Broadcom Corporation

Jeff Vadasz

Mahesh A Iyer

Manoj Thawani

Manas Deb

Henry S Ptasinski

Edward Carter

David Lawrence Cohen

Henry S Ptasinki

Ted Edward Carter

A collocated device functioning as a configurator can use short and long button activations to enter a configuration state, open a timing window, and force client devices currently joined to a network to rejoin the network. If the collocated device functioning as a configurator is unconfigured, a short (or long) button activation can initiate a configuration sequence. A short button activation on that same collocated device, once configured, can cause the device to open a configurator timing window, during which one or more devices can be provided the information necessary to securely communicate on a network. A long (or short) button activation can be used to force all currently connected client devices, or rejoin the network using a new Service Set Identifier (SSID) or passphrase.

Configurator forced client network rejoining

Certain aspects of a method for enabling exchange of information in a secure communication system may comprise configuring at least one 802.11 client station via authentication enablement information comprising data that specifies a time period during which configuration is allowed. The data that specifies a time period during which configuration is allowed may comprise a configuration window open field, which indicates a period when a configuration setup window is open. At least one client station may be configured via the authentication enablement information comprising recently configured data, which indicates whether at least one configurator has configured at least one other client station within the time period during which the configuration is allowed.

Client configuration during timing window

Method and system for exchanging setup configuration protocol information in beacon frames in a WLAN

Aspects of a method and system for transporting configuration messages across a DS in a WLAN are presented. Aspects of a method for enabling communication of information in a secure communication system may comprise configuring a wireless client station located in a client network based on configuration information received from a configurator. The configurator is located in a configurator network that is located external to and communicatively coupled to the client network. Aspects of a system for enabling communication of information in a secure communication system may comprise a configurator located in a configurator network that is located external to and communicatively coupled to a client network. The configurator configures a wireless client station located in the client network based on configuration information transmitted by the configurator to the wireless client station.

Method and system for transporting configuration protocol messages across a distribution system (DS) in a wireless local area network (WLAN)

Aspects of a method and system for improved communication network setup may comprise receiving authentication enablement information from a configurator station comprising indication of a current state of a configurator timing window. In response to input at a client station to communicate authentication response information to the configurator station, receiving at the client station, configuration information and/or status information resulting from input at the client station. Other aspects of the invention may comprise responding to input at a configurator station to transmit authentication enablement information comprising indication of a current state of a configurator timing window, receiving authentication response information from the client station based on the transmitted authentication enablement information, and transmitting to the client station configuration information and/or status information from the configurator station based on the received authentication response information.

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Los Altos, CA, United States of America

Jeff Vadasz