Mobile IP authentication

DETAILED DESCRIPTION The present invention provides methods and apparatus for providing and accessing a centralized repository (e.
g.
, server) as a source for security associations.
In this manner, configuration, modification, and retrieval of security associations may be performed in a single location.
Accordingly, security associations may be retrieved to authenticate mobile nodes at the Home Agent as well as at the server.
According to one aspect of the invention, a server supporting Mobile IP is provided.
A packet identifying a mobile node is received from a Home Agent.
A security association for the mobile node is then obtained from the server.
The security association may then be sent to the Home Agent.
Alternatively, the mobile node may be authenticated at the server by applying the security association.
A reply packet acknowledging authentication of the mobile node may then be sent to the Home Agent.
According to another aspect of the invention, a method for authenticating a mobile node in a Home Agent is provided.
A server may be identified as a source of security associations for the Home Agent.
A packet identifying a mobile node is then sent to the server.
A security association for the mobile node identified in the packet is then received.
The Home Agent may then authenticate the mobile node using the security association.
According to yet another aspect of the invention, another method for authenticating a mobile node in a Home Agent is provided.
A server may be identified as a source of security associations for the Home Agent.
A request packet identifying the mobile node is then sent to the server.
Once authentication of the mobile node is performed by the server, a reply packet indicating a status of authentication of the mobile node is received.
The present invention provides methods and apparatus for configuration, modification, and retrieval of security associations.
In this manner, the number of security associations that may be stored for each Home Agent is increased