Enhanced fast iterative localized re-authentication protocol for UMTS-WLAN interworking

Abstract

The next generation wireless access networks (NGWN) should be capable of interoperable with other communication technologies and should coordinate with them to offer best connectivity to the users. It is being a challenging task in heterogeneous wireless access networks for supporting seamless handover from one technology to another with minimal packet loss and low latency. The 3G/UMTS-WLAN interworking allows the mobile station to choose between 3G or WLAN radio access technologies for satisfying requirements of mobile users. Since mobile users moving between 3G/UMTS and WLAN, it has to be authenticated every time it moves to another access technology. The existing authentication protocol like full authentication protocol and fast re-authentication protocol has high computation load on HLR/HSS and RADIUS server and unacceptable packet loss due to high authentication delay. Fast iterative localized re-authentication with minor changes to EAP-AKA protocol reduces the authentication delay, but it fails to satisfy the security on authentication vectors in the access point. The proposed work enhances the security on fast iterative localized re-authentication protocol with minimal authentication delay and minimum signaling cost. The security significance of the proposed protocol is verified with AVISPA (Automated Validation of Internet Security Protocols and Applications) security analyzer.