Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLC

Glenn R Ward

Scott Manchester

Amer A Hassan

Christian F Huitema

Abhishek Abhishek

David A Roberts

John P Pennock

Dennis G Frost

A method to automatically configure a network device is provided. Without user intervention, configuration messages are generated and transmitted on physical interfaces associated with the network device. Acknowledgements to the configuration messages provide connectivity information that is utilized to instruct the network device to operate in a first, second, or third operational mode. The network device loads instructions associated with each mode to allow the network device to automatically provide connectivity based on the network configuration or topology of the domain or segment associated with the network device.

Auto-configuring operation modes for network elements

A wireless device that desires to be connected to a wireless network broadcasts itself and its capabilities to a network using an information element. The information element is provided with frames, such as management frames, in a channel that is not protected or encrypted. The information element is forwarded to one or more potential registrar devices. One of the registrar devices then provides configuration information to the enrollee, for example as a registrar information element. The configuration information may be passed out of band or in band, and may be passed using cryptography, which may involve public key cryptography, encryption with a PIN, or some other type of secure exchange.

Wireless device discovery and configuration

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Redmond, WA, United States of America

Glenn R Ward