WI-FI ALLIANCE HOTSPOT 2.0 SPECIFICATION BASED NETWORK DISCOVERY, SELECTION, AUTHENTICATION, DEPLOYMENT AND FUNCTIONALITY TESTS.

The demand for high mobile data transmission has been dramatically enlarged since there is a significant increase at the number of mobile communication devices that capable of providing high data rates. It is clearly observed that even the next generation cellular networks are not able to respond to this demand to provide the required level of mobile data transmission capacity. Although, WLAN responses to this demand by providing upwards of 600 Mbps data rates it is not convenient in terms of cellular like mobility and requires user intervention anytime of reconnection to a hotspot. Therefore, the need for a new technology took place and IEEE has introduced a new amendment to IEEE 802.11 standards family which is called as IEEE 802.11u. Based on IEEE 802.11u amendment, WFA developed WFA Hotspot 2.0 Specification and started to certify the Wi-Fi devices under Passpoint certification program. This new technology developed to provide Wi-Fi capable devices simply identify, select and associate to a Hotspot without any user intervention in a highly secure manner. As Hotspot 2.0 Specification is quite new in the market it has been a challenging work to reach some academic papers; however, IEEE 802.11u standard, Internet sources, white papers published by different companies/organizations and discussions with telecommunication experts have made this master thesis to achieve its goals. This thesis work provides a great resource for the network operators to have a great understanding of the Hotspot 2.0 Specification in terms of theory, network element requirements and deployment by providing a good understanding of the system functionality. In this paper, a comprehensive theoretical background that addresses to WLAN technology, Passpoint elements, and IEEE 802.11u based network discovery, selection and authentication is provided. Besides, Hotspot 2.0 network deployment scenarios with network core element requirements are designed and Passpoint functionality tests are performed under different scenarios by describing a comprehensive setup for the testing.fi=Opinnäytetyö kokotekstinä PDF-muodossa.|en=Thesis fulltext in PDF format.|sv=Lärdomsprov tillgängligt som fulltext i PDF-format

ANVIA ENTERPRISE WIRELESS LOCAL AREA NETWORK MARKET ANALYZES AND BUSINESS MODEL ENHANCEMENTS.

For almost 15 years, since it has been released, Wi-Fi has been one of the dominant technologies in telecommunication world. However, because of its weaknesses related to security, interference and weak quality of service it has not been accepted as a viable business. Furthermore, it also operates in unlicensed spectrum bands which magnify these issues. On the other hand, technological innovations through new improvements in the world of Wi-Fi have made it one of the most popular indoor communication solutions for enterprises as well as in outdoor common meeting points. Therefore, it has become imperative to study this subject due to its popularity and several issues associated with this technology to create a viable business model for Anvia Oyj. In an attempt to contribute towards this field, present thesis provides a comprehensive theoretical framework that addresses WLAN technology from different aspects including Wi-Fi roaming as well as the description of business model segments. In order to strengthen enterprise WLAN business models, a comprehensive data was collected through different resources. First, an internal interview in Anvia Oyj based on its current enterprise WLAN business model was conducted. Secondly, two surveys were conducted in different enterprise WLAN customer segments; 32 interviews with small office home office (SOHO) enterprises and 10 interviews with SMEs/LEs and municipalities. Thirdly, a global enterprise WLAN market analysis was conducted through Internet resources. Based on these, analyzes, recommendations and business model enhancements are suggested in this thesis. The findings of this research will help Anvia Oyj to achieve better performance in enterprise WLAN business segment.fi=Opinnäytetyö kokotekstinä PDF-muodossa.|en=Thesis fulltext in PDF format.|sv=Lärdomsprov tillgängligt som fulltext i PDF-format

Improved planning and resource management in next generation green mobile communication networks

In upcoming years, mobile communication networks will experience a disruptive reinventing process through the deployment of post 5th Generation (5G) mobile networks. Profound impacts are expected on network planning processes, maintenance and operations, on mobile services, subscribers with major changes in their data consumption and generation behaviours, as well as on devices itself, with a myriad of different equipment communicating over such networks. Post 5G will be characterized by a profound transformation of several aspects: processes, technology, economic, social, but also environmental aspects, with energy efficiency and carbon neutrality playing an important role. It will represent a network of networks: where different types of access networks will coexist, an increasing diversity of devices of different nature, massive cloud computing utilization and subscribers with unprecedented data-consuming behaviours. All at greater throughput and quality of service, as unseen in previous generations. The present research work uses 5G new radio (NR) latest release as baseline for developing the research activities, with future networks post 5G NR in focus. Two approaches were followed: i) method re-engineering, to propose new mechanisms and overcome existing or predictably existing limitations and ii) concept design and innovation, to propose and present innovative methods or mechanisms to enhance and improve the design, planning, operation, maintenance and optimization of 5G networks. Four main research areas were addressed, focusing on optimization and enhancement of 5G NR future networks, the usage of edge virtualized functions, subscriber’s behavior towards the generation of data and a carbon sequestering model aiming to achieve carbon neutrality. Several contributions have been made and demonstrated, either through models of methodologies that will, on each of the research areas, provide significant improvements and enhancements from the planning phase to the operational phase, always focusing on optimizing resource management. All the contributions are retro compatible with 5G NR and can also be applied to what starts being foreseen as future mobile networks. From the subscriber’s perspective and the ultimate goal of providing the best quality of experience possible, still considering the mobile network operator’s (MNO) perspective, the different proposed or developed approaches resulted in optimization methods for the numerous problems identified throughout the work. Overall, all of such contributed individually but aggregately as a whole to improve and enhance globally future mobile networks. Therefore, an answer to the main question was provided: how to further optimize a next-generation network - developed with optimization in mind - making it even more efficient while, simultaneously, becoming neutral concerning carbon emissions. The developed model for MNOs which aimed to achieve carbon neutrality through CO2 sequestration together with the subscriber’s behaviour model - topics still not deeply focused nowadays – are two of the main contributions of this thesis and of utmost importance for post-5G networks.Nos próximos anos espera-se que as redes de comunicações móveis se reinventem para lá da 5ª Geração (5G), com impactos profundos ao nível da forma como são planeadas, mantidas e operacionalizadas, ao nível do comportamento dos subscritores de serviços móveis, e através de uma miríade de dispositivos a comunicar através das mesmas. Estas redes serão profundamente transformadoras em termos tecnológicos, económicos, sociais, mas também ambientais, sendo a eficiência energética e a neutralidade carbónica aspetos que sofrem uma profunda melhoria. Paradoxalmente, numa rede em que coexistirão diferentes tipos de redes de acesso, mais dispositivos, utilização massiva de sistema de computação em nuvem, e subscritores com comportamentos de consumo de serviços inéditos nas gerações anteriores. O trabalho desenvolvido utiliza como base a release mais recente das redes 5G NR (New Radio), sendo o principal focus as redes pós-5G. Foi adotada uma abordagem de "reengenharia de métodos” (com o objetivo de propor mecanismos para resolver limitações existentes ou previsíveis) e de “inovação e design de conceitos”, em que são apresentadas técnicas e metodologias inovadoras, com o principal objetivo de contribuir para um desenho e operação otimizadas desta geração de redes celulares. Quatro grandes áreas de investigação foram endereçadas, contribuindo individualmente para um todo: melhorias e otimização generalizada de redes pós-5G, a utilização de virtualização de funções de rede, a análise comportamental dos subscritores no respeitante à geração e consumo de tráfego e finalmente, um modelo de sequestro de carbono com o objetivo de compensar as emissões produzidas por esse tipo de redes que se prevê ser massiva, almejando atingir a neutralidade carbónica. Como resultado deste trabalho, foram feitas e demonstradas várias contribuições, através de modelos ou metodologias, representando em cada área de investigação melhorias e otimizações, que, todas contribuindo para o mesmo objetivo, tiveram em consideração a retro compatibilidade e aplicabilidade ao que se prevê que sejam as futuras redes pós 5G. Focando sempre na perspetiva do subscritor da melhor experiência possível, mas também no lado do operador de serviço móvel – que pretende otimizar as suas redes, reduzir custos e maximizar o nível de qualidade de serviço prestado - as diferentes abordagens que foram desenvolvidas ou propostas, tiveram como resultado a resolução ou otimização dos diferentes problemas identificados, contribuindo de forma agregada para a melhoria do sistema no seu todo, respondendo à questão principal de como otimizar ainda mais uma rede desenvolvida para ser extremamente eficiente, tornando-a, simultaneamente, neutra em termos de emissões de carbono. Das principais contribuições deste trabalho relevam-se precisamente o modelo de compensação das emissões de CO2, com vista à neutralidade carbónica e um modelo de análise comportamental dos subscritores, dois temas ainda pouco explorados e extremamente importantes em contexto de redes futuras pós-5G

Connected Vehicles: Solutions and Challenges

Abstract-Providing various wireless connectivities for vehicles enables the communication between vehicles and their internal and external environments. Such a connected vehicle solution is expected to be the next frontier for automotive revolution and the key to the evolution to next generation intelligent transportation systems (ITSs). Moreover, connected vehicles are also the building blocks of emerging Internet of Vehicles (IoV). Extensive research activities and numerous industrial initiatives have paved the way for the coming era of connected vehicles. In this paper, we focus on wireless technologies and potential challenges to provide vehicle-to-x connectivity. In particular, we discuss the challenges and review the state-of-the-art wireless solutions for vehicle-to-sensor, vehicleto-vehicle, vehicle-to-Internet, and vehicle-to-road infrastructure connectivities. We also identify future research issues for building connected vehicles

Creation of Virtual Wi-Fi Access Point and Secured Wi-Fi Pairing, through NFC

The growing ubiquity of Wi-Fi networks combined with the integration of low-cost Wi-Fi chipsets in all devices makes Wi-Fi as the wireless technology the most used for accessing to internet [1]. This means that the development of a Wi-Fi strategy has become an imperative for almost all operators worldwide. In this context, APs (Access Points) have to become as secure as cellular networks. Furthermore, authentication process between a mobile device and an access point has to be automated, without user constraining configuration. For reaching this purpose, client must have different credentials depending on authentication method. Our goal is to create an architecture that is both ergonomic and flexible in order to meet the need for connection and client mobility. We use NFC technology as a radio channel for starting communication with the network. The communication initiation will instantiate a virtual Wi-Fi AP and distribute all policies and access certificates for an authentication based on EAP-TLS (it could be extended to any EAP method for 802.1X standard). The end result of our new topology is to allow access to services through a virtual Wi-Fi AP with an enterprise-grade in a public hotspot

Étude de l'Urbanisation des Accès Virtuels et Stratégie de Métamorphose de Réseaux

Virtualization was originally introduced in networks to reduce maintenance and deployment costs. It has experienced tremendous growth and reshaped the landscape of IT and ITC networks. Virtualization permits the sharing of physical resources for instantiating isolated virtual machines despite the fact that it is drawing its resources from the same physical hardware. More recently NFV (Network Functions Virtualization) appeared, it allows to virtualize entire classes of network functions node in blocks that can connect to create communication services. In this thesis we virtualize the access network nodes, namely Wi-Fi access points. The Wi-Fi became one of the hot-topic technology for mobile operators, it allows them to offload some of the customers’ data traffic via hotspots. The problem that arises in such a mechanism is the existing wireless standards, and mobile devices connection management software have not been developed for this purpose. The Hotspot2.0 standard was created to overcome this limitation, by making the Wi-Fi experience similar to the cellular in terms of roaming, transparency and security. We have in our work, applied the concept of NFV by virtualizing these brand new Wi-Fi access points. One of the problems that we faced is the high security required by such standard, including the provisioning of client credentials in public areas. In our thesis we propose an innovative architecture for the repatriation of these credentials through NFC terminals. These same terminals will be used for access points’ urbanization by allowing users to create their own Wi-Fi virtual access point on the fly. The last aspect of this thesis is related to the management of virtualized entities changing communication patterns of legacy networks. In this context, SDN (Software Defined Network) emerged in data centers to redefine the way we think about networks, and is designed for virtualized environments. In this thesis we brought SDN to the edge of the network in our Wi-Fi virtual access points. More than a new paradigm of networks communications, we will see that NFV/SDN in Wi-Fi networks will in the near future make Wi-Fi networks more flexible, open and scalable.La virtualisation, originalement introduite dans les réseaux pour en réduire les coûts de maintenance et de déploiement, a connu une explosion fulgurante remodelant le paysage des réseaux informatiques et télécoms. La virtualisation permet la mutualisation des ressources physiques pour instancier des machines virtuelles complétement isolées mais puisant leurs ressources du même matériel physique. Plus récemment le NFV (Network Functions Virtualisation) est apparu, et a permis de virtualiser des classes entières de fonctions de nœud de réseau dans des blocs qui peuvent se connecter pour créer des services de communication. Cette thèse s’inscrit dans ce contexte pour virtualiser les nœuds des réseaux d’accès, à savoir les points d’accès Wi-Fi. Le Wi-Fi est devenu la technologie de tous les enjeux pour les opérateurs mobile. Cette technologie leur permet notamment d’y délester une partie du trafic de données clients via des hotspots. Le problème qui se pose dans un tel mécanisme est que les normes Wi-Fi existantes ainsi que les logiciels de gestion de connexion d’un appareil mobile n’ont pas été développés dans l’optique du hotspot. A cet effet, la norme Hotspot2.0 a été créée, pour rendre l’expérience Wi-Fi similaire à celle du cellulaire en termes d’itinérance, de transparence et de sécurité. Nous avons dans nos travaux, appliqué le concept de NFV en virtualisant ces points d’accès Wi-Fi de nouvelle génération. La problématique face à laquelle nous avons été confrontés est la forte sécurité imposée par de tels dispositifs exigeants notamment l’enregistrement et l’installation de certificats de sécurité clients dans les lieux publics. Dans notre thèse nous proposons une architecture innovante permettant le rapatriement de ces éléments de sécurité à travers des bornes NFC. Ces mêmes bornes, dans une volonté d’urbanisation des points d’accès, permettront aux utilisateurs de créer leurs propres points d’accès Wi-Fi virtuels à la volée. Enfin, le dernier aspect de cette thèse touche à la problématique de gérance des entités virtualisées changeant les schémas de communication des réseaux traditionnels. Dans ce contexte, SDN (Software Defined Network) a émergé dans les datacenters pour redéfinir la façon de penser les réseaux plus en adéquation avec le contexte virtualisé. Cette thèse reprend le SDN pour l’appliquer en périphérie de réseaux sur les points d’accès Wi-Fi virtuels que nous avons créés. Plus qu’un nouveau paradigme de communications réseaux, nous verrons que l’introduction des concepts NFV/SDN aux réseaux Wi-Fi permettra dans un avenir proche de rendre les réseaux Wi-Fi plus souples, plus ouverts et plus évolutifs

Ubiquitous wi-fi implementations in hotels: Key planning factors

The Internet has changed the way in which people work and live. Many when traveling expect to be Internet-connected at all times without being tied down to physical wires, just as in their offices and homes. Wireless Fidelity (Wi-Fi) enables hotel guests with wireless-capable computers and devices to easily access high speed broadband networks within the coverage area. According to J.D. Power and Associates North America Hotel Guest Satisfaction Index Study, hotels that provide fast, reliable Internet service receive high ratings from guests. Wi-Fi, initially deployed in public spaces, is now an expected room amenity. Providing reliable and robust Wi-Fi coverage throughout a hotel requires careful implementation planning for technical as well as business-related factors. This article identifies and discusses key Wi-Fi planning factors and their implications for wireless network architecture decisions in hotel environments