×

Cache-based wireless client authentication

  • US 9,894,520 B2
  • Filed: 09/24/2014
  • Issued: 02/13/2018
  • Est. Priority Date: 09/24/2014
  • Status: Active Grant
First Claim
Patent Images

1. A method of reducing delays associated with authentication of a previously authenticated wireless client device roaming between two wireless access points (APs) of a plurality of APs of a wireless local area network (WLAN) that are managed by a wireless network controller, the method comprising:

  • maintaining, by the wireless network controller, a cache containing a plurality of media access control (MAC) addresses of a plurality of wireless client devices and corresponding prior authentication results previously issued by a remote authentication device responsive to authentication requests initiated by the plurality of wireless client devices and relayed by one or more of the plurality of APs to the remote authentication device;

    receiving, by the wireless network controller, an authentication request relating to a wireless client device from an AP of the plurality of APs;

    determining, by the wireless network controller, whether a prior authentication result associated with the wireless client device is present in the cache of the wireless network controller;

    when the prior authentication result is present in the cache and indicates the wireless client device was previously successfully authenticated for access to the WLAN by the remote authentication device;

    permitting, by the wireless network controller, the wireless client device to access the WLAN via the AP;

    issuing, by the wireless network controller, the authentication request to a remote authentication device, which is distinct and separate from the wireless network controller and associated with the WLAN, to determine a current authentication status of the wireless client device;

    receiving, by the wireless network controller, the current authentication status of the wireless client device from the remote authentication device;

    storing, by the wireless network controller, information regarding the current authentication status within the cache.

View all claims
  • 1 Assignment
Timeline View
Assignment View
    ×
    ×