Architecture and Protocols for Authentication, Authorization, and Accounting in the Future Wireless Communications Networks

Abstract

The architecture, and protocols for authentication, authorization, and accounting (AAA) are one of the most important design considerations in third generation (3G)/fourth generation (4G) telecommunication networks. Many advances have been made to exploit the benefits of the current systems based on the protocol remote authentication dial in user service (RADIUS)protocol, and the evolution to migrate into the more secure, robust, and scalable protocol Diameter. Diameter is the protocol of choice for the IP multimedia subsystem (IMS) architecture, the core technology for the next generation networks. It is envisioned that Diameter will be widely used in various wired and wireless systems to facilitate robust and seamless AAA. In this chapter, we provide an overview of the major AAA protocols RADIUS and Diameter, and we discuss their roles in practical 1xEV-DO network architectures in the three major network tiers: access, distribution, and core. We conclude the chapter with a short summary of the current and future trends related to the Diameter-based AAA systems.

Key Terms in this Chapter

One Carrier Evolution Data Only (1xEV-DO): 1xEV-DO is a CDMA2000 based cellular access technology proposed to support high rate data services.

DIAMETER: Diameter is a new AAA protocol presented in RFC 3588 to replace RADIUS.

Remote Access Dial In User Service (RADIUS): RADIUS is an AAA protocol defined in RFCs 2865 and 2866.

IP Multimedia Subsystem (IMS): IP multimedia subsystem is an access agnostic architecture proposed as a core technology for the next generation services.