Wavelink Corporation

Crimson Corporation

Robert Whelan

Lamar John Van Wagenen

Roy Morris

Gilbert Wellisch

Unauthorized wireless access points are detected by configuring authorized access points and mobile units to listen to all wireless traffic in its cell and report all detected wireless devices to a monitor. The monitor checks the reported devices against a list of authorized network devices. If the reported wireless device is not an authorized device, the monitor determines if the reported device is connected to the network. If the reported device is connected to the network and is not an authorized device, the monitor alerts the network operator or network manager of a rogue device connected to the network and attempts to locate and isolate the rogue device.

System and method for detecting unauthorized wireless access points

The present invention allows any number of mobile units to roam between a large numbers of sub-networks, each with a large number of access points (tens of thousands or more total access points), with minimal direct administration effort. A hierarchy of management servers may be used across the multiple sub-networks, which can be under the control of multiple entities. The invention provides the capability for the mobile units to authenticate the access points associated with, to ensure they are both authorized and managed. Peer-to-peer and ad hoc associations between mobile units are managed as well. The invention may enforce a number of association policies such as, for example, forcing the mobile unit to only associate with access points or mobile units on a previously set mandatory association list, providing the mobile unit with a list of preferred access points to associate with, but allowing association with other access points, or providing the mobile unit with a excluded association list of access points or mobile units it is not to associate with.

Managed roaming for WLANS

A system for enforcing configuration requirements for hardware and software on mobile units operating on Wireless Local Area Networks (WLAN). The system allows the configuration policy to change dynamically with the access point or sub-network association. Whenever a mobile unit connects to a new sub-network or access point, the system invokes and then verifies the proper configuration profile for that sub-network or access point. Thus the system ensures the configuration of the mobile unit meets the requirements for the sub-network being used.

Mobile unit configuration management for WLANs

Mobile unit configuration management for WLANS

A system and method are disclosed that overcome deficiencies of prior art IEEE 802.11 WEP key management schemes. Preferred embodiments of the present system and method update WEP keys and rotate transmission key indices in a synchronized manner and on a frequent basis making it impractical for a hacker to gather sufficient network traffic using any one WEP key to decrypt that key and without disrupting communications. Preferred embodiments of the present system and method do not require changes in access point or mobile unit hardware, radio drivers, or firmware and are therefore compatible with existing or legacy network infrastructure or components. The disclosed system and method may be used to facilitate secure communications between one or more access points and one or more mobile units and/or groups of two or more mobile units engaging in peer-to-peer associations.

Growing community of inventors

Kirkland, WA, United States of America

Robert Whelan