SYSTEM AND METHOD OF CONFIGURING A NETWORK

• US 20090113044A1
• Filed: 10/31/2007
• Published: 04/30/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 10/31/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Nisc Affinegy, LLC
• Original Assignee: Affinegy, Inc. (National Information Solutions Cooperative Incorporated)
• Inventors: Greer, Todd M., Simpler, Melissa G., Lancaster, Arthur L.
• Granted Patent: US 8,069,230 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 709/224
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 41/0803 Configuration setting
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 41/0813 characterised by the conditions triggering a change of settings
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 41/0883 Semiautomatic configuration, e.g. proposals from system
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 41/22 comprising specially adapted graphical user interfaces [GUI]

Abstract

Methods and systems for configuring a network are provided. A method may include monitoring properties of a connection between a computing device and a network. The method may also include detecting a change in the properties of the connection. The may also include verifying the connection to the network is provided by a service provider when the change in the properties is detected and providing network configuration options based on the change.

Claims

1. A method operable by a processor in a computing device, the method comprising:

installing a software program on the computing device, the software program to provide access to a network;

detecting, during installation of the software program, a router coupled to the computing device;

detecting data to indicate that the router is to be configured; and

providing configuration options for the router.

2. The method of claim 1 further comprising verifying that the computing device is ready for installation of the software program to provide access to the network.

3. The method of claim 1 further comprising transmitting a message to a display coupled to the computing device indicating that the router was detected.

4. The method of claim 1 further comprising detecting the router by verifying a connection to a service provider.

5. The method of claim 1 wherein the data comprises a security level of the router.

6. The method of claim 5 wherein the security level is selected from one of a Wired Equivalent Privacy (WEP) encryption, Wi-Fi Protected Access security protocol (WPA), and second generation Wi-Fi Protected Access (WPA2).

7. A method comprising:

monitoring properties of a connection between a computing device and a network in real-time;

detecting a change in the properties of the connection;

verifying the connection to the network is provided by a specific service provider when the change in the properties is detected; and

providing network configuration options based on the change.

8. The method of claim 7 wherein the change in the properties comprises a new router coupled to the computing device.

9. The method of claim 7 wherein the change in the properties comprises a security level change in a router coupled to the computing device.

10. The method of claim 7 wherein the change in the properties comprises an internet protocol address change in a wireless router coupled to the computer device.

11. The method of claim 10 further comprising detecting a security level of the wireless router and determining when the security level is below a threshold.

12. The method of claim 11 further comprising transmitting a message indicating that the detected security level below the threshold must be increased to permit access to the network.

13. The method of claim 11 further comprising transmitting a message to a network provider indicating that the security level is below the threshold.

14. The method of claim 11 further comprising increasing the security level to be equal to or greater than the threshold.

15. The method of claim 14 further comprising transmitting a message to a network provider indicating that the security level is equal to or greater than a threshold.

16. A system comprising:

a transceiver;

a processor coupled to the transceiver; and

a memory accessible to the processor, the memory including instructions executable by the processor to;

monitor properties of a connection between the transceiver and a network in real-time;

detect a change in the properties of the connection;

verify the connection to the network is provided by a specific service provider when the change in the properties is detected; and

provide network configuration options.

17. The system of claim 16 wherein the change in the properties comprises a security level of the network.

18. The system of claim 16 wherein the change in the properties further comprises a change in an internet protocol (IP) address assigned to access the network;

and wherein the connection is verified by comparing an IP address subnet to a previously known IP address subnet.

19. The system of claim 16 wherein the network configuration options include selectable options related to at least one function selected from the group of security, file-sharing, and print-sharing.

20. The system of claim 16 wherein the system comprises a device selected from the group consisting of a desktop computer, a laptop computer, a personal digital assistant, and a cellular phone.

21. A computer-readable medium having instructions for causing a processor to execute a method comprising:

installing a software program on a computing device, the software program to provide access to a network;

detecting, during installation of the software program, a router coupled to the computing device; and

detecting data to indicate that the router is to be configured.

22. The computer-readable medium of claim 21 further comprising instructions for causing a processor to execute a method comprising:

detecting if the router is a wireless router; and

detecting a security level of the wireless router.

23. The computer readable medium of claim 21 wherein the software program comprises an activation program for an internet service provider.

24. The computer-readable medium of claim 21 further having instructions for detecting in real-time when a router has been coupled to the computing device.

25. The computer-readable medium of claim 21 further comprising instructions for causing a processor to execute a method comprising:

monitoring properties of a connection between a computing device and a network in real-time;

detecting a change in the properties of the connection;

verifying the connection to the network is provided by a specific service provider when the change in the properties is detected; and

providing network configuration options based on the change.