Method, device and network system for establishing a tunnel

METHOD, DEVICE, AND NETWORK SYSTEM OF ESTABLISHING

A TUNNEL

[0001] This application claims priority to Chinese Patent Application No. 201010001236.9, filed with the Chinese Patent Office on January 13, 2010, and entitled "Method, Device, and Network System of Establishing a Tunnel", which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0002] The present invention relates to a communications technology field, and in particular, to a method, a device, and a network system of establishing a tunnel.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0003] At present, people may use the Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN) technology to access the Internet. FIG. 1 shows a WLAN access mode provided in the prior art. Wherein, a wireless termination point (Wireless Termination Point, WTP) and an access controller (Access Controller, AC) transfer control messages and data streams by using the Control and Provisioning of Wireless Access Points protocol (Control and Provisioning of Wireless Access Points, CAPWAP).

[0004] In such an access mode, the WTP obtains an IP (Internet Protocol) address of the AC from a dynamic host configuration protocol (Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol, DHCP) server, and establishes a CAPWAP control tunnel with the AC. The WTP downloads configuration information such as software version, radio frequency, and power from the AC through the CAPWAP control tunnel, performs relevant configuration by using the configuration information, and establishes a CAPWAP data tunnel with the AC. When a terminal device needs to access the Internet, the terminal device initiates an access request through a wireless network adapter to the WTP. The WTP sends the access request through the CAPWAP data tunnel to the AC. The AC sends the access request to a broadband remote access server (Broadband Remote Access Server, BRAS). The BRAS performs access authentication on the terminal device. After the authentication is passed, the BRAS notifies the WTP through the AC of the successful access 1 218733/2 authentication of the terminal device. The WTP establishes an air interface data channel with the terminal device, which marks a success of Internet access of the terminal device.

[0005] US2008089305 discloses to a system and method for broadband mobile access network,wherein the the system includes a network gateway coupled to a first network and a second network, and a network controller coupled to at least one of the first network and the second network and configured to provide one or more functions for the first network. Additionally, the system includes a first access point coupled to the first network and configured to generate a first wireless network according to at least a first network protocol, and a second access point coupled to the first network and configured to generate a second wireless network according to at least a second network protocol. At least one of the first access point and the second access point is configured to communicate with a mobile terminal through the first wireless network or the second wireless network.

[0006] XP015065506 (CONTROL AND PROVISIONING OF WIRELESS ACCESS POINTS(CAPWAP) ACCESS CONTROLLER DHCP OPTION) relates to “WTP acting as a DHCP client, receiving the CAPWAP AC DHCP Option may use the (list of) IP address(es) to locate an AC.” [0007] During implementation of the present invention, the following is found: [0008] The AC device is a low-end switch architecture, and does not support data processing in the case of heavy traffic. When a large number of terminal devices want to access the Internet, the existing AC becomes a bottleneck for terminals to access the Internet.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0009] A method, a device, and a network system of establishing a tunnel are provided in embodiments of the present invention to establish a CAPWAP data tunnel between WTP and BRAS.

[0010] As such, the embodiments of the present invention provide: a method of establishing a tunnel, including: obtaining, by a wireless termination point WTP, an address of an access control point AC and an address of a broadband remote access server BRAS from a dynamic host configuration protocol DHCP server; using, by the WTP, the address of the AC to establish a Control and Provisioning of

Wireless Access Points protocol CAPWAP control tunnel with the AC; and using, by the WTP, the address of the BRAS to establish a CAPWAP data tunnel with 2 the BRAS; a device of establishing a tunnel, including:

an obtaining unit, configured to obtain an address of an AC and an address of a BRAS from a DHCP server; a control tunnel establishing unit, configured to use the address of the AC to establish a CAPWAP control tunnel with the AC; and a data tunnel establishing unit, configured to use the address of the BRAS to establish a CAPWAP data tunnel with the BRAS; and a network system, including a WTP, an AC and a BRAS, where: the WTP, configured to: obtain an address of an AC and an address of a BRAS from a DHCP server; use the address of the AC to establish a CAPWAP control tunnel with the AC; and use the address of the BRAS to establish a CAPWAP data tunnel with the BRAS; the AC, configured to establish the CAPWAP control tunnel with the WTP; and the BRAS, configured to establish the CAPWAP data tunnel with the WTP.

[0011] According to the embodiments of the present invention, a CAPWAP control tunnel is established between a WTP and an AC, and a CAPWAP data tunnel is established between the WTP and a BRAS. In this way, the AC may manage the WTP through the CAPWAP control tunnel, and the CAPWAP data tunnel may be used to transmit data of a terminal to the BRAS, thereby solving the problem in the prior art that the AC may not process a large volume of data when a large number of terminals access the Internet.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0012] To make the technical solution of the present invention clearer, the accompanying drawings for illustrating the embodiments of the present invention or the prior art are briefly introduced below. Apparently, the accompanying drawings are for the exemplary purpose of some embodiments of the present invention only, and person skilled in the art may derive other drawings from the accompanying drawings without creative efforts.

[0013] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a WLAN access mode provided in the prior art; [0014] FIG. 2 is a flowchart of a method of establishing a tunnel provided in an embodiment of the present invention; [0015] FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of a method of establishing a tunnel provided in another embodiment of the present invention; [0016] FIG. 4 shows a format of an Option provided in an embodiment of the present 3 invention; [0017] FIG. 5 shows a format of another Option provided in an embodiment of the present invention; [0018] FIG. 6 shows a structure of a device of establishing a tunnel provided in an embodiment of the present invention; and [0019] FIG. 7 shows a structure of a network system provided in an embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

[0020] FIG. 2 is a flowchart of a method of establishing a tunnel provided in an embodiment of the present invention. The method includes:

[0021] 201: A WTP obtains an address of an AC and an address of a BRAS from a DHCP server.

[0022] The WTP uses a DHCP protocol message to exchange information with the DHCP server to obtain the address of the AC and the address of the BRAS; [0023] Specifically, the WTP broadcasts a dynamic host configuration protocol discover (DHCP Discover) message. Multiple DHCP servers send dynamic host configuration protocol offer (DHCP Offer) messages to the WTP. The DHCP Offer messages carry the addresses of ACs and the addresses of BRASs. The WTP selects the DHCP server that manages the WTP, sends a dynamic host configuration protocol request (DHCP Request) message to the selected DHCP server, and receives a dynamic host configuration protocol acknowledgment (DHCP ACK) message from the DHCP server. The DHCP ACK message carries the address of the AC and address of the BRAS. Generally, the WTP selects the DHCP server, which is corresponding to the DHCP Offer message first received by the WTP, as the DHCP server that manages the WTP. [0024] 202: The WTP uses the address of the AC to establish a CAPWAP control tunnel with the AC.

[0025] After the CAPWAP control tunnel is established, the WTP uses the CAPWAP control tunnel to obtain management control information from the AC. The management control information includes configuration information such as software version, radio frequency, and power. The WTP uses the management control information to make relevant configuration, so that the WTP may stay in the working status.

[0026] 203: The WTP uses the address of the BRAS to establish a CAPWAP data tunnel with the BRAS. 4 [0027] According to the embodiments of the present invention, a CAPWAP control tunnel is established between a WTP and an AC, and a CAPWAP data tunnel is established between the WTP and a BRAS. In this way, the AC may manage the WTP through the CAPWAP control tunnel, and the CAPWAP data tunnel may be used to transmit data of a terminal to the BRAS directly, thereby solving the problem in the prior art that the AC may not process a large volume of data when a large number of terminals access the Internet.

[0028] To describe the technical scheme provided in embodiments of the present invention more clearly, a method of establishing a tunnel is provided in another embodiment of the present invention as shown in FIG. 3. The method specifically includes: [0029] 301: The WTP broadcasts a DHCP Discover message.

[0030] 302: The WTP receives DHCP Offer messages from multiple DHCP servers, where the DHCP Offer messages carry an AC address list and a BRAS address list that are corresponding to the DHCP servers.

[0031] The AC address and BRAS address on each DHCP server are configured during network construction. Each DHCP server may be configured with one AC address and one BRAS address, or may be configured with multiple AC addresses and multiple BRAS addresses. [0032] Specifically, an option (Option) in a DHCP Offer message may be modified, so that the Option in the DHCP Offer message carries the AC address list and BRAS address list.

[0033] 303: The WTP selects a DHCP server that manages the WTP, and sends a DHCP Request message to the selected DHCP server.

[0034] Generally, the WTP selects the DHCP server, which is corresponding to the DHCP Offer message first received by the WTP, as the DHCP server that manages the WTP.

[0035] 304: The WTP receives a DHCP ACK message from the DHCP server, where the DHCP ACK message carries the AC address list and BRAS address list.

[0036] Specifically, an Option in a DHCP Offer message may be modified, so that the Option in the DHCP Offer message carries the AC address list and BRAS address list.

[0037] FIG. 4 shows a format of the Option in the DHCP Offer message or DHCP ACK message of a DHCPv4; FIG. 5 shows a format of the Option in the DHCP Offer message or DHCP ACK message of a DHCPv6.

[0038] 305: The WTP uses the address of the AC to establish a CAPWAP control tunnel with the AC.

[0039] If the AC address list in the Option in the DHCP Offer message at step 302 and the Option in the DHCP ACK message at step 304 carries multiple AC addresses, the WTP selects an AC address from the AC address list. Generally, the WTP selects the first AC address in the 5 AC address list. If the CAPWAP control tunnel fails to be established with the AC corresponding to the first AC address at step 305, a next AC address is selected to establish a CAPWAP control tunnel with the AC corresponding to the AC address.

[0040] 306: The WTP sends a first keep alive (KEEPALIVE) packet to the AC through the CAPWAP control tunnel according to a first preset period, determines whether a response packet to the first KEEPALIVE packet is received from the AC within a specific period, and determines that the CAPWAP control tunnel is connected if yes, or determines that the CAPWAP control tunnel is not connected if not.

[0041] For example, if the first preset period is five minutes, the WTP sends the first keep alive (KEEPALIVE) packet to the AC through the CAPWAP control tunnel every five minutes to determine the connectivity of the CAPWAP control tunnel.

[0042] 307: The WTP obtains configuration information such as software version, radio frequency, and power from the AC when the CAPWAP control tunnel is connected, and uses the configuration information to make relevant configuration, so that the WTP stays in the working status.

[0043] 308: The WTP uses the address of the BRAS to establish a CAPWAP data tunnel with the BRAS.

[0044] If the BRAS address list in the Option in the DHCP Offer message at step 302 and the

Option in the DHCP ACK message at step 304 carries multiple BRAS addresses, the WTP selects a BRAS address from the BRAS address list. Generally, the WTP selects the first BRAS address in the BRAS address list. If the CAPWAP data tunnel fails to be established with the BRAS corresponding to the first BRAS address at step 308, a next BRAS address is selected to establish a CAPWAP data tunnel with the BRAS corresponding to the BRAS address.

[0045] 309: The WTP sends a second keep alive (KEEPALIVE) packet to the BRAS through the CAPWAP data tunnel according to a second preset period, determines whether a response packet to the second keep alive packet is received from the BRAS within a specific period, and determines that the CAPWAP data tunnel is connected if yes, or determines that the CAPWAP data tunnel is not connected if not.

[0046] For example, if the second preset period is six minutes, the WTP sends the second keep alive (KEEPALIVE) packet to the BRAS through the CAPWAP data tunnel every six minutes to determine the connectivity of the CAPWAP data tunnel.

[0047] The first preset period may be the same as or different from the second preset period, which does not affect the implementation of the present invention.

[0048] 310: The WTP receive an access request sent by a terminal, and sends the access 6 request through the CAPWAP data tunnel to the BRAS when the CAPWAP data tunnel is connected.

[0049] 311: The BRAS performs an access authentication on the terminal, and sends an authentication success notification message to the WTP through the CAPWAP data tunnel after authentication is passed, subsequently the terminal may use the CAPWAP data tunnel to transmit data packets of the terminal to the BRAS to access the Internet network.

During the working process, the WTP may periodically check the connectivity of the CAPWAP control tunnel and CAPWAP data tunnel. Specifically, the WTP sends a first keep alive packet to the AC through the CAPWAP control tunnel according to a first preset period, determines whether a response packet to the first keep alive packet is received from the AC within a specific period. If yes, the WTP determines that the CAPWAP control tunnel is connected, so that the WTP uses the CAPWAP control tunnel to exchange management control information with the AC subsequently; if not, the WTP determines that the CAPWAP control tunnel is not connected and the WTP is controlled not to exchange management control information with the AC. For example, subsequently, the AC dynamically adjusts transmit power of the WTP according to network traffic. When the CAPWAP control tunnel is not connected, the WTP does not exchange information with the AC and thus may not obtain post-adjusted transmit power of the WTP. In addition, the WTP is controlled not to send data packets of the terminal to the BRAS. When it is determined that the CAPWAP control tunnel is connected during subsequent check on the connectivity of the CAPWAP control tunnel, the WTP may exchange the management control information with the AC and send data packets of the terminal to the BRAS. The WTP sends the second keep alive packet to the BRAS through the CAPWAP data tunnel according to a second preset period, determines whether a response packet to the second keep alive packet is received from the BRAS within a specific period. If yes, the WTP determines that the CAPWAP data tunnel is connected, so that the WTP exchanges data packets with the BRAS subsequently; if not, the WTP determines that the CAPWAP data tunnel is not connected and the WTP is controlled not to send data packets to the BRAS. When it is determined that the CAPWAP data tunnel is connected during subsequent check on the connectivity of the CAPWAP data tunnel, the WTP may send data packets of the terminal to the BRAS.

[0050] According to the embodiments of the present invention, a CAPWAP control tunnel is established between a WTP and an AC, and a CAPWAP data tunnel is established between the WTP and a BRAS. In this way, the AC may manage the WTP through the CAPWAP control tunnel, and the WTP may use the CAPWAP data tunnel to transmit data of a terminal to the 7 BRAS, thereby solving the problem in the prior art that the AC may not process a large volume of data when a large number of terminals access the Internet.

[0051] A device of establishing a tunnel is provided in an embodiment of the present invention as shown in FIG. 6. The device includes: an obtaining unit 601, configured to obtain an address of an AC and an address of a BRAS from a DHCP server; a control tunnel establishing unit 602, configured to use the address of the AC to establish a CAPWAP control tunnel with the AC; and a data tunnel establishing unit 603, configured to use the address of the BRAS to establish a CAPWAP data tunnel with the BRAS.

[0052] The device further includes: a first detecting unit 604, configured to: send a first keep alive packet to the AC through the CAPWAP control tunnel according to a first preset period; determine whether a response packet to the first keep alive packet is received from the AC within a specific period; and determine that the CAPWAP control tunnel is connected if yes, or determine that the CAPWAP control tunnel is not connected if not; a first controlling unit 605, configured to: when the CAPWAP control tunnel is not connected, control not to exchange control management information with the AC through the CAPWAP control tunnel and control not to send data packets to the BRAS through the CAPWAP data tunnel; a second detecting unit 606, configured to: send a second keep alive packet to the BRAS through the CAPWAP data tunnel according to a second preset period; determine whether a response packet to the second keep alive packet is received from the BRAS within a specific period; and determine that the CAPWAP data tunnel is connected if yes, or determine that the CAPWAP data tunnel is not connected if not; a second controlling unit 607, configured to control not to send data packets to the BRAS through the CAPWAP data tunnel when the CAPWAP data tunnel is not connected; and a first sending and receiving unit 608, configured to: when the CAPWAP data tunnel is connected, send data packets from a terminal to the BRAS through an established CAPWAP data tunnel; and/or, send data packets from the BRAS to the terminal through the established CAPWAP data tunnel; send an access request of the terminal to the BRAS through the CAPWAP data tunnel, and receive an authentication success notification message of the access request sent by the BRAS through the CAPWAP data tunnel.

[0053] Specifically, the obtaining unit 601 includes a second sending and receiving sub-unit 8 6011 and a selecting sub-unit 6012, where: the second sending and receiving sub-unit 6011 is configured to: broadcast a DHCP Discover message; receive DHCP Offer messages sent by multiple DHCP servers; send a DHCP Request message to a DHCP server selected by the selecting sub-unit 6012; and receive a DHCP ACK message sent by the selected DHCP server; where a DHCP Offer message includes an AC address and a BRAS address that are corresponding to a DHCP server, and/or, the DHCP ACK message includes the AC address and BRAS address that are corresponding to the DHCP server; and the selecting sub-unit 6012 is configured to select a DHCP server for managing a WTP, from the multiple DHCP servers after receiving the DHCP Offer messages sent by the multiple DHCP servers.

[0054] According to the embodiments of the present invention, a CAPWAP control tunnel is established between a WTP and an AC, and a CAPWAP data tunnel is established between the WTP and a BRAS. In this way, the AC may manage the WTP through the CAPWAP control tunnel, and the CAPWAP data tunnel may be used to transmit directly data of a terminal to the BRAS, thereby solving the problem in the prior art that the AC may not process a large volume of data when a large number of terminals access the Internet.

[0055] A network system is provided in an embodiment of the present invention as shown in FIG. 7. The network system includes a WTP 701, an AC 702, and a BRAS 703, where: the WTP 701 is configured to: obtain an address of an AC and an address of a BRAS from a DHCP server; use the address of the AC to establish a CAPWAP control tunnel with the AC; and use the address of the BRAS to establish a CAPWAP data tunnel with the BRAS; the AC 702 is configured to establish the CAPWAP control tunnel with the WTP; and the BRAS 703 is configured to establish the CAPWAP data tunnel with the WTP.

[0056] The functions of the WTP 701, AC 702, and BRAS 703 are described in the preceding method embodiments, and are not repeated here.

[0057] Optionally, the WTP 701 receives an access request from a terminal, and sends the access request to the BRAS through the CAPWAP data tunnel; the BRAS 703 performs an access authentication on the terminal, and after authentication is passed, sends an authentication success notification message to the WTP through the CAPWAP data tunnel, so that the terminal uses the CAPWAP data tunnel to transmit data packets of the terminal to the BRAS.

[0058] The WTP 701 is also configured to send data packets from the terminal to the BRAS through the established CAPWAP data tunnel, and send data packets from the BRAS to the terminal through the established CAPWAP data tunnel. 9

[0059] Optionally, the WTP 701 is also configured to send a first keep alive packet to the AC through the CAPWAP control tunnel according to a first preset period; determine whether a response packet to the first keep alive packet is received from the AC within a specific period; determine that the CAPWAP control tunnel is connected if yes, or determine that the CAPWAP control tunnel is not connected if not; and when the CAPWAP control tunnel is not connected, control not to exchange control management information with the AC through the CAPWAP control tunnel and control not to send data packets to the BRAS through the CAPWAP data tunnel.

[0060] Optionally, the WTP 701 is configured to send a second keep alive packet to the BRAS through the CAPWAP data tunnel according to a second preset period; determine whether a response packet to the second keep alive packet is received from the BRAS within a specific period; determine that the CAPWAP data tunnel is connected if yes, determine that the CAPWAP data tunnel is not connected if not; and when the CAPWAP data tunnel is not connected, control not to send data packets to the BRAS through the CAPWAP data tunnel.

[0061] According to the embodiments of the present invention, a CAPWAP control tunnel is established between a WTP and an AC, and a CAPWAP data tunnel is established between the WTP and a BRAS. In this way, the AC may manage the WTP through the CAPWAP control tunnel, and the CAPWAP data tunnel may be used to transmit directly data of a terminal to the BRAS, thereby solving the problem in the prior art that the AC cannot process a large volume of data when a large number of terminals access the Internet.

[0062] Those killed in the art may complete all or part of the steps in the preceding method in the embodiments by using a program to instruct relevant hardware. The program may be stored in a storage medium, such as read only memory, disk, and compact disk, which may be read by a computer.

[0063] A method of establishing a tunnel, a device and a network system are provided in detail in the preceding embodiments of the present invention. Specific examples are adapted for illustration of the principles and implementation methods of the present invention in the disclosure. The description of these examples is adapted to help understand the method and its core ideas in the embodiment of the present invention. Those skilled in the art may make various modifications and variations to the invention according to the ideas of the present invention. In a word, the contents of the description do not intend to limit the present invention. 10