Patent ID: 7983418
Filing Date: 2011-07-19
Classification: H04L,H04W

Abstract:
1. A method of supporting Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP) service for a DHCP client, wherein the DHCP client is a mobile host roaming in a visited network, said method comprising the steps of: an AAA visited network server (AAAv) assigning an appropriate DHCP server in the visited network to the DHCP client for the DHCP service based on a policy of a visited network operator; and transferring DHCP-related information over an Authentication, Authorization, and Accounting (AAA) infrastructure for authenticating and authorizing the DHCP client for the DHCP service with the assigned DHCP server to establish a DHCP security association between the DHCP client and the DHCP server; wherein: the mobile host sends a DHCP assignment request to an AAA home network server (AAAh) over the AAA infrastructure, the AAAh forwards the DHCP assignment request to the AAA visited network server (AAAv) for assignment of a DHCP server, the AAA home network server generates credential-related data for security association between the mobile host and the assigned DHCP server, said credential-related data being transferred from the AAAh to the DHCP server via the AAAv, the AAAh generates information for finalizing the security association, or the DHCP server responds with information for finalizing the security association to the AAAh via the AAAv, and the AAAh sends DHCP authorization information including DHCP server assignment information, and DHCP security association information to the mobile host over the AAA infrastructure.