Generic bootstrapping protocol (gbp)

Abstract

Embodiments of methods and apparatus for discovering a bootstrapping server by a mobile station, and bootstrapping the mobile station are disclosed. In some embodiments, a mobile station discovers a remotely disposed bootstrapping server; transmits wirelessly a bootstrap request to the bootstrapping server; and receive wirelessly a bootstrap response from the bootstrapping server in response to the transmitted bootstrap request. Additional variants and embodiments are also disclosed.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access (WiMAX) initial bootstrap procedure comprising:
 using a Domain Name System (DNS) Service Record (SRV) to discover wirelessly, by a device operating in a WiMAX network, a remotely disposed bootstrapping server; and   conducting a provisioning over-the-air (OTA) protocol negotiation with the bootstrapping server using Hyper Text Transfer Protocol (HTTP).   
     
     
         2 . The WiMAX initial bootstrap procedure of  claim 1 , wherein:
 wirelessly discovering the bootstrapping server comprises obtaining an Internet Protocol (IP) address for the bootstrapping server using Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP).   
     
     
         3 . The WiMAX initial bootstrap procedure of  claim 2 , wherein:
 conducting the provisioning OTA protocol negotiation comprises providing information regarding protocols supported by the device to the bootstrapping server using HTTP.   
     
     
         4 . The WiMAX initial bootstrap procedure of  claim 3 , wherein:
 conducting the provisioning OTA protocol negotiation comprises receiving an HTTP response from the bootstrapping server.   
     
     
         5 . The WiMAX initial bootstrap procedure of  claim 4 , wherein:
 receiving the HTTP response comprises receiving bootstrap information stored on the bootstrapping server, wherein the bootstrap information includes information regarding a selected protocol that is supported by both the device and the bootstrapping server.   
     
     
         6 . The WiMAX initial bootstrap procedure of  claim 4 , wherein:
 receiving the HTTP response comprises receiving from the bootstrapping server information regarding another server that can deliver bootstrap information, wherein the bootstrap information includes information regarding a selected protocol that is supported by both the device and the bootstrapping server.   
     
     
         7 . A WiMAX initial bootstrap procedure comprising:
 receiving at a bootstrapping server a DNS SRV record from a device operating in a WiMAX network, the DNS SRV record sent by the device in order to wirelessly discover the bootstrapping server; and   conducting a provisioning OTA protocol negotiation with the device using HTTP in response to the receipt of the DNS SRV record.   
     
     
         8 . The WiMAX initial bootstrap procedure of  claim 7 , wherein:
 conducting the provisioning OTA protocol negotiation comprises receiving at the bootstrapping server information sent using HTTP regarding protocols supported by the device.   
     
     
         9 . The WiMAX initial bootstrap procedure of  claim 8 , wherein:
 conducting the provisioning OTA protocol negotiation comprises transmitting, by the bootstrapping server, an HTTP response to the device.   
     
     
         10 . The WiMAX initial bootstrap procedure of  claim 9 , wherein:
 transmitting the HTTP response comprises transmitting bootstrap information stored on the bootstrapping server, wherein the bootstrap information includes information regarding a selected protocol that is supported by both the device and the bootstrapping server.   
     
     
         11 . The WiMAX initial bootstrap procedure of  claim 9 , wherein:
 transmitting the HTTP response comprises transmitting from the bootstrapping server information regarding another server that can deliver bootstrap information, wherein the bootstrap information includes information regarding a selected protocol that is supported by both the device and the bootstrapping server.   
     
     
         12 . A provisioning process for a device in a Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access (WiMAX) network, the provisioning process comprising:
 successfully executing a WiMAX initial bootstrap procedure, the WiMAX initial bootstrap procedure comprising:
 using a Domain Name System (DNS) Service Record (SRV) record to discover wirelessly, by a device operating in a WiMAX network, a remotely disposed bootstrapping server; 
 conducting a provisioning over-the-air (OTA) protocol negotiation with the bootstrapping server using Hyper Text Transfer Protocol (HTTP); 
   establishing a communications link with the bootstrapping server; and   engaging in an OTA provisioning process specific to a protocol identified during the provisioning OTA protocol negotiation.   
     
     
         13 . The WiMAX initial bootstrap procedure of  claim 12 , wherein:
 wirelessly discovering the bootstrapping server comprises obtaining an Internet Protocol (IP) address for the bootstrapping server using Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP).   
     
     
         14 . The WiMAX initial bootstrap procedure of  claim 13 , wherein:
 conducting the provisioning OTA protocol negotiation comprises providing information regarding protocols supported by the device to the bootstrapping server using HTTP.   
     
     
         15 . The WiMAX initial bootstrap procedure of  claim 14 , wherein:
 conducting the provisioning OTA protocol negotiation comprises receiving an HTTP response from the bootstrapping server.   
     
     
         16 . The WiMAX initial bootstrap procedure of  claim 15 , wherein:
 receiving the HTTP response comprises receiving bootstrap information stored on the bootstrapping server, wherein the bootstrap information includes information regarding a selected protocol that is supported by both the device and the bootstrapping server.   
     
     
         17 . The WiMAX initial bootstrap procedure of  claim 15 , wherein:
 receiving the HTTP response comprises receiving from the bootstrapping server information regarding another server that can deliver bootstrap information, wherein the bootstrap information includes information regarding a selected protocol that is supported by both the device and the bootstrapping server.