CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/693,060, filed on Oct. 20, 2000, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,194,554, which is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/458,569, filed Dec. 8, 1999, now of U.S. Pat. No. 6,636,894 titled â€œSystems And Methods For Redirecting Users Having Transparent Computer Access To A Network Using A Gateway Device Having Redirection Capabilityâ€ , which claims the benefit of the filing date and priority to U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 60/111,497 filed on Dec. 8, 1998. U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/693,060 is also a continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No. 09/458,602, filed Dec. 8, 1999, titled â€œSystems and Methods For Authorizing, Authenticating and Accounting Users Having Transparent Computer Access To A Network Using A Gateway Device,â€ U.S. application Ser. No. 09/693,060 also claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 60/161,182, filed Oct. 22, 1999, titled â€œSystems and Methods for Dynamic Bandwidth Management on a Per Subscriber Basis in a Computer Network,â€ U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 60/160,890, filed Oct. 22, 1999, titled â€œSystems and Methods for Creating Subscriber Tunnels by a Gateway Device in a Computer Network,â€ U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 60/161,139, filed Oct. 22, 1999, titled â€œInformation And Control Console For Use With A Network Gateway Interface,â€ U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 60/161,189, filed Oct. 22, 1999, titled â€œSystems and Methods for Transparent Computer Access and Communication with a Service Provider Network Using a Network Gateway Device,â€ U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 60/160,973, filed Oct. 22, 1999, titled â€œSystems and Methods for Enabling Network Gateway Devices to Communicate with Management Systems to Facilitate Subscriber Management,â€ U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 60/161,181, filed Oct. 22, 1999, titled â€œGateway Device Having an XML Interface and Associated Method,â€ and U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 60/161,093, filed Oct. 22, 1999, titled â€œLocation-Based Identification and Authorization for use With a Gateway Device.â€ All of the above applications are incorporated by reference in their entirety.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to systems and methods for controlling network access, and more particularly, to systems and methods for establishing dynamic user network access.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

User access to computer networks has traditionally been based upon a two step authentication process that either provides a user total network access, or refuses the user any access whatsoever. In the first step of the process, a user establishes a communication link with a network via a telephone line, dedicated network connection (e.g., Broadband, Digital Signal Line (DSL)), or the like. In the second step of the authentication process, the user must input identification information to gain access to the network. Typically, the input identification information includes a user name and password. Using this information, the network or service provider verifies that the user is entitled to access the network by determining whether the identification information matches subscriber information contained in a subscriber table (or database) that stores identification information for all users authorized to access the network. Where user input information matches subscriber data in the subscriber table, the user is authorized to access any and all services on the network. On the other hand, if the user input identification information fails to match subscriber data in the table, the user will be denied access to the network. Thus, once a user's identity is compared to data stored within a subscription table, the user is either entitled network access, or denied access altogether. Furthermore, where the user is authorized access to the network, the user is typically authorized to access any destination accessible via the network. Therefore, conventional authentication of users is based on an all-or-nothing approach to network access.

In many conventional network access applications, such as in conventional Internet access applications, the subscriber database (or table) not only stores data corresponding to the identity of subscribers authorized to access the network, but also stores information that can vary based upon the particular subscriber. For instance, the subscriber database can include subscriber profiles that indicate the type of access a subscriber should receive, and other related information, such as the fees due by the subscriber for network access. Although information in the subscriber database may vary from user to user, information unique to the database is generally used for billing or network maintenance purposes. For instance, conventional subscriber databases typically include data such as the cost the subscriber is paying for network access, and the amount of time the subscriber has accessed the network. Thus, where a subscriber to an Internet Service Provider (ISP) has purchased Internet access, a source profile database may contain information that enables a user to be authenticated and tracks the user's access for accounting purposes, such as maintaining a log of the user's time on the network.

Additionally, in conventional network access systems, in order for a user to connect to on-line services (e.g., the Internet), the user must install client side software onto the user's computer. Client side software is typically provided by a network administrator or network access provider, such as an ISP with whom the user has subscribed for Internet access, and enables the client to configure his or her computer to communicate with that network access provider. Continuing with the illustrative example of a user accessing the Internet via an ISP, the user must install ISP software on the client computer, and thereafter establish an account with the ISP for Internet access. Typically, a user subscribes to an ISP, such as America Onlineâ„¢, Earthlinkâ„¢, Compuserveâ„¢ or the like, by contracting directly with the ISP for Internet access. Usually, the user pays for such Internet access on a monthly fixed fee basis. Regardless of the user's location, the user may dial up an access number provided by the ISP and obtain Internet access. The connection is often achieved via a conventional telephone modem, cable modem, DSL connection, or the like.

Because users accessing networks through conventional methods, such as through ISPs, are either allowed or denied access to a network in an all or nothing approach, users cannot be dynamically authorized access to a network such that the user's access and authorization to particular networks or sites is customizable. What is needed is a method and system that allows users dynamic and customizable access that may vary based upon any number of variables associated with a user, such as a user location, user name or password, user computer, or other attributes. For example, it would be advantageous for some users to be authorized access to all Internet sites, while others may be denied access to particular sites. In addition to authorizing user access to a network, it would be advantageous for a network, such as an ISP or enterprise network, to selectively permit users a range of authorization, such that the user's access is not based upon an all or nothing approach.

In addition, user digital communications addresses such as internet or IP addresses are conventionally associated with a fixed physical location, such as a user's business telephone line. However, portable communications devices such as laptop computers are becoming increasingly popular, and it is common for a user to access the internet from locations as diverse as hotel rooms and airplanes.

Digital communications networks are set up to route communications addressed to a communication address to the associated physical location. Thus, if a laptop computer is connected to a remote location, communications to and from the computer will not be associated with the user's communications address.

In order for a computer (host) to communicate across a network (e.g., the internet), software protocols (e.g., Transport Control Protocol/Internet Protocol (TCP/IP)) must be loaded into the host. A host computer sends information (i.e., packets of data) to devices on the network (routers) which receive the packets and send the packets back to the destination host.

The destination host will route replies back using a similar process. Each host computer and router must be configured so it will know who to send the packets of data to. A router will receive the packets only if the host computers specifically send (address) the packets to that router. If a host is configured incorrectly (bad address), then the host computer and router will be unable to communicate.

With the advent of mobile computers (laptops) and the desire to plug them into various networks to gain access to the resources on the network and internet, a mobile computer must be configured for each network it plugs into. Traditionally this new configuration can be done either (i) manually in software on the mobile computer (usually causing the mobile computer to be restarted to load in the new configuration), or (ii) with a new set of protocols which must be utilized on the mobile computer to obtain the configuration information from a device on the network to which the computer is being connected. When new services (protocols) are created to add functionality to the host computers, these new protocols must be updated in the host computers or routers, depending upon the type of new functionality being added.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention includes a method and system for selectively implementing and enforcing Authentication, Authorization and Accounting (AAA) of users accessing a network via a gateway device. According to the present invention, a user may first be authenticated to determine the identity of the user. The authentication capability of the system and method of the present invention can be based upon a user ID, computer, location, or one or more additional attributes identifying a source (e.g., a particular user, computer or location) requesting network access. Once authenticated, an authorization capability of the system and method of the present invention is customized based upon the identity of the source, such that sources have different access rights based upon their identity, and the content and/or destination requested. For instance, access rights permit a first source to access a particular Internet destination address, while refusing a second source access to that same address. In addition, the authorization capability of the system and method of the present invention can be based upon the other information contained in the data transmission, such as a destination port, Internet address, TCP port, network, or similar destination address. Moreover, the AAA of the present invention can be based upon the content type or protocol being transmitted. By authenticating users in this manner, each packet can be filtered through the selective AAA process, so that a user can be identified and authorized access to a particular destination. Thus, each time the user attempts to access a different destination, the user is subject to the AAA, so that the user may be prevented access from a particular site the AAA system and method deem inaccessible to the user based upon the user's authorization while permitting access to other sites that the AAA method and system deem accessible. Additionally, according to one embodiment of the invention, source access to the network may be tracked and logged by the present invention for accounting and historical purposes.

According to one embodiment of the invention, there is disclosed a method for selectably controlling and customizing source access to a network, wherein the source is associated with a source computer, and wherein the source computer has transparent access to the network via a gateway device and no configuration software need be installed on the source computer to access the network. The method includes receiving at the gateway device a request from the source computer for access to the network, identifying an attribute associated with the source based upon a packet transmitted from the source computer and received by the gateway device, and accessing a source profile corresponding to the source and stored in a source profile database, wherein the source profile is accessed based upon the attribute, and wherein the source profile database is located external to the gateway device and in communication with the gateway device. The method also includes determining the access rights of the source based upon the source profile, wherein access rights define the rights of the source to access the network.

According to one aspect of the invention, determining the access rights of the source based upon the source profile includes determining the access rights of the source based upon the source profile, wherein the access rights define the rights of the source to access a requested network destination. According to another aspect of the invention, the method includes assigning a location identifier to the location from which requests for access to the network are transmitted, and the location identifier is the attribute associated with the source. Furthermore, according to the invention, accessing a source profile corresponding to the source can include accessing a source profile stored in a source profile database, where the source profile database includes a remote authentication dial-in user service (RADIUS), or a lightweight directory access protocol (LDAP) database.

According to yet another aspect of the invention, the method includes updating the source profile database when a new source accesses the network. Additionally, the method can include maintaining in the source profile database a historical log of the source's access to the network. Moreover, the attribute associated with the source can be based upon a MAC address, User ID or VLAN ID associated with the source computer from which the request for access to the network was transmitted. According to yet another aspect of the invention, receiving at the gateway device a request from a source for access can include the step of receiving a destination address from the source.

According to another embodiment of the invention, there is disclosed a system for selectably controlling and customizing access, to a network, by a source, where the source is associated with a source computer, and wherein the source computer has transparent access to the network via a gateway device and no configuration software need be installed on the source computer to access the network. The system includes a gateway device for receiving a request from the source for access to the network, and a source profile database in communication with the gateway device and located external to the gateway device, wherein the source profile database stores access information identifiable by an attribute associated with the source, and wherein the attribute is identified based upon a data packet transmitted from the source computer and received by the gateway device. The system also includes a AAA server in communication with the gateway device and source profile database, wherein the AAA server determines if the source is entitled to access the network based upon the access information stored within the source profile database, and wherein the AAA server determines the access rights of the source with the access rights defining the rights of the source to access destination sites via the network.

According to one aspect of the invention, the packet received by the gateway device includes at least one of VLAN ID, a circuit ID, and a MAC address. Additionally, according to another aspect of the invention, the source profile database includes a remote authentication dial-in user service (RADIUS) or a lightweight directory access protocol (LDAP) database. Furthermore, the source profile database can include a plurality of source profiles, wherein each respective source profile of the plurality of source profiles contains access information. According to the invention, each respective source profile can also contain historical data relating to the duration of network access for use in determining the charges due for the network access. According to yet another aspect of the invention, the source profile database can be located within the AAA server.

According to another embodiment of the present invention, there is disclosed a method for redirecting a source attempting to access a destination through a gateway device, wherein source is associated with a source computer, and wherein the gateway device enables the source to communicate with a network without requiring the source computer to include network software configured for the network. The method includes receiving at the gateway device a request from the source to access the network, identifying the source based upon an attribute associated with the source, and accessing a source profile database located external to the gateway device, where the source profile database stores access rights of the source. The method further includes determining the access rights of the source based upon the identification of the source, wherein the access rights define the rights of the source to access destination sites via the network.

According to one aspect of the invention, accessing a source profile database includes accessing a source profile database that includes a remote authentication dial-in user service (RADIUS), or a lightweight directory access protocol (LDAP) database. According to another aspect of the invention, the method can include assigning a location identifier to the location from which requests for access to the network are transmitted, wherein the location identifier is the attribute associated with the source. The method can also include updating the source profile database when a new source accesses the network, and maintaining in an accounting database a historical log of the source's access to the network, wherein the accounting database is in communication with the source profile database.

According to yet another aspect of the invention, receiving at the gateway device a request from a source for access can include the step of receiving a destination address from the source. Moreover, determining if the source computer is entitled to access the destination address can further include denying the source computer access where the source profile indicates that the source computer is denied access. Determining if the source is entitled to access the network can also further include directing the source to a login page when the source profile is not located within the source profile database.

According to yet another embodiment of the invention, there is disclosed a system for enabling transparent communication between a computer and a service provider network. The system includes a computer, and a network gateway device in communication with the computer for connecting the computer to a computer network, where the network gateway device receives source data that represents a user attempting to access said computer network. The system also includes a service provider network in communication with the network gateway device, where the service provider network includes an authentication server located external to the network gateway device and in communication with the network gateway device. The authentication server has therein a source profile database comprising source profiles that represent users authorized to access said computer network, and compares the source data to said source profiles to determine if the user attempting to access the computer network can access the computer network.

According to one aspect of the invention, the system can include an accounting system for maintaining historical data concerning use of the service provider network. According to another aspect of the invention, the authentication server includes a remote authentication dial-in user service (RADIUS), or a lightweight directory access protocol (LDAP) database. Furthermore, the source profile database can include a plurality of source profiles, where each respective source profile of the plurality of source profiles contains access information. According to yet another aspect of the invention, the source data includes an attribute associated with the computer and transmitted from the computer to the gateway device. According to anther aspect of the invention, the source data includes login information associated with a respective user.

The Authentication, Authorization and Accounting method and system according to the present invention enable users transparent access to a computer network employing a gateway device. Therefore, each user may have differing rights to access services, sites or destinations via the network. Thus, the present invention differs from conventional AAA methods and systems by offering dynamic AAA services which authenticate users and offer those users varying degrees of authorization to utilize the accessed network. Furthermore, the source profile database of the present invention can be located external to the gateway device, and on a network non-local to the network from which access is requested. An external source profile database is desirable because each gateway device allows a finite number of users to access the network, so that multiple gateway devices may be required. Additionally, administering and maintaining one consolidated database of authentication data is easier than multiple smaller databases. Moreover, locating the database external to the local network allows an ISP or third party provider to maintain the confidentiality of the information stored within the database and maintain and control the database in any manner the third party provider so desires.

The present invention also comprises a method and system for redirecting users to a portal page where users have transparent access to a computer network utilizing a gateway device. The method and system advantageously operates in a manner transparent to the user since the user need not reconfigure their computer and no additional software need be added to the computer for reconfiguration purposes.

According to the invention, users accessing the gateway device are redirected to a portal page. Where stored user profiles permit the users access to the destination network, the users can be forwarded to the destination network or a portal page established by the network, user, or another entity. Otherwise, users are directed to a login page in which the users must input user information so that the users can obtain access to networks and online services. The redirection function according to the present invention can be utilized to direct new or existing users to customized homepages established by the gateway device or individual users.

A method for dynamically creating new users having transparent computer access to a destination network is disclosed, wherein the users otherwise have access to a home network through home network settings resident on the users' computers, and wherein the users can access the destination network without altering the home network settings. The method includes receiving at a gateway device a request from a user for access to a destination network, determining if the user is entitled access to the destination network based upon a user profile corresponding to the user and stored within a user profile database in communication with the gateway device, and redirecting the user to a login page when the user profile does not include rights to access the destination network. Furthermore, the method of the present invention can include the step of forwarding the user to the destination network when the user profile includes rights to access the destination network. The method can also include the step of automatically redirecting the user to a portal page following receipt of a request for access to the destination network prior to determining if the user is entitled access to the destination network.

According to one aspect of the invention, the method can include the step of establishing a login page on a webserver local to the gateway device prior to redirecting the user to the login page. The method can also include accepting user information at the login page which is thereafter utilized by the gateway device to authorize the user access to the destination network. The user profile database can be updated with the user information.

According to another aspect of the invention, the user may be forwarded from the login page and returned to a portal page or directed to a destination address which can be an Internet destination address. Redirecting the user to a login page can include redirecting a browser located on the user's computer to the login page. Furthermore, redirecting the browser located on the user's computer can include receiving a Hyper-Text Transfer Protocol (HTTP) request for the destination address and responding with an HTTP response corresponding to the login page.

According to another embodiment of the invention, a system for dynamically creating new users having transparent computer access to a destination network is disclosed, wherein the users otherwise have access to a home network through home network settings resident on the users' computers, and wherein the users can access the destination network without altering the home network settings. The system includes a gateway device for receiving a request from a user for access to the destination network, and a user profile database comprising stored access information and in communication with the gateway device. The system further includes an Authentication, Authorization and Accounting (AAA) server in communication with the gateway device and user profile database, where the AAA server determines if a user is entitled to access the destination network based upon the access information stored within the user profile database, and wherein the AAA server redirects the user to a login page where the access information does not indicate the user's right to access the destination network. The system can also direct the user to a portal page upon the user's access to the network, prior to determining the access rights of the user.

According to one aspect of the invention, the login page is maintained local to the gateway device. The user profile database and AAA server can also be located within the gateway device. Furthermore, the user profile database can be located within the AAA server.

According to another embodiment of the invention, the user profile database includes a plurality of user profiles, wherein each respective user profile of the plurality of user profiles contains access information. In addition, each respective user profile may contain historical data relating to the duration of destination network access for use in determining the charges due for the destination network access.

According to another embodiment of the invention, a method for redirecting users having transparent computer access to a destination network is disclosed, wherein the users otherwise have access to a home network through home network settings resident on the users' computers, and wherein the users can access the destination network without altering the home network settings. The method includes receiving at a gateway device a request from a user for access to a destination address, such as an Internet address, and redirecting the user to a portal page, wherein the user computer remains configured for accessing the home network, and wherein no additional configuration software need be installed on the user's computer. Furthermore, redirecting the user to a portal page can comprise redirecting the user to a portal page created by an administrator associated with the portal page, or redirecting the user to a portal page customized by the user.

According to another embodiment of the invention, a system for redirecting users having transparent computer access to a destination network is disclosed, where the users otherwise have access to a home network through home network settings resident on the users' computers, and wherein the users can access the destination network without altering the home network settings. The system includes a gateway device for receiving a request from a user for access to the destination network, and an AAA server in communication with the gateway device, where the AAA server intercepts the request from the user for access to the destination network and redirects the user to a portal page, wherein the user's computer remains configured for accessing the home network, and wherein no additional configuration software need be installed on the user's computer. According to one aspect of the invention, the AAA server is located entirely within the gateway device. The portal page of the system can also be maintained on a server local to the gateway device.

A unique advantage of the transparent redirection of users to a portal page, and, in certain circumstances from the portal page, to a login page where users subscribe for network access is that a user can obtain access to networks or online services without installing any software onto the user's computer. On the contrary, the entire process is completely transparent to the user. As such, the method and apparatus of the present invention facilitates transparent access to destination networks without requiring a user to reconfigure the home network settings resident on the user computer and without having to install reconfiguration software.

The method and system of the various embodiments facilitate transparent access to a destination network. According to one embodiment, the method and system facilitate the addition of new subscribers to the network. According to another embodiment, all users can be redirected to a portal page, which can include advertising, without requiring reconfiguration of the users' computers, or new software to be added on the users' computers.

According to another embodiment, a portable â€œNomadicâ€ router or translator is provided. The nomadic router enables a laptop computer or other portable terminal which is configured to be connected to a local home network to be connected to any location on the internet or other digital data communication system. The nomadic router automatically and transparently re-configures the terminal to its new location and processes outgoing and incoming data:

The nomadic router includes a processor which appears as the home network to the terminal, and appears as the terminal to the communication system. The terminal has a permanent address, the nomadic router has a router address, and the terminal transmits outgoing data to the system including the permanent address as a source address. The processor translates the outgoing data by replacing the permanent address with the router address as the source address. The terminal receives incoming data from the system including the router address as a destination address, and the processor translates the incoming data by replacing the router address with the permanent address as the destination address.

The terminal can be directly connected to a point on a local network, and the nomadic router connected to another point in the network. The nomadic router can be employed to implement numerous applications including nomadic e-mail, network file synchronizer, database synchronizer, instant network, nomadic internet, mobile virtual private network and trade show router, and can also be utilized as a fixed nomadic router.

The nomadic router can be implemented as software and/or hardware. The nomadic router establishes location and device transparency for a digital communication terminal such as a laptop computer. The terminal can be connected to any of a variety of networks and locations which can employ a variety of communication interface devices.

The nomadic router automatically converts the actual location address to a unique communication address for the user such as an internet address, such that the terminal performs communications originating from the communication address regardless of the physical location of the terminal.

The nomadic router also automatically configures the terminal to utilize a selected one of the interface devices, and switches from one to another if the first device malfunctions or becomes otherwise unavailable.

The nomadic router includes software and services which can be packaged in a personal portable device to support a rich set of computing and communications capabilities and services to accommodate the mobility of nomads (users) in a transparent, integrated, and convenient form. This is accomplished by providing device transparency and location transparency to the user.

There is a vast array of communication device alternatives such as Ethernet, Wireless LAN, and dialup modem among which the users switches when in the office, moving around the office, or on the road (such as at a hotel, airport, or home). The device transparency in the nomadic router provides seamless switching among these devices (easily, transparently, intelligently, and without session loss. The location transparency support in the nomadic router prevents users from having to reconfigure (e.g., IP and gateway address) their network device (laptop) each time they move to a new network or subnetwork.

The present nomadic router provides a separation of location and identity by providing a permanent IP address to the network device (host). The nomadic router provides independence between the location, communication device, and the host operating system. There are no new standards need to be adopted by the networking community. All specialized processing is stored internally to the nomadic router with standard interfaces to the host device and various communication devices.

The nomadic router supports the migration to Network Computers by providing identity and security services for the user. The nomadic router also supports multiple parallel communication paths across the communications network for soft handoff, increased throughput, and fault tolerance by supporting multiple communication substrates.

A portable router for enabling a data communication terminal to be location and device transparent according to the present invention, comprises: a first module for storing a digital communication address of a user; a second module for detecting a data communication network location to which the terminal is connected; a third module for detecting communication devices that are connected to the terminal; a fourth module for establishing data communication between the terminal and the network such that the communication address of the location from the second module is automatically converted to the communication address of the user from the first module; and a fifth module for automatically selecting a communication device which was detected by the third module for use by the fourth module.

The present nomadic router utilizes a unique process embodied in a self-contained apparatus which manipulates the packets of data being sent between the host computers and routers. This process provides an intelligent active universal translation of the content of the packets being transmitted between the host computer and nomadic router. The translation allows the host computer to communicate with the nomadic router even when the host computer is not configured to communicate with the nomadic router.

This is achieved by the nomadic router pretending to be the router which the host is configured for, and by the nomadic router pretending to be the host which the router expects to communicate with. Therefore, the nomadic router supports the mobility of computers in that it enables these computers to plug into the network at different locations (location independence) without having to install, configure, or utilize any new protocols on the mobile computer.

The mobile computer continues to operate without being aware of the change in location or new configuration, and the nomadic router translates the data allowing the host to think that it is communicating with the router. By putting this process in a self-contained apparatus, the deployment of new protocols can be performed independently of the host computer and its operating system (host independent).

All specialized processing and translation is stored internally in the nomadic router with standard interfaces to the host device and various communication devices. Thus, no new standards need be adopted. By removing the complexity of supporting different network environments out of the mobile computer and into this self-contained apparatus, the nomadic router allows the host computer to maintain a very minimal set of software protocols and functionality (e.g., the minimum functionality typically installed in network computers) to communicate-across the network.

The nomadic router translation ability also enables the use of alternate communication paths (device independence) without the host computer being aware of any new communication device that utilizes an alternate communication path. The translation of the packets is done not just at the physical, link, or network layer of the protocol stack but at the transport and application layers as well. This allows the network card, protocol stack, and application running on the host computer to be independent of the network environment and configuration.

As an example of the communication device independence, the translation allows soft handoff, increased throughput, and fault tolerance by supporting multiple communication substrates. In addition, the nomadic router translation ability provides a flexible process for deploying enhanced nomadic and mobile computing software and services such as filtering of packets and determining which packets should be allowed to be transmitted between the mobile computer and the nomadic router or local area network (Internal Firewall).

The router apparatus can be: (i) carried with the mobile user (e.g., using an external box); (ii) attached to the mobile computer (e.g., PCMCIA card); (iii) installed inside the mobile computer (e.g., a chip in the laptop); (iv) or installed into the network infrastructure so it will already be there when the mobile computer user arrives (e.g., a box which plugs into the local area network translating packets being sent between the host and nomadic router, or a chip which is installed in routers on the network). The nomadic router can also be provided in the form of software which is loaded into and run in the mobile computer or another computer or router on a network.

These and other features and advantages of the present invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed description, taken together with the accompanying drawings, in which like reference numerals refer to like parts.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1

is a block diagram of a computer system that includes a AAA server for authenticating, authorizing and accounting sources accessing networks and/or online services, according to one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2

is a flow chart of a method in which a AAA server performs authentication, authorization, and accounting, according to one aspect of the invention.

FIG. 3

is a diagram illustrating the implementation of the present nomadic router between the host computing device and various communication devices through standard interfaces;

FIG. 4

is a diagram illustrating the basic nomadic router architecture, which is referred to as the hardware implementation architecture;

FIG. 5

is a flowchart illustrating a configuration overview of the basic steps performed when a host device is attached to the present nomadic router and when a network interface is attached to the router;

FIG. 6

is a flowchart illustrating the router's automatic adaptation to the host device when the first data packet from the host is sent to the attached router or when an activation interrupt or signal is received;

FIG. 7

is a flowchart illustrating the process by which the router initializes and checks the various communication device interfaces for initialization, activation, etc.;

FIG. 8

is a diagram illustrating the basic nomadic router architecture when implemented as software in the host device;

FIGS. 9

a to 9g are diagrams illustrating protocol stack implementations for various network devices, and the translation function happening at all layers of the protocol stack in the nomadic router;

FIG. 10

is a flowchart illustrating the nomadic router's proxy ARP packet interception and host reconfiguration process;

FIGS. 11

a and 11b in combination constitute a flowchart illustrating the nomadic router's translation process which takes place in the host computer and nomadic router at various levels in the protocol stack;

FIGS. 12

a to 12d are diagrams illustrating host and network interface modes in which the nomadic router is able to operate;

FIG. 13

is a simplified perspective view illustrating the nomadic router as implemented in a self-contained box which connects onto a local area network via a network interface port and has multiple ports to connect to host computers;

FIG. 14

is a simplified perspective view illustrating the nomadic router apparatus as implemented on a PCMCIA Type III card where the nomadic router plugs into the host computer's type II slot and the communication card device, of Type II, plugs directly into the nomadic router so both may be powered and stored in the portable host computer; and

FIG. 15

is a simplified perspective view illustrating the nomadic router as implemented on a PCMCIA Type II card where the nomadic router plugs into the host computer via a type II interface slot and where the communication card device, Type II, plugs into the nomadic router type II card.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The present invention now will be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which preferred embodiments of the invention are shown. This invention may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein; rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete, and will fully convey the scope of the invention to those skilled in the art. Like numbers refer to like elements throughout.

Referring now to

FIG. 1

, a computer system 10 is illustrated in block diagram form. The computer system 10 includes a plurality of computers 14 that can communicate with one or more online services 22 or networks via a gateway device 12 providing the interface between the computers 14 and the various networks 20 or online services 22. One embodiment of such a gateway device has been described in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 08/816,174 (referred to herein as the Gateway Device Application), the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. Briefly, the gateway device 12 facilitates transparent computer 14 access to the online services 22 or networks 22, such that the computers 14 can access any networks via the device 12 regardless of their network configurations. Additionally, the gateway device 12 includes the ability to recognize computers attempting to access a network 12, the location of computers attempting to access a network, the identity of users attempting to gain network access, and additional attributes, as will be discussed below with respect to the dynamic AAA methods and systems of the present invention.

As illustrated in

FIG. 1

, the computer system 10 also includes an access concentrator 16 positioned between the computers 14 and the gateway device 12 for multiplexing the signals received from the plurality of computers onto a link to the gateway device 12. Depending upon the medium by which the computers 14 are connected to the access concentrator, the access concentrator 16 can be configured in different manners. For example, the access concentrator can be a digital subscriber line access multiplexer (DSLAM) for signals transmitted via regular telephone lines, a cable head end (a Cable Modem Termination Shelf (CMTS)) for signals transmitted via coaxial cables, a wireless access point (WAP) for signals transmitted via a wireless network, a switch, or the like.

The computer system 10 further includes a AAA server 30 that dynamically authenticates and authorizes user access, as explained in detail below, such that users are subjected to a AAA process upon attempting to gain access to a network through the gateway device 12. Finally, as is shown in

FIG. 1

, the computer system 10 typically includes one or more routers 18 and/or servers (not shown in

FIG. 1

) to control or direct traffic to and from a plurality of computer networks 20 or other online services 22. While the computer system 10 is depicted to have a single router, the computer system 10 can have a plurality of routers, switches, bridges, or the like that are arranged in some hierarchical fashion in order to appropriately route traffic to and from the various networks 20 or online services 22. In this regard, the gateway device 12 typically establishes a link with one or more routers. The routers, in turn, establish links with the servers of the networks 20 or online services 22, based upon the user's selection. It will be appreciated by one of ordinary skill in the art that one or more devices illustrated in

FIG. 1

may be combinable. For example, although not shown, the router 18 may be located entirely within the gateway device 12.

Users and computers attempting to access a network 20 or online service 22 via the gateway device 12 are referred to hereinafter as sources. According to AAA methods and systems of the present invention, a source attempting to access a network via the gateway device 12 is authenticated based on attributes associated therewith. These attributes can include the identity of a particular user or computer, location through which access is requested, requested network or destination, and the like. As is explained in detail in the Gateway Device Application, these attributes are identified by data packets transmitted to the gateway device 12 from the computers through which access is requested. According to one embodiment, methods and systems of the present invention provide dynamic authentication, authorization and accounting based upon these attributes. Generally, as used herein authentication refers to the identification of the source, authorization refers to the determination of permittable source access, and accounting refers to the tracking of a source's access to a network.

Referring now to the authentication function of systems and methods of present invention, it will be appreciated that authenticating a source attempting to access the network is often crucial to network administration, as network access and services are not typically laid open for all users regardless of identity or payment. As stated above, a source may be identified by the gateway device 12 by one or more attributes contained within data packets transmitted to the device from the computer associated with the source attempting to access a network or service, referred to hereinafter as the source computer. For instance, where the source is a user, the source computer is the computer through which the user is attempting to access a network or network destination. On the other hand, where the source is a computer through which one or more user may request access to a network, the source computer is that computer through which access is requested.

According to one aspect of the invention, a source computer attempting to access a network via the gateway device 12 may be identified one or more attributes that include a circuit ID, MAC address, user name, ID and/or password, or particular location (e.g., a communications port in a hotel room), or the like, transmitted to the gateway device 12 via data packets generated by the source computer, as described in U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 60/161,093, titled â€œLocation-Based Identification and Authorization for use With a Gateway Device.â€ It will be appreciated that one or more of these attributes can be used in the present invention to identify the source accessing the network. By means of an illustrative example, where sources are different users having dissimilar authentication and authorization rights, the users may identify themselves by their respective login information (e.g., user name and password) such that they will be independently identified despite the use of the same equipment, such as the same computer. On the other hand, where the source is a computer, diverse users using the computer will have like authentication and authorization rights regardless of the individual rights of each user, as the rights are associated with the computer (e.g., identified by MAC address), rather than with the respective users.

The authentication of sources via an attribute associated with the source is performed by the AAA server 30, illustrated in

FIG. 1

. The AAA server 30 stores source profiles corresponding to sources identified by the AAA server 30. According to one aspect of the present invention, the AAA server 30 is located entirely within the gateway device 12. According to another aspect of the invention, the AAA server 30 can comprise a plurality of components, at least some of which are external to the gateway device 12, or alternatively, the AAA server 30 can be located entirely external to the gateway device 12. For example, the location of the AAA server 30 may be such that the gateway device 12 communicates with the AAA server 30 via internet protocol. According to one embodiment of the invention, the AAA server 30 can be maintained by an ISP, which identifies sources authorized to communicate with the network via the ISP. Therefore, it will be appreciated that the AAA server 30 may be located at any internet address and stored on any computer accessible via internet protocol.

According to one aspect of the invention, a separate source profile exists for each source accessing the system. Source profiles are maintained in a source profile database, which may be an internal component of the AAA server 30, an external component of the AAA server 30, or a separate component in communication with the AAA server 30. Preferably, the source profile database is located external to the gateway device and network to alleviate administrative burden on the network so that the network does not have to set up and maintain separate authentication databases on each network or gateway device. This is also preferable because each gateway device 12 allows a finite number of users to access the network, which requires multiple gateway devices to accommodate a large number of sources. Secondly, administering and maintaining one consolidated database of authentication data is easier than multiple smaller databases. Lastly, locating the source profile database external to the local network can allow an ISP or third party provider to maintain the confidentiality of the information stored within the database and maintain and control the database in any manner the third party provider so desires.

The source profile includes one or more names, passwords, addresses, VLAN tags, MAC addresses and other information pertinent to identify, and, if so desired, bill, a source. Upon a source's attempt to access a network via the gateway device 12, the AAA server 30 attempts to authenticate the source by comparing stored source profiles in the source profile database with the attributes received from the gateway device 12 or source to determine the source identity. As an illustrative example, where a user attempts to access the network by entering a user ID and password, the user ID and password are compared against all IDs and passwords stored in the source profile database to determine the identity of the user. As such, the source profile database generally comprises a database or data storage means in communication with processing means located within the AAA server 30 or gateway device 12, where the source profile database and processor work in conjunction to compare received attributes to stored source profile information, as is well known in the art.

The source profile database may comprise programmable storage hardware or like means located on a conventional personal computer, mainframe computer, or another suitable storage device known in the art. Additionally, the means for comparing the received data to the data within the database can comprise any software, such as an executable software program, which can compare data. For example, the AAA server 30 may store source profiles on a hard drive of a personal computer, and the means for comparing the received source data to the source profiles resident on the computer can include computer software, such as Microsoft Excel (Microsoft Excel is a trademark of Microsoft Corporation, Redmond, Wash.). According to another embodiment of the invention, the AAA server 30 or source profile database can comprise a Remote Authentication Dial-In User Service (RADIUS) or a Lightweight Directory Access Protocol (LDAP) database, which are well known to those of skill in the art.

If a source fails to correspond to a source profile in the AAA server 30 at the time of authentication, the source will not be permitted access to the network. When this occurs, a user or user associated with a non-user source may be requested to input source profile information to the AAA server 30 so that the AAA server 30 can add the source's profile to the AAA server 30, and more specifically, to the source profile database. For example, this may occur the first time a user attempts to access the gateway device 12. According to another aspect of the invention, where the source cannot be identified, the source may be directed to a login page in order to gather additional information to identify the source. For instance, the information may be entered with the aid of a webpage, a pop-up control panel or user interface, which can open when the source initially connects to the gateway device 12, as effectuated by a home page redirection capability, described herein and in U.S. patent application, Ser. No. 09/458,569, filed Dec. 8, 1999, entitled â€œSystems And Methods For Redirecting Users Having Transparent Computer Access To A Network Using A Gateway Device Having Redirection Capabilityâ€ (referred to hereinafter as the â€œRedirection Applicationâ€ ), in U.S. patent application, Ser. No. 09/458,579, filed Dec. 8, 1999, entitled â€œSystems And Methods For Redirecting Users Having Transparent Computer Access To A Network Using A Gateway Device Having Redirection Capability,â€ and in U.S. patent application, Entitled â€œSystems and Methods for Redirecting Users Attempting to Access a Network Site,â€ filed concurrently herewith, inventors Joel Short and Florence Pagan, the contents of each of which are incorporated herein by reference.

According to one aspect of the invention, the AAA server 30 can identify the source in communication with the gateway device in a manner that is transparent to computer users. That is, according to one aspect of the invention, a user will not be required to input identification information, reconfigure the source computer or otherwise change the source computer's primary network settings. Furthermore, no additional configuration software will have to be added to the source computer. After a packet is received by the gateway device, attributes identified by the data packet can be compared with the data contained in the source profile database. Therefore, in addition to not requiring the reconfiguration of computers accessing the network, AAA servers of the present invention have the ability to authenticate sources without requiring interactive steps by the computer user, such as the entering of a user ID. For instance, the AAA server 30 may automatically identify the source based upon a MAC address, so that authorization of the source can be readily determined. Therefore, it will be appreciated that the AAA server 30 can determine the user, computer, or location from which access is requested by comparing the attributes associated with the received data packet (such as in a header of the data packet) with data drawn from the source profile database. As will be described below, the access rights associated with the source may also be stored within the source profile database so that the system and method of the present invention can dynamically authorize access to particular services or destinations.

Once the source has established the network service connection via the authentication process discussed above, and a tunnel has been opened to facilitate a communication line between the source computer and a network, the gateway device 12 communicates with the AAA server 30 to assemble source profile information, or source-specific data. The source profile information that the gateway device assembles may include a MAC address, name or ID, circuit ID, billing scheme related data, service level data, user profile data, remote-site related data, and like data related to the source. As such, the AAA server 30 can transmit to the gateway device 12 any requisite information relating to the source's authorization rights and use of the network, as is next explained in detail.

In addition to authenticating users, the AAA server 30 of the present invention provides an authorization function, in which the source access rights are determined. The present invention enables dynamic authorization of sources, such that each source might have different respective network usage or access rights. After authentication, the AAA server 30 compares the attributes of the source with the access rights of the source associated with the user, computer, location or attribute(s). The access rights may be stored within the source profile database or within a separate subscription database located internal or external to the gateway device 12. Therefore, separate databases may be utilized, where one stores identification information on sources for authentication, and another database stores the access rights of those sources that have been authenticated. However, because the profiles of all sources, identified by attribute or a combination of attributes, are stored in a source profile database, it may be advantageous to locate information regarding access rights in the source profile database, which already contains information regarding each authenticated source, as described above.

According to one aspect of the invention the source profile database stores information defining the access rights of a source. For example, a source profile database may contain information indicating that a source having a particular MAC address has purchased pre-paid access, or that a given circuit ID has free access or unlimited access. Guests in a particular room or rooms of a hotel, for example, suites and penthouses, may receive free unlimited Internet access. Therefore, access rights can be available contingent upon the source's location (e.g. room) or location status (e.g. suite). In this event, no further identification is required, as the location from which the source is requesting access is known to the gateway device and stored in the source profile database.

In addition to storing information concerning what each source is authorized to access, the source profile database can also include specialized access information associated