Secured credential sharing over Wi-Fi protected setup
A method, apparatus, and system for providing temporary access point (AP) functionality to an intermediary device to provide wireless network credentials to a wireless device (STA) to be connected to a wireless network including an AP is described. The intermediary device may mimic the AP to provide wireless network credentials to the wireless device and discontinue an onboarding session to allow the wireless device to access the AP directly.
1. A method for providing wireless network credentials to a station (STA) comprising:
mimicking an access point (AP) by an intermediary device, the intermediary device having previously paired with the AP, wherein mimicking the AP includes beginning a WPS session on the intermediary device;
performing, by the intermediary device, a WPS handshake with the STA;
upon completion of the WPS handshake, providing, by the intermediary device, network credentials to the STA;
terminating the WPS session on the intermediary device; and
terminating mimicking of the AP by the intermediary device, wherein the intermediary device is a handheld device for displaying a graphical user interface GUI for initiating a soft AP session and a WPS handshake with the STA.
2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the intermediary device is in concurrent operative communication with the AP and the STA.
3. The method of claim 2 , wherein simultaneous operative communication with the AP and the STA by the intermediary device is by real-time simultaneous dual band (RSDB) or virtual simultaneous dual band (VSDB) operation of the intermediary device.
4. The method of claim 1 , wherein network credentials are passed to the STA without input from the AP.
5. The method of claim 1 , wherein the intermediary device is configured to provide network credentials to multiple stations (STAs) simultaneously.
6. The method of claim 1 , further comprising, prior the providing network credentials, retrieving the network credentials for the AP stored in a memory location of the intermediary device.
7. The method of claim 1 , wherein mimicking an AP comprises providing AP functionality by the intermediary device.
8. A non-transitory, computer-readable medium containing instructions for a controller of an intermediary device, the instructions for:
mimicking an access point (AP) by an intermediary device, the intermediary device having previously paired with the AP, wherein mimicking the AP includes beginning a WPS session on the intermediary device;
performing, by the intermediary device, a WPS handshake with the STA; upon completion of the WPS handshake, providing, by the intermediary device, network credentials to the STA;
terminating the WPS session on the intermediary device; and
terminating mimicking of the AP by the intermediary device,
wherein the intermediary device is a handheld device for displaying a graphical user interface GUI for initiating a soft AP session and a WPS handshake with the STA.
9. The non-transitory, computer-readable medium of claim 8 , wherein the intermediary device is in concurrent operative communication with the AP and the STA.
10. The non-transitory, computer-readable medium of claim 9 , wherein simultaneous operative communication with the AP and the STA by the intermediary device is by real-time simultaneous dual band (RSDB) or virtual simultaneous dual band (VSDB) operation of the intermediary device.
11. The non-transitory, computer-readable medium of claim 8 , further comprising instructions for providing the graphical user interface (GUI) for initiation of the WPS session.
12. The non-transitory, computer-readable medium of claim 8 , wherein instructions contained therein allow network credentials to be passed to the STA without input from the AP.
13. The non-transitory, computer-readable medium of claim 8 , further including instructions to allow the intermediary device is configured to provide network credentials to multiple stations (STAs) simultaneously.
14. The non-transitory, computer-readable medium of claim 8 , further comprising instructions for the retrieval of network credentials for the AP stored in a memory location of the intermediary device prior to providing the network credentials to the STA.
15. A system comprising:
a station (STA) configured to access a wireless network upon receipt of valid network credentials; and
an intermediary device, the intermediary device previously associated with the wireless network, wherein the intermediary device is configured to:
provide access point (AP) functionality corresponding to an access point of the wireless network,
provide network credentials to the STA while mimicking the AP, and
terminate a soft AP session over which network credentials to the STA are provided, the termination of the soft AP session to allow the STA to associate with the AP,
wherein the intermediary device is a handheld device for displaying a graphical user interface GUI for initiating a soft AP session and a WPS handshake with the STA.
16. The system of claim of claim 15 , wherein the intermediary device has a first wireless communication range that is less than a second wireless communication range of the AP.
17. The system of claim 15 , wherein the intermediary device is capable of operative communication with the AP as a STA simultaneous to operative communication with the STA as an AP.