US20110314136A1 - Method and System for Improved Communication Network Setup - Google Patents
Method and System for Improved Communication Network Setup Download PDFInfo
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- US20110314136A1 US20110314136A1 US13/204,361 US201113204361A US2011314136A1 US 20110314136 A1 US20110314136 A1 US 20110314136A1 US 201113204361 A US201113204361 A US 201113204361A US 2011314136 A1 US2011314136 A1 US 2011314136A1
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- configurator
- station
- information
- client
- timing window
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- H—ELECTRICITY
- H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
- H04L—TRANSMISSION OF DIGITAL INFORMATION, e.g. TELEGRAPHIC COMMUNICATION
- H04L63/00—Network architectures or network communication protocols for network security
- H04L63/08—Network architectures or network communication protocols for network security for authentication of entities
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- H—ELECTRICITY
- H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
- H04W—WIRELESS COMMUNICATION NETWORKS
- H04W12/00—Security arrangements; Authentication; Protecting privacy or anonymity
- H04W12/06—Authentication
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- H—ELECTRICITY
- H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
- H04W—WIRELESS COMMUNICATION NETWORKS
- H04W12/00—Security arrangements; Authentication; Protecting privacy or anonymity
- H04W12/50—Secure pairing of devices
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- H—ELECTRICITY
- H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
- H04W—WIRELESS COMMUNICATION NETWORKS
- H04W12/00—Security arrangements; Authentication; Protecting privacy or anonymity
- H04W12/60—Context-dependent security
- H04W12/61—Time-dependent
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- H—ELECTRICITY
- H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
- H04W—WIRELESS COMMUNICATION NETWORKS
- H04W84/00—Network topologies
- H04W84/02—Hierarchically pre-organised networks, e.g. paging networks, cellular networks, WLAN [Wireless Local Area Network] or WLL [Wireless Local Loop]
- H04W84/10—Small scale networks; Flat hierarchical networks
- H04W84/12—WLAN [Wireless Local Area Networks]
Definitions
- Certain embodiments of the invention relate to wireless network communication. More specifically, certain embodiments of the invention relate to a method and system for improved communication network setup.
- setting up a wireless network generally requires significant interaction and technical knowledge on the part of a user setting up the network, especially when the user is configuring security options for the network.
- the tasks associated with setting up a wireless network can be time consuming.
- the tasks associated with setting up a wireless network can be more challenging and consumes significantly greater time than required by computer savvy users.
- 802.11-based networks require a significant amount of user interaction during the configuration process.
- the user needs to configure a station (STA) to associate to an access point (AP), which may require a number of settings to be selected on the STA, and some knowledge of the default configuration of the AP.
- STA station
- AP access point
- the user may then access an HTML-based menu on the new AP in order to set various configuration parameters, many of which are difficult for novice and for intermediate users to understand and set correctly.
- New APs generally start with a configuration that provides no network security, and which utilize a default network name (SSID) that is selected by the manufacturer such as, for example, “Manufacturer Name”, “Default”, or “wireless”.
- SSID network name
- FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an exemplary wireless network, which may be utilized in connection with an embodiment of the invention.
- FIG. 2 is a block diagram of an exemplary system for wireless data communications comprising an ESS with collocation of configurators and access points (AP), in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.
- FIG. 3 is a block diagram of an exemplary secure communication system, which may be utilized in connection with an embodiment of the invention.
- FIG. 4 is a block diagram of an exemplary encryption system, which may be utilized in connection with an embodiment of the invention.
- FIG. 5 is a block diagram of an exemplary decryption system, which may be utilized in connection with an embodiment of the invention.
- FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating exemplary message exchanges based on a protocol and initiated at the configurator, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.
- FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating exemplary message exchanges based on a protocol and initiated at the client station, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.
- FIG. 8 a is a flowchart illustrating exemplary steps in a discovery protocol, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.
- FIG. 8 b is a flowchart illustrating exemplary steps in a discovery protocol with configuration validation, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.
- FIG. 8 c is a flowchart which is a continuation of FIG. 8 b illustrating exemplary steps in a discovery protocol with configuration validation, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.
- FIG. 9 is a flowchart illustrating exemplary steps performed by a configurator, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.
- FIG. 10 is a flowchart illustrating exemplary steps performed by the client in the configuration protocol, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.
- wireless terminal devices may communicate via radio frequency (RF) channels that may be monitored by unauthorized parties at terminal devices that were not intended to participate in the communication.
- IEEE 802.11 provides specifications that enable wireless terminal devices to communicate utilizing encryption techniques.
- the utilization of encryption techniques to securely exchange information between wireless terminals may prevent unauthorized parties from determining the information content carried in communications via a secure RF channel.
- the wireless terminal device Prior to being enabled to utilize a WLAN, the wireless terminal device may be required to obtain authorization through a process that comprises authentication.
- Enabling a wireless terminal device to obtain authorization and to utilize encryption may require a user to manually configure the wireless terminal. This manual configuration may require a user to possess extensive knowledge about the WLAN that may exceed that of a typical WLAN user.
- An aspect of the invention may comprise a method that reduces user interaction and knowledge required to configure a wireless terminal for secure communications in an IEEE 802.11 wireless local area network (WLAN).
- Components in a system may comprise a configurator, which may alternatively be referred to as a configurator terminal, configurator device, or configurator station, and a client, which may be alternatively referred to as a client terminal, client device, or client station.
- a configurator station, or a client station may be referred to as a station.
- the configurator may be a wireless and/or wired terminal device, an Ethernet switching device, or other device in an IEEE 802 local area network (LAN) and/or WLAN.
- the configurator may be located in an access point, for example.
- the configurator may provide a service to configure clients, which may be wireless terminal devices, thereby enabling the configured clients to utilize secure RF channels with little interaction required from the user.
- the client may be a wireless and/or wired terminal device, an Ethernet switching device, or other device in an IEEE 802 LAN and/or WLAN.
- FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an exemplary wireless network, which may be utilized in connection with an embodiment of the invention.
- an access point (AP) 102 there is shown an access point (AP) 102 , a plurality of client stations (STA) 104 , 106 , and 108 , a plurality of RF channels 114 , 116 , and 118 , and a network 110 .
- the AP 102 may be utilized as a configurator.
- the STAs 104 , 106 , and 108 may be wireless terminals such as a PC, a laptop, or a PDA with integrated or plug-in 801.11 capabilities.
- the PC may utilize a wireless NIC card and the laptop or PDA may comprise integrated 801.11 capabilities.
- the network 110 may be a private or public network, for example, a service provider or the Internet.
- the STAs 104 , 106 , and 108 may communicate with the AP 102 via corresponding secure RF channels 114 , 116 , and 118 , respectively.
- the AP 102 may communicate information received from a configured STA 104 , 106 , or 108 via the Internet 110 .
- the STAs 104 , 106 , or 108 may communicate with the configurator 102 to request configuration information.
- the configurator 102 may configure a requesting STA 104 , 106 , or 108 via a corresponding RF channel 114 , 116 , or 118 .
- FIG. 2 is a block diagram of an exemplary system for wireless data communications comprising an ESS with collocation of configurators and access points (AP), in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.
- a distribution system (DS) 210 may comprise a first basic service set (BSS) 202 , and may include a second BSS 212 , and may also include additional BSSs.
- the first BSS 202 may comprise a client station 204 , and a collocated configurator station and access point 208 .
- the second BSS 212 may comprise a client station 214 , and a collocated configurator station and access point 218 .
- the IEEE 802 LAN 222 may comprise a LAN station 224 , and a portal 226 .
- the collocated configurator station and access point 208 may be adapted to function as an access point or as a configurator station. Throughout this application, for simplicity, collocated configurator station and access point 208 may be referred to as collocated device 208 . Accordingly, the collocated device 208 functioning as an access point refers to the collocated configurator station and access point 208 functioning as an access point. Additionally, the collocated device 208 functioning as a configurator refers to the collocated configurator station and access point 208 functioning as a configurator.
- a BSS 202 may comprise a plurality of proximately located stations that may communicate wirelessly, via a wireless medium.
- a BSS 202 that is also associated with an ESS 220 may be referred to an infrastructure BSS.
- the wireless medium may comprise an RF channel.
- the ESS 220 comprising a plurality of BSS 202 and 212 , for example, may be identified by a unique service set identifier (SSID).
- the portal 226 may also be a member in the ESS 220 .
- Stations 204 and 214 associated with an ESS 220 , may communicate via a wireless medium and/or via a distribution system medium, for example the DS 210 .
- the DS 210 may comprise a distribution system medium that further comprises a wired medium and/or a wireless medium.
- a wired medium may comprise a physical communications channel that enables STA 204 to transmit information via a plurality of communications technologies, for example electrical or optical signals.
- the collocated configurator station and access point 208 or 218 may comprise the functionality of an AP and the functionality of a configurator.
- an AP may comprise the functionality of a station.
- the collocated device 208 functioning as an AP, may enable STA 204 to transmit information via the DS 210 .
- Portal 226 may enable a LAN station 224 , which is located in a traditional IEEE 802 LAN, to communicate with an IEEE 802.11 STA 204 , via the DS 210 .
- a traditional IEEE 802 LAN may comprise a wired medium.
- An IEEE 802 LAN 222 may not comprise an IEEE 802.11 WLAN, for example BSS 202 .
- the DS 210 may utilize media access control (MAC) layer IEEE 802 addressing and/or network layer addressing.
- MAC media access control
- the collocated device 208 functioning as an AP, collocated configurator station and access point 218 functioning as an AP, and/or the portal 226 may comprise Ethernet switching device functionality. If the DS 210 utilizes network layer addressing, the collocated device 208 functioning as an AP, collocated configurator station and access point 218 functioning as an AP, and/or the portal 226 may comprise router functionality.
- the collocated device 208 functioning as a configurator may configure a STA 204 , thereby enabling the STA 204 to communicate wirelessly in a secure IEEE 802.11 network that utilizes encryption.
- the collocated device 208 functioning as a configurator may configure a STA 204 by communicating information to the STA 204 comprising an SSID and an encryption key.
- the encryption key may also be referred to as a passphrase.
- a configured STA 204 may be authorized to utilize an IEEE 802.11 network based on the received configuration information from the collocated device 208 functioning as a configurator.
- a process by which the STA 204 is authenticated may comprise configuration of the STA 204 .
- Various embodiments of the invention comprise a method and a system for configuring the STA 204 while requiring less manual intervention from a user than is the case with some conventional methods and/or systems for configuring the STA 204 .
- a non-AP station for example, the client station 204 within the BSS 202 may subsequently form an association with the collocated device 208 functioning as an AP.
- the STA 204 may communicate an association request to the collocated device 208 functioning as an AP, based on the SSID that was received by the STA 204 during configuration.
- the collocated device 208 functioning as an AP may communicate an association response to the STA 204 to indicate to the STA 204 the result of the association request.
- the station 204 may become a member of BSS 202 .
- the STA 204 may become authorized to engage in secure wireless communication with other client stations in the ESS 220 .
- non-AP client station 214 within a BSS 212 may form an association with the collocated configurator station and access point 218 functioning as an AP, enabling the STA 214 to become a member of BSS 212 .
- the collocated device 208 functioning as an AP may communicate accessibility information about the client station 204 to other APs associated with the ESS 220 , such as the collocated configurator station and access point 218 functioning as an AP, and portals such as the portal 226 .
- the collocated configurator station and access point 218 functioning as an AP may communicate accessibility information about the client station 204 to stations in BSS 212 .
- the portal 226 such as for example an Ethernet switch or other device in a LAN, may communicate reachability information about the client station 204 to stations in LAN 222 , such as LAN station 224 .
- the communication of reachability information about the client station 204 may enable stations that are not associated in BSS 202 , but are associated in ESS 220 , to communicate with the client station 204 .
- the DS 210 may provide an infrastructure that enables a client station 204 in one BSS 202 , which has been authenticated and configured in accordance with various embodiments of the invention, to engage in a secure wireless communication with a client station 214 in another BSS 212 .
- the DS 210 may also enable a client station 204 in one BSS 202 to communicate with a LAN station 224 in a non-802.11 LAN 222 , such as a wired LAN.
- the collocated device 208 functioning as an AP, collocated configurator station and access point 218 functioning as an AP, or portal 226 may provide a facility by which a station in a BSS 202 , BSS 212 , or LAN 222 may communicate information via the DS 210 .
- the client station 204 in BSS 202 may communicate information to a client station 214 in BSS 212 by transmitting the information to collocated device 208 functioning as an AP.
- the collocated device 208 functioning as an AP may transmit the information via the DS 210 to the collocated configurator station and access point 218 functioning as an AP, which, in turn, may transmit the information to station 214 in BSS 212 .
- the client station 204 may communicate information to a LAN station 224 in LAN 222 by transmitting the information to collocated device 208 functioning as an AP.
- the collocated device 208 functioning as an AP may transmit the information via the DS 210 to the portal 226 , which, in turn, may transmit the information to the LAN station 224 in LAN 222 .
- FIG. 3 is a block diagram of an exemplary secure communication system, which may be utilized in connection with an embodiment of the invention.
- an encryption block 302 may comprise suitable logic, circuitry and/or code that may be adapted to encrypt received information based on a key provided by a key management service.
- the decryption block 304 may comprise suitable logic, circuitry and/or code that may be adapted to decrypt received information based on a key provided by a key management service.
- the encryption block 302 may be adapted to encrypt, or code data so as to hide the information content from an unauthorized eavesdropper who monitors a communication channel over which the information is communicated.
- This encryption may enable users of WLAN systems to obtain a level of privacy in communications, which approximates that realized in wired LAN systems.
- unencrypted data, or plaintext Prior to transmission via an RF channel, unencrypted data, or plaintext, may be processed by the encryption block 302 into encrypted data, or ciphertext, based on a key.
- Information comprising the ciphertext may be securely transmitted via an RF channel.
- An eavesdropper may be unable to extract the plaintext from the ciphertext without gaining access to the key that was utilized to generate the ciphertext from the plaintext.
- Information received via a secure RF channel may be processed by the decryption block 304 , which may retrieve the original plaintext from the received ciphertext based on a key.
- Various embodiments of the invention may comprise a key management service that provides a mechanism by which the encryption block 302 and the decryption block 304 may utilize a common key that may be referred to as a passphrase.
- a station for example, a client station 204 , may comprise at least one of an encryption block 302 and/or decryption block 304 .
- FIG. 4 is a block diagram of an exemplary encryption system, which may be utilized in connection with an embodiment of the invention. With reference to FIG. 4 there is shown a concatenation block 402 , a pseudo random number generator (PRNG) block 404 , an integrity algorithm block 406 , a concatenation block 408 , a logical exclusive-or block 410 , and a message block 412 .
- PRNG pseudo random number generator
- the concatenation block 402 may comprise suitable logic, circuitry and/or code that may be adapted to receive input comprising an initialization vector (IV), and a secret key.
- the IV and secret key may be processed by the concatenation block 402 to generate a seed.
- the PRNG block 404 may comprise suitable logic, circuitry and/or code that may be adapted to generate a key sequence based on a received seed.
- the integrity algorithm block 406 may comprise suitable logic, circuitry and/or code that may be adapted to process received plaintext to generate an integrity check value (ICV).
- the concatenation block 408 may process received plaintext and ICV to produce concatenated plaintext.
- the logical exclusive-or block 410 may process concatenated plaintext and a key sequence to produce ciphertext.
- the message block 412 may process received IV and ciphertext to generate information, which may be transmitted via an RF channel in a secure communication.
- the secret key also referred to as a passphrase
- the secret key may comprise an encryption key that, in turn, comprises a portion of configuration information that is communicated from a collocated device 208 functioning as a configurator, to a client station 204 during authentication of the client station 204 .
- the IV may change periodically.
- the concatenation block 402 may receive an IV and a passphrase from a station 204 that transmits information via an RF channel.
- the PRNG block 404 may receive a seed from the concatenation block 402 .
- the integrity algorithm block 406 may receive plaintext from a station that transmits information via an RF channel.
- the concatenation block 408 may receive an ICV from the integrity algorithm block 406 , and plaintext from a station 204 that transmits information via an RF channel.
- the logical exclusive-or block 410 may receive a key sequence from the PRNG block 404 , and concatenated plaintext from the concatenation block 408 .
- the message block 412 may receive ciphertext from the logical exclusive-or block 410 and an IV from a station 204 that transmits information via an RF channel.
- An encryption block 302 may comprise a concatenation block 402 , a PRNG block 404 , an integrity algorithm block 406 , a concatenation block 408 , a logical exclusive-or block 410 , and/or a message block 412 .
- FIG. 5 is a block diagram of an exemplary decryption system, which may be utilized in connection with an embodiment of the invention.
- a message block 502 may process received information, separating the received information into constituent components comprising ciphertext and IV.
- the concatenation block 504 may process received IV and secret key to generate a seed.
- the PRNG block 506 may process a received seed to generate a key sequence.
- the logical exclusive-or block 508 may process received key sequence and ciphertext to decrypt the ciphertext.
- the splitter block 510 may process received information, separating the received information into constituent components comprising ICV and plaintext.
- the integrity algorithm block 512 may generate an ICV′ based on received plaintext.
- the secret key may have been distributed to the concatenation block 504 utilizing a key management service.
- the message block 502 may receive information received by a station via an RF channel.
- the concatenation block 504 may receive an IV from the message block 502 .
- the PRNG block 506 may receive a seed from the concatenation block 504 .
- the logical exclusive-or block 508 may receive the key sequence from the PRNG block 506 , and the ciphertext from the message block 502 .
- the splitter block 510 may receive information from the logical exclusive-or block 508 .
- the integrity algorithm block 512 may receive plaintext from the splitter block 510 .
- the combiner block 514 may receive ICV from the splitter block 510 , and ICV′ from the integrity algorithm block 512 . If the combiner block 514 generates an output indicating false, the received information may be determined to be in error and discarded by a station 204 that received the information via an RF channel.
- a decryption block 304 may comprise at least one of a message block 502 , a concatenation block 504 , a PRNG block 506 , a logical exclusive-or block 508 , a splitter block 510 , an integrity algorithm block 512 , and a combiner block 514 .
- various embodiments of the invention may not be limited to a specific method of encryption. Accordingly, various embodiments of the invention may utilize a plurality of encryption techniques such as wired equivalent privacy (WEP), the Temporal Key Integrity Protocol (TKIP) or the Counter Mode with CBC-MAC Protocol (CCMP).
- WEP wired equivalent privacy
- TKIP Temporal Key Integrity Protocol
- CCMP Counter Mode with CBC-MAC Protocol
- FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating exemplary message exchanges based on a protocol and initiated at the configurator, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.
- FIG. 6 presents an exemplary exchange of messages between the collocated device 208 functioning as a configurator, and the client station 204 , based on the protocol.
- the collocated device 208 functioning as a configurator may be configured.
- a collocated device 208 functioning as a configurator, which is not configured to supply configuration information to a requesting client station 204 during authentication may be referred to as an unconfigured collocated device 208 functioning as a configurator.
- activation of a button located thereon for a specified time duration may initiate step 602 .
- the time duration for which the button is activated may correspond to, for example, a “short” button activation.
- configuration may comprise entering an SSID, and/or entering a passphrase.
- the SSID and/or passphrase that is entered and/or generated during the configuration may subsequently be utilized when configuring client stations 204 . If a passphrase is not entered, the configurator may be adapted to generate one, which may subsequently be utilized to configure client stations 204 .
- the entered and/or generated configuration information may be stored in non-volatile memory, and/or in a storage device at the collocated device 208 , for example.
- the collocated device 208 When the collocated device 208 functions as a configurator, it may retrieve the configuration information from the non-volatile memory and/or storage device and use it to configure client stations 204 .
- a configurator timing window may be opened at the collocated device 208 functioning as a configurator.
- the opening of the configurator timing window may correspond to the start of a time duration during which a client station 204 may be configured by the collocated device 208 functioning as a configurator.
- the time during which the configurator timing window remains open subsequent to a short button activation may be configured at the collocated device 208 functioning as a configurator.
- the collocated device 208 functioning as an AP may transmit IEEE 802.11 beacon frames comprising authentication enablement information, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.
- the authentication enablement information may indicate that the configurator timing window is open, and that the collocated device 208 functioning as a configurator is ready to configure a client station 204 .
- the authentication enablement information may comprise a flag field, window_open, which may be set to a Boolean value to indicate whether the configurator timing window is open or closed.
- the authentication enablement information may comprise a flag field, recently_cfg, which may be set to a Boolean value to indicate whether the collocated device 208 functioning as a configurator, is ready to configure a client station 204 .
- a subsequent first beacon message associated with the step 605 , transmitted by the collocated device 208 functioning as a configurator.
- Beacon frames transmitted by the collocated device 208 functioning as an AP, at instants in time during which the configurator timing window is not open may not comprise authentication enablement information. In step 605 , these beacon frames may be received by a client station 204 .
- a client timing window may be opened at the client station 204 .
- the opening of the client timing window may correspond to the start of a time duration in which a client station 204 may request to be configured by the collocated device 208 functioning as a configurator.
- the client station 204 may also start a discovery protocol.
- the discovery protocol comprises a process by which a client station 204 may locate a collocated device 208 functioning as a configurator, with which to initiate an authentication exchange.
- the client station 204 may scan beacon frames received from one or more collocated devices 208 functioning as either a configurator or an access point.
- a beacon frame collocated device 208 functioning as a configurator may comprise authentication enablement information. Subsequent to the opening of the client timing window, the client station 204 may communicate authentication response information to the collocated device 208 functioning as a configurator, via one or more messages associated with the steps 608 , 612 , 616 , 620 and 624 . The client station 204 may communicate the one or more messages, associated with the steps 608 , 612 , 616 , 620 and 624 , comprising authentication response information based on authentication enablement information contained in the transmitted beacon frame during a time interval in which the configurator timing window was open.
- a button located at either the collocated device 208 functioning as a configurator, or the client station 204 may comprise a hardware button, for example a physical button, and/or a software enabled button, for example, a glyph or icon that is displayed in a user interface.
- Steps 608 , 610 , 612 , and 614 may comprise message exchanges based on IEEE 802.11 comprising an open authentication and join of a basic service set (BSS) as defined in IEEE 802.11.
- BSS basic service set
- the BSS utilized during open authentication may utilize a different SSID than that utilized by the infrastructure BSS 202 .
- an authentication request message may be sent by the client station 204 , to the collocated device 208 functioning as a configurator.
- the collocated device 208 functioning as a configurator may send an authentication response message to the client station 204 .
- the client station 204 may send an association request message, associated with the step 612 , to the collocated device 208 functioning as a configurator.
- the collocated device 208 functioning as a configurator may send an association response message, associated with the step 614 , to the client station 204 .
- Steps 616 , 618 , 620 , and 622 may comprise a packet exchange based on the protocol, in accordance with various embodiments of the invention.
- the packet exchange may utilize, but may not be limited to, the Diffie-Hellman (DH) protocol.
- the client station 204 may communicate a hello packet to the collocated device 208 functioning as a configurator.
- the hello packet associated with the step 616 , may indicate to the collocated device 208 functioning as a configurator, that the client station 204 is ready to be configured.
- the collocated device 208 functioning as a configurator may communicate a key 1 message to the client station 204 .
- the key 1 message, associated with the step 618 may comprise a configurator key.
- the client station 204 may communicate a key 2 message to the collocated device 208 functioning as a configurator.
- the key 2 message, associated with the step 620 may comprise a client key.
- the collocated device 208 functioning as a configurator may communicate a configuration message to the client station 204 .
- the configuration message, associated with the step 622 may comprise configuration information that may be utilized to authenticate a client station 204 .
- the configuration information communicated in the configuration message, associated with the step 622 may be encrypted based on the configurator key and/or the client key.
- the client station 204 may communicate a status message to the collocated device 208 functioning as a configurator.
- the status message 624 may be sent subsequent to decryption of at least a portion of the configuration message 622 .
- the client station 204 may utilize the configurator key and/or the client key to decrypt at least a portion of the configuration message, associated with the step 622 that was previously encrypted by the collocated device 208 functioning as a configurator.
- the status message, associated with the step 624 may indicate whether the client station 204 was successfully configured during the packet exchange. If the client station was successfully configured, the status message, associated with the step 624 , may indicate success.
- the collocated device 208 functioning as a configurator may store authentication information about the configured client 204 in persistent memory. Persistent memory may comprise any of a plurality of device storage technologies that may be utilized to maintain information about the configured client station 204 until action is taken to release the stored information from persistent memory. These actions may comprise manual intervention at the collocated device 208 functioning as a configurator, by a user, or automatic intervention by a software process executing at the configurator.
- the client station 204 may rejoin the WLAN based on the received configuration information.
- the steps performed during the rejoin, associated with the step 626 may be substantially as defined in IEEE 802.11.
- the rejoin, associated with the step 626 may occur via a secure RF channel that utilizes the received configuration information in step 622 .
- the rejoin, associated with the step 626 may utilize the SSID that was received by the client station during the packet exchange.
- the collocated device 208 functioning as a configurator, may not be available to configure another client station 106 during the current configurator registration window time interval.
- Beacon frames may be transmitted by the collocated device 208 functioning as an AP, subsequent to the configuration of the client station 204 .
- These beacon frames may comprise information that indicates that the configurator timing window is closed, and that the collocated device 208 functioning as a configurator, has already configured a client station 204 during the current configurator timing window open time duration. This may indicate to a subsequent client station 204 that receives the beacon frames that the collocated device 208 functioning as a configurator, is not currently ready to configure a client station 204 .
- the packet exchange comprising the steps 616 , 618 , 620 , 622 and 624 , may be performed by a collocated device 208 functioning as a configurator, and a client station 204 that communicate wirelessly, via a wireless medium.
- the collocated device 208 functioning as a configurator, and client station 204 may also communicate during the packet exchange via a wired medium, for example, via an Ethernet LAN 222 .
- the collocated device 208 functioning as a configurator receives a packet, for example an authentication request, associated with the step 608 , from the client station 204 , via a wireless medium, subsequent packet exchanges between the collocated device 208 functioning as a configurator, and client station 204 may be communicated wirelessly. If the collocated device 208 functioning as a configurator receives a packet from the client station 204 , via a wired medium, subsequent packet exchanges between the collocated device 208 functioning as a configurator, and client station 204 may be communicated via a wired medium.
- the received packet may be, for example, hello packet, associated with the step 616 .
- the collocated device 208 functioning as a configurator may generate a new SSID and/or passphrase.
- the new SSID and/or passphrase may replace an SSID and/or passphrase that was stored in the collocated device 208 functioning as a configurator, as configuration information prior to the long button activation.
- a long button activation may initiate step 602 .
- the configurator may also release, from persistent memory, configuration information pertaining to previously configured client stations 204 .
- client stations 204 may lose the ability to engage in secure wireless communications via the BSS 202 or ESS 220 .
- the client stations 204 may be required to repeat the process of authentication with a collocated device 208 functioning as a configurator, to regain the ability to engage in secure wireless communications via the BSS 202 or ESS 220 .
- the exchange of authentication enablement information, authentication response information and configuration information in messages associated with the steps 605 , 608 , 610 , 612 , 614 , 616 , 618 , 620 , 622 and 624 , between a collocated device 208 functioning as a configurator, and a client station 204 , may occur within a time duration in which the configurator timing window is open.
- the configurator timing window is closed after a time interval corresponding to a configurator timing window open duration lapses or ends.
- FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating exemplary message exchanges based on a protocol and initiated at the client station, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.
- FIG. 7 is substantially as described in FIG. 6 with the exception that the button activation occurs at the client station 204 , to open the client timing window, at a time instant prior to a time instant at which the button activation occurs at the collocated device 208 functioning as a configurator, to open the configurator timing window.
- the client station 204 may wait to receive a beacon frame, associated with the step 605 .
- the beacon frame, associated with the step 605 may comprise authentication enablement information from the collocated device 208 functioning as an AP.
- message exchanges in FIG. 7 are substantially as described for FIG. 6 .
- FIG. 8 a is a flowchart illustrating exemplary steps in a discovery protocol, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.
- the discovery protocol comprises a process by which a client station 204 may locate a collocated device 208 functioning as a configurator, with which to initiate an authentication exchange as described in FIG. 6 , for example.
- a button may be activated at the client station 204 .
- the flag recently_cfg may indicate whether a located configurator has already configured a client in the current configurator timing window open time interval.
- the counter open_window may indicate a number of collocated configurator station and access points 208 functioning as configurators, located, by a client station 204 , for which the configurator timing window is open.
- the BSSID_LIST_SCAN directive may initiate a scanning process at the client station 204 .
- the scanning process may comprise steps that are performed by the client station 204 to locate a collocated device functioning as a configurator, for example.
- a corresponding scan timer may be started that defines a duration of a time interval during which the scanning process will be executed at the client station 204 .
- the identifier BSSID_LIST_SCAN may, for example, represent an object identifier (OID), in accordance with the network driver interface specification (NDIS), that may be utilized to initiate a search for APs at the client station 204 .
- OID object identifier
- NDIS network driver interface specification
- the client station 204 may attempt to locate collocated configurator station and access points 208 functioning as APs, in a BSS 202 .
- Step 808 may determine if the scanning process time interval has expired.
- the BSSID_LIST may comprise a listing of information received from beacon frames received from collocated configurator station and access points 208 functioning as APs that were located by the client station 204 during the scan.
- the list may comprise zero, or a plurality of entries. Each entry in the list may comprise information that was received in a beacon frame by the client station 204 .
- the received beacon frame may or may not comprise authentication enablement information.
- the BSSID_LIST may be scanned to detect information received from a collocated device 208 functioning as a configurator.
- step 818 may determine if the beacon frame associated with the entry contains the authentication enablement information.
- step 820 may determine if the window_open flag is set in the list entry. If the window_open flag is set to a value TRUE, this may indicate that a collocated device 208 , functioning as a configurator, has been located that is ready to configure a client station 204 . Step 822 may increment the value of the counter open_window. If the flag window_open is not set to a value TRUE, step 824 may determine if the flag recently_cfg is set to a value TRUE in the list entry. If the flag recently_cfg is set to a value TRUE in the list entry, step 826 may set the recently_cfg flag, which is utilized by the discovery protocol, equal to a logical value TRUE.
- a malicious client may be an unauthorized wireless terminal device that has been configured by the collocated device 208 , functioning as a configurator, during the current configurator timing window open time duration. If the flag recently_cfg is not equal to TRUE, step 842 may detect a client window timeout. The client timing window may be subsequently closed.
- FIG. 8 b is a flowchart illustrating exemplary steps in a discovery protocol with configuration validation, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.
- FIG. 8 b is substantially as described in FIG. 8 a .
- the discovery protocol may be repeated subsequent to step 832 , at which the client station 204 may locate a collocated device 208 functioning as a configurator.
- the discovery protocol may be repeated until a time instant at which a current client timing window has been open for a time duration greater than the timeout period.
- FIG. 8 c is a flowchart which is a continuation of FIG. 8 b illustrating exemplary steps in a discovery protocol with configuration validation, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.
- configuration of the client station 204 may be completed by transmitting a status message indicating successful configuration in step 844 .
- the status message may be transmitted to the collocated device 208 functioning as a configurator.
- it may be determined whether the client timing window has been open for a period of time that is greater than the configured timeout period of the client station 204 .
- the scanning process may repeat beginning at step 806 . If the client timing window has been open for a period of time that is greater than the timeout period, the client station 204 may accept the configuration in step 848 .
- FIG. 9 is a flowchart illustrating exemplary steps performed by a configurator, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.
- the collocated device 208 functioning as a configurator may be configured by setting SSID and passphrase, and setting the window open time.
- the window open time may comprise a time duration during which the configurator timing window may remain open within a single configurator timing window open time interval.
- the collocated device 208 functioning as a configurator may be configured either manually, or based on a long button activation.
- step 904 activating a button at the collocated device 208 functioning as a configurator, may initiate the protocol at the collocated device 208 functioning as a configurator.
- the configurator timing window may be opened and a flashing green light emitting diode (LED), for example, activated at the collocated device 208 functioning as a configurator.
- the LED for example, at the collocated device 208 functioning as a configurator, is activated to flashing green, it may indicate that the collocated device 208 functioning as a configurator, is configuring a client station 204 , or ready to configure a client station 204 .
- a configurator timing window timer may be started at the collocated device 208 functioning as a configurator.
- the collocated device 208 functioning as a configurator may transmit beacon frames comprising authentication enablement information, associated with the step 605 .
- Step 912 may determine if the configurator timing window has been open for a period of time greater than the configured window open timing value as specified in step 902 . If the configurator timing window has been open for a period of time greater than the configured timeout value, step 930 may stop transmitting beacon frames from the collocated device 208 functioning as a configurator, that comprise authentication enablement information.
- Step 932 may close the configurator timing window and return the LED, for example, at the collocated device 208 functioning as a configurator, to the state that was in effect prior to the most recent button press at the collocated device 208 functioning as a configurator.
- the LED may be deactivated at step 904 . If client stations 204 have been successfully authenticated and configured by the collocated device 208 functioning as a configurator, since the most recent long activation of the button at the collocated device 208 functioning as a configurator, the LED, for example, may be activated to solid green at step 904 . If the LED, for example, at the collocated device 208 functioning as a configurator, is deactivated, it may indicate that the collocated device 208 functioning as a configurator is unconfigured. If the LED, for example, at the collocated device 208 functioning as a configurator, is activated to solid green, it may indicate that the collocated device 208 functioning as a configurator, is configured and has configured at least one client station 204 .
- step 914 may determine if a hello message, associated with the step 616 , has been received from a client 204 . If a hello message, associated with the step 616 , has not been received at step 914 , the collocated device 208 functioning as a configurator, may continue sending beacon frames, associated with the step 605 , at step 910 . If a hello message, associated with the step 616 , has been received from a client station 204 , in step 920 , a key 1 message, associated with the step 618 , may be sent to the client station 204 .
- a key 2 message, associated with the step 620 may be received from the client station 204 .
- the collocated device 208 functioning as a configurator may determine whether the key exchange, comprising messages key 1 , associated with the step 618 , and key 2 , associated with the step 620 , was successful. If the key exchange was successful, in step 926 the collocated device 208 functioning as a configurator, may transmit configuration information, associated with the step 622 , to the client station 204 , and activate a solid green LED, for example, at the configurator 204 .
- the collocated device 208 functioning as a configurator may return a status message, associated with the step 624 , to the client station 204 indicating a failure.
- the collocated device 208 functioning as a configurator may activate a solid red LED, for example, for example.
- FIG. 10 is a flowchart illustrating exemplary steps performed by the client in a configuration protocol, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.
- the start of the configuration protocol at the client station 204 may wait until a button is activated at the client station 204 .
- a client timing window may be opened at the client station 204 .
- a window timer may be started at the client station 204 .
- the window timer may be utilized to detect a timeout that marks the end of the open time interval for the client timing window.
- the client station may determine whether a timeout duration, which is a time interval for the client timing window to remain open, has expired. If the client timing window has been open for a period of time greater than timeout duration, the client station 204 may close the client timing window at step 1028 .
- step 1012 may determine if a beacon message, associated with the step 605 , comprising authentication enablement information, has been received from the collocated device 208 functioning as a configurator. If a beacon message, associated with the step 605 , has not been received from the collocated device 208 functioning as a configurator, the client may continue to wait at step 1010 . If a beacon message, associated with the step 605 , has been received from the collocated device 208 functioning as a configurator, in step 1014 the client station 204 may transmit a hello message, associated with the step 616 , to the configurator 204 .
- a key 1 message, associated with the step 618 may be received from the collocated device 208 functioning as a configurator.
- a key 2 message, associated with the step 620 may be transmitted to the collocated device 208 functioning as a configurator.
- Step 1020 may determine if the key exchange with the collocated device 208 functioning as a configurator, comprising messages associated with the steps 618 and 620 , was successful. If the key exchange was successful, at step 1022 a configuration message, associated with the step 622 , may be received from the collocated device 208 functioning as a configurator, comprising an SSID and encrypted passphrase.
- step 1030 a status message, associated with the step 624 , indicating failure may be received from the collocated device 208 functioning as a configurator. Subsequent to steps 1022 and/or 1030 , step 1002 may follow.
- the system may comprise a client station 204 that receives authentication enablement information from a configurator station, for example a collocated device 208 functioning as a configurator, comprising an indication of a current state of a configurator timing window.
- a configurator station for example a collocated device 208 functioning as a configurator, comprising an indication of a current state of a configurator timing window.
- the user desiring to initiate configuration of a client device may then provide inputs, activating a button at the client station 204 for example, to communicate authentication response information to the configurator station, for example the collocated device 208 functioning as a configurator, based on the received authentication enablement information.
- the client station 204 may subsequently receive the desired configuration information, thereby enabling the client station 204 to access a WLAN and to engage in secure communications via the WLAN.
- the client station 204 may receive status information from the configurator station, for example the collocated device 208 functioning as a configurator.
- a system for enabling communication of information in a communication system may comprise pressing a button at a configurator station, for example a collocated device 208 functioning as a configurator, to transmit authentication enablement information to a client station 204 .
- the authentication enablement information may comprise an indication of a current state of a configurator timing window.
- the indication of the current state of the configurator timing window may define a period of time during which a client station 204 may be configured by the configurator station, for example the collocated device 208 functioning as a configurator.
- the configurator station for example the collocated device 208 functioning as a configurator, may subsequently receive authentication response information from the client station 204 based on the transmitted authentication enablement information.
- the configurator station may subsequently transmit the desired configuration information, thereby enabling the client station 204 to securely access a WLAN and to engage in secure communications via the WLAN.
- the configurator for example the collocated device 208 functioning as a configurator, may transmit status information based on the authentication response information received from the client station 204 .
- the present invention may be realized in hardware, software, or a combination of hardware and software.
- the present invention may be realized in a centralized fashion in at least one computer system, or in a distributed fashion where different elements are spread across several interconnected computer systems. Any kind of computer system or other apparatus adapted for carrying out the methods described herein is suited.
- a typical combination of hardware and software may be a general-purpose computer system with a computer program that, when being loaded and executed, controls the computer system such that it carries out the methods described herein.
- the present invention may also be embedded in a computer program product, which comprises all the features enabling the implementation of the methods described herein, and which when loaded in a computer system is able to carry out these methods.
- Computer program in the present context means any expression, in any language, code or notation, of a set of instructions intended to cause a system having an information processing capability to perform a particular function either directly or after either or both of the following: a) conversion to another language, code or notation; b) reproduction in a different material form.
Abstract
Description
- This application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 11/207,302 filed Aug. 18, 2005, and also makes reference to, claims priority to, and claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 60/671,120 filed Apr. 14, 2005 and U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 60/602,396 filed Aug. 18, 2004
- This application also makes reference to:
- U.S. application Ser. No. ______ (Attorney Docket 16583US02) filed Aug. 18, 2005;
- U.S. application Ser. No. ______ (Attorney Docket 16584US02) filed Aug. 18, 2005;
- U.S. application Ser. No. ______ (Attorney Docket 16585US02) filed Aug. 18, 2005;
- U.S. application Ser. No. ______(Attorney Docket 16586US02) filed Aug. 18, 2005;
- U.S. application Ser. No. ______ (Attorney Docket 16587US02) filed Aug. 18, 2005;
- U.S. application Ser. No. ______ (Attorney Docket 16588US02) filed Aug. 18, 2005;
- U.S. application Ser. No. ______ (Attorney Docket 16589US02) filed Aug. 18, 2005;
- U.S. application Ser. No. ______ (Attorney Docket 16590US02) filed Aug. 18, 2005;
- U.S. application Ser. No. ______ (Attorney Docket 16630US02) filed Aug. 18, 2005; and
- U.S. application Ser. No. ______ (Attorney Docket 16631US02) filed Aug. 18, 2005.
- All of the above referenced applications are hereby incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.
- Certain embodiments of the invention relate to wireless network communication. More specifically, certain embodiments of the invention relate to a method and system for improved communication network setup.
- Currently, with some conventional systems, setting up a wireless network generally requires significant interaction and technical knowledge on the part of a user setting up the network, especially when the user is configuring security options for the network. For computer savvy users, the tasks associated with setting up a wireless network can be time consuming. However, for inexperienced computer users, the tasks associated with setting up a wireless network can be more challenging and consumes significantly greater time than required by computer savvy users.
- In general, 802.11-based networks require a significant amount of user interaction during the configuration process. Typically, with conventional 802.11-based networks, the user needs to configure a station (STA) to associate to an access point (AP), which may require a number of settings to be selected on the STA, and some knowledge of the default configuration of the AP. The user may then access an HTML-based menu on the new AP in order to set various configuration parameters, many of which are difficult for novice and for intermediate users to understand and set correctly. New APs generally start with a configuration that provides no network security, and which utilize a default network name (SSID) that is selected by the manufacturer such as, for example, “Manufacturer Name”, “Default”, or “wireless”. With the proliferation of 802.11 networks, users often experience confusion and network problems when their new AP uses the same SSID as a neighboring AP.
- Further limitations and disadvantages of conventional and traditional approaches will become apparent to one of skill in the art, through comparison of such systems with some aspects of the present invention as set forth in the remainder of the present application with reference to the drawings.
- Certain embodiments of the invention may be found in a method and system for improved communication network setup substantially as shown in and/or described in connection with at least one of the figures, as set forth more completely in the claims.
- These and other advantages, aspects and novel features of the present invention, as well as details of an illustrated embodiment thereof, will be more fully understood from the following description and drawings.
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FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an exemplary wireless network, which may be utilized in connection with an embodiment of the invention. -
FIG. 2 is a block diagram of an exemplary system for wireless data communications comprising an ESS with collocation of configurators and access points (AP), in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. -
FIG. 3 is a block diagram of an exemplary secure communication system, which may be utilized in connection with an embodiment of the invention. -
FIG. 4 is a block diagram of an exemplary encryption system, which may be utilized in connection with an embodiment of the invention. -
FIG. 5 is a block diagram of an exemplary decryption system, which may be utilized in connection with an embodiment of the invention. -
FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating exemplary message exchanges based on a protocol and initiated at the configurator, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. -
FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating exemplary message exchanges based on a protocol and initiated at the client station, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. -
FIG. 8 a is a flowchart illustrating exemplary steps in a discovery protocol, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. -
FIG. 8 b is a flowchart illustrating exemplary steps in a discovery protocol with configuration validation, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. -
FIG. 8 c is a flowchart which is a continuation ofFIG. 8 b illustrating exemplary steps in a discovery protocol with configuration validation, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. -
FIG. 9 is a flowchart illustrating exemplary steps performed by a configurator, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. -
FIG. 10 is a flowchart illustrating exemplary steps performed by the client in the configuration protocol, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. - Certain embodiments of the invention may be found in a method and system for improved communication network setup. In IEEE 802.11 wireless local area network (WLAN) systems, wireless terminal devices, or wireless terminals, for example personal computers or personal digital assistants, may communicate via radio frequency (RF) channels that may be monitored by unauthorized parties at terminal devices that were not intended to participate in the communication. In response, IEEE 802.11 provides specifications that enable wireless terminal devices to communicate utilizing encryption techniques. The utilization of encryption techniques to securely exchange information between wireless terminals may prevent unauthorized parties from determining the information content carried in communications via a secure RF channel. Prior to being enabled to utilize a WLAN, the wireless terminal device may be required to obtain authorization through a process that comprises authentication.
- Enabling a wireless terminal device to obtain authorization and to utilize encryption may require a user to manually configure the wireless terminal. This manual configuration may require a user to possess extensive knowledge about the WLAN that may exceed that of a typical WLAN user. An aspect of the invention may comprise a method that reduces user interaction and knowledge required to configure a wireless terminal for secure communications in an IEEE 802.11 wireless local area network (WLAN). Components in a system, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention, may comprise a configurator, which may alternatively be referred to as a configurator terminal, configurator device, or configurator station, and a client, which may be alternatively referred to as a client terminal, client device, or client station. A configurator station, or a client station, may be referred to as a station.
- The configurator may be a wireless and/or wired terminal device, an Ethernet switching device, or other device in an
IEEE 802 local area network (LAN) and/or WLAN. The configurator may be located in an access point, for example. The configurator may provide a service to configure clients, which may be wireless terminal devices, thereby enabling the configured clients to utilize secure RF channels with little interaction required from the user. The client may be a wireless and/or wired terminal device, an Ethernet switching device, or other device in anIEEE 802 LAN and/or WLAN. -
FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an exemplary wireless network, which may be utilized in connection with an embodiment of the invention. Referring toFIG. 1 , there is shown an access point (AP) 102, a plurality of client stations (STA) 104, 106, and 108, a plurality ofRF channels network 110. TheAP 102 may be utilized as a configurator. TheSTAs network 110 may be a private or public network, for example, a service provider or the Internet. - In operation, in instances where the
STAs AP 102 via correspondingsecure RF channels AP 102 may communicate information received from a configuredSTA Internet 110. In instances where theSTAs configurator 102 to request configuration information. Theconfigurator 102 may configure a requestingSTA corresponding RF channel -
FIG. 2 is a block diagram of an exemplary system for wireless data communications comprising an ESS with collocation of configurators and access points (AP), in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. With reference toFIG. 2 there is shown a distribution system (DS) 210, an extended service set (ESS) 220, and anIEEE 802LAN 222. TheESS 220 may comprise a first basic service set (BSS) 202, and may include asecond BSS 212, and may also include additional BSSs. Thefirst BSS 202 may comprise aclient station 204, and a collocated configurator station andaccess point 208. Thesecond BSS 212 may comprise aclient station 214, and a collocated configurator station andaccess point 218. TheIEEE 802LAN 222 may comprise aLAN station 224, and a portal 226. - The collocated configurator station and
access point 208 may be adapted to function as an access point or as a configurator station. Throughout this application, for simplicity, collocated configurator station andaccess point 208 may be referred to as collocateddevice 208. Accordingly, the collocateddevice 208 functioning as an access point refers to the collocated configurator station andaccess point 208 functioning as an access point. Additionally, the collocateddevice 208 functioning as a configurator refers to the collocated configurator station andaccess point 208 functioning as a configurator. - A
BSS 202 may comprise a plurality of proximately located stations that may communicate wirelessly, via a wireless medium. ABSS 202 that is also associated with anESS 220 may be referred to an infrastructure BSS. The wireless medium may comprise an RF channel. TheESS 220, comprising a plurality ofBSS ESS 220.Stations ESS 220, may communicate via a wireless medium and/or via a distribution system medium, for example theDS 210. TheDS 210 may comprise a distribution system medium that further comprises a wired medium and/or a wireless medium. A wired medium may comprise a physical communications channel that enablesSTA 204 to transmit information via a plurality of communications technologies, for example electrical or optical signals. In an IEEE 802.11 WLAN, the collocated configurator station andaccess point - The collocated
device 208 functioning as an AP, may enableSTA 204 to transmit information via theDS 210.Portal 226 may enable aLAN station 224, which is located in atraditional IEEE 802 LAN, to communicate with an IEEE 802.11STA 204, via theDS 210. Atraditional IEEE 802 LAN may comprise a wired medium. AnIEEE 802LAN 222 may not comprise an IEEE 802.11 WLAN, forexample BSS 202. TheDS 210 may utilize media access control (MAC)layer IEEE 802 addressing and/or network layer addressing. If theDS 210 utilizesMAC layer IEEE 802 addressing, the collocateddevice 208 functioning as an AP, collocated configurator station andaccess point 218 functioning as an AP, and/or the portal 226 may comprise Ethernet switching device functionality. If theDS 210 utilizes network layer addressing, the collocateddevice 208 functioning as an AP, collocated configurator station andaccess point 218 functioning as an AP, and/or the portal 226 may comprise router functionality. - The collocated
device 208 functioning as a configurator may configure aSTA 204, thereby enabling theSTA 204 to communicate wirelessly in a secure IEEE 802.11 network that utilizes encryption. The collocateddevice 208 functioning as a configurator, may configure aSTA 204 by communicating information to theSTA 204 comprising an SSID and an encryption key. The encryption key may also be referred to as a passphrase. A configuredSTA 204 may be authorized to utilize an IEEE 802.11 network based on the received configuration information from the collocateddevice 208 functioning as a configurator. A process by which theSTA 204 is authenticated may comprise configuration of theSTA 204. Various embodiments of the invention comprise a method and a system for configuring theSTA 204 while requiring less manual intervention from a user than is the case with some conventional methods and/or systems for configuring theSTA 204. - A non-AP station, for example, the
client station 204 within theBSS 202 may subsequently form an association with the collocateddevice 208 functioning as an AP. TheSTA 204 may communicate an association request to the collocateddevice 208 functioning as an AP, based on the SSID that was received by theSTA 204 during configuration. The collocateddevice 208 functioning as an AP, may communicate an association response to theSTA 204 to indicate to theSTA 204 the result of the association request. By associating with the collocateddevice 208 functioning as an AP, thestation 204 may become a member ofBSS 202. Furthermore, by obtaining membership inBSS 202, theSTA 204 may become authorized to engage in secure wireless communication with other client stations in theESS 220. Similarly,non-AP client station 214 within aBSS 212 may form an association with the collocated configurator station andaccess point 218 functioning as an AP, enabling theSTA 214 to become a member ofBSS 212. - Subsequent to the formation of an association between the
client station 204 and the collocateddevice 208 functioning as an AP, the collocateddevice 208 functioning as an AP, may communicate accessibility information about theclient station 204 to other APs associated with theESS 220, such as the collocated configurator station andaccess point 218 functioning as an AP, and portals such as the portal 226. In turn, the collocated configurator station andaccess point 218 functioning as an AP, may communicate accessibility information about theclient station 204 to stations inBSS 212. The portal 226, such as for example an Ethernet switch or other device in a LAN, may communicate reachability information about theclient station 204 to stations inLAN 222, such asLAN station 224. The communication of reachability information about theclient station 204 may enable stations that are not associated inBSS 202, but are associated inESS 220, to communicate with theclient station 204. - The
DS 210 may provide an infrastructure that enables aclient station 204 in oneBSS 202, which has been authenticated and configured in accordance with various embodiments of the invention, to engage in a secure wireless communication with aclient station 214 in anotherBSS 212. TheDS 210 may also enable aclient station 204 in oneBSS 202 to communicate with aLAN station 224 in anon-802.11 LAN 222, such as a wired LAN. The collocateddevice 208 functioning as an AP, collocated configurator station andaccess point 218 functioning as an AP, or portal 226 may provide a facility by which a station in aBSS 202,BSS 212, orLAN 222 may communicate information via theDS 210. Theclient station 204 inBSS 202 may communicate information to aclient station 214 inBSS 212 by transmitting the information to collocateddevice 208 functioning as an AP. The collocateddevice 208 functioning as an AP may transmit the information via theDS 210 to the collocated configurator station andaccess point 218 functioning as an AP, which, in turn, may transmit the information to station 214 inBSS 212. Theclient station 204 may communicate information to aLAN station 224 inLAN 222 by transmitting the information to collocateddevice 208 functioning as an AP. The collocateddevice 208 functioning as an AP, may transmit the information via theDS 210 to the portal 226, which, in turn, may transmit the information to theLAN station 224 inLAN 222. -
FIG. 3 is a block diagram of an exemplary secure communication system, which may be utilized in connection with an embodiment of the invention. With reference toFIG. 3 , there is shown anencryption block 302, and adecryption block 304. Theencryption block 302 may comprise suitable logic, circuitry and/or code that may be adapted to encrypt received information based on a key provided by a key management service. Thedecryption block 304 may comprise suitable logic, circuitry and/or code that may be adapted to decrypt received information based on a key provided by a key management service. Theencryption block 302 may be adapted to encrypt, or code data so as to hide the information content from an unauthorized eavesdropper who monitors a communication channel over which the information is communicated. This encryption may enable users of WLAN systems to obtain a level of privacy in communications, which approximates that realized in wired LAN systems. Prior to transmission via an RF channel, unencrypted data, or plaintext, may be processed by theencryption block 302 into encrypted data, or ciphertext, based on a key. Information comprising the ciphertext may be securely transmitted via an RF channel. An eavesdropper may be unable to extract the plaintext from the ciphertext without gaining access to the key that was utilized to generate the ciphertext from the plaintext. Information received via a secure RF channel may be processed by thedecryption block 304, which may retrieve the original plaintext from the received ciphertext based on a key. Various embodiments of the invention may comprise a key management service that provides a mechanism by which theencryption block 302 and thedecryption block 304 may utilize a common key that may be referred to as a passphrase. A station, for example, aclient station 204, may comprise at least one of anencryption block 302 and/ordecryption block 304. -
FIG. 4 is a block diagram of an exemplary encryption system, which may be utilized in connection with an embodiment of the invention. With reference toFIG. 4 there is shown aconcatenation block 402, a pseudo random number generator (PRNG) block 404, anintegrity algorithm block 406, aconcatenation block 408, a logical exclusive-orblock 410, and a message block 412. - The
concatenation block 402 may comprise suitable logic, circuitry and/or code that may be adapted to receive input comprising an initialization vector (IV), and a secret key. The IV and secret key may be processed by theconcatenation block 402 to generate a seed. ThePRNG block 404 may comprise suitable logic, circuitry and/or code that may be adapted to generate a key sequence based on a received seed. Theintegrity algorithm block 406 may comprise suitable logic, circuitry and/or code that may be adapted to process received plaintext to generate an integrity check value (ICV). Theconcatenation block 408 may process received plaintext and ICV to produce concatenated plaintext. The logical exclusive-or block 410 may process concatenated plaintext and a key sequence to produce ciphertext. The message block 412 may process received IV and ciphertext to generate information, which may be transmitted via an RF channel in a secure communication. - In various embodiments of the invention, the secret key, also referred to as a passphrase, may comprise an encryption key that, in turn, comprises a portion of configuration information that is communicated from a collocated
device 208 functioning as a configurator, to aclient station 204 during authentication of theclient station 204. The IV may change periodically. Theconcatenation block 402 may receive an IV and a passphrase from astation 204 that transmits information via an RF channel. ThePRNG block 404 may receive a seed from theconcatenation block 402. Theintegrity algorithm block 406 may receive plaintext from a station that transmits information via an RF channel. Theconcatenation block 408 may receive an ICV from theintegrity algorithm block 406, and plaintext from astation 204 that transmits information via an RF channel. The logical exclusive-or block 410 may receive a key sequence from thePRNG block 404, and concatenated plaintext from theconcatenation block 408. The message block 412 may receive ciphertext from the logical exclusive-or block 410 and an IV from astation 204 that transmits information via an RF channel. Anencryption block 302 may comprise aconcatenation block 402, aPRNG block 404, anintegrity algorithm block 406, aconcatenation block 408, a logical exclusive-orblock 410, and/or a message block 412. -
FIG. 5 is a block diagram of an exemplary decryption system, which may be utilized in connection with an embodiment of the invention. With reference toFIG. 5 , there is shown amessage block 502, aconcatenation block 504, aPRNG block 506, a logical exclusive-orblock 508, asplitter block 510, an integrity algorithm block 512, and acombiner block 514. Themessage block 502 may process received information, separating the received information into constituent components comprising ciphertext and IV. Theconcatenation block 504 may process received IV and secret key to generate a seed. ThePRNG block 506 may process a received seed to generate a key sequence. The logical exclusive-or block 508 may process received key sequence and ciphertext to decrypt the ciphertext. Thesplitter block 510 may process received information, separating the received information into constituent components comprising ICV and plaintext. The integrity algorithm block 512 may generate an ICV′ based on received plaintext. Thecombiner block 514 may compare a received ICV′ and ICV. Thecombiner block 514 may generate an output which indicates whether ICV′=ICV is true or false. - In operation the secret key may have been distributed to the
concatenation block 504 utilizing a key management service. Themessage block 502 may receive information received by a station via an RF channel. Theconcatenation block 504 may receive an IV from themessage block 502. ThePRNG block 506 may receive a seed from theconcatenation block 504. The logical exclusive-or block 508 may receive the key sequence from thePRNG block 506, and the ciphertext from themessage block 502. Thesplitter block 510 may receive information from the logical exclusive-orblock 508. The integrity algorithm block 512 may receive plaintext from thesplitter block 510. Thecombiner block 514 may receive ICV from thesplitter block 510, and ICV′ from the integrity algorithm block 512. If thecombiner block 514 generates an output indicating false, the received information may be determined to be in error and discarded by astation 204 that received the information via an RF channel. Adecryption block 304 may comprise at least one of amessage block 502, aconcatenation block 504, aPRNG block 506, a logical exclusive-orblock 508, asplitter block 510, an integrity algorithm block 512, and acombiner block 514. - Various embodiments of the invention may not be limited to a specific method of encryption. Accordingly, various embodiments of the invention may utilize a plurality of encryption techniques such as wired equivalent privacy (WEP), the Temporal Key Integrity Protocol (TKIP) or the Counter Mode with CBC-MAC Protocol (CCMP).
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FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating exemplary message exchanges based on a protocol and initiated at the configurator, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.FIG. 6 presents an exemplary exchange of messages between the collocateddevice 208 functioning as a configurator, and theclient station 204, based on the protocol. Instep 602, the collocateddevice 208 functioning as a configurator, may be configured. A collocateddevice 208 functioning as a configurator, which is not configured to supply configuration information to a requestingclient station 204 during authentication may be referred to as an unconfigured collocateddevice 208 functioning as a configurator. In an unconfigured collocateddevice 208 functioning as a configurator, activation of a button located thereon for a specified time duration may initiatestep 602. The time duration for which the button is activated may correspond to, for example, a “short” button activation. In instances where the collocateddevice 208 functions as a configurator, configuration may comprise entering an SSID, and/or entering a passphrase. The SSID and/or passphrase that is entered and/or generated during the configuration may subsequently be utilized when configuringclient stations 204. If a passphrase is not entered, the configurator may be adapted to generate one, which may subsequently be utilized to configureclient stations 204. The entered and/or generated configuration information may be stored in non-volatile memory, and/or in a storage device at the collocateddevice 208, for example. When the collocateddevice 208 functions as a configurator, it may retrieve the configuration information from the non-volatile memory and/or storage device and use it to configureclient stations 204. - In a configured collocated
device 208, functioning as a configurator, activation of the button thereon for a specific time duration may result instep 602 being bypassed, and step 604 initiated. The specific time duration for which the button is activated may correspond to, for example, a short button activation. Instep 604, a configurator timing window may be opened at the collocateddevice 208 functioning as a configurator. The opening of the configurator timing window may correspond to the start of a time duration during which aclient station 204 may be configured by the collocateddevice 208 functioning as a configurator. The time during which the configurator timing window remains open subsequent to a short button activation may be configured at the collocateddevice 208 functioning as a configurator. - In
step 605, at a time instant subsequent to the opening of the configurator timing window instep 604, the collocateddevice 208 functioning as an AP, may transmit IEEE 802.11 beacon frames comprising authentication enablement information, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. The authentication enablement information may indicate that the configurator timing window is open, and that the collocateddevice 208 functioning as a configurator is ready to configure aclient station 204. In one embodiment of the invention, the authentication enablement information may comprise a flag field, window_open, which may be set to a Boolean value to indicate whether the configurator timing window is open or closed. A logical value window_open=TRUE, or a numerical value window_open=1 may indicate that the configurator timing window is open, for example. A logical value window_open=FALSE, or a numerical value window_open=0 may indicate that the configurator timing window is closed, for example. The authentication enablement information may comprise a flag field, recently_cfg, which may be set to a Boolean value to indicate whether the collocateddevice 208 functioning as a configurator, is ready to configure aclient station 204. A logical value recently_cfg=FALSE, or a numerical value recently_cfg=0 may indicate that the collocateddevice 208 functioning as a configurator, is ready to configure aclient station 204, for example. A logical value recently_cfg=TRUE, or a numerical value recently_cfg=1 may indicate that the collocateddevice 208 functioning as a configurator, has already configured aclient station 204 during the current configurator timing window open time interval and is not ready to configure aclient station 204, for example. - At a time instant when a configurator timing window is opened, a subsequent first beacon message, associated with the
step 605, transmitted by the collocateddevice 208 functioning as a configurator. The message, associated with thestep 605, may comprise flags window_open=TRUE, indicating that the configurator timing window is open, and recently_cfg=FALSE, indicating that the collocateddevice 208 functioning as a configurator, is ready to configure aclient station 204. Beacon frames transmitted by the collocateddevice 208 functioning as an AP, at instants in time during which the configurator timing window is not open may not comprise authentication enablement information. Instep 605, these beacon frames may be received by aclient station 204. - In a
client station 204, activation of the button, located at aclient station 204 may initiatestep 606. Instep 606, a client timing window may be opened at theclient station 204. The opening of the client timing window may correspond to the start of a time duration in which aclient station 204 may request to be configured by the collocateddevice 208 functioning as a configurator. Theclient station 204 may also start a discovery protocol. The discovery protocol comprises a process by which aclient station 204 may locate a collocateddevice 208 functioning as a configurator, with which to initiate an authentication exchange. Theclient station 204 may scan beacon frames received from one or more collocateddevices 208 functioning as either a configurator or an access point. A beacon frame collocateddevice 208 functioning as a configurator may comprise authentication enablement information. Subsequent to the opening of the client timing window, theclient station 204 may communicate authentication response information to the collocateddevice 208 functioning as a configurator, via one or more messages associated with thesteps client station 204 may communicate the one or more messages, associated with thesteps - A button located at either the collocated
device 208 functioning as a configurator, or theclient station 204, may comprise a hardware button, for example a physical button, and/or a software enabled button, for example, a glyph or icon that is displayed in a user interface. -
Steps infrastructure BSS 202. Instep 608, an authentication request message may be sent by theclient station 204, to the collocateddevice 208 functioning as a configurator. In step 610, the collocateddevice 208 functioning as a configurator, may send an authentication response message to theclient station 204. Instep 612, theclient station 204 may send an association request message, associated with thestep 612, to the collocateddevice 208 functioning as a configurator. In step 614, the collocateddevice 208 functioning as a configurator, may send an association response message, associated with the step 614, to theclient station 204. -
Steps step 616, theclient station 204 may communicate a hello packet to the collocateddevice 208 functioning as a configurator. The hello packet, associated with thestep 616, may indicate to the collocateddevice 208 functioning as a configurator, that theclient station 204 is ready to be configured. In step 618, the collocateddevice 208 functioning as a configurator, may communicate a key1 message to theclient station 204. The key1 message, associated with the step 618, may comprise a configurator key. In step 620, theclient station 204 may communicate a key2 message to the collocateddevice 208 functioning as a configurator. The key2 message, associated with the step 620, may comprise a client key. - In
step 622, the collocateddevice 208 functioning as a configurator, may communicate a configuration message to theclient station 204. The configuration message, associated with thestep 622, may comprise configuration information that may be utilized to authenticate aclient station 204. The configuration information communicated in the configuration message, associated with thestep 622, may be encrypted based on the configurator key and/or the client key. Instep 624, theclient station 204 may communicate a status message to the collocateddevice 208 functioning as a configurator. Thestatus message 624 may be sent subsequent to decryption of at least a portion of theconfiguration message 622. Theclient station 204 may utilize the configurator key and/or the client key to decrypt at least a portion of the configuration message, associated with thestep 622 that was previously encrypted by the collocateddevice 208 functioning as a configurator. The status message, associated with thestep 624, may indicate whether theclient station 204 was successfully configured during the packet exchange. If the client station was successfully configured, the status message, associated with thestep 624, may indicate success. The collocateddevice 208 functioning as a configurator, may store authentication information about the configuredclient 204 in persistent memory. Persistent memory may comprise any of a plurality of device storage technologies that may be utilized to maintain information about the configuredclient station 204 until action is taken to release the stored information from persistent memory. These actions may comprise manual intervention at the collocateddevice 208 functioning as a configurator, by a user, or automatic intervention by a software process executing at the configurator. - In step 626, the
client station 204 may rejoin the WLAN based on the received configuration information. The steps performed during the rejoin, associated with the step 626, may be substantially as defined in IEEE 802.11. The rejoin, associated with the step 626, may occur via a secure RF channel that utilizes the received configuration information instep 622. For example, the rejoin, associated with the step 626, may utilize the SSID that was received by the client station during the packet exchange. Subsequent to configuration of theclient station 204, the collocateddevice 208 functioning as a configurator, may not be available to configure anotherclient station 106 during the current configurator registration window time interval. Beacon frames may be transmitted by the collocateddevice 208 functioning as an AP, subsequent to the configuration of theclient station 204. These beacon frames may comprise information that indicates that the configurator timing window is closed, and that the collocateddevice 208 functioning as a configurator, has already configured aclient station 204 during the current configurator timing window open time duration. This may indicate to asubsequent client station 204 that receives the beacon frames that the collocateddevice 208 functioning as a configurator, is not currently ready to configure aclient station 204. - In various embodiments of the invention, the packet exchange, comprising the
steps device 208 functioning as a configurator, and aclient station 204 that communicate wirelessly, via a wireless medium. The collocateddevice 208 functioning as a configurator, andclient station 204 may also communicate during the packet exchange via a wired medium, for example, via anEthernet LAN 222. If the collocateddevice 208 functioning as a configurator, receives a packet, for example an authentication request, associated with thestep 608, from theclient station 204, via a wireless medium, subsequent packet exchanges between the collocateddevice 208 functioning as a configurator, andclient station 204 may be communicated wirelessly. If the collocateddevice 208 functioning as a configurator receives a packet from theclient station 204, via a wired medium, subsequent packet exchanges between the collocateddevice 208 functioning as a configurator, andclient station 204 may be communicated via a wired medium. The received packet may be, for example, hello packet, associated with thestep 616. - In operation, if the time duration for button activation at the collocated
device 208 functioning as a configurator corresponds to a “long” button activation, the collocateddevice 208 functioning as a configurator may generate a new SSID and/or passphrase. The new SSID and/or passphrase may replace an SSID and/or passphrase that was stored in the collocateddevice 208 functioning as a configurator, as configuration information prior to the long button activation. For either a configured, or unconfigured collocateddevice 208 functioning as a configurator, a long button activation may initiatestep 602. Subsequent to a long button activation, the configurator may also release, from persistent memory, configuration information pertaining to previously configuredclient stations 204. As a consequence, previously configuredclient stations 204 may lose the ability to engage in secure wireless communications via theBSS 202 orESS 220. Theclient stations 204 may be required to repeat the process of authentication with a collocateddevice 208 functioning as a configurator, to regain the ability to engage in secure wireless communications via theBSS 202 orESS 220. - The exchange of authentication enablement information, authentication response information and configuration information in messages associated with the
steps device 208 functioning as a configurator, and aclient station 204, may occur within a time duration in which the configurator timing window is open. The configurator timing window is closed after a time interval corresponding to a configurator timing window open duration lapses or ends. The exchange of authentication enablement information, authentication response information and configuration information, in messages associated with thesteps device 208 functioning as a configurator, and aclient station 204, may occur within a time duration in which the client timing window is open. After a time interval corresponding to a client timing window open duration lapses, the client timing window is closed. -
FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating exemplary message exchanges based on a protocol and initiated at the client station, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.FIG. 7 is substantially as described inFIG. 6 with the exception that the button activation occurs at theclient station 204, to open the client timing window, at a time instant prior to a time instant at which the button activation occurs at the collocateddevice 208 functioning as a configurator, to open the configurator timing window. Subsequent to the button activation to open the client timing window, associated with thestep 706, at theclient station 204, theclient station 204 may wait to receive a beacon frame, associated with thestep 605. The beacon frame, associated with thestep 605, may comprise authentication enablement information from the collocateddevice 208 functioning as an AP. Subsequent to receiving the beacon frame, message exchanges inFIG. 7 are substantially as described forFIG. 6 . -
FIG. 8 a is a flowchart illustrating exemplary steps in a discovery protocol, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. The discovery protocol comprises a process by which aclient station 204 may locate a collocateddevice 208 functioning as a configurator, with which to initiate an authentication exchange as described inFIG. 6 , for example. With reference toFIG. 8 , instep 802, a button may be activated at theclient station 204. Instep 804, a client window may be opened, a window timer that may determine a time duration for which the client window is to remain open may be started, the flag may be set recently_cfg=FALSE, and the counter may be set open_window=0. The flag recently_cfg may indicate whether a located configurator has already configured a client in the current configurator timing window open time interval. The counter open_window may indicate a number of collocated configurator station andaccess points 208 functioning as configurators, located, by aclient station 204, for which the configurator timing window is open. - In
step 806, the BSSID_LIST_SCAN directive may initiate a scanning process at theclient station 204. The scanning process may comprise steps that are performed by theclient station 204 to locate a collocated device functioning as a configurator, for example. A corresponding scan timer may be started that defines a duration of a time interval during which the scanning process will be executed at theclient station 204. The identifier BSSID_LIST_SCAN may, for example, represent an object identifier (OID), in accordance with the network driver interface specification (NDIS), that may be utilized to initiate a search for APs at theclient station 204. Theclient station 204 may attempt to locate collocated configurator station andaccess points 208 functioning as APs, in aBSS 202. Step 808 may determine if the scanning process time interval has expired. The client station may attempt to scan for a time interval that comprises Nscan seconds, for example Nscan=6, from the time instant at which the scan timer was started. If the scanning time interval has not expired,step 810 may continue scanning atstep 808. - At
step 812, the BSSID_LIST may comprise a listing of information received from beacon frames received from collocated configurator station andaccess points 208 functioning as APs that were located by theclient station 204 during the scan. The list may comprise zero, or a plurality of entries. Each entry in the list may comprise information that was received in a beacon frame by theclient station 204. The received beacon frame may or may not comprise authentication enablement information. Instep 814, the BSSID_LIST may be scanned to detect information received from a collocateddevice 208 functioning as a configurator. Atstep 816, if a list entry is found,step 818 may determine if the beacon frame associated with the entry contains the authentication enablement information. If the beacon frame for the entry does contain authentication enablement information, step 820 may determine if the window_open flag is set in the list entry. If the window_open flag is set to a value TRUE, this may indicate that a collocateddevice 208, functioning as a configurator, has been located that is ready to configure aclient station 204. Step 822 may increment the value of the counter open_window. If the flag window_open is not set to a value TRUE, step 824 may determine if the flag recently_cfg is set to a value TRUE in the list entry. If the flag recently_cfg is set to a value TRUE in the list entry,step 826 may set the recently_cfg flag, which is utilized by the discovery protocol, equal to a logical value TRUE. - If no entry is found at
step 816,step 828 may determine if the current value of the counter open_window is greater than 0. If the value of the counter open_window is greater than 0, step 830 may determine if the current value of the counter open_window is greater than the value N, where N may be a threshold value, N=1, for example. If the counter open_window is not greater than N, step 832 may determine that at least one collocateddevice 208 functioning as a configurator, has been found. Subsequently, theclient station 204 may communicate a hello packet, associated with thestep 616, to the collocateddevice 208, functioning as a configurator. If the value of the counter open_window is greater than N, step 834 may generate an error indication. The error indication generated instep 834 may be displayed in a user interface at theclient station 204. - If the value of the counter open_window is not found to be greater than 0 at
step 828,step 836 may determine if the client timing window has been open for a period of time greater than the configured timeout period for theclient station 204. If the client timing window has not been open for a period of time greater than the timeout period the discovery process may continue to scan for beacon frames received from a collocateddevice 208, functioning as an access point atstep 806. If the client timing window has been open for a period of time greater than the timeout period, step 838 may determine if the flag recently_cfg is set to indicate a value TRUE. If the flag recently_cfg=TRUE, step 840 may detect a malicious client, and close the client timing window. A malicious client may be an unauthorized wireless terminal device that has been configured by the collocateddevice 208, functioning as a configurator, during the current configurator timing window open time duration. If the flag recently_cfg is not equal to TRUE, step 842 may detect a client window timeout. The client timing window may be subsequently closed. -
FIG. 8 b is a flowchart illustrating exemplary steps in a discovery protocol with configuration validation, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.FIG. 8 b is substantially as described inFIG. 8 a. InFIG. 8 b, the discovery protocol may be repeated subsequent to step 832, at which theclient station 204 may locate a collocateddevice 208 functioning as a configurator. The discovery protocol may be repeated until a time instant at which a current client timing window has been open for a time duration greater than the timeout period. -
FIG. 8 c is a flowchart which is a continuation ofFIG. 8 b illustrating exemplary steps in a discovery protocol with configuration validation, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. Referring toFIG. 8 c, subsequent to step 832 inFIG. 8 b, configuration of theclient station 204 may be completed by transmitting a status message indicating successful configuration instep 844. The status message may be transmitted to the collocateddevice 208 functioning as a configurator. Instep 846 it may be determined whether the client timing window has been open for a period of time that is greater than the configured timeout period of theclient station 204. If the client timing window has not been opened for a period of time that is greater than the timeout period, the scanning process may repeat beginning atstep 806. If the client timing window has been open for a period of time that is greater than the timeout period, theclient station 204 may accept the configuration instep 848. -
FIG. 9 is a flowchart illustrating exemplary steps performed by a configurator, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. Instep 902, the collocateddevice 208 functioning as a configurator, may be configured by setting SSID and passphrase, and setting the window open time. The window open time may comprise a time duration during which the configurator timing window may remain open within a single configurator timing window open time interval. The collocateddevice 208 functioning as a configurator may be configured either manually, or based on a long button activation. Instep 904, there may be a wait for a button at collocateddevice 208 functioning as a configurator, to be activated. Instep 904, activating a button at the collocateddevice 208 functioning as a configurator, may initiate the protocol at the collocateddevice 208 functioning as a configurator. Instep 906, the configurator timing window may be opened and a flashing green light emitting diode (LED), for example, activated at the collocateddevice 208 functioning as a configurator. Instep 906, if the LED, for example, at the collocateddevice 208 functioning as a configurator, is activated to flashing green, it may indicate that the collocateddevice 208 functioning as a configurator, is configuring aclient station 204, or ready to configure aclient station 204. Instep 908, a configurator timing window timer may be started at the collocateddevice 208 functioning as a configurator. Instep 910, the collocateddevice 208 functioning as a configurator, may transmit beacon frames comprising authentication enablement information, associated with thestep 605. Step 912 may determine if the configurator timing window has been open for a period of time greater than the configured window open timing value as specified instep 902. If the configurator timing window has been open for a period of time greater than the configured timeout value,step 930 may stop transmitting beacon frames from the collocateddevice 208 functioning as a configurator, that comprise authentication enablement information. Step 932 may close the configurator timing window and return the LED, for example, at the collocateddevice 208 functioning as a configurator, to the state that was in effect prior to the most recent button press at the collocateddevice 208 functioning as a configurator. - If no
client stations 204 have been configured by the collocateddevice 208 functioning as a configurator, since the most recent long activation of the button at the collocateddevice 208 functioning as a configurator, the LED, for example, may be deactivated atstep 904. Ifclient stations 204 have been successfully authenticated and configured by the collocateddevice 208 functioning as a configurator, since the most recent long activation of the button at the collocateddevice 208 functioning as a configurator, the LED, for example, may be activated to solid green atstep 904. If the LED, for example, at the collocateddevice 208 functioning as a configurator, is deactivated, it may indicate that the collocateddevice 208 functioning as a configurator is unconfigured. If the LED, for example, at the collocateddevice 208 functioning as a configurator, is activated to solid green, it may indicate that the collocateddevice 208 functioning as a configurator, is configured and has configured at least oneclient station 204. - If the configurator timing window has not been open for a period of time greater than the configured timeout value,
step 914 may determine if a hello message, associated with thestep 616, has been received from aclient 204. If a hello message, associated with thestep 616, has not been received atstep 914, the collocateddevice 208 functioning as a configurator, may continue sending beacon frames, associated with thestep 605, atstep 910. If a hello message, associated with thestep 616, has been received from aclient station 204, instep 920, akey 1 message, associated with the step 618, may be sent to theclient station 204. Instep 922, akey 2 message, associated with the step 620, may be received from theclient station 204. Instep 924, the collocateddevice 208 functioning as a configurator, may determine whether the key exchange, comprisingmessages key 1, associated with the step 618, and key 2, associated with the step 620, was successful. If the key exchange was successful, instep 926 the collocateddevice 208 functioning as a configurator, may transmit configuration information, associated with thestep 622, to theclient station 204, and activate a solid green LED, for example, at theconfigurator 204. If the key exchange was not successful, in step 928 the collocateddevice 208 functioning as a configurator, may return a status message, associated with thestep 624, to theclient station 204 indicating a failure. The collocateddevice 208 functioning as a configurator may activate a solid red LED, for example, for example. -
FIG. 10 is a flowchart illustrating exemplary steps performed by the client in a configuration protocol, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. With reference toFIG. 10 , instep 1002, the start of the configuration protocol at theclient station 204 may wait until a button is activated at theclient station 204. Instep 1004, a client timing window may be opened at theclient station 204. In step 1006 a window timer may be started at theclient station 204. The window timer may be utilized to detect a timeout that marks the end of the open time interval for the client timing window. Instep 1010, the client station may determine whether a timeout duration, which is a time interval for the client timing window to remain open, has expired. If the client timing window has been open for a period of time greater than timeout duration, theclient station 204 may close the client timing window atstep 1028. - If the client timing window has not been open for a period of time greater than the timeout duration,
step 1012 may determine if a beacon message, associated with thestep 605, comprising authentication enablement information, has been received from the collocateddevice 208 functioning as a configurator. If a beacon message, associated with thestep 605, has not been received from the collocateddevice 208 functioning as a configurator, the client may continue to wait atstep 1010. If a beacon message, associated with thestep 605, has been received from the collocateddevice 208 functioning as a configurator, instep 1014 theclient station 204 may transmit a hello message, associated with thestep 616, to theconfigurator 204. Instep 1016, a key1 message, associated with the step 618, may be received from the collocateddevice 208 functioning as a configurator. Instep 1018, a key2 message, associated with the step 620, may be transmitted to the collocateddevice 208 functioning as a configurator.Step 1020 may determine if the key exchange with the collocateddevice 208 functioning as a configurator, comprising messages associated with the steps 618 and 620, was successful. If the key exchange was successful, at step 1022 a configuration message, associated with thestep 622, may be received from the collocateddevice 208 functioning as a configurator, comprising an SSID and encrypted passphrase. If the key exchange instep 1020 was not successful, atstep 1030, a status message, associated with thestep 624, indicating failure may be received from the collocateddevice 208 functioning as a configurator. Subsequent tosteps 1022 and/or 1030,step 1002 may follow. - In one aspect of the invention, a method and a system for enabling communication of information in a communication system are provided. The system may comprise a
client station 204 that receives authentication enablement information from a configurator station, for example a collocateddevice 208 functioning as a configurator, comprising an indication of a current state of a configurator timing window. The user desiring to initiate configuration of a client device may then provide inputs, activating a button at theclient station 204 for example, to communicate authentication response information to the configurator station, for example the collocateddevice 208 functioning as a configurator, based on the received authentication enablement information. Theclient station 204 may subsequently receive the desired configuration information, thereby enabling theclient station 204 to access a WLAN and to engage in secure communications via the WLAN. Alternately, theclient station 204 may receive status information from the configurator station, for example the collocateddevice 208 functioning as a configurator. - In another aspect of the invention, a system for enabling communication of information in a communication system may comprise pressing a button at a configurator station, for example a collocated
device 208 functioning as a configurator, to transmit authentication enablement information to aclient station 204. The authentication enablement information may comprise an indication of a current state of a configurator timing window. The indication of the current state of the configurator timing window may define a period of time during which aclient station 204 may be configured by the configurator station, for example the collocateddevice 208 functioning as a configurator. The configurator station, for example the collocateddevice 208 functioning as a configurator, may subsequently receive authentication response information from theclient station 204 based on the transmitted authentication enablement information. The configurator station, for example the collocateddevice 208 functioning as a configurator, may subsequently transmit the desired configuration information, thereby enabling theclient station 204 to securely access a WLAN and to engage in secure communications via the WLAN. Alternately, the configurator, for example the collocateddevice 208 functioning as a configurator, may transmit status information based on the authentication response information received from theclient station 204. - Accordingly, the present invention may be realized in hardware, software, or a combination of hardware and software. The present invention may be realized in a centralized fashion in at least one computer system, or in a distributed fashion where different elements are spread across several interconnected computer systems. Any kind of computer system or other apparatus adapted for carrying out the methods described herein is suited. A typical combination of hardware and software may be a general-purpose computer system with a computer program that, when being loaded and executed, controls the computer system such that it carries out the methods described herein.
- The present invention may also be embedded in a computer program product, which comprises all the features enabling the implementation of the methods described herein, and which when loaded in a computer system is able to carry out these methods. Computer program in the present context means any expression, in any language, code or notation, of a set of instructions intended to cause a system having an information processing capability to perform a particular function either directly or after either or both of the following: a) conversion to another language, code or notation; b) reproduction in a different material form.
- While the present invention has been described with reference to certain embodiments, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes may be made and equivalents may be substituted without departing from the scope of the present invention. In addition, many modifications may be made to adapt a particular situation or material to the teachings of the present invention without departing from its scope. Therefore, it is intended that the present invention not be limited to the particular embodiment disclosed, but that the present invention will include all embodiments falling within the scope of the appended claims.
Claims (21)
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US11/207,302 Expired - Fee Related US7996664B2 (en) | 2004-08-18 | 2005-08-18 | Method and system for improved communication network setup |
US13/204,361 Abandoned US20110314136A1 (en) | 2004-08-18 | 2011-08-05 | Method and System for Improved Communication Network Setup |
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US11/207,302 Expired - Fee Related US7996664B2 (en) | 2004-08-18 | 2005-08-18 | Method and system for improved communication network setup |
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CN101227362B (en) * | 2008-01-18 | 2012-05-23 | 西安西电捷通无线网络通信股份有限公司 | Method for wireless personal area network access |
CN101232419B (en) * | 2008-01-18 | 2010-12-08 | 西安西电捷通无线网络通信股份有限公司 | Wireless local area network access method based on primitive |
US8863249B2 (en) * | 2010-12-30 | 2014-10-14 | Broadcom Corporation | Push button configuration of multimedia over coax alliance (MoCA) devices |
US9301141B1 (en) * | 2013-12-20 | 2016-03-29 | Amazon Technologies, Inc. | Secure wireless network credential sharing |
US9455976B2 (en) * | 2014-06-03 | 2016-09-27 | Globalfoundries Inc. | Multi-factor secure appliance decommissioning |
Citations (3)
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US20030195001A1 (en) * | 1998-12-18 | 2003-10-16 | Kazuyoshi Tari | System, method and apparatus for providing mobile wireless communication |
US20030204752A1 (en) * | 2001-08-13 | 2003-10-30 | Garrison Greg B. | System and method for securely accessing a database from a remote location |
US7398550B2 (en) * | 2003-06-18 | 2008-07-08 | Microsoft Corporation | Enhanced shared secret provisioning protocol |
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US5231634B1 (en) * | 1991-12-18 | 1996-04-02 | Proxim Inc | Medium access protocol for wireless lans |
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2005
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2011
- 2011-08-05 US US13/204,361 patent/US20110314136A1/en not_active Abandoned
Patent Citations (3)
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---|---|---|---|---|
US20030195001A1 (en) * | 1998-12-18 | 2003-10-16 | Kazuyoshi Tari | System, method and apparatus for providing mobile wireless communication |
US20030204752A1 (en) * | 2001-08-13 | 2003-10-30 | Garrison Greg B. | System and method for securely accessing a database from a remote location |
US7398550B2 (en) * | 2003-06-18 | 2008-07-08 | Microsoft Corporation | Enhanced shared secret provisioning protocol |
Non-Patent Citations (1)
Title |
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Jim Geier "802.11 Beacons Revealed"; indexed by web.archive.org on April 17, 2003; * |
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US7996664B2 (en) | 2011-08-09 |
US20060041749A1 (en) | 2006-02-23 |
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