Integrating a mobile hotspot into a larger network environment

摘要

Integration of a mobile hotspot into a service provider network is disclosed. A network node establishes a first wireless communication link with a mobile hotspot device. The mobile hotspot device is configured to establish a second wireless communications link with at least one client device. The network node receives an access request message from the mobile hotspot device which comprises credentials provided by the at least one client device. The network node determines that the at least one client device is authorized to access the service provider network through the mobile hotspot device based on the credentials and indicates to the mobile hotspot device that the at least one client device is authorized to access the service provider network through the mobile hotspot device.

主权项

1. A method for providing access to a service provider network associated with a service provider and comprising at least one network node, comprising:
establishing, by the at least one network node, a first wireless communication link with a mobile hotspot device associated with a first subscriber of the service provider, the mobile hotspot device configured to establish a second wireless communication link with at least one client device; receiving, by the at least one network node, an access request message from the mobile hotspot device, the access request message comprising credentials provided by the at least one client device; determining, by the at least one network node, that the at least one client device is a second subscriber of the service provider based on the credentials; indicating to the mobile hotspot device that the at least one client device is authorized to access the service provider network through the mobile hotspot device; increasing a first subscriber data usage counter associated with the first subscriber based on data sent to the mobile hotspot device that is destined for the mobile hotspot device; and increasing a second subscriber data usage counter associated with the second subscriber based on data sent to the mobile hotspot device that is destined for the at least one client device.