Patent ID: 7272381

Claim:
One or more computer-storage media embodying processor-executable instructions that, when executed by a processor, implement a method on a mobile node comprising: receiving a credential and a credential key from a first base station operably connected to a communications network; receiving a challenge from a second base station operably connected to the communications network; in response to the challenge, transmitting to the second base station a response constructed using the credential and the credential key; gaining a credential authenticated access level to the communications network via the second base station conditional on the second base station authenticating the credential, wherein the credential authenticated access level provides the mobile node access to the communications network prior to fully authenticating the mobile node; and gaining a fully authenticated access level to the communications network via the second base station conditional on the second base station fully authenticating the mobile node, wherein the credential authenticated access level to the communications network is terminated if the second base station fails to fully authenticate the mobile node.