Abstract:
Methods for IP configuration negotiation. Before terminal equipment (TE) enters a PPP mode, the TE directs a mobile terminal (MT) to perform a PDP Context Activation procedure. Then, the MT transmits a response to the TE, enabling the TE to enter PPP mode. A PPP link is then established between the TE and MT. Thereafter, the TE directs the MT to activate an IP, and the MT responds the TE according to a result of the PDP Context Activation procedure, such that the IP is activated in the TE.

Description:
BACKGROUND  
       [0001]     The present disclosure relates generally to wireless data service, and, more particularly, to methods for IP (Internet Protocol) configuration negotiation, and related terminal equipment (TE) and mobile terminals (MTs).  
         [0002]     GSM (Global System for Mobile Communication) wireless data service integrates data communication and mobile communication technologies. GSM wireless data service enables acquisition of information, such as email messages, and Internet browsing without any space or regional limitations.  
         [0003]     In GSM, a well known service is GPRS (General Packet Radio Service) which provides packet-switching data service for mobile users and enables Mobile Internet by encompassing IP. To support IP based service for mobile users, a MT usually provides an underlying protocol, such as PPP (Point-to-Point Protocol) to communicate with a TE. PPP is widely supported in numerous operating systems and alleviates the need for any specific protocol at TE. IP protocol can be encapsulated over PPP and relayed to a GPRS packet switch network (Ref. 3GPP TS 27.060).  
         [0004]     The mechanisms for host configuration and user authentication are carried out by PPP (Ref. RFC 1661) protocol and GPRS signalingprocedure (PDP (Packet Data Protocol) Context Activation procedure Ref. 3GPP TS 23.060 and 3GP TS 24.008).  FIG. 1  is a schematic diagram illustrating conventional use of IP over PPP functionality in a MT. It is noted that not all details of PPP are included, describing only logical operations of PPP connection establishment, host authentication, and IP configuration (Ref. 3GPP TS 27.060).  
         [0005]     First, in step S 101 , a TE issues an AT command, such as a modem control command, to a MT to set up related parameters and enter a PPP mode. In step S 102 , the MT transmits an AT response to the TE. Note that block  130  represents the TE and MT in PPP mode. In step S 103 , PPP protocol in the TE transmits a LCP (Link Control Protocol) Configure-Request to the MT. This command establishes a PPP link between the TE and MT. In step S 104 , the MT returns a LCP Configure-Ack to the TE to confirm PPP link has been established. In step S 105 , PPP protocol in the MT transmits a LCP Configure-Request to the TE to negotiate an authentication protocol used for authentication of the host TE towards the MT. In step S 106 , the TE returns a LCP Configure-Ack to the MT to confirm the use of the specific authentication protocol. Then, in step S 107 , host authentication is executed between the TE and MT. Conventionally, since the MT must acquire related authentication data, such as username and password before a PDP Context Activation, the authentication data can be acquired during steps S 103 ˜S 106 . In step S 108 , PPP protocol in the TE transmits a NCP (Network Control Protocol) Configure-Request to the MT. This command activates the IP protocol. If the MS is not PS (Packet Switch) attached, in step S 109 , the MT executes a PS attachment procedure on a GGSN (Gateway GPRS Support Node). The purpose of PS attachment is to inform a GGSN, such as a telecommunication system provider that a MT requires the GPRS service. After PS attached, in step S 110 , the MT performs the PDP Context Activation. IP configuration parameters may be carried between the MT and the network in the Protocol Configuration Options IE in PDP Context Activation messages. The Protocol Configuration Options IE received from the network in a PDP Context Activation Accept may contain an IP configuration response. In step S 111 , based on the information received in the Protocol Configuration Options IE, the MT acknowledges PPP protocol with a NCP Configure-Ack command, such that the IP protocol is activated in the TE.  
         [0006]     Conventionally, the TE transmits an AT command to the MT to set up related parameters and enter a PPP mode (S 101 ). In the prerequisite, before the MT receives the PDP Context Activation Accept at step S 110 , the TE continues to retransmit NCP Configure-Requests to the MT. Conventionally, PPP mode is used for dial-up networks, and latency is slight. This situation will finally cause PPP configuration timeout and disconnect the link between the MT and TE, or DNS (Domain Name System) cannot be configured even when NCP Configure-Ack is successfully sent by the MT to TE. The unpredicted wireless latency will result in unreliable IP configuration consequences.  
       SUMMARY  
       [0007]     Methods for IP configuration negotiation and related devices are provided.  
         [0008]     In an exemplary embodiment of a method for IP configuration negotiation, a MT is directed to perform a PDP Context Activation procedure before a TE enters a PPP mode. Then, the MT transmits a response to the TE, enabling the TE to enter PPP mode. A PPP link between the TE and MT is established. The TE directs the MT to execute an IP configuration using a NCP request. Then, the MT responds the TE based on a result of the PDP Context Activation procedure, such that the IP protocol is activated in the TE accordingly.  
         [0009]     If the MS is not PS attached, the MT executes a PS attachment procedure on a GGSN.  
         [0010]     The MT and TE negotiate an authentication protocol, and an authentication procedure is executed between the TE and MT accordingly. The authentication data required is transmitted from the TE to the MT, using a short message service, or set in the MT directly.  
         [0011]     The response is transmitted from the MT to the TE when the PDP Context Activation procedure is complete, or after a PDP Context Activation Request corresponding to the PDP Context Activation procedure is sent to a network.  
         [0012]     Methods for IP configuration negotiation may take the form of program code embodied in tangible media. When the program code is loaded into and executed by a machine, the machine becomes an apparatus for practicing the disclosed method. 
     
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0013]     The invention will become more fully understood by referring to the following detailed description with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein:  
         [0014]      FIG. 1  is a schematic diagram illustrating conventional use of IP over PPP functionality in a MT;  
         [0015]      FIG. 2  is a schematic diagram illustrating an embodiment of a wireless environment;  
         [0016]      FIG. 3  is a flowchart of an embodiment of a method for IP configuration negotiation;  
         [0017]      FIG. 4  is a schematic diagram illustrating an embodiment of a storage medium storing a computer program for execution of a method for IP configuration negotiation; and  
         [0018]      FIG. 5  is a schematic diagram illustrating another embodiment of a storage medium storing a computer program for execution of a method for IP configuration negotiation. 
     
    
     DESCRIPTION  
       [0019]     Methods for IP configuration negotiation and related devices are provided.  
         [0020]     The success of IP configuration negotiation of PPP mode depends on the success of PDP Context Activation. Some embodiments of the invention enter the connection of PPP mode if the PDP Context Activation is successful, thus ensuring the success of IP configuration negotiation. In some other embodiments of the invention, the PDP Context Activation can be performed early to improve the success probability of IP configuration negotiation. In such embodiments, TE is voided to retransmit NCP Configure-Requests to MT, causing PPP configuration timeout and disconnecting the link between the MT and TE due to the unpredicted wireless latency. The invention thus ensures the success of IP configuration negotiation, improving the success probability thereof.  
         [0021]      FIG. 2  is a schematic diagram illustrating an embodiment of a wireless environment, comprising a TE  21 , such as a notebook computer, a MT  22 , such as a mobile phone, and a GGSN  23 , such as a telecommunication system provider and/or internet service provider. The TE 21  and MT 22  utilize PPP protocol to communicate with each other. The TE  21  connects to the GGSN  23  via the MT  22 , and accesses Internet  24  via the GGSN  23 . Before accessing Internet  24 , the TE  21  and MT  22  must execute connection establishment, host authentication, IP configuration, and other related operations, as follows.  
         [0022]      FIG. 3  is a flowchart of an embodiment of a method for IP configuration negotiation.  
         [0023]     In step S 301 , the TE  21  transmits a command to the MT  22  to set up related parameters, and a request to perform a PDP Context Activation procedure. The command may be an AT command controlling modem operations. Data required for the parameters can be transmitted to the MT  22  via the command. The settings comprise requested QoS (Quality of Service) settings, PDP address (dynamic or static), APN (Access Point Name), compression setting (on or off), protocol configuration options, and others. After receiving the command from the TE  21 , in step S 302 , the MT  22  performs the PDP Context Activation procedure on the GGSN  23  in response to the command. It is understood that IP configuration parameters may be carried between the MT  22  and the network in the Protocol Configuration Options in PDP Context Activation messages. In step S 303 , the GGSN  23  transmits a PDP Context Activation Accept to the MT  22  in response to the PDP Context Activation procedure. The Protocol Configuration Options IE received from the network in the PDP Context Activation Accept may contain an IP configuration response. It is understood that the IP configuration can be later used in a NCP procedure. Additionally, if the MS  22  is not PS attached, the MT  22  executes a PS attachment procedure on the GGSN  23 .  
         [0024]     In step S 304 , the MT  22  transmits a response to the TE  21 , enabling the TE  21  to enter a PPP mode. Block  320  represents TE  21  and MT  22  in PPP mode.  
         [0025]     In some embodiments, TE  21  entrance into PPP mode can take place after the PDP Context Activation procedure (the PDP Context Activation Accept message is received). When the PDP Context Activation is complete, the MT  22  transmits the AT response to the TE  21 , such that the TE  21  enters PPP mode. In these embodiments, since the PDP Context Activation is complete, the success of PPP mode connection and IP configuration negotiation is ensured. In some embodiments, the TE  21  entrance into PPP mode may take place simultaneously with the MT  22  performing the PDP Context Activation procedure, or after a PDP Context Activation Request corresponding to the PDP Context Activation procedure is sent to a network. In other words, the MT  22  transmits the AT response to the TE  21  during PDP Context Activation. In these embodiments, PDP Context Activation takes place early to reduce the probability of PPP configuration timeout, thus improving the success probability of PPP mode connection and IP configuration negotiation. It is understood that the PDP Context Activation procedure can be performed before the NCP Configure-Request and NCP Configure-Ack requiring IP configuration. Thus, the early performance of the PDP Context Activation improves the success probability of PPP mode connection.  
         [0026]     In step S 305 , PPP protocol in the TE  21  transmits a LCP Configure-Request to the MT  22  to establish a PPP link between the TE  21  and MT  22 . In step S 306 , the MT  22  returns a LCP Configure-Ack to the TE  21  to confirm PPP link has been established.  
         [0027]     In step S 307 , PPP protocol in the MT  22  transmits a LCP Configure-Request to the TE  21  to negotiate an authentication protocol for authentication between the TE  21  and the MT  22 . In step S 308 , the TE  21  returns a LCP Configure-Ack to the MT  22  to confirm the authentication protocol. Then, in step S 309 , authentication is executed between the TE  21  and MT  22 . It is understood that the MT  22  can initially negotiate CHAP (Challenge Handshake Authentication Protocol) for authentication, and PAP (Password Authentication Protocol) if CHAP authentication is unsuccessful. If no protocols are supported by the host TE  21 , no authentication is executed. It is also understood that the necessary authentication data can be stored in the MT  22 . Additionally, the TE  21  can transmit the necessary authentication data to the MT  22  via the same AT command, another AT command, a configuration setting tool, such as a connection management tool, dial-up agent, or a short message service.  
         [0028]     In step S 310 , PPP protocol in the TE  21  transmits a NCP Configure-Request to the MT  22  to solicit return of IP configuration comprising an IP address and a DNS address. After receiving the NCP Configure-Request, in step S 311 , the MT  22  transmits the IP configuration received in step S 303  to the TE  21 , such that the IP protocol is activated in the TE  21 . After the IP protocol is activated, the TE  21  can access the Internet  24  via the MT  22  and GGSN  23 .  
         [0029]      FIG. 4  is a schematic diagram illustrating an embodiment of a storage medium storing a computer program for execution of a method for IP configuration negotiation. The computer program product comprises a storage medium  410  storing computer readable program code for use in a device  400 . The computer readable program code comprises at least computer readable program code  411  directing a MT to perform a PDP Context Activation procedure before a TE enters a PPP mode, computer readable program code  412  receiving a response from the MT, and enabling the TE to enter PPP mode, computer readable program code  413  establishing a PPP link between the TE and MT, computer readable program code  414  directing the MT to execute and return an IP configuration, and computer readable program code  415  receiving a result of the PDP Context Activation procedure from the MT, such that the IP protocol is activated in the TE accordingly.  
         [0030]      FIG. 5  is a schematic diagram illustrating another embodiment of a storage medium storing a computer program for execution of a method for IP configuration negotiation. The computer program product comprises a storage medium  510  storing computer readable program code for use in a device  500 . The computer readable program code comprises at least computer readable program code  511  receiving a direction from a TE to perform a PDP Context Activation procedure before entering a PPP mode, computer readable program code  512  transmitting a response to the TE, and enabling the TE to enter PPP mode, computer readable program code  513  establishing a PPP link between the TE and MT, computer readable program code  514  receiving a direction from the TE to execute and return an IP configuration, and computer readable program code  515  transmitting a result of the PDP Context Activation procedure to the TE, such that the IP protocol is activated in the TE accordingly.  
         [0031]     Methods for IP configuration negotiation, or certain aspects or portions thereof, may take the form of program code (i.e., executable instructions) embodied in tangible media, such as products, floppy diskettes, CD-ROMS, hard drives, or any other machine-readable storage medium, wherein, when the program code is loaded into and executed by a machine, such as a computer, the machine thereby becomes an apparatus for practicing the methods. The methods may also be embodied in the form of program code transmitted over some transmission medium, such as electrical wiring or cabling, through fiber optics, or via any other form of transmission, wherein, when the program code is received and loaded into and executed by a machine, such as a computer, the machine becomes an apparatus for practicing the disclosed methods. When implemented on a general-purpose processor, the program code combines with the processor to provide a unique apparatus that operates analogously to application specific logic circuits.  
         [0032]     While the invention has been described by way of example and in terms of preferred embodiment, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited thereto. Those who are skilled in this technology can still make various alterations and modifications without departing from the scope and spirit of this invention. Therefore, the scope of the present invention shall be defined and protected by the following claims and their equivalents.