System and method of configuring a network

• US 8,069,230 B2
• Filed: 10/31/2007
• Issued: 11/29/2011
• 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.
• Primary Examiner(s): ENGLAND, DAVID E
• Application Number:
  US11/932,851
• Publication Number:
  US 20090113044A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,490 Days
• Field of Search: None
• US Class Current: 709/221
• 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 method 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 computer-implemented method executable 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;

determining a model number of the router;

determining whether the router includes a wireless communication capability by comparing the model number of the router to router model numbers stored in a database;

when the router includes the wireless communication capability, providing a router security setting configuration option;

receiving security settings of the router including a router configuration password, a network access key, and a level of data encryption of the router;

determining a threshold security level specified by a service provider of the network;

determining whether a security level of the router satisfies the threshold security level based on the security settings of the router;

when the security level of the router does not satisfy the threshold security level, automatically modifying the security level of the router to satisfy the threshold security level; and

transmitting a message indicating the security level of the router to the service provider of the network.

2. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, wherein the level of data encryption of the router includes a type of wireless data encryption of the router.

3. The computer-implemented method of claim 2, wherein the type of wireless data encryption includes one of a Wired Equivalent Privacy (WEP) encryption, a Wi-Fi Protected Access security protocol (WPA), and a second generation Wi-Fi Protected Access (WPA2).

4. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, further comprising providing an indication that the security level of the router is below the threshold security level and must be increased to permit access to the network before receiving the security settings.

5. The computer-implemented method of claim 4, further comprising permitting access to the network in response to determining that the security level of the router has been increased above the threshold security level.

6. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, wherein detecting the router coupled to the computing device comprises executing a trace route command to identify a path taken to reach a particular destination, the path including a set of routers traversed by the path, the set of routers including the router coupled to the computing device.

7. A computer-implemented method comprising:

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

detecting a change in a security level of a router coupled to the computing device;

determining a model number of the router;

determining whether the router includes a wireless communication capability by comparing the model number of the router to router model numbers stored in a database;

when the router includes the wireless communication capability, providing a router security setting configuration option;

receiving security settings of the router including a router configuration password, a network access key, and a level of data encryption of the router;

determining a threshold security level specified by a service provider of the network;

determining whether the security level of the router satisfies the threshold security level based on the security settings of the router;

when the security level of the router does not satisfy the threshold security level, automatically modifying the security level of the router to satisfy the threshold security level; and

transmitting a message indicating the security level of the router to a service provider of the network.

8. The computer-implemented method of claim 7, wherein the message to the service provider indicates that the security level of the router satisfies the threshold security level.

9. The computer-implemented method of claim 7, wherein detecting the change in the security level of the router coupled to the computing device comprises detecting that the router is switched from a public internet protocol (IP) address to a private IP address.

10. The computer-implemented method of claim 7, wherein increasing the security level of the router comprises configuring a firewall.

11. The computer-implemented method of claim 10, wherein the firewall is a stateful packet inspection firewall.

12. 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;

determine a model number of a wireless router that is located between the transceiver and a network;

determine a security capability of the wireless router by comparing the model number of the wireless router to router model numbers stored in a database;

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

detect a change in a security level of the wireless router;

in response to detecting the change in the security level of the wireless router, provide a router security setting configuration option based on the security capability of the wireless router;

receive security settings for the wireless router including a router configuration password, a network access key, and a level of data encryption of the router;

determine a threshold security level specified by a service provider of the network;

determine whether the security level of the wireless router satisfies the threshold security level based on the security settings;

when the security level of the wireless router does not satisfy the threshold security level, automatically increase the security level of the wireless router to satisfy the threshold security level; and

transmit a message indicating the security level of the router to the service provider of the network.

13. The system of claim 12, 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.

14. A non-transitory computer-readable medium having operational instructions that, when executed by a processor, cause the processor to:

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

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

determine a model number of the router;

determine whether the router includes a wireless communication capability by comparing the model number of the router to router model numbers stored in a database;

when the router includes the wireless communication capability, provide a router security setting configuration option;

receive security settings of the router including a router configuration password, a network access key, and a level of data encryption of the router;

determine a threshold security level specified by a service provider of the network;

determine whether a security level of the router satisfies the threshold security level based on the security settings of the router;

when the security level of the router is below the threshold security level, automatically modifying the security level of the router to satisfy the threshold security level; and

transmit a message indicating the security level of the router to the service provider of the network.

15. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 14, wherein the software program comprises an activation program for an internet service provider.

16. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 14, wherein the operational instructions are further executable by the processor to detect in real-time when the router has been coupled to the computing device.