Wireless provisioning device

• US 7,035,281 B1
• Filed: 09/13/2000
• Issued: 04/25/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 09/13/2000
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: WeCom Systems, LLC
• Original Assignee: Wp Media Inc.
• Inventors: Tompkins, Andrew E., Spearman, Anthony C.
• Primary Examiner(s): Phan, Man U.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Nguyen, Toan D.
• Application Number:
  US09/660,709
• Time in Patent Office: 2,050 Days
• Field of Search: 370/351, 370/352, 370/392, 370/396, 370/401, 370/404, 370/465, 370/328, 370/329, 370/338, 455/410, 455/411, 455/432, 713/200, 713/201
• US Class Current: 370/465
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/4604 LAN interconnection over a backbone network, e.g. Internet, Frame Relay
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 41/0213 Standardised network management protocols, e.g. simple network management protocol [SNMP]
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/02 for separating internal from external traffic, e.g. firewalls
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/0236 Filtering by address, protocol, port number or service, e.g. IP-address or URL
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/08 for authentication of entities cryptographic mechanisms or cryptographic arrangements for entity authentication H04L9/32
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/083 using passwords cryptographic mechanisms or cryptographic arrangements for entity authentication using a predetermined code H04L9/3226
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/101 Access control lists [ACL]
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 12/06 Authentication
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 40/00 Communication routing or communication path finding
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 8/26 Network addressing or numbering for mobility support
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 80/00 Wireless network protocols or protocol adaptations to wireless operation
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 80/04 Network layer protocols, e.g. mobile IP [Internet Protocol]
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 88/00 Devices specially adapted for wireless communication networks, e.g. terminals, base stations or access point devices
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 92/20 between access points

Abstract

A wireless provisioning device (WPD) is a computer data traffic management system capable of routing TCP/IP traffic using 2.4 Ghz equipment. This WPD is to be strategically placed in logical segment regions within a wireless network to facilitate data traffic management. This device acts to provide connectivity between wireless backbone access points. The device may also be located within customer local area network (LAN) while providing connectivity to a wide area network (WAN). The wireless device has seven total wireless segments. The wireless device is capable of filtering IP addresses, controlling firewall and/or router and/or bridge. The wireless provisioning device increases effective throughput of TCP/IP traffic over the WAN or LAN while providing for secure management and greater connectivity.

Claims

1. A wireless provisioning device for use in public domain networks wherein the wireless provisioning device is accessible by a user of mobile computing devices, comprising:

a chassis;

at least one network card;

at least one wireless card;

at least one processor;

an operating system, the operating system operably configured in the chassis to control the at least one, network card, the at least one wireless card and the at least one processor, which are operatively coupled with the chassis;

a packet-switched interface capable of receiving a multiplicity of inbound framed packet-data to provide inbound packets and transmitting a multiplicity of outbound framed packet-data comprising outbound packets;

a channeling controller, coupled to the packet-switched interface that channels the inbound packets based on the inbound address information and constructs the outbound packets and channels the outbound packets with the outbound address information, the channeling controller capable of being effectively connected to at least one network via the operating system; and

an authenticator in operative communication with the operating system to allow authentication at the wireless provisioning device;

whereby the user of a mobile computing device connects to the wireless provisioning device without having to first access the Internet.

2. The wireless provisioning device of claim 1, wherein the channeling controller routes the outbound packets.

3. The wireless provisioning device of claim 2, wherein the channeling controller routes the outbound packets.

4. The wireless provisioning device of claim 1, wherein the channeling controller bridges the inbound packets.

5. The wireless provisioning device of claim 4, wherein the channeling controller bridges the outbound packets.

6. The wireless provisioning device of claim 1, wherein the operating system of the wireless provisioning device is an open source UNIX based system.

7. The wireless provisioning device of claim 1, wherein the wireless provisioning device further comprises a second processor.

8. The wireless provisioning device of claim 1, wherein the wireless provisioning device further comprises a memory device and a storage device.

9. The wireless provisioning device of claim 1, wherein the network card, the wireless cord, the processor, the operating system, the packet-switched interface, and the channel controller are operatively disposed within the chassis of the wireless provisioning device.

10. The wireless provision device of claim 9, wherein the authenticator is operatively disposed within the chassis of the wireless provisioning device.

11. The wireless provisioning device of claim 1, wherein bandwidth to individual user can be controlled by the wireless provisioning device operating system.

12. The wireless provisioning device of claim 1, wherein the protocol type of an individual user con be controlled by the wireless provisioning device operating system.

13. A wireless provisioning device, comprising:

a chassis;

at least one network card;

at least one wireless card;

at least one processor;

a LINUX operating system, the operating system operably configured in the chassis to control the at least one network card, the at least one wireless card and the at least one processor;

a packet-switched interface capable of receiving a multiplicity of inbound framed packet-data to provide inbound packets and transmitting a multiplicity of outbound framed packet-data comprising outbound packets;

a channeling controller, coupled to the packet-switched interface that channels the inbound packets based on the inbound address information and that constructs the outbound packets and channels the outbound packets with the outbound address information, the channeling controller capable of being effectively connected to at least one network via the operating system.

14. A system for allowing users to securely access public domain area networks via mobile computing devices, comprising:

a plurality of wireless access points;

at least one wireless provisioning device for receiving, authenticating, transmitting, and directing data over a plurality of networks and capable of sustaining connectivity between the wireless access points and the wireless provisioning device, the wireless provisioning device comprising a chassis, at least one network card, at least one wireless card, at least one processor, and at least one operating system operably configured in the chassis and associated with at least one of the plurality of wireless access points for transmitting and receiving data between the wireless access point and a carrier structure and where the wireless provisioning device is capable of accommodating multiple connections back to the wireless access point without requiring rebooting before a new rooming member can be added to the system;

a carrier structure communicably positioned between the wireless provisioning device and the plurality of wireless access points for transmitting and receiving data between the wireless provisioning device and the plurality of wireless access points by means of a secure connections; and

a security authentication protocol, initiated by the wireless provisioning device, capable of authenticating traffic as it passes through the carrier structure.

15. A system for allowing users to securely access public domain area networks via mobile computing devices, comprising:

a plurality of wireless access points;

at least one wireless provisioning device for receiving, authenticating, transmitting, and directing data over a plurality of networks and capable of sustaining connectivity between the wireless access points and the wireless provisioning device, the wireless provisioning device comprising a chassis, at least one network card, at least one wireless card, at least one processor, and at least one operating system operably configured in the chassis and associated with at least one of the plurality of wireless access points for transmitting and receiving data between the wireless access point and a carrier structure and where the wireless provisioning device is capable of accommodating multiple connections back to the wireless access point without requiring rebooting before a new rooming member can be added to the system, the wireless provisioning device further comprises a directory services member operatively connected to the operating system thereof, which is suitable for maintaining a database directory that stores MAC addresses and billing profiles for those in the system;

a carrier structure communicably positioned between the wireless provisioning device and the plurality of wireless access points for transmitting and receiving data between the wireless provisioning device and the plurality of wireless access points by means of a secure connections; and

a security authentication protocol, initiated by the wireless provisioning device, capable of authenticating traffic as it posses through the carrier structure.

16. The system of claim 15, wherein the wireless provisioning device is capable of bridging.

17. The system of claim 16, wherein the wireless provisioning device is capable of routing.

18. The system of claim 15, wherein the carrier structure is a suitable antenna for providing bridging solutions that afford the user the ability to place wireless equipment in a wide area network.

19. The system of claim 15, wherein the security authentication protocol is a radius authentication protocol.

20. The system of claim 15, wherein the wireless provisioning device provides proxy service.

21. The system of claim 15, wherein the wireless provisioning device provides firewall service.

22. The system of claim 15, wherein the system comprises at least one antenna,

a plurality of wireless access points;

at least one wireless provisioning device for receiving, authenticating, transmitting, and directing data over a plurality of networks and capable of sustaining connectivity between the wireless access points and the wireless provisioning device, the wireless provisioning device comprising a chassis, at least one network card, at least one wireless card, at least one processor, and at least one operating system operably configured in the chassis and associated with at least one of the plurality of wireless access points for transmitting and receiving data between the wireless access point and a carrier structure and where the wireless provisioning device is capable of accommodating multiple connections back to the wireless access point without requiring rebooting before a new roaming member can be added to the system, the wireless provisioning device further comprises a directory services member operatively connected to the operating system thereof, which is suitable for maintaining a database directory that stores MAC addresses and billing profiles for those in the system;

a carrier structure communicably positioned between the wireless provisioning device and the plurality of wireless access points for transmitting and receiving data between the wireless provisioning device and the plurality of wireless access points by means of a secure connections; and

a security authentication protocol, initiated by the wireless provisioning device, capable of authenticating traffic as it passes through the carrier structure.

23. The system of claim 22, wherein there is more than one antenna and the user is capable of logging on and sustain connectivity with the system while transitioning antennas.

24. The system of claim 22, wherein the user is capable of logging onto and sustaining connectivity with the system while transitioning access points.

25. The system of claim 15, wherein the operating system of the wireless provisioning device is an open source Unix base system.

26. A system, comprising:

a plurality of wireless access points;

at least one wireless provisioning device for receiving, transmitting, and directing data over a plurality of networks and capable of sustaining connectivity between the wireless access points and the wireless provisioning device, the wireless provisioning device comprising a chassis, at least one network card, at least one wireless card, at least one processor, and at least one operating system operably configured in the chassis and associated with at least one of the plurality of wireless access points for transmitting and receiving data between the wireless access point and a carrier structure and where the wireless provisioning device is capable of accommodating multiple connections back to the wireless access point without requiring rebooting before a new roaming member can be added to the system, the wireless provisioning device further comprises a directory services member operatively connected to the operating system thereof, which is suitable for maintaining a database directory that stores MAC addresses and billing profiles for those in the system;

a carrier structure communicably positioned between the wireless provisioning device and the plurality of wireless access points for transmitting and receiving data between the wireless provisioning device and the plurality of wireless access points by means of a secure shell telnet connection; and

a security authentication protocol capable of authenticating traffic as it passes through the carrier structure.

27. A system for allowing users to securely access public domain area networks via mobile computing devices, comprising:

a plurality of wireless access points;

at least one wireless provisioning device for receiving, authenticating, transmitting, and directing data over a plurality of networks and capable of sustaining connectivity between the wireless access points and the wireless provisioning device, the wireless provisioning device comprising a chassis, at least one network card, at least one wireless card, at least one processor, and at least one operating system operably configured in the chassis and associated with at least one of the plurality of wireless access points for transmitting and receiving data between the wireless access point and a carrier structure and where the wireless provisioning device is capable of accommodating multiple connections back to the wireless access point without requiring rebooting before a new roaming member can be added to the system;

a 2.4 GHz antenna operatively coupled with the wireless provisioning device;

a carrier structure communicably positioned between the wireless provisioning device and the plurality of wireless access points for transmitting and receiving data between the wireless provisioning device and the plurality of wireless access points by means of a secure connections; and

a security authentication protocol, initiated by the wireless provisioning device, capable of authenticating traffic as it posses through the carrier structure.

28. A system, comprising:

a plurality of wireless access points;

at least one wireless provisioning device for receiving, transmitting, and directing data over a plurality of networks and capable of sustaining connectivity between the wireless access points and the wireless provisioning device, the wireless provisioning device comprising a chassis, at least one network card, at least one wireless card, at least one processor, and at least one LINUX operating system operably configured in the chassis and associated with at least one of the plurality of wireless access points for transmitting and receiving data between the wireless access point and a carrier structure and where the wireless provisioning device is capable of accommodating multiple connections back to the wireless access point without requiring rebooting before a new roaming member can be added to the system, the wireless provisioning device further comprises a directory services member operatively connected to the operating system thereof, which is suitable for maintaining a database directory that stores MAC addresses and billing profiles for those in the system;

a carrier structure communicably positioned between the wireless provisioning device and the plurality of wireless access points for transmitting and receiving data between the wireless provisioning device and the plurality of wireless access points by means of a secure connections; and

a security authentication protocol capable of authenticating traffic as it passes through the carrier structure.

29. The wireless provisioning device of claim 28, wherein the network card, the wireless card, the processor, the operating system, the packet-switched interface, and the channel controller are operatively disposed within the chassis of the wireless provisioning device.

30. The wireless provision device of claim 29, wherein the authenticator is operatively disposed within the chassis of the wireless provisioning a device.

31. The wireless provisioning device of claim 28, wherein bandwidth to individual user can be controlled by the wireless provisioning device operating system.

32. The wireless provisioning device of claim 28, wherein the protocol type of an individual user can be controlled by the wireless provisioning device operating system.