WISPr
Encyclopedia
WISPr or Wireless Internet Service Provider roaming - Pronounced "whisper," WISPr is a draft protocol submitted to the Wi-Fi Alliance
that allows users to roam between wireless internet service providers, in a fashion similar to that used to allow cellphone users to roam between carriers. A RADIUS
server is used to authenticate the subscriber's credentials.
It covers best practices for authenticating users via 802.1X or the Universal Access Method
(UAM), the latter being another name for browser based login at a captive portal hotspot. It requires that RADIUS
be used for AAA
and defines the required RADIUS attributes. For authentication by smart-clients, Appendix D defines the Smart Client to Access Gateway Interface Protocol, which is an XML based protocol for authentication. Smart-client software (and devices that use it) use this so-called WISPr XML to seamlessly login to HotSpots without the need for the user to interact with a captive portal.
The draft WISPr specification is no longer available from the Wi-Fi Alliance. It was submitted in a manner that does not conform with current IPR policies within the WI-Fi Alliance.
Intel and others have started a similar proposal - IRAP, which has now been rolled into ETSI Telecommunications and Internet converged Services and Protocols for Advanced Networking (TISPAN
); TS 183 019 and TS 183 020.
Wi-Fi Alliance
The Wi-Fi Alliance is a trade association that promotes Wireless LAN technology and certifies products if they conform to certain standards of interoperability. Not every IEEE 802.11-compliant device is submitted for certification to the Wi-Fi Alliance, sometimes because of costs associated with...
that allows users to roam between wireless internet service providers, in a fashion similar to that used to allow cellphone users to roam between carriers. A RADIUS
RADIUS
Remote Authentication Dial In User Service is a networking protocol that provides centralized Authentication, Authorization, and Accounting management for computers to connect and use a network service...
server is used to authenticate the subscriber's credentials.
It covers best practices for authenticating users via 802.1X or the Universal Access Method
Universal Access Method
The universal access method is frequently used by WiFi operators to allow access to a wireless network or access to another network while roaming....
(UAM), the latter being another name for browser based login at a captive portal hotspot. It requires that RADIUS
RADIUS
Remote Authentication Dial In User Service is a networking protocol that provides centralized Authentication, Authorization, and Accounting management for computers to connect and use a network service...
be used for AAA
AAA protocol
In computer security, AAA commonly stands for authentication, authorization and accounting.- Authentication :Authentication refers to the process where an entity's identity is authenticated, typically by providing evidence that it holds a specific digital identity such as an identifier and the...
and defines the required RADIUS attributes. For authentication by smart-clients, Appendix D defines the Smart Client to Access Gateway Interface Protocol, which is an XML based protocol for authentication. Smart-client software (and devices that use it) use this so-called WISPr XML to seamlessly login to HotSpots without the need for the user to interact with a captive portal.
The draft WISPr specification is no longer available from the Wi-Fi Alliance. It was submitted in a manner that does not conform with current IPR policies within the WI-Fi Alliance.
Intel and others have started a similar proposal - IRAP, which has now been rolled into ETSI Telecommunications and Internet converged Services and Protocols for Advanced Networking (TISPAN
TISPAN
The Telecoms & Internet converged Services & Protocols for Advanced Networks is a standardization body of ETSI, specializing in fixed networks and Internet convergence...
); TS 183 019 and TS 183 020.