System and method for securing mesh access points in a wireless mesh network, including rapid roaming
US8023478B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jul 6, 2006 |
| Grant date | Sep 20, 2011 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Aug 22, 2029 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH04W88/08
- WIPO fieldAudio-visual technology
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
An authentication method in a mesh AP including using standard IEEE 802.11i mechanisms between the mesh AP and an authenticator for authenticating the mesh AP to become a child mesh AP with a secure layer-2 link to a first parent mesh AP that has a secure tunnel to a Controller, including, after a layer-2 link between the child mesh AP and the first parent mesh AP is secured, undergoing a join exchange for form a secure tunnel between the child mesh AP and the Controller. Further, a fast roaming method for re-establishing a secure layer-2 link with a new parent mesh AP including, while the mesh AP is a child mesh AP to the first parent mesh AP and has a secure layer-2 link to the first parent mesh AP, caching key information and wireless mesh network identity information, and using the cached information to establish a secure layer-2 link with a new parent mesh AP without having to undergo a 4-way authentication. Further, while the mesh AP is a child mesh AP to the first parent mesh AP, has a secure layer-2 link to the first parent mesh AP, and has a secure tunnel to the Controller, caching session information on the secure tunnel, and using the cached information to re establish t…
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.