Roaming and service management in public wireless networks using an innovative policy management architecture

Nowadays, public wireless local area networks (WLANs), commonly called hotspots, are being largely deployed by WISPs (Wireless Internet Service Providers) as means to offering ubiquitous Internet access to their customers. Although, a substantial number of solutions have been proposed to improve security, mobility and quality of service on the wireless area, access network management which is mandatory remains a very significant concern. This paper describes RSM-WISP, a new management architecture designed for WISPs to facilitate the implementation and management of the services they offer at the access side of the WLAN, and to manage roaming contracts between WISPs. Our architecture is based upon the policy-based management principles as introduced by the IETF, combined with more intelligence at the network edge. RSM-WISP adopts an architecture that is composed of two elements: a WISP management center (MC) that deploy policies and monitors all the WLANs, and programmable access router (CPE) located in each WLAN. The CPE ensure service enforcement, service differentiation (access to different service levels) and guarantee, user access management, and dynamic WLAN adaptation according to user’s SLA (service level agreement). It also permits automatic services update according to users’ requirements. Concerning roaming management, it is achieved on the CPE through multiple service provider support capabilities. This approach provides WISPs with simple, flexible and scalable solution that allows easy services deployment and management at the access. This Management architecture has been implemented tested and validated on the 6WINDGate routers. KeywordsWLAN, Hotspot, IEEE802.11, WISPs, Policies, PBM, Management, Services, SLA, Roaming