Methods and systems for automated configuration of 802.1x clients
View Patent ↗Methods and apparatus for the automated configuration of 802.1x clients in wireless computer networks are described. In one embodiment, a wireless network client for a wireless network is configured automatically, by providing (using a software driver installed at either the network client or a remote server) network configuration information to a software client of the wireless network client.
1. A method, comprising configuring automatically, a wireless network node for a wireless network by automatically providing network configuration information to a software client of the wireless network node using a software routine installed on the wireless network client;
wherein the network configuration information that is automatically provided includes an SSID, WEP enablement, WPA enablement, EAP properties, and an authentication method for the wireless network node;
wherein the network configuration information is specific to an operating system and a network type of the wireless network node;
wherein the wireless network node is configured automatically when the software routine detects an attempt by the wireless network node to connect to a new WLAN by monitoring activity on ports of the wireless network node and identifying a new SSID broadcasted by an access point;
wherein the network configuration information that is automatically provided includes at least one of encryption key values, specific servers, trusted root certification authorities, and automatic logon preferences;
wherein the software routine adds a name of the new WLAN to a list of networks, supplies the SSID and encryption key details, checks at least one of a WEP enable box, a WPA enable box and an automatic encryption key box of a configuration screen, and enters a name of an authentication server for allowing a connection between the wireless network node and the authentication server.
2. The method of claim 1 wherein the network configuration information that is automatically provided includes a list of available networks, the encryption key values, the specific servers, the trusted root certification authorities, and the automatic logon preferences.
3. The method of claim 2 wherein the network configuration information that is automatically provided further includes some or all of 802.1x authentication activation, EAP type, guest authentication, and computer authentication information.
4. The method of claim 1 wherein the network configuration information that is automatically'provided includes some or all of 802.1x authentication activation and EAP settings.
5. The method of claim 1 , wherein the network configuration information that is automatically provided includes a list of available networks.
6. The method of claim 1 , wherein the network configuration information that is automatically provided includes the encryption key values.
7. The method of claim 1 , wherein the network configuration information that is automatically provided includes the specific servers.
8. The method of claim 1 , wherein the network configuration information that is automatically provided includes the trusted root certification authorities.
9. The method of claim 1 , wherein the network configuration information that is automatically provided includes the automatic logon preferences.
10. The method of claim 1 , wherein the wireless network node is configured automatically when the software routine detects that a user selects the new WLAN.
11. The method of claim 1 , wherein the software routine enters a specific name of the authentication server on a authentication panel of the configuration screen such that wireless network node will only be able to connect to the authentication server.
12. The method of claim 1 , wherein the ports of the wireless network node include ports used for communication via the new WLAN.
13. The method of claim 1 , wherein the software routine adds the name of the new WLAN to the list of networks in response to the detection of the attempt by the wireless node to connect to the new WLAN.
14. A method comprising configuring a wireless network node for a wireless network by automatically providing network configuration information to a software client of the wireless network node using a software routine installed on a network server of a wired network connected to the wireless network node;
wherein the network configuration information that is automatically provided includes an SSID, WEP enablement, WPA enablement, EAP properties, and an authentication method for the wireless network node;
wherein the network configuration information is specific to an operating system and a network type of the wireless network node;
wherein the wireless network node is configured automatically when the software routine detects an attempt by the wireless network node to connect to a new WLAN by monitoring activity on ports of the wireless network node and identifying a new SSID broadcasted by an access point;
wherein the network configuration information that is automatically provided includes at least one of encryption key values, specific servers, trusted root certification authorities, and automatic logon preferences;
wherein the software routine adds a name of the new WLAN to a list of networks, supplies the SSID and encryption key details, checks at least one of a WEP enable box, a WPA enable box and an automatic encryption key box of a configuration screen, and enters a name of an authentication server for allowing a connection between the wireless network node and the authentication server.
15. A wireless network node, comprising:
a processor; and
a software routine stored on a computer readable medium accessible by the processor and which when executed by the processor automatically configures a wireless network node for use on a wireless network by automatically providing network configuration information to a software client of the wireless network node;
wherein the network configuration information that is automatically provided includes an SSID, WEP enablement, WPA enablement, EAP properties, and an authentication method for the wireless network node;
wherein the network configuration information is specific to an operating system and a network type of the wireless network node;
wherein the software routine is operable such that the wireless network node is configured automatically when the software routine detects an attempt by the wireless network node to connect to a new WLAN by monitoring activity on ports of the wireless network node and identifying a new SSID broadcasted by an access point;
wherein the network configuration information that is automatically provided includes at least one of encryption key values, specific servers, trusted root certification authorities, and automatic logon preferences;
wherein the software routine adds a name of the new WLAN to a list of networks, supplies the SSID and encryption key details, checks at least one of a WEP enable box, a WPA enable box and an automatic encryption key box of a configuration screen, and enters a name of an authentication server for allowing a connection between the wireless network node and the authentication server.
16. The wireless network node of claim 15 wherein the network configuration information that is automatically provided includes a list of available networks, the encryption key values, the specific servers, the trusted root certification authorities, and the automatic logon preferences.
17. The wireless network node of claim 16 wherein the network configuration information that is automatically provided further includes 802.1x authentication activation, EAP type, guest authentication, computer authentication.
18. A non-transitory computer-readable medium having stored thereon a plurality of computer-readable instructions, which when executed by a computer system, cause said computer system to automatically configure a wireless network node for a wireless network by automatically providing network configuration information to a software client of the wireless network node;
wherein the network configuration information that is automatically provided includes an SSID, WEP enablement, WPA enablement, EAP properties, and an authentication method for the wireless network node;
wherein the network configuration information is specific to an operating system and a network type of the wireless network node;
wherein the computer-readable instructions are operable such that the wireless network node is configured automatically when a software routine detects an attempt by the wireless network node to connect to a new WLAN by monitoring activity on ports of the wireless network node and identifying a new SSID broadcasted by an access point;
wherein the network configuration information that is automatically provided includes at least one of encryption key values, specific servers, trusted root certification authorities, and automatic logon preferences;
wherein the software routine adds a name of the new WLAN to a list of networks, supplies the SSID and encryption key details, checks at least one of a WEP enable box, a WPA enable box and an automatic encryption key box of a configuration screen, and enters a name of an authentication server for allowing a connection between the wireless network node and the authentication server.
19. The computer-readable medium of claim 18 wherein the network configuration information that is automatically provided includes a list of available networks, the encryption key values, the specific servers, the trusted root certification authorities, and the automatic logon preferences.
20. The computer-readable medium of claim 19 wherein the network configuration information that is automatically provided further includes some or all of 802.1x authentication activation, EAP type, guest authentication, and computer authentication information.