 by Springer Science+Business Media Dordrecht.