WO2012159658A1

WO2012159658A1 - Device and method for location based licenses

Info

Publication number: WO2012159658A1
Application number: PCT/EP2011/058337
Authority: WO
Inventors: Jan-Olof CARLSON
Original assignee: Telefonaktiebolaget L M Ericsson (Publ)
Priority date: 2011-05-23
Filing date: 2011-05-23
Publication date: 2012-11-29

Abstract

The embodiments herein relate to a method in a device (107) for enabling unique identification of a network element (105). The device (107) and the network element (105) are comprised in a communications network (100). The device (107) obtains, from a navigation sensor (110), a position of the network element (105). The position is a current position of the network element (105) or a future position of the network element (105). The device (107) generates a fingerprint for the network element (105). The fingerprint is based on the obtained position, enabling unique identification of the network element (105).

Description

DEVICE AND METHOD FOR LOCATION BASED LICENSES

TECHNICAL FIELD

Embodiments herein relate generally to a device and a method in the device. More particularly the embodiments herein relate to enabling unique identification of a network element.

BACKGROUND

A communications network is a collection of terminals and network elements which connect together to enable telecommunication between users of the terminals. The terminals may be user equipments such as e.g. mobile phones. The network elements are hardware units distributed within the network, and they provide various network services and network functions to the terminals. The network elements may be e.g. base stations, routers, sub networks, switches etc. In communications networks, licenses are used to control access to different sorts of optional features or license controlled feature within a network element. It is the right to use an optional feature or a license controlled feature. For license controlled features, the license comprises a license certificate and a license key. License controlled features are enabled by a license key. A Licence Key File (LKF) is used for transfer and storage of license keys, i.e. license keys are always comprised in a LKF. The LKF comprises license keys sent from one issuer to one fingerprint. The fingerprint will be described in more detail below. The LKF further comprises a signature to secure data integrity. The License Key File is added to the network element. These license key files and all licenses comprised in the LKF must be tied to a unique identity of the network element. This identity is called the fingerprint, and is a hardware identification. This means that a license key file is only valid for a specific network element having this fingerprint. A problem with the license key file is the tight connection between a specific license key and the fingerprint defined by hardware. In other words, the network fingerprint is a unique electronic identity of a network element, which main purpose is to secure that a L F, and all contained licenses, cannot be multiplied by installation in several network elements. Since the fingerprint of the network element is connected to the hardware, the fingerprint must be known when the license key file is generated. Since the time for generation of the license key file is bound by the fingerprint, the license issue of the network elements has not an optimal flexibility. Since the fingerprint is hardware connected, there are problems relating to e.g. a repair or replacement of a network element. The fingerprint and license key file may need to be regenerated for a new piece of network element in the network. To be able to use the same license key file after a repair of a network element, the fingerprint must be kept the same. This is often solved by adding extra hardware which holds the fingerprint. Adding extra hardware is an increased cost and increases the size and complexity of the network.

It is not possible to replace the hardware of the network element and still use the same license key file. A new license key file needs to be generated since the fingerprint is connected to the hardware.

A problem with the hardware fingerprint is that it is bound to the licensing system. This makes the installation and repair procedures of the network element complex.

A further problem is that it is necessary to know which hardware or which type of hardware is to be used at that location.

SUMMARY An objective of embodiments herein is therefore to obviate at least one of the above disadvantages and to provide improved identification of network elements.

According to a first aspect, the objective is achieved by a method in a device for enabling unique identification of a network element. The device and the network element are comprised in a communications network. The device obtains, from a navigation sensor, a position of the network element. The position is a current position of the network element or a future position of the network element. The device generates a fingerprint for the network element. The fingerprint is based on the obtained position, and enables unique identification of the network element.

According to a second aspect, the objective is achieved by a device for enabling unique identification of a network element. The device and the network element are comprised in a communications network. The device comprises a navigation sensor configured to obtain a position of the network element. The position is a current position of the network element or a future position of the network element. The device further comprises a generating unit configured to generate a fingerprint for the network element. The fingerprint is based on the obtained position, enabling unique identification of the network element. Since the fingerprint is based on the position of the network element, an improved identification of network elements is provided.

Embodiments herein afford many advantages, of which a non-exhaustive list of examples follows:

An advantage of the embodiments herein is that the physical hardware is totally decoupled from the licensing system by using the position of the network element as a unique fingerprint for the network element. This will enable a more streamlined generation process for license key files and will simplify installation and repair procedures of the network element.

A further advantage of the embodiments herein is that there is no need to know which hardware or which type of hardware is to be used at that location. The embodiments herein also make it possible to replace the hardware of the network element and use the same license key file, since the location is the same.

The embodiments herein are not limited to the features and advantages mentioned above. A person skiiied in the art will recognize additional features and advantages upon reading the following detailed description. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The embodiments herein will now be further described in more detail in the following detailed description by reference to the appended drawings illustrating the embodiments and in which:

Fig. 1 is a schematic block diagram illustrating embodiments of a communications network.

Fig. 2 is a combined signalling diagram and flowchart illustrating embodiments of a method.

Fig. 3 is a flow chart illustrating embodiments of a method in a communications

network.

Fig. 4 is a schematic block diagram illustrating embodiments of a device.

The drawings are not necessarily to scale and the dimensions of certain features may have been exaggerated for the sake of clarity. Emphasis is instead placed upon

illustrating the principle of the embodiments herein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Figure 1 depicts a communications network 100 in which embodiments herein are implemented. The communications network 100 may use technologies such as Long

Term Evolution (LTE), LTE-Advanced, General Packet Radio Services (GPRS),

Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access (WiMax), WCDMA (Wideband Code

Division Multiple Access) or similar technologies.

The communications network 100 comprises a base station 101 such as a NodeB, an evolved NodeB (eNB), or any other network unit capable to communicate over a radio carrier with a user equipment 103. The communications network 100 further comprises at least one network element (NE) 105 interconnected and arranged to communicate with the base station 101. The network element 105 may be defined as a manageable logical entity uniting one or more physical devices. This allows devices distributed in the communications network 100 to be managed in a unified way using one management system. In some embodiments, the network element 105 means a facility or equipment used in the provision of a

telecommunications service. Such term also includes features, functions, and capabilities that are provided by means of such facility or equipment, including subscriber numbers, databases, signaling systems, and information sufficient for billing and collection or used in the transmission, routing, or other provision of a telecommunications service in the communications network 100. In some embodiments, the base station 101 is the network element 105. In some embodiments, the network element 105 is located in close proximity to the base station 101 . The network element 105 is a hardware building block of the communications network 100 which may be stationary or non-stationary. A stationary network element 105 does not change position within the communications network 100, and a non-stationary network element 105 is arranged to move and change position within the communications network 100. The network element 105 may be e.g. a base station 101 , router, repeater, switch, sub network etc. In some embodiments, the network element 105 is the user equipment 103. The user equipment 103 may be any suitable communication device or

computational device with communication capabilities capable to communicate with the base station 101 over a radio channel, for instance but not limited to mobile phone, smart phone, personal digital assistant (PDA), laptop, MP3 player or portable DVD player (or similar media content devices), digital camera, or even stationary devices such as a PC. The user equipment 103 may also be an embedded communication device in e.g.

electronic photo frames, cardiac surveillance equipment, intrusion or other surveillance equipment, weather data monitoring systems, vehicle, car or transport communication equipment, etc.

The communications network 100 further comprises a device 107 for enabling unique identification of the network element 105. The device 107 is configured to generate a fingerprint based on the position of the network element 105. The device 107 is further configured to communicate with the network element 105. in some embodiments, the device 107 and the network element 105 are comprised in one unit, illustrated by dashed lines in figure 1. The device 107 may be any suitable node having computational

capabilities and which is configured to enable unique identification of the network element 105. In some embodiments, the device 107 is a network element such as e.g. a

computer, a router, switch, processor etc.

The embodiments herein use the geographical position of the network element 105 as a unique fingerprint for the network element 105. The position is determined by a

navigation sensor 110. The navigation sensor 1 10 may be e.g. a Global Positioning

System (GPS) receiver, a GLObalnaja NAvigatsionnaja Sputnikovaja Sistema

(GLONASS) receiver or a receiver configured for the European Galileo satellite system.

The navigation sensor 110 may be an external unit in communication with the device 107 and/or the network element 105, integrated into the network element 105 or in an

equipment (not shown) connected to the network element 105 e.g. during an installation or repair operation. In some embodiments, the device 107, the network element 105 and the navigation sensor 1 10 are one unit, illustrated by dashed lines in figure 1. In some embodiments, the position determined by the navigation sensor 1 10 is a single

geographical position represented by geographical position coordinates. In some

embodiments, the position determined by the navigation sensor 1 10 is a geographical area. The geographical area may be defined by a set of geographical position

coordinates.

It should be noted that the communication link(s) between the units of the

communications network 100 may be of any suitable kind comprising either a wired or wireless link. The link may use any suitable protocol depending on type and level of layer, e.g. as indicated by the Open Systems Interconnection (OSI) model, as understood by the person skilled in the art.

The method for enabling unique identification of the network element 105, according to some embodiments will now be described with reference to the combined signalling diagram and flowchart depicted in Figure 2. The method comprises the following steps, which steps may as well be carried out in another suitable order than described below.

Step 201

The device 107 starts the process for enabling unique identification of the network element 105. A prerequisite for this is that the position of the network element 105 to be installed is known. There is no need to know which type of hardware the network element 105 is. The position is a geographical position or a geographical area characterized by positioning coordinates.

Step 202

In some embodiments, the device 107 transmits a request for information about the

geographical position, i.e. location, of the network element 105. The geographical position may be the current position of the network element 105 or a future planned position of the network element 105. The position is the future position when the network element 105 is not yet installed at its position, but the future position is still determined and known. The future position for the network element 105 may be determined in several different ways. In some

embodiments, a user may bring the navigation sensor 1 10 to a location where the network element 105 is to be installed, and obtain the position for the location from the navigation sensor 1 10. In some embodiments, the information about the geographical position may be obtained from other site documents or by e.g. using internet maps.

In some embodiments, the request for information about the geographical position is sent directly to a navigation sensor 1 10 which is located at the future or current position. This may be done regardless of the network element 105 being installed at its position or not. If the network element 105 is not installed at its location yet, the position request may be sent to the navigation sensor 1 10 present at the position, or to e.g. a computer which may use e.g. internet maps, to retrieve the position.

In some embodiments, the network element 105 regularly obtains its own current position by using the navigation sensor 1 10, when it is installed at its position.

In some embodiments, the request for information about the geographical position is transmitted via the network element 105.

In some embodiments, when the position is the current position, the navigation sensor 1 10 may be integrated into the network element 105.

Step 203

The navigation sensor 1 10 obtains the position, current or future, of the network element 105. As mentioned earlier, the future position for the network element 105 may be determined in several different ways. In some embodiments, a user may bring the navigation sensor 1 10 to a location and obtain the position from the navigation sensor 1 10. In some embodiments, the information about the geographical position may be obtained from other site documents or by e.g. using internet maps. As mentioned above, the navigation sensor 1 10 may be e.g. a GPS receiver, a

GLONASS receiver or a Galileo receiver. In some embodiments, the navigation sensor 1 10 is a computer obtaining the position by using e.g. internet maps.

For example, the coordinates for the location may be 57.674786, 12.019043.

As mentioned above, the position may be a single geographical position or a geographical area.

Step 204

The navigation sensor 1 10 provides the obtained position back to the device 107.

In some embodiments, the position information is provided via the network element 105 back to the device 107. Step 205

The fingerprint is generated by the device 107 since the position of the network element 105 to be installed is known. There is no need to know which type of hardware is to be used at that position, i.e. which type of hardware the network element 105 is. The received position coordinates are used as input to the license key file generation process in the device 107, thus a position fingerprint.

The license key file generation process performed in the device 107 may be done in a variety of ways.

The fingerprint is, in the embodiments herein, given by the navigation sensor 1 10, or transferred automatically to the device 107 from some installation equipment without any manual input. An example of installation equipment may be e.g. a user equipment with a GPS receiver. It is possible to generate the license key file as soon as the future location for the network element 105 is know, which may be earlier than the specific physical network element 105 defining the fingerprint of the new network element 105 is available. The licence key file generation may also be a part of the network element configuration to be used by the network element 105 at this location.

The embodiments herein also make it possible to replace the hardware of the network 100 and use the same license key file, since the position is the same. Step 206

The license key file is made available to the network element 105 in some way during installation of the network element 105. The license key file may either be preloaded in the network element 105 during manufacturing or loaded as part of the installation procedure.

Step 207

The network element 105 receives the license key file from the device 107. Step 208

The license key file, which comprises the fingerprint and a license, may be used to unlock or activate a feature in the network element 105 at the geographical position. The license for a feature is not valid for a network element 105 at another position.

As mentioned above, the fingerprint may be associated with a single geographical position or a geographical area. If the network element 105 is a stationary unit, such as e.g. a router, switch etc, of the communications network 100, the fingerprint may be associated with a single geographical position. If the network element 105 is a non- stationary unit, such as e.g. a user equipment, the fingerprint may be associated with a geographical area in which the user equipment, i.e. network element 105, may move. A non-stationary unit will then have a license for a feature in that specific area.

The method described above will now be described seen from the perspective of the device 107. Figure 3 is a flowchart describing the present method in the device 107, for enabling unique identification of the network element 105. The device 107 and the network element 105 are comprised in a communications network 100. In some embodiments, the network element 105 and the device 107 is combined in one unit. In some embodiments, the network element 105 is a user equipment, a base station 101 , a radio link, a router, a switch or a repeater.

The method comprises the following steps to be performed by the device 107:

Step 301

The device 107 obtains, from a navigation sensor 1 10, a position of the network element 105. The position is a current position of the network element 105 or a future position of the network element 105. The position may be a single geographical position or a

geographical area.

In some embodiments, the navigation sensor 1 10 is integrated in the network element 105 or is an external navigation sensor. Step 302

The device 107 generates a fingerprint for the network element 105. The fingerprint is based on the obtained position, enabling unique identification of the network element 105.

Step 303

In some embodiments, the device 107 generates a license key file associated with the network element 105. The license key file comprises the fingerprint and at least one

license key.

Step 304

In some embodiments, the device 107 transmits the license key file to the network element 105.

In some embodiments, the license key file is transmitted to the network element 105

during manufacturing of the network element 105 or during installation of the network element 105 in the communications network 100. The license key file may be transmitted to the network element 105 using e.g. a Universal Serial Bus (USB) memory, Bluetooth, WiFi etc.

Step 305

In some embodiments, the device 107 activates a function of the network element 105 based on the fingerprint and the license key comprised in the license key file. The function may be communication speed, performance of the network element 105, software upgrades, high availability, hardware usage such as e.g. the number of physical ports, slots etc. To perform the method steps shown in figure 3 for enabling unique identification of the network element 107 in a communications network 100 the device 107 comprises an arrangement as shown in Figure 4. As mentioned above, the device 107 and the network element 105 are comprised in a communications network 100. The device 107 comprises an obtaining unit 401 configured to obtaining, from the positioning unit 1 10, a position of the network element 105. The position is a current position of the network element 105 or a future position of the network element 105. In some embodiments, the navigation sensor 110 is integrated in the network element 105 or an external navigation sensor. In some embodiments, the network element 105 and the device 107 is combined in one unit. In some embodiments, the network element 105 is a base station 101 , a radio link, a router, a switch or a repeater.

The device 107 further comprises a generating unit 403 configured to generate a fingerprint for the network element 105. The fingerprint is based on the obtained position, enabling unique identification of the network element 105. In some embodiments, the generating unit 403 is further configured to generate a license key file associated with the network element 105. The license key file comprises the fingerprint and at least one license key.

In some embodiments, the device 107 further comprises a transmitting unit 405

configured to transmit the license key file to the network element 105. In some

embodiments the transmitting unit 405 is further configured to transmit the license key file to the network element 105 during manufacturing of the network element 105 or during installation of the network element 105 in the communications network 100. In some embodiments, the device 107 further comprises an activating unit 406

configured to activate a function of the network element 105 based on the fingerprint and the license key comprised in the license key file.

The present mechanism for enabling unique identification of the network element 105 in the communication network 100 may be implemented through one or more processors, such as a processing unit 407 in the device 107 depicted in Figure 4, together with computer program code for performing the functions of the embodiments herein. The computer program code may be stored in a memory unit (not shown). The processor may be for example a Digital Signal Processor (DSP), Application Specific Integrated Circuit (ASIC) processor, Field-programmable gate array (FPGA) processor or micro processor. The program code mentioned above may also be provided as a computer program product, for instance in the form of a data carrier carrying computer program code for performing the embodiments herein when being loaded into the device 107. One such carrier may be in the form of a CD ROM disc. It is however feasible with other data carriers such as a memory stick. The computer program code may furthermore be provided as pure program code on a server and downloaded to device 107 remotely.

The embodiments herein are not limited to the above described preferred embodiments. Various alternatives, modifications and equivalents may be used. Therefore, the above embodiments should not be taken as limiting the scope of the embodiments, which is defined by the appending claims.

It should be emphasized that the term "comprises/comprising" when used in this specification is taken to specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps or components, but does not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, components or groups thereof. It should also be noted that the words "a" or "an" preceding an element do not exclude the presence of a plurality of such elements. It should also be emphasized that the steps of the methods defined in the appended claims may, without departing from the embodiments herein, be performed in another order than the order in which they appear in the claims.

Claims

CLAIMS 1 . A method in a device (107) for enabling unique identification of a network element (105), the device (107) and the network element (105) are comprised in a

communications network (100), the method comprising:

obtaining (301 ), from a navigation sensor (1 10), a position of the network element (105), which position is a current position of the network element (105) or a future position of the network element (105); and

generating (302) a fingerprint for the network element (105), which fingerprint is based on the obtained position, enabling unique identification of the network element (105).

2. The method according to any of the claim 2, further comprising:

generating (303) a license key file associated with the network element (105), which license key file comprises the fingerprint and at least one license key; and

transmitting (304) the license key file to the network element (105).

3. The method according to claim 2, wherein the license key file is transmitted to the network element (105) when the network element (105) is manufactured or when the network element (105) is installed in the communications network (100).

4. The method according to any of the claims 2 - 3, further comprising:

activating (305) a function of the network element (105) based on the fingerprint and the license key comprised in the license key file.

5. The method according to any of the claims 1 - 4, wherein the navigation sensor (1 10) is integrated in the network element (105) or is an external navigation sensor.

6. The method according to any of the claims 1 - 5, wherein the network element (105) and the device (107) is combined in one unit.

7. The method according to any of the claims 1 - 6, wherein the network element (105) is a user equipment (103), a base station (101 ), a radio link, a router, a switch or a repeater.

8. The method according to any of the claims 1 - 7, wherein the network element (105) is a stationary network element (105).

9. A device (107) for enabling unique identification of a network element (105), the device (107) and the network element (105) are comprised in a communications network (100), the device (107) comprising:

an obtaining unit (401), configured to obtain, from a navigation sensor (1 10), a position of the network element (105), which position is a current position of the network element (105) or a future position of the network element (105); and

a generating unit (403) configured to generate a fingerprint for the network element (105), which fingerprint is based on the obtained position, enabling unique identification of the network element (105).

10. The device (107) according to claim 9, wherein the generating unit (403) configured to generate a license key file associated with the network element (105), which license key file comprises the fingerprint and at least one license key; and wherein the device (107) further comprises:

a transmitting unit (405) configured to transmit the license key to the network element (105).

1 1 . The device (107) according to claim 10, wherein transmitting unit (405) is further configured to transmit the license key file to the network element (105) when the network element (105) is manufactured or when the network element (105) is installed in the communications network (100).

12. The device (107) according to any of the claims 10 - 1 1 , further comprising:

an activating unit (406) configured to activate a function of the network element (105) based on the fingerprint and the license key comprised in the license key file.

13. The device (107) according to any of the claims 9 - 12, wherein the navigation sensor (1 10) is integrated in the network element (105) or an external navigation sensor.

14. The device (107) according to any of the claims 9 - 13, wherein the network element (105) and the device (107) is combined in one unit.

15. The device (107) according to any of the claims 9 - 14, wherein the network element (105) is a user equipment (103), a base station (101 ), a radio link, a router, a switch or a repeater.