Using a connected wireless computer as a conduit for a disconnected wireless computer
First Claim
1. A computer-readable medium including computer-executable instructions facilitating communications between an infrastructure network and a first wireless computing device disconnected from the network via a second wireless computing device connected to the network, the computer-executable instructions executing on the first wireless computing device and performing the steps of:
- enabling a promiscuous mode on the first wireless computing device for monitoring wireless traffic on a plurality of channels;
examining traffic packets of the second wireless computing device and determining that the second wireless computing device is connected to the infrastructure network;
creating a new wireless network on a channel corresponding to the second wireless computing device;
broadcasting a distress signal on the new wireless network;
terminating the distress signal in response to receiving an acknowledgement from the second wireless computing device; and
starting an ad hoc wireless network for connection by the second wireless computing device.
2 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
Systems and methods are described for using client conduits to enable bootstrapping and fault diagnosis of disconnected wireless clients. Client conduits are used to enable disconnected clients to diagnose their problems with the help of nearby clients. This technique may take advantage of the beaconing and probing mechanisms of IEEE 802.11 to ensure that connected clients do not pay unnecessary overheads for detecting disconnected clients. Methods are also described for detecting rogue devices disguising as disconnected clients.
-
Citations
25 Claims
-
1. A computer-readable medium including computer-executable instructions facilitating communications between an infrastructure network and a first wireless computing device disconnected from the network via a second wireless computing device connected to the network, the computer-executable instructions executing on the first wireless computing device and performing the steps of:
-
enabling a promiscuous mode on the first wireless computing device for monitoring wireless traffic on a plurality of channels;
examining traffic packets of the second wireless computing device and determining that the second wireless computing device is connected to the infrastructure network;
creating a new wireless network on a channel corresponding to the second wireless computing device;
broadcasting a distress signal on the new wireless network;
terminating the distress signal in response to receiving an acknowledgement from the second wireless computing device; and
starting an ad hoc wireless network for connection by the second wireless computing device. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
-
-
8. A computer-readable medium including computer-executable instructions facilitating communications between an infrastructure network and a first wireless computing device disconnected from the network via a second wireless computing device connected to the network, the computer-executable instructions executing on the second wireless computing device and performing the steps of:
-
receiving a distress signal from the first wireless computing device;
sending an acknowledgement of the distress signal to the first computing device;
receiving a response, from the first wireless computing device, to the acknowledgement; and
causing the second wireless computing device to join an ad hoc network originated by the first wireless computing device, whereby the second wireless computing device is substantially simultaneously connected to both the ad hoc network and the infrastructure network. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
-
-
21. A system for allowing a disconnected wireless computing device to communicate with an infrastructure network via a wirelessly connected wireless computing device, the system comprising:
-
a first diagnostic client program running on the disconnected wireless computing device; and
a second diagnostic client program running on the connected wireless computing device;
wherein the first diagnostic client program;
detects the presence of the connected wireless computing device;
causes a distress signal to be sent; and
creates an ad hoc wireless network on the disconnected wireless computing device; and
wherein the second diagnostic client program;
receives the distress signal; and
connects to the ad hoc wireless network on the disconnected wireless computing device while maintaining a substantially simultaneous connection to the infrastructure network. - View Dependent Claims (22, 23, 24, 25)
-
Specification