Method and apparatus for WLAN initial link setup

Abstract

A method includes, prior to authenticating a mobile device, receiving by an access point a first message from the mobile device, determining that the mobile device is to be authenticated prior to responding to the first message, and sending to an authentication server a second message that includes an authentication request and the first message. The method also includes receiving from the authentication server a third message that includes a response to the authentication request and that further includes the first message.

Description

I. CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS[0001]The present application is a divisional application of and claims priority to commonly owned U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13 / 836,765 filed Mar. 15, 2013, which claims priority from commonly owned U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61 / 659,389 filed Jun. 13, 2012, the contents of both of which are expressly incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.II. FIELD[0002]The present disclosure is generally related to link setup in wireless networks.III. DESCRIPTION OF RELATED ART[0003]Advances in technology have resulted in smaller and more powerful computing devices. For example, there currently exist a variety of portable personal computing devices, including wireless computing devices, such as portable wireless telephones, personal digital assistants (PDAs), and paging devices that are small, lightweight, and easily carried by users. More specifically, portable wireless telephones, such as cellular telephones and Internet Pr...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

The patent text describes techniques for quickly setting up wireless connections, such as Wi-Fi, to a local network. These techniques may reduce delays for users who need to connect to a network quickly, such as when a large number of people try to connect to a train when it reaches a station. The techniques may also make it faster for mobile devices to authenticate and associate with the network, reducing the likelihood of overwhelming the access point or delaying processing of requests. Overall, the patent text describes methods to improve the speed and efficiency of wireless connections.

Problems solved by technology

However, establishing a data connection between a mobile device and the Internet can be time consuming due to various communications that are exchanged between the mobile device and the access point before user data is transferred.

Further, in some cases, multiple mobile devices may attempt to establish connections simultaneously, overwhelming the access point with requests, which may cause the access point to perform slowly or to fail.

The techniques may decrease the delay users experience when waiting for initial access to a network (e.g., the delay when waiting to establish a data connection between a mobile device and an access point).

Still further, techniques described herein may reduce the likelihood of the access point buffering requests from the mobile devices that are not processed.

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