Method and apparatus for detailed protocol analysis of frames captured in an IEEE 802.11 (b) wireless LAN
First Claim
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1. In an IEEE 802.11(b) wireless LAN, a method for accessing and analyzing the contents of data packets or frames transmitted along a IEEE 802.11(b) wireless communication channel, comprising the steps of:
- establishing a direct wireless logical connection with the wireless communications network;
receiving wirelessly, in real-time, data packets or frames transmitted in the wireless communications network for all stations or devices associated therewith;
performing over a first period of time a detailed protocol analysis on the contents of the header of the data packets or frames, including analyzing associated protocol layers in detail, permitting a user to enter the MAC addresses of known access points operating in said IEEE 802.11(b) wireless communication channel;
selectively activating a rogue access point detection routine;
checking the addresses of newly detected access points against the addresses of said known access points; and
marking for display as a rogue access point, any access point detected that is not included as a known access point; and
displaying in real time the results of the analysis to a user.
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Abstract
A wireless network troubleshooting tool for monitoring an IEEE 802.11 wireless LAN is connected via an access point to the latter, and programmed for capturing a plurality of frames data packets traveling to and from the LAN, for performing a detailed protocol analysis on the contents of the headers associated with the captured frames, to detect and diagnose failures or defects in the monitored wireless networks, to permit repair.
154 Citations
18 Claims
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1. In an IEEE 802.11(b) wireless LAN, a method for accessing and analyzing the contents of data packets or frames transmitted along a IEEE 802.11(b) wireless communication channel, comprising the steps of:
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establishing a direct wireless logical connection with the wireless communications network; receiving wirelessly, in real-time, data packets or frames transmitted in the wireless communications network for all stations or devices associated therewith; performing over a first period of time a detailed protocol analysis on the contents of the header of the data packets or frames, including analyzing associated protocol layers in detail, permitting a user to enter the MAC addresses of known access points operating in said IEEE 802.11(b) wireless communication channel;
selectively activating a rogue access point detection routine;
checking the addresses of newly detected access points against the addresses of said known access points; and
marking for display as a rogue access point, any access point detected that is not included as a known access point; anddisplaying in real time the results of the analysis to a user. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 17, 18)
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16. A wireless network troubleshooting tool for monitoring an IEEE 802.11(b) LAN wireless communication network to detect and diagnose failures in said wireless communication network, said tool comprising:
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a wireless network interface device operable in a promiscuous mode within a wireless communications network for capturing a plurality of frames or data packets transmitted through the network for all stations or devices associated therewith; a user interface system including input and output devices for enabling a user to input and obtain information associated with said plurality of captured frames; a memory storage device for storing said plurality of captured frames as received from said wireless network interface device; and a programmable processor unit connected to said wireless network interface device, said user interface system, and said memory storage device, said processor being programmed to execute a routine comprising the steps of; establishing a direct wireless logical connection with said wireless communications network via the network interface device; receiving wirelessly, in real-time, frames transmitted in the wireless communications network via direct wireless logical connection; receiving from said user, via said user interface, configuration parameters; performing, through use of said configuration parameters a detailed protocol analysis on the contents of respective headers of the captured data packets or frames, including associated protocol layers, respectively; and displaying the results of the analysis to the user in real-time; wherein the detailed protocol analysis includes permitting a user to enter the MAC addresses of known access points operating in said IEEE 802.11(b) wireless communication channel;
selectively activating a rogue access point detection routine;
checking the addresses of newly detected access points against the addresses of said known access points; and
marking for display as a rogue access point, any access point detected that is not included as a known access point.
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Specification