Automatic detection and testing of new networking connections

• US 7,804,783 B2
• Filed: 12/23/2004
• Issued: 09/28/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 12/23/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing LLC (Microsoft Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
• Inventors: Jones, David, Lyndersay, Sean O.
• Primary Examiner(s): Vu; Huy D
• Assistant Examiner(s): Chery; Dady
• Application Number:
  US11/024,296
• Publication Number:
  US 20060143299A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,105 Days
• Field of Search: 370/230, 370/248, 370/463, 370/389, 370/401, 370/241, 370/331, 709220-224
• US Class Current: 370/248
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/5692 Selection among different networks
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 41/0803 Configuration setting
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 41/0879 Manual configuration through operator
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 41/22 comprising specially adapted graphical user interfaces [GUI]
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 43/50 Testing arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 48/18 Selecting a network or a communication service

Abstract

A new connection wizard automatically detects available networking hardware, as well as networks that are available. The wizard then presents the user with a list of choices, i.e., different connection types that they can set up. This list of options is based on the hardware and networks that were detected initially. Thus, the wizard will only present the user with the connection types that can actually be utilized. Once the user has selected a connection type and completed the configuration through the wizard, the wizard will automatically test the connection and report success or failure to the user.

Claims

1. A method of configuring a new network connection from a user machine to a network, the method comprising:

determining one or more network connections that are supportable by the user machine;

presenting a list of network connection options to a user of the user machine, wherein the list of network connection options lists those network connections supportable by the user machine;

receiving a user selection of a network connection option associated with a first network;

configuring a connection from the user machine to the first network; and

testing the connection created from the user machine to the first network comprising;

attempting to make a connection in the background on the user machine to the first network;

if the connection to the first network is successful, verifying network connectivity comprising submitting user credentials for the connection and verifying if the user credentials are accepted and that the first network is available for use without additional credentials; and

if the network connectivity is verified, disconnecting the user machine from the first network in the background;

if the connection is successful and verified, reporting the successful and verified connection as an available network; and

if the connection is not successful or is not verified, refraining from reporting the connection-as an available network.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the step of determining one or more network connections that are supportable by the user machine comprises determining that the user machines comprises networking hardware appropriate for the one or more network connections.

3. The method according to claim 2, wherein the step of determining one or more network connections that are supportable by the user machine further comprises determining that one or more networks of a type usable with the one or more network connections are present.

4. The method according to claim 2, wherein the user can elect to manually configure a network connection not listed in the presented list of network connection options.

5. The method according to claim 1, wherein the step of presenting a list of network connection options to a user of the user machine further comprises presenting a manual connection option to the user, whereby the user can elect to manually configure a network connection.

6. The method according to claim 1, wherein the step of testing the connection created from the user machine to the first network further comprises notifying a user of the user machine of the status of the network connection.

7. The method according to claim 1, wherein the one or more network connections that are supportable by the user machine include a network of a type selected from the group consisting of Ethernet, 802.11, 802.16 (Wi-Max), GSM/CDMA, Bluetooth PAN, and dial-up.

8. A non-transitory computer-readable medium having thereon computer-executable instructions for performing a method of configuring a new network connection from a user machine to a network, the instructions comprising instructions for:

determining one or more network connections that are supportable by the user machine;

presenting a list of network connection options to a user of the user machine, wherein the list of network connection options lists those network connections supportable by the user machine;

receiving a user selection of a network connection option associated with a first network;

configuring a connection from the user machine to the first network; and

testing the connection created from the user machine to the first network comprising;

attempting to make a connection in the background on the user machine to the first network further comprising;

if the connection to the first network is successful, verifying network connectivity comprising submitting user credentials for the connection and verifying if the user credentials are accepted and that the first network is available for use without additional credentials; and

if the network connectivity is verified, disconnecting the user machine from the first network in the background;

if the connection is successful and verified, reporting the successful and verified connection as an available network; and

if the connection is not successful or is not verified, refraining from reporting the connection as an available network.

9. The non-transitory computer-readable medium according to claim 8, wherein the instructions for determining one or more network connections that are supportable by the user machine comprises instructions for determining that the user machines comprises networking hardware appropriate for the one or more network connections.

10. The non-transitory computer-readable medium according to claim 9, wherein the instructions for determining one or more network connections that are supportable by the user machine further comprise instructions for determining that one or more networks of a type usable with the one or more network connections are present.

11. The non-transitory computer-readable medium according to claim 9, wherein the user can elect to manually configure a network connection not listed in the presented list of network connection options.

12. The non-transitory computer-readable medium according to claim 8, wherein the instructions for presenting a list of network connection options to a user of the user machine further comprise instructions for presenting a manual connection option to the user, whereby the user can elect to manually configure a network connection.

13. The non-transitory computer-readable medium according to claim 8, wherein the instructions for testing the connection created from the user machine to the first network further comprise instructions for notifying a user of the user machine of the status of the network connection.

14. The non-transitory computer-readable medium according to claim 8, wherein the one or more network connections that are supportable by the user machine include a network of a type selected from the group consisting of Ethernet, 802.11, 802.16 (Wi-Max), GSM/CDMA, Bluetooth PAN, and dial-up.

15. A connection wizard for aiding a user of a user machine in configuring a connection from the user machine to a network comprising:

a network and network hardware detection module for determining one or more network connection types supportable by the user machine;

a user interface module in communication with the network and network hardware detection module for receiving notification of the one or more network connection types supportable by the user machine, and for generating a user interface presenting a listing of the one or more network connection types supportable by the user machine, and for receiving a user selection of a first network connection type to configure and for guiding the user via the user interface through a process for configuring a network connection of the first network connection type; and

a testing module in communication with the user interface module, for receiving from the user interface module an indication that the configuration of a connection of the first network connection type has completed, and for testing the configured connection wherein testing the configured connection comprises;

attempting to make a connecting in background,

if the connection to the first network is successful,

verifying the connection in the background connectivity comprising submitting user credentials for the connection and verifying if the user credentials are accepted and that the first network is available for use without additional credentials,

if the network connectivity is verified,

disconnecting in the background,

if the connection is successful and verified,

reporting the successful and verified connection as an available network and

if the connection is not successful or is not verified,

refraining from reporting the connection as an available network.

16. The connection wizard according to claim 15, wherein testing the configured connection further comprises reporting the status of the connection to the user interface module for display to the user.

17. The connection wizard according to claim 15, wherein the one or more network connections supportable by the user machine include a network of a type selected from the group consisting of Ethernet, 802.11, 802.16 (Wi-Max), GSM/CDMA, Bluetooth PAN, and dial-up.