Bluetooth out-of-band management and traffic monitoring for wireless access points

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

0001The current invention relates to access points in a wireless local area network, such as access points in an IEEE Standard 802.11 wireless local area network. In particular the current invention relates to providing "out-of-band" management and monitoring of access points in a wireless local area network.

0002WO 00/68824 discloses methods and devices for network management using a palm-sized computer. In some embodiments, the palm-sized computer is connected to the synchronization server via a wireless link. A network management method includes the steps of accessing a page containing network management information stored on the palm-sized computer, selecting indicating a network management function to be performed, connecting to a synchronization server, transmitting the selected or indicated function, and receiving updated network management information responsive to the selected function. The network functions that may be accessible from the palm-sized computer include changing the configuration of a device, changing its inventory description, or accessing its historical information, In support of network management, the palm-sized computer may provide access to Web-based, intranet-based, or server-based support information. Connecting the palm-sized computer with the synchronization server step may include placing the palm-sized computer in a communications cradle or using a radio or infrared signal. The synchronization server may start on demand. The transmitting and receiving steps may include encoding and decoding information using a compact markup language, which may use variable bit-length strings or five-bit encoding of characters to minimize the amount of data that needs to be transmitted. Forms may be cached on both the palm-sized computer and the synchronization server so that only data, and not the form itself, needs to be transmitted. The synchronization server may communicate with a proxy server or network management server, in response to the palm-sized computer. A related method may provide access to network inventory management data. This method may include accessing a page form stored on the palm-sized computer which contains choices about a scope of network inventory information, selecting indicating the desired scope of information sought, connecting with the synchronization server, transmitting the selected or indicated scope, and receiving network inventory information. The selected scope may be a single device or a category of devices. The aspects elaborating upon the foregoing network management method apply equally well to this method of accessing network inventory management data. Communications between the palm-sized computer and synchronization server may be through a communications cradle or utilizing a radio or infrared link. More specifically, WO 00/68824 describes a wireless network topology that includes a wireless client, a wireless network access point, a wireless network access point radio, and a wireless network tunneler. The wireless client communicates across the wireless network using a client radio to transmit messages to and receive messages from the wireless network access point radio. The wireless network tunneler and the wireless network access point radio may also exchange messages. The wireless network is by nature not IP-based and therefore the wireless client uses a first wireless network protocol, which may be used to form wireless network protocol packets (WLNP). The wireless network access point may use the first wireless network protocol to communicate with different devices, such as the wireless client and the wireless network tunneler. However, this document does not teach or suggest using a second wireless network protocol, different from the first wireless network protocol.

0003US 5,546,397 discloses a high reliability access point for RF communications in a wireless local area network. The high reliability access point incudes a central processing unit (CPU) for handling high level protocol functions and for interfacing with the infrastructure of the local area network. The high reliability access point also includes at least two wireless adapters. Each wireless adapter includes a radio, a media access control (MAC) processor for handling low level protocol functions, and at least one antenna. The multiple wireless adapters allow the access point to perform self monitoring, reduce the effects of multipath interference, reduce some occurrences of collisions at the access point and provide infrastructure backup in the event of an infrastructure failure. The access points also allow for wireless network infrastructure communication for connection of one or more remote access points to the infrastructure. A backup power supply for the access point is also shown. More specifically, The media access control processor controls low-level protocol functions including controlling the operation of the radio. Each wireless adapter provides a received message and quality information to a central processing unit, which may use the quality information to determine which wireless adapter is receiving the higher quality signal. The central processing unit will then typically choose to receive the incoming transmission on the wireless adapter with the higher signal quality. Although additional protocol may be required to handle increased redundancy, the wireless adapters both use the same protocol, i. e. the aforementioned low-level protocol with or without the additional protocol, to receive messages. Thus, this document does not describe or suggest using a first radio module using a first protocol and a second radio module operating using a second wireless data communications protocol, different from the first wireless data communications protocol.

0004It is an object of the present invention to provide a method and apparatus for providing out-of-band management and monitoring communications with access points used in connection with a wireless local area network.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

0005In accordance with the invention there is provided a method for use in a system for providing wireless data communications using a first protocol, where the system has access points for conducting wireless data communications with mobile units using the first protocol. According to the invention there is provided a method for conducting out of band management communications with an access point which includes providing the access point with a radio module operating according to a second wireless data communications protocol and conducting management communications with the access point using the second wireless data communications protocol.

0006In one embodiment of the invention the first protocol is an 802.11 protocol. The second data communications protocol may be a Bluetooth protocol. The management communications may be conducted by causing the radio module associated with the access point to become associated as a slave unit with a master unit operating under the second wireless data communications protocol.

0007In accordance with the present invention there is provided an access point for use in a wireless data communications system. The access point includes a first interface for conducting data communications with one or more computers. A first radio module using a first protocol is provided for sending wireless data messages received at the first interface and for receiving and relaying data messages via the first interface. At least one processor is provided for controlling the access point wherein the processor has a second interface. A second radio module using a second wireless data communications protocol for wireless data communications different than the first protocol is provided for providing wireless data communications with the processor via the second interface.

0008In one embodiment the second radio module is arranged to operate as a slave module using a master/slave protocol, which may be the Bluetooth protocol.

0009For a better understanding of the present invention, together with other and further objects, reference is made to the following description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, and its scope will be pointed out in the appended claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

0010<ul id="ul0001" list-style="none" compact="compact"><li>Figure 1, is a block diagram showing a wireless local area network in which the method of the present invention may be practiced and including access points according to the present invention.</li><li>Figure 2, is a block diagram illustrating one configuration of access points in accordance with the present invention.</li></ul>

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

0011Referring to Figure 1 there is illustrated a block diagram of a wireless local area network system in which the method of the invention may be practiced. The wireless local area network 10 includes a host computer 12 which is connected by a router or switching circuit 14 to access points 20 and 22 over internet communications cables 16 and 18. Those skilled in the art will recognize that in a typical system, such as a system following the IEEE standard 802.11 protocol, there may be multiple computers connected to a wired internet system by routers 14 and there may be many access points distributed over a facility, such as a university campus, a hospital, or an industrial establishment. Each of the access points 20 and 22 provides communications with mobile units 28, 30 32 and 34 that are in the vicinity of the respective access points. Communications is by a wireless local area network protocol, such as standard 802.11, wherein a mobile units become associated with and communicates with the network over access points to provide a wireless data communications with computer 12 and other elements of the system. One example of a wireless system is the Spectrum 24 system which is available from Symbol Technologies, assignee of the present application.

0012According to the 802.11 protocol, mobile units 28 and 30, which are in proximity to access point 20 communicate with the radio module of access point 20, indicated by antenna symbol 24. The selection of access point 20 for communications by mobile units 28 and 30 is in accordance with the signal strength of the beacons provided by the access points and accordingly the mobile units ideally become associated with the access points in the closest proximity, or having the best conditions for inobile communications. It should be recognized, however, in some circumstances mobile units may be directed to communicate with other access points, for example to control traffic in a system. Likewise mobile units 32 and 34 may be associated with access point 22 through its RF module for the 802.11 system, represented by antenna symbol 26.

0013In systems of the type shown in Figure 1 and described thus far, it is common practice to provide management communications with access points 20 and 22 through the internet system, such as from computer 12 via router 14 and internet cable 16, 18 to access points 20 and 22. Such management communications may provide updated system information, modified system programming, information concerning association with mobile units and other appropriate data or software for use by access points 20 and 22. In addition computer 12 may communicate with access points 20, 22 to read out data accumulated by access points 20, 22, for example, with respect to the traffic load that they are handling for purposes of communications and system management.

0014In some cases, the ability of computer 12 to successfully access the management communications functions of access points 20 and 22 may not be successful. One reason may be an error in the configuration of the access point 20, 22 for data communications on internet cable 16. Another reason may be an error in the currently stored software for access point 20 or 22. When this communication failure occurs, a process called "in-band management communication failure," it becomes necessary to communicate with the access point 20, 22 via another means in order to correct the failure.

0015One way in which out of band communication with remote access points which has been conducted in the past is by providing a portable system, such as a computer, which is provided with management software, and which can be physically connected, by a data communications cable to a port on access points 20 or 22. The problem with this prior art approach is that the access points 20 or 22 may be located in difficult to reach locations, such as mounted on or within the ceiling of a facility, so that they are not subject to tampering. In this event, it becomes necessary for a service technician to obtain and climb a ladder, locate the access point and make a physical connection therewith.

0016The block diagram of Figure 1 shows an improved method and system whereby out of band management and monitoring communications can be conducted with access points 20, 22 using an alternate data communication protocol which is provided between a second radio module in access points 20, 22, represented in Figure 1 by second antennas 36, 38 and a wireless terminal 40 having a communications module, represented by antenna symbol 42. Wireless terminal 40 communicates with access points 20 or 22 via their second radio module preferably using a wireless data communications protocol that is different than the data communications protocol used in the wireless local area network 10. For example if the wireless local area network 10 is communicating with mobile units 28, 30, 32 and 34 using the data communications protocol of IEEE 802.11, wireless terminal 40 may communicate with access points 20, 22 for monitoring and management functions using a second wireless data communications protocol such as a master-slave data communications protocol, which may be Bluetooth. Figure 2 is block diagram of one embodiment of an access point having a second radio module according to the present invention.

0017In Figure 2 there is shown a block diagram of an access point 20 which includes a network interface 50, a processor 52, which may be a microprocessor or a digital signal processor, and which provides an interface for providing data messages, such as 802.11 data packets from network interface 50 to RF module 54, operating under 802.11 protocol. Processor 52 may provide, in addition to the interface functions, certain 802.11 higher level MAC processing. In addition to interface 50, processor 52 and radio 54, which are found in conventional access points, there is provided a second radio module 56 which is connected to a port of processor 52, for providing RF data communications using a master/slave protocol, such as Bluetooth. In an exemplary embodiment, RF module 56 operates as slave unit under the Bluetooth protocol, and when accessed and commanded by wireless terminal 40, which has a Bluetooth master RF module, becomes associated with the master RF module of terminal 40, and acts as a slave unit to provide management communications between processor 52 and wireless management module terminal 40. In addition terminal 40 may be used to access data relating to the traffic being handled by access point 20 as recorded or determined in processor 52.

0018Security features are preferably provided for the communication between wireless terminal 40 and access point 20. Security features can provide mutual authentication of the wireless terminal 40 and the access point 20 to assure that the wireless terminal is authorized to conduct management communications with the access point. In addition, authentication can provide assurance that the communication is with the intended access point.

0019In addition, message encryption can be used to assure that the data communications are authentic and maintained confidential.

0020Security features may be limited to communications using RF module 56, since the operation of the wired interface 50 and RF module 54 may not be available in situations when out-of-band management functions are required. Accordingly, the security features must be carried out entirely within access point 20.

0021One method to provide security is to provide a pre-shared secret, which is dedicated to communications with the out-of-band management module 56. Alternately the same shared secret can be used for authentication between the access point and a network authentication server. The shared secret is preferably stored in some form of secure storage, either embedded in the access point 20 or in a removable token, such as a "smart card".

0022One possible arrangement is KERBEROS based security, which uses electronic "tickets" to initiate access. The wireless terminal 40 can request and obtain a KERBEROS ticket to authorize access to the out-of-band management RF module 56 of an access point 20. In addition, or alternatively, a universal ticket allowing out-of-band access to all ports may be provided.