Method and apparatus for identifying wireless access points using beacon frames
First Claim
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1. A method, comprising:
- exposing, on a wireless access point device, at least a first wireless network hosted by a first virtual access point configured on the wireless access point device and a second wireless network hosted by a second virtual access point configured on the wireless access point device;
generating a first management frame corresponding to the first wireless network and a second management frame corresponding to the second wireless network, wherein the first and second management frames each include an information element storing a plurality of information fields, the information fields storing identification information identifying the wireless access point device independently from both a configuration of the first and second wireless networks and a first and second Media Access Control (MAC) address associated with the first and second virtual access points, respectively, and wherein at least a first one of the information fields identify the wireless access point device hosting the first and second virtual access points; and
broadcasting the first and second management frames to one or more client devices within range of the wireless access point.
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Abstract
Techniques are described for identifying a wireless access point device using beacon messages and probe responses. An access point may generate and broadcast beacon messages which include an information element containing information specific to the device as well as to the current context of the device. For example, the information element may include a device vendor ID, product ID, and a device-unique ID. That is, the information element provides information related to the device itself independently from the configuration of the wireless network which the beacon message (or probe response) is associated with.
20 Citations
27 Claims
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1. A method, comprising:
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exposing, on a wireless access point device, at least a first wireless network hosted by a first virtual access point configured on the wireless access point device and a second wireless network hosted by a second virtual access point configured on the wireless access point device; generating a first management frame corresponding to the first wireless network and a second management frame corresponding to the second wireless network, wherein the first and second management frames each include an information element storing a plurality of information fields, the information fields storing identification information identifying the wireless access point device independently from both a configuration of the first and second wireless networks and a first and second Media Access Control (MAC) address associated with the first and second virtual access points, respectively, and wherein at least a first one of the information fields identify the wireless access point device hosting the first and second virtual access points; and broadcasting the first and second management frames to one or more client devices within range of the wireless access point. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium storing code for execution by a wireless access point, wherein the code, when executed by the wireless access point, performs an operation, comprising:
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exposing, on a wireless access point device, at least a first wireless network hosted by a first virtual access point configured on the wireless access point device and a second wireless network hosted by a second virtual access point configured on the wireless access point device; generating a first management frame corresponding to the first wireless network and a second management frame corresponding to the second wireless network, wherein the first and second management frames each include an information element storing a plurality of information fields, the information fields storing identification information identifying the wireless access point device independently from both a configuration of the first and second wireless networks and a first and second Media Access Control (MAC) address associated with the first and second virtual access points, respectively, and wherein at least a first one of the information fields identify the wireless access point device hosting the first and second virtual access points; and broadcasting the first and second management frames to one or more client devices within range of the wireless access point. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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17. An apparatus, comprising:
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a processor; and a memory storing executable instructions which, when executed on the processor, perform an operation, comprising; exposing, on a wireless access point device, at least a first wireless network hosted by a first virtual access point configured on the wireless access point device and a second wireless network hosted by a second virtual access point configured on the wireless access point device, generating a first management frame corresponding to the first wireless and a second management frame corresponding to the second wireless network, wherein the first and second management frames each include an information element storing a plurality of information fields, the information fields storing identification information identifying the wireless access point device independently from both a configuration of the first and second wireless networks and a first and second Media Access Control (MAC) address associated with the first and second virtual access points associated with the first and second virtual access points, respectively, and wherein at least a first one of the information fields identify the wireless access point device hosting the first and second virtual access points, and broadcasting the first and second management frames to one or more client devices within range of the wireless access point. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27)
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Specification