Method and system for exchanging setup configuration protocol information in beacon frames in a WLAN

• US 20060039341A1
• Filed: 08/18/2005
• Published: 02/23/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 08/18/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Avago Technologies International Sales Pte Limited (Broadcom, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Broadcom Corporation (Broadcom, Inc.)
• Inventors: Iyer, Mahesh, Thawani, Manoj, Ptasinski, Henry, Carter, Edward, Deb, Manas, Vadasz, Jeff
• Granted Patent: US 7,987,499 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 370/338
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 41/0816 the condition being an adaptation, e.g. in response to network events
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/0846 using time-dependent-passwords, e.g. periodically changing passwords
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/12 Applying verification of the received information cryptographic mechanisms or cryptographic arrangements for data integrity or data verification H04L9/32
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/162 at the data link layer
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 12/06 Authentication
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 12/10 Integrity
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 12/12 Detection or prevention of fraud
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 12/50 Secure pairing of devices
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 24/02 Arrangements for optimising operational condition
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 8/22 Processing or transfer of terminal data, e.g. status or physical capabilities
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 8/245 from a network towards a terminal

Abstract

Certain aspects of a method for enabling exchange of information in a secure communication system may comprise configuring at least one 802.11 client station via authentication enablement information comprising data that specifies a time period during which configuration is allowed. The data that specifies a time period during which configuration is allowed may comprise a configuration window open field, which indicates a period when a configuration setup window is open. At least one client station may be configured via the authentication enablement information comprising recently configured data, which indicates whether at least one configurator has configured at least one other client station within the time period during which the configuration is allowed.

Claims

1. A method for enabling exchange of information in a secure communication system, the method comprising configuring at least one 802.11 client station via authentication enablement information comprising data that specifies a time period during which configuration is allowed.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein said data that specifies a time period during which configuration is allowed comprises a configuration window open field, which indicates a period when a configuration setup window is open.

3. The method according to claim 2, further comprising configuring said at least one 802.11 client station via said authentication enablement information comprising recently configured data, which indicates whether at least one configurator has configured at least one other 802.11 client station within said time period during which said configuration is allowed.

4. The method according to claim 3, further comprising disallowing said configuration of said at least one 802.11 client station if said recently configured data indicates configuration of said at least one other 802.11 client station within said time period during which said configuration is allowed.

5. The method according to claim 1, further comprising configuring said at least one 802.11 client station via said authentication enablement information comprising version data, which indicates a version of a configuration protocol.

6. The method according to claim 1, further comprising authenticating said at least one 802.11 client station via said authentication enablement information comprising an encrypted passphrase.

7. The method according to claim 6, wherein said encrypted passphrase is generated by an encryption algorithm.

8. The method according to claim 1, further comprising identifying said at least one 802.11 client station via said authentication enablement information comprising at least one service set identifier.

9. The method according to claim 1, further comprising authenticating said at least one 802.11 client station via said authentication enablement information by exchanging a plurality of public keys.

10. The method according to claim 1, further comprising configuring said at least one 802.11 client station via said authentication enablement information comprising status data, which indicates a status of messages exchanged between at least one configurator and said at least one 802.11 client station.

11. A system for enabling exchange of information in a secure communication system, the system comprising a configuration processor that uses authentication enablement information comprising data, which specifies a time period during which configuration of at least one 802.11 client station is allowed.

12. The system according to claim 11, wherein said data that specifies a time period during which configuration is allowed comprises a configuration window open field, which indicates a period when a configuration setup window for at least one configurator is open.

13. The system according to claim 12, wherein said authentication enablement information further comprises recently configured data for configuring said at least one 802.11 client station, which indicates whether said at least one configurator has configured at least one other 802.11 client station during said configuration setup window opening period.

14. The system according to claim 13, wherein said configuration of said at least one 802.11 client station is disallowed if said recently configured data indicates configuration of said at least one other 802.11 client station by said configurator within said time period during which said configuration is allowed.

15. The system according to claim 11, wherein said authentication enablement information further comprises at least one version field, which indicates a version of a configuration protocol that is utilized to configure said at least one 802.11 client station.

16. The system according to claim 11, wherein said authentication enablement information further comprises an encrypted passphrase, which authenticates said at least one 802.11 client station.

17. The system according to claim 16, wherein said encrypted passphrase is generated by an encryption algorithm.

18. The system according to claim 11, wherein said authentication enablement information further comprises at least one service identifier, which identifies said at least one 802.11 client station.

19. The system according to claim 11, wherein said configuration processor authenticates said at least one 802.11 client station via said authentication enablement information by exchanging a plurality of public keys.

20. The system according to claim 11, wherein said authentication enablement information further comprises status data, which indicates a status of messages exchanged between at least one configurator and said at least one 802.11 client station.