Nokia Research Center

Abstract: Current network access protocol stacks consist of a number of layers and components that are only loosely aware of each other. While this provides flexibility, it also results in a number of limitations, including high signaling latency due to duplicated tasks at multiple layers, vulnerabilities, and deployment problems when new components and protocols are added. Most of currently ongoing work attempts to improve the network access protocols through enhancements in different parts of the stack, such as network access authentication or mobility protocols. This paper takes a "clean slate" approach by focusing on opportunities that arise when the network access problem is viewed as a whole as opposed to focusing on a single layer. By taking this cross-layer viewpoint, it is possible to design a stack that significantly reduces the number of roundtrips, can be operated securely in ad hoc networks, and allows the secure integration of new features such as firewalls or quality of service signaling.