Subnet box
US7934005B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Sep 8, 2004 |
| Grant date | Apr 26, 2011 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jan 29, 2027 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH04W84/12
- WIPO fieldDigital communication
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
The invention provides an external in-line device (“Subnet Box”) placed between a network and an access point to achieve secure Wi-Fi communications without needing to modify the access point. The Subnet Box comprises an embedded token and will authenticate users based on pre-stored access rights. In at least one embodiment of the invention, the Subnet Box comprises: a first communications port for intercepting data packets communicated to and from a wired communications network; a second communications port for intercepting data packets communicated to and from a wireless access point, wherein the wireless access point is an edge device of the wired communications network; a database comprising a number of serial numbers each associated with a client token and a secret cryptographic key; and a processor for determining whether a computing device having a client token can access the wired communications network via the wireless access point. The processor establishes a secure tunnel between the computing device and the first communications port.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.