Using a connected wireless computer as a conduit for a disconnected wireless computer
First Claim
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1. A computer-readable storage medium encoded with instructions that, when executed, perform a method comprising acts of:
- attempting to connect to an infrastructure network directly from a first wireless computing device; and
in response to failing to connect to the infrastructure network directly, performing acts of;
enabling a promiscuous mode on the first wireless computing device for monitoring wireless traffic on a plurality of channels;
examining traffic packets of a second wireless computing device and determining that the second wireless computing device is connected to the infrastructure network;
creating a new wireless network on a channel corresponding to the second wireless computing device;
broadcasting a distress signal on the new wireless network;
terminating the distress signal in response to receiving an acknowledgement from the second wireless computing device;
starting an ad hoc wireless network via the first wireless computing device for connection by the second wireless computing device; and
transmitting information from the first wireless computing device to the infrastructure network via the ad hoc wireless network.
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Abstract
Systems and methods are described for using client conduits to enable bootstrapping and fault diagnosis of disconnected wireless clients. Client conduits are used to enable disconnected clients to diagnose their problems with the help of nearby clients. This technique may take advantage of the beaconing and probing mechanisms of IEEE 802.11 to ensure that connected clients do not pay unnecessary overheads for detecting disconnected clients. Methods are also described for detecting rogue devices disguising as disconnected clients.
49 Citations
25 Claims
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1. A computer-readable storage medium encoded with instructions that, when executed, perform a method comprising acts of:
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attempting to connect to an infrastructure network directly from a first wireless computing device; and in response to failing to connect to the infrastructure network directly, performing acts of; enabling a promiscuous mode on the first wireless computing device for monitoring wireless traffic on a plurality of channels; examining traffic packets of a second wireless computing device and determining that the second wireless computing device is connected to the infrastructure network; creating a new wireless network on a channel corresponding to the second wireless computing device; broadcasting a distress signal on the new wireless network; terminating the distress signal in response to receiving an acknowledgement from the second wireless computing device; starting an ad hoc wireless network via the first wireless computing device for connection by the second wireless computing device; and transmitting information from the first wireless computing device to the infrastructure network via the ad hoc wireless network. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. A computer-readable storage medium encoded with instructions that, when executed, perform a method for facilitating communications between a first wireless computing device and an infrastructure network, via a second wireless computing device connected to the infrastructure network, wherein the first computing device is not connected to the infrastructure network, the method comprising acts of:
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receiving, at the second wireless computing device, a distress signal from the first wireless computing device; sending an acknowledgement of the distress signal from the second wireless computing device to the first computing device; receiving at the second wireless computing device a response, from the first wireless computing device, to the acknowledgement; causing the second wireless computing device to join an ad hoc network originated by the first wireless computing device, whereby the second wireless computing device is substantially simultaneously connected to both the ad hoc network and the infrastructure network; receiving information from the first wireless computing device via the ad hoc network; and transmitting the received information to the infrastructure network. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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21. A system for allowing a disconnected wireless computing device to communicate with an infrastructure network via a wirelessly connected wireless computing device, the system comprising:
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a first diagnostic client program running on the disconnected wireless computing device; and a second diagnostic client program running on the connected wireless computing device, wherein the connected wireless computing device is connected to the infrastructure network via an access point; wherein the first diagnostic client program; detects the presence of the connected wireless computing device and determines that the connected wireless device is connected to the infrastructure network by examining traffic packets sent from the connected wireless device; causes a distress signal to be sent; creates an ad hoc wireless network on the disconnected wireless computing device; and transmits diagnostic information to the connected wireless computing device via the ad hoc wireless network; and
,wherein the second diagnostic client program; receives the distress signal; connects to the ad hoc wireless network on the disconnected wireless computing device while maintaining a substantially simultaneous connection to the infrastructure network; receives the diagnostic information from the first diagnostic client program running on the disconnected wireless computing device, and forwards the diagnostic information to the infrastructure network. - View Dependent Claims (22, 23, 24, 25)
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Specification