Beacon Based Network Device Management
Systems and methods for beacon-based network management are disclosed. A first device is configured to transmit a broadcast message indicating a presence of a first network. The broadcast message can include credentials for a second network. A second device is configured to receive the broadcast message, retrieve the credentials for the second network, and access, via provision of the credentials to a third device, the second network.
1 . A system comprising:
a first device configured to:
transmit a broadcast message indicating a presence of a first Wi-Fi network, the broadcast message comprising credentials for a second Wi-Fi network; and
a second device configured to:
receive the broadcast message;
retrieve the credentials for the second Wi-Fi network; and
access, via provision of the credentials to a third device, the second Wi-Fi network.
2 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the first device is configured to transmit the broadcast message responsive to a determination that the second device is absent from the second Wi-Fi network.
3 . The system of claim 2 , wherein:
the first device is configured to maintain a list of devices connected to the first Wi-Fi network; and
the determination that the second device is absent from the second Wi-Fi network comprises:
a determination that the second device was previously connected to the second Wi-Fi network at a first time; and
a determination that the credentials for the second Wi-Fi network differ from prior credentials at the first time.
4 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the broadcast message comprises:
an indication for the second device to update a firmware version.
5 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the broadcast message includes a designator for a plurality of second devices.
6 . The system of claim 1 , wherein:
the broadcast message comprises an encrypted portion for the credentials;
the first device includes an encryption key to encrypt the credentials; and
the second device includes a decryption key to decrypt the credentials.
7 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the first device is configured to withhold an authentication response, responsive to an authentication request received responsive to the broadcast message.
8 . The system of claim 1 , wherein:
the third device is an AP device; and
the first device is a STA associated with third device.
9 . A method comprising:
transmitting, by a first device, a broadcast message indicating a presence of a first Wi-Fi network, the broadcast message comprising credentials for a second Wi-Fi network; and
receiving, by a second device, the broadcast message;
retrieving, by the second device, the credentials for the second Wi-Fi network; and
accessing, via provision of the credentials by the second device to a third device, the second Wi-Fi network.
10 . The method of claim 9 , wherein transmitting the broadcast message is responsive to a determination that the second device is absent from the second Wi-Fi network.
11 . The method of claim 10 , further comprising:
maintaining, by the first device, a list of devices connected to the first Wi-Fi network; and
wherein the determination that the second device is absent from the second Wi-Fi network comprises:
determining that the second device was previously connected to the second Wi-Fi network at a first time; and
determining that the credentials for the second Wi-Fi network differ from prior credentials at the first time.
12 . The method of claim 9 , wherein the broadcast message comprises:
an indication for the second device to update a firmware version.
13 . The method of claim 12 , wherein the broadcast message includes a designator for a plurality of second devices.
14 . The method of claim 12 , wherein:
the broadcast message comprises an encrypted portion for the credentials;
the first device includes an encryption key to encrypt the credentials; and
the second device includes a decryption key to decrypt the credentials.
15 . The method of claim 12 , further comprising withholding, by the first device, an authentication response responsive to an authentication request received responsive to the broadcast message.
16 . An apparatus comprising:
a device configured to:
receive a broadcast message indicating a presence of a first Wi-Fi network, the broadcast message comprising a credential for a second Wi-Fi network;
retrieve the credentials for the second Wi-Fi network; and
access, via provision of the credentials to a third device, the second Wi-Fi network.
17 . The apparatus of claim 16 , wherein the device is configured to transmit the broadcast message responsive to a determination that a second device is absent from the second Wi-Fi network.
18 . The apparatus of claim 17 , wherein:
the device is configured to maintain a list of devices connected to the first Wi-Fi network; and
the determination that the second device is absent from the second Wi-Fi network comprises:
a determination that the second device was previously connected to the second Wi-Fi network at a first time; and
a determination that the credentials for the second Wi-Fi network differ from prior credentials at the first time.
19 . The apparatus of claim 16 , wherein the broadcast message comprises:
an indication for a second device to update a firmware version.
20 . The apparatus of claim 16 , wherein the broadcast message includes a designator for a plurality of second devices.