WLAN-centric authentication in integrated GPRS-WLAN networks

A SIM-based authentication is preferable for GPRS operators for the integrated GPRS-WLAN networks. It requires WLAN systems process the GPRS-based authentication and transport the GPRS authentication messages back to the GPRS networks. This paper presents an alternative WLAN-centric approach based on the perspective of WLAN providers. The proposed WLAN-centric authentication instead leverages the widely used WLAN-based authentication and requires the GPRS operator install an AAA server. The proposed approach is based on loose coupling architecture. In addition, it assumes that the GPRS and WLAN systems are two parallel networks and work independently. Scenarios for GPRS subscribers and WLAN users roaming between two systems are detailed. The proposed approach is implemented in a testbed which comprises most components in GPRS and WLAN systems. Performance analysis based on empirical experiments is discussed.