System and method for synchronizing connection credentials

• US 9,344,404 B2
• Filed: 01/31/2013
• Issued: 05/17/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 01/31/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Dell Products LP (Dell Technologies Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Dell Products LP (Dell Technologies Inc.)
• Inventors: Sanaullah, Abu Shaher, Lo, Yuan-Chang, Ali, Raziuddin, Cox, Claude Lano, Gatson, Michael S., Krishnakumar, Karthikeyan
• Primary Examiner(s): Le, Chau
• Assistant Examiner(s): CHAUDHRY, MUHAMMAD U
• Application Number:
  US13/755,266
• Publication Number:
  US 20140215585A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,202 Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/0281 Proxies
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/08 for authentication of entities cryptographic mechanisms or cryptographic arrangements for entity authentication H04L9/32
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/18 using different networks or channels, e.g. using out of band channels cryptographic mechanisms or cryptographic arrangements for key distribution involving distinctive intermediate devices or communication paths H04L9/0827; cryptographic mechanisms or cryptographic arrangements for authentication using a plurality of channels H04L9/3215
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 12/069 using certificates or pre-shared keys

Abstract

In one embodiment, a method includes establishing a connection with an access-point (AP) device via a first communication path. The method further includes establishing a connection with a proxy device for the AP device via a second communication path that is distinct from the first communication path. In addition, the method includes determining a set of connection credentials maintained by the AP device. Furthermore, the method includes determining a set of connection credentials maintained by the proxy device. Additionally, the method includes identifying a correct set of connection credentials. The correct set includes at least one of the first set and the second set. The method also includes synchronizing the first set and the second set according to the correct set.

Claims

1. A method comprising:

establishing, by an information handling system, a first connection with an access-point (AP) device via a first communication path;

wherein the information handling system comprises a first network interface configured to enable the first connection and a second network interface configured to enable a second connection;

wherein the first network interface and the second network interface of the information handling system are distinct interfaces;

wherein the AP device provides a service to information handling systems in possession of a first set of connection credentials maintained by the AP device;

establishing, by the information handling system, the second connection with a proxy device for the AP device via a second communication path that is distinct from the first communication path, wherein the second connection establishment with the proxy device is facilitated by bringing the proxy device in close proximity with the information handling system;

wherein the proxy device is configured to store a second set of connection credentials and provide the second set of connection credentials as connection credentials for the AP device;

wherein the AP device provides the service using a first communication protocol, the proxy device provides the second set of connection credentials using a second communication protocol, and the first communication protocol is different from the second communication protocol;

determining, by the information handling system, the first set of connection credentials maintained by the AP device;

determining, by the information handling system, the second set of connection credentials stored by the proxy device;

identifying, by the information handling system, a correct set of connection credentials for the AP device;

synchronizing, by the information handling system, the first set and the second set according to the correct set;

wherein the identifying comprises selecting, by the information handling system, a most recent set of credentials between the first set of connection credentials maintained by the AP device and the second set of connection credentials stored by the proxy device;

wherein the correct set of connection credentials represent connection credentials that are used as a baseline for synchronization and are stored on both the AP device and the proxy device;

wherein the second communication path comprises near-field communication (NFC);

wherein the correct set of connection credentials comprises the second set of connection credentials stored by the proxy device; and

wherein the synchronizing comprises updating the first set of connection credentials maintained by the AP device in conformance to the second set of connection credentials stored by the proxy device.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the first communication path comprises communication via at least one method selected from the group consisting of:

Wi-Fi and Bluetooth.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the proxy device comprises a remote control for the AP device.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the AP device comprises a projector.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the identifying comprises prompting a user to choose the correct set of connection of credentials.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein:

the correct set of connection credentials comprises the first set of connection credentials maintained by the AP device; and

the synchronizing comprises updating the second set of connection credentials stored by the proxy device in conformance to the first set of connection credentials maintained by the AP device.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein:

the correct set of connection credentials comprises a newly generated set of connection credentials; and

the synchronizing comprises;

updating the first set of connection credentials maintained by the AP device in conformance to the newly generated set of connection credentials; and

updating the second set of connection credentials stored by the proxy device in conformance to the newly generated set of connection credentials.

8. An information handling system comprising:

a first network interface configured to enable connections thereto;

a second network interface configured to enable connections thereto;

wherein the first network interface and the second network interface of the information handling system are distinct interfaces;

a processor communicably coupled to the first network interface and the second network interface, wherein the processor is configured to;

establish a connection with an access-point (AP) device via the first network interface;

wherein the AP device provides a service to information handling systems in possession of a first set of connection credentials maintained by the AP device;

establish a connection with a proxy device for the AP device via the second network interface, wherein the connection establishment with the proxy device is facilitated by bringing the proxy device in close proximity with the information handling system;

wherein the proxy device is configured to store a second set of connection credentials and provide the second set of connection credentials as connection credentials for the AP device;

wherein the AP device provides the service using a first communication protocol, the proxy device provides the second set of connection credentials using a second communication protocol, and the first communication protocol is different from the second communication protocol;

determine the first set of connection credentials maintained by the AP device;

determine the second set of connection credentials stored by the proxy device;

identify a correct set of connection credentials;

synchronize the first set and the second set according to the correct set;

wherein the identification comprises selection, by the information handling system, of a most recent set of credentials between the first set of connection credentials maintained by the AP device and the second set of connection credentials stored by the proxy device;

wherein the correct set of connection credentials represent connection credentials that are used as a baseline for synchronization and are stored on both the AP device and the proxy device;

wherein the second network interface is configured to communicate via near-field communication (NFC);

wherein the correct set of connection credentials comprises the second set of connection credentials stored by the proxy device; and

wherein the synchronization comprises updating the first set of connection credentials maintained by the AP device in conformance to the second set of connection credentials stored by the proxy device.

9. The information handling system of claim 8, wherein the first network interface is configured to communicate via at least one method selected from the group consisting of:

Wi-Fi and Bluetooth.

10. The information handling system of claim 8, wherein the proxy device comprises a remote control for the AP device.

11. The information handling system of claim 8, wherein the AP device comprises a projector.

12. The information handling system of claim 8, wherein:

the correct set of connection credentials comprises the first set of connection credentials maintained by the AP device; and

the synchronization comprises updating the second set of connection credentials stored by the proxy device in conformance to the first set of connection credentials maintained by the AP device.

13. The information handling system of claim 8, wherein:

the correct set of connection credentials comprises a newly generated set of connection credentials; and

the synchronization comprises;

updating the first set of connection credentials maintained by the AP device in conformance to the newly generated set of connection credentials; and

updating the second set of connection credentials stored by the proxy device in conformance to the newly generated set of connection credentials.

14. A computer-program product comprising a non-transitory computer-usable medium having computer-readable program code embodied therein, the computer-readable program code adapted to be executed to implement a method comprising:

establishing a first connection with an access-point (AP) device via a first communication path;

wherein the information handling system comprises a first network interface configured to enable the first connection and a second network interface configured to enable a second connection;

wherein the AP device provides a service to information handling systems in possession of a first set of connection credentials maintained by the AP device;

establishing the second connection with a proxy device for the AP device via a second communication path that is distinct from the first communication path, wherein the second connection establishment with the proxy device is facilitated by bringing the proxy device in close proximity with the information handling system;

wherein the proxy device is configured to store a second set of connection credentials and provide the second set of connection credentials as connection credentials for the AP device;

wherein the AP device provides the service using a first communication protocol, the proxy device provides the second set of connection credentials using a second communication protocol, and the first communication protocol is different from the second communication protocol;

determining the first set of connection credentials maintained by the AP device;

determining the second set of connection credentials stored by the proxy device;

identifying a correct set of connection credentials;

synchronizing the first set and the second set according to the correct set;

wherein the identifying comprises selecting, by the information handling system, a most recent set of credentials between the first set of connection credentials maintained by the AP device and the second set of connection credentials stored by the proxy device;

wherein the correct set of connection credentials represent connection credentials that are used as a baseline for synchronization and are stored on both the AP device and the proxy device;

wherein the second communication path comprises near-field communication (NFC);

wherein the correct set of connection credentials comprises the second set of connection credentials stored by the proxy device; and

wherein the synchronizing comprises updating the first set of connection credentials maintained by the AP device in conformance to the second set of connection credentials stored by the proxy device.