Abstract:
An embodiment of the present invention provides a method, comprising enabling firewall bypass for open mobile alliance device management (OMA DM) server-initiated notifications in WiMAX wireless networks by requiring that a certain OMA DM packet is captured by a WiMAX modem associated with a OMA DM client and routed via a predetermined driver interface.

Description:
BACKGROUND 
       [0001]    WiMAX (a.k.a. Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access) is a wireless digital communications system, also known as IEEE 802.16, that is intended for wireless “metropolitan area networks”. WiMAX can provide broadband wireless access (BWA) up to 30 miles (50 km) for fixed stations, and 3-10 miles (5-15 km) for mobile stations. In contrast, the WiFi/802.11 wireless local area network standard is limited in most cases to only 100-300 feet (30-100 m). □□ With WiMAX, WiFi-like data rates are easily supported, but the issue of interference is lessened. WiMAX operates on both licensed and non-licensed frequencies, providing a regulated environment and viable economic model for wireless carriers. □□ WiMAX can be used for wireless networking in much the same way as the more common WiFi protocol. 
         [0002]    WiMAX is a second-generation protocol that allows for more efficient bandwidth use, interference avoidance, and is intended to allow higher data rates over longer distances. □□ The IEEE 802.16 standard defines the technical features of the communications protocol. In the communications protocol, during WiMAX attachment process, OMA DM protocol is used to transport the provisioning information from a network server (the OMA DM server) into the client notebook. The client in a WiMAX network must be running OMA DM client, and the OMA DM client configures the WiMAX connection parameters. 
         [0003]    An OMA DM communication is initiated in two stages: 
         [0004]    a) DM Server sends UDP alert to the client 
         [0005]    b) DM Client opens HTTPS session to the server 
         [0006]    It is stage (a) that is potentially blocked by a firewall and thus problematic. Thus, a strong need exists for techniques to enable firewall bypass for open mobile alliance device management server-initiated notifications in WiMAX networks. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0007]    The subject matter regarded as the invention is particularly pointed out and distinctly claimed in the concluding portion of the specification. The invention, however, both as to organization and method of operation, together with objects, features, and advantages thereof, may best be understood by reference to the following detailed description when read with the accompanying drawings in which: 
           [0008]      FIG. 1  illustrates system components and OMA DM communications according to an embodiment of the present invention; and 
           [0009]      FIG. 2  shows a flow of the OMA DM initial packet according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
       
    
    
       [0010]    It will be appreciated that for simplicity and clarity of illustration, elements illustrated in the figures have not necessarily been drawn to scale. For example, the dimensions of some of the elements are exaggerated relative to other elements for clarity. Further, where considered appropriate, reference numerals have been repeated among the figures to indicate corresponding or analogous elements. 
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0011]    In the following detailed description, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the invention. However, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that the preset invention may be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well-known methods, procedures, components and circuits have not been described in detail so as not to obscure the present invention. 
         [0012]    In the following detailed description, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the invention. However, it will be understood by those of ordinary skill in the art that the invention may be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well-known methods, procedures, components, units and/or circuits have not been described in detail so as not to obscure the invention. 
         [0013]    Although embodiments of the invention are not limited in this regard, discussions utilizing terms such as, for example, “processing,” “computing,” “calculating,” “determining,” “establishing”, “analyzing”, “checking”, or the like, may refer to operation(s) and/or process(es) of a computer, a computing platform, a computing system, or other electronic computing device, that manipulate and/or transform data represented as physical (e.g., electronic) quantities within the computer&#39;s registers and/or memories into other data similarly represented as physical quantities within the computer&#39;s registers and/or memories or other information storage medium that may store instructions to perform operations and/or processes. 
         [0014]    Although embodiments of the invention are not limited in this regard, the terms “plurality” and “a plurality” as used herein may include, for example, “multiple” or “two or more”. The terms “plurality” or “a plurality” may be used throughout the specification to describe two or more components, devices, elements, units, parameters, or the like. For example, “a plurality of stations” may include two or more stations. 
         [0015]    The present invention enhances the state of the WiMAX art enabling the WiMAX stack to provide provisioning and management support independent of Firewalls. Client machines may use different types of personal firewall applications. These firewalls have different APIs (some may not have API) and GUIs for configuration by application (API) and user (GUI). These products usually request user approval for automatic configuration. Firewalls may have different APIs depending on vendor, operating system (Linux, Windows) and API language (C, Java, etc) provided. The OMA DM client support for WiMAX is therefore either dependant on manual/user configuration, of the firewall, or must support all existing APIs (which may not be enough) to provide a foolproof service for to be used by a service provider. 
         [0016]    An embodiment of the present invention addresses the aforementioned firewall configuration problem in WiMAX device management. Typical WiMAX access networks use OMA DM (a cellular management protocol—Open Mobile Alliance Device Management) for provisioning and initial setup of a WiMAX modem. OMA DM is, in the WiMAX case, using IP/HTTPS as the transport protocol and is therefore subject to blocking by any personal firewall installed on the machine. 
         [0017]    An embodiment of the present invention is a change proposed to the WiMAX modem&#39;s firmware and/or WiMAX modem drivers, which cancels the need to configure the client&#39;s firewall. The WiMAX provisioning solution of the present invention is not dependant upon firewall configuration. Since there are many firewall products—it is hard to create a standard SW-based setup for firewalls. In addition to that, the security of the firewall itself might prevent software-based setup of the firewall. 
         [0018]    Thus, an embodiment of the present invention provides that a certain OMA DM packet (referred to herein as Packet 0), which is an IP packet, is captured by the WiMAX modem, and routed via the IoCTL WiMAX driver interface, instead of the normal handling, which is to pass the packet into the OS&#39;s networking stack (Windows: NDIS). 
         [0019]    Looking at  FIG. 1 , generally as  100 , is an illustration of the system components and OMA DM communications according to an embodiment of the present invention. Operator&#39;s OMA DM  105  communicates OMA DM via operators base station  110  through WiMAX  10  network  115  to wireless device  120  (such as, but not limited to Notebook computer with WiMAX capability). Notebook  120  may include WiMAX modem  125 , OS TCP stack  130  and OMA DM client  135 . Operation may progress as follows: 
         [0020]    WiMAX Cat 3 Device  145  provides initial Network  150  entry at  160 ; 
         [0021]    IP Address acquisition between WiMAX Device  145  and Network  150  at  162  with new  1   5  device indication  164  to Provisional/OMA DM Server  155 ; 
         [0022]    At  165  WiMAX Device  145  listens on Port 2948; 
         [0023]    PUSH over IP from Provisional/OMA DM Server  155  to WiMAX Device  145  at  170  with Device provisioning at  175 ; and 
         [0024]    At  180  WiMAX device  145  provides full network entry  180  to Network  150 . The OMA  20  DM bootstrap/package0 packet is shown at  140 . 
         [0025]    Turning now to  FIG. 2  is an illustration shown generally as  200  of the flow of OMA DM first provisioning packet for WiMAX shown as dotted line  240 . The OMA DM server  205  initiates connection with the OMA DM client  230  by sending a UDP packet to the OMA DM client  230  inside the notebook  220 . The two possible types of such packets in OMA DM may be referred to herein as “package 0” and “bootstrap”  235 . The packet may be transferred over the WiMAX RF  215  via Operator&#39;s Base stations  210  into the WiMAX modem  244 , and through the OS&#39;s IP stack  245  delivered to the OMA DM client application  230 . 
         [0026]    The new flow proposed by an embodiment of the present invention is depicted by the solid line  242 . The WiMAX modem  244  monitors the incoming UDP packets and intercepts the OMA DM bootstrap/package 0 packets  235 . In addition to submitting these packets to the normal IP stack  245 , the WiMAX modem  244  also sends the information across the proprietary driver&#39;s IoCTL control interface  252  into the WiMAX control stack and from there to the OMA DM client application  230 . 
         [0027]    Interception of the packets may be by port number (2948 is the standard port for OMA DM), or by pattern matching the data of the UDP packet, or by comparing the UDP source IP address to a pre-set IP address of the OMA DM server—which the OMA DM client can pre-set in the modem. 
         [0028]    While certain features of the invention have been illustrated and described herein, many modifications, substitutions, changes, and equivalents may occur to those skilled in the art. It is, therefore, to be understood that the appended claims are intended to cover all such modifications and changes as fall within the true spirit of the invention.