Method for connecting a network repeater, and access assembly comprising a network repeater and access equipment

Abstract

The present invention relates to a method for connecting a network repeater (14) to a specific access device (12) that implements a wireless network, the network repeater (14) being implemented when it is near the specific access device (12) and comprising an authentication phase of the network repeater (14) with the specific access device (12) by means of identification information relating to the network repeater (13) and transmitted prior to the implementation of the connection method by a remote server (22) to the specific access device.

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a method for connecting a network repeater.

[0002] The present invention also relates to a computer program product, a network repeater and an associated access set.

[0003] As is known in itself, a network repeater, in particular a repeater of a Wi-Fi network as defined by the IEEE 802.11 standard group, allows an existing wireless network to be extended into areas not initially covered by that network.

[0004] The initial wireless network is usually created by an access device such as a router connected to a remote server, for example, via a suitable cabling system.

[0005] Thus, the network repeater amplifies radio signals from or intended for the access equipment to have a wider range of the initial wireless network.

[0006] A method for installing such a network repeater is known from WO 2018 / 104006 A1. US 2011 / 314522 discloses a method for authenticating a repeater based on public and private keys. US 2013 / 163762 discloses a method for authenticating a network repeater using a public and a private key, including the transmission of an Attach request. US 2011 / 235568 discloses a method for connecting a repeater to a wireless network, which includes determining the connection quality, analyzing the coverage status, and determining an action to adjust an operational parameter of the repeater.

[0007] Some network repeaters can also operate in what's called "access point" mode, where they are connected to the access equipment via cable and can therefore create their own wireless network. This mode is particularly useful when the access equipment doesn't allow for the creation of a wireless network or when the wireless network created by such equipment is of substandard quality.

[0008] Network repeaters can therefore be used in a very wide range of installations and are particularly applicable in private homes.

[0009] To install a network repeater, it is generally necessary to connect it to the corresponding access equipment via a secure connection method.

[0010] In this case, a user needs to explicitly specify the wireless network created by the access equipment, its password and possibly a number of technical characteristics relating to this network, such as gateway, access port, security type, etc.

[0011] It's easy to see why installing a network repeater can be particularly complex, especially for users with limited knowledge of telecommunications or IT. This is generally the case for individuals wanting to extend their home wireless network.

[0012] We are also familiar with WPS technology (from the English "Wi-Fi Protected Setup"), which allows for easy pairing of compatible devices such as repeaters with a router. However, this technology is not available on all routers and also presents significant security vulnerabilities.

[0013] The present invention aims to greatly simplify the installation of a network repeater to make it accessible to any user, including a user with no specific knowledge in the field, while ensuring a high level of security.

[0014] For this purpose, the invention relates to a method of connecting a network repeater according to claim 1.

[0015] According to other advantageous aspects of the invention, the method includes one or more of the features according to claims 2 to 11.

[0016] The invention also relates to a computer program product comprising software instructions which, when implemented by computer equipment, implement the process as defined above.

[0017] The invention also relates to a network repeater comprising technical means adapted for the implementation of the process as defined above.

[0018] The invention also relates to an access system comprising: an access device capable of implementing a wireless network and receiving identification information from a remote server; a network repeater as described above configured to automatically connect to the access device having received identification information relating to that network repeater to extend or replace the wireless network implemented by that access device.

[0019] These features and advantages of the invention will become apparent upon reading the following description, given solely by way of non-limiting example, and made with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: there figure 1 is a schematic view of an access system according to the invention, the system including in particular a network repeater according to the invention; the figure 2 is a detailed schematic view of the network repeater of the figure 1 ; and the figure 3 is a flowchart of a connection method according to the invention, the method being implemented by the network repeater of the figure 2 .

[0020] This was indeed illustrated on the figure 1 an access set 10 enabling the implementation of a wireless network, for example a network conforming to the IEEE 802.11 standards group. This network is usable by a user.

[0021] This access set 10 is for example installed in the user's home and includes an access device 12 and a network repeater 14.

[0022] Access equipment 12 includes a router that enables the creation of a secure wireless network. To achieve this, the router has an antenna capable of receiving and transmitting radio signals and a processing unit capable of generating signals for transmission and analyzing received signals.

[0023] The wireless network created by the router has a limited coverage area. Thus, in the example of the figure 1 , this coverage area 15 fully covers a first room 16A and only part of a second room 16B, of the user's home.

[0024] The router also allows you to create a wired local area network, for example, using Ethernet. For this purpose, the router is equipped with a suitable connector.

[0025] According to one particular embodiment of the invention, the access equipment 12 includes not only a router as described above but also one or more repeaters for extending the coverage area 15 of the wireless network created by the router. In yet another example, this repeater or these repeaters are connected to the router by cable and allow the creation of a wireless network in place of the router.

[0026] Thus, in all that follows, the term "access equipment" means a router either taken in isolation or in combination with one or more repeaters already configured to extend or create a wireless network.

[0027] Through the wireless network or the wired local network, the access equipment 12 allows the user to access a global network 17, such as the Internet.

[0028] To do this, the access equipment 12 is connected by transmission means 18 to a switch 20 comprising technical means necessary to provide access to the global network 17. Such a switch 20 is known in itself and will not be described in detail thereafter.

[0029] The means of transmission 18 are presented in particular in the form of a cable designed to provide a telephone link or an optical cable designed specifically to provide the transmission of digital data.

[0030] The operation of switch 20 and at least partially of access equipment 12 is controlled by a remote server 22.

[0031] In particular, the remote server 22 is capable of transmitting commands to the access equipment 12, allowing, for example, the configuration of at least some of the operating parameters of this equipment 12. The remote server 22 is capable, for example, of sending equipment 12 a command that completely disables its operation or the operation of the wireless network created by it.

[0032] Advantageously, the remote server 22 acts as a specialized telecommunications service provider. These services include, for example, access to the Internet, access to the telephone network, and / or any other multimedia service.

[0033] More advantageously, the access equipment 12 is provided by the same telecommunications service provider.

[0034] The network repeater 14 according to the invention extends the coverage area 15 of the wireless network created by the access equipment. In certain cases explained below, the network repeater 14 also allows the wireless network created by the access equipment to be replaced by another wireless network.

[0035] The network repeater 14 will now be explained in detail with reference to the figure 2 .

[0036] Advantageously, the network repeater 14 is supplied and possibly manufactured by the same telecommunications service provider as the access equipment 12.

[0037] As can be seen on this figure 2 , the network repeater 14 includes a communication unit 31, a processing unit 32, a user interaction unit 33, a storage unit 34 and a power supply unit 35.

[0038] The communication unit 31 enables the network repeater 14 to receive and transmit digital data in the form of electromagnetic signals transmitted by cable or in the form of radio signals.

[0039] For this purpose, the communication unit 31 includes an antenna 42, for example analogous to the antenna of the access equipment 12, enabling the reception and transmission of radio signals.

[0040] Optionally, the communication unit 31 also includes a connector 41, for example of type Ethernet or PLC (Power Line Communication technology), allowing it to be connected by one or more cables to the access equipment 12. This connector is notably usable when the network repeater 14 is intended to create a wireless network in place of the router 12 as will be explained later.

[0041] The processing unit 32 allows the processing of digital data received by the communication unit 31 and the generation of digital data intended for this communication unit 31.

[0042] Furthermore, advantageously, at least some of the digital data transmitted or received by the communication unit 31 is encrypted using encryption techniques known per se. In this case, the processing unit 32 enables the encryption and decryption of this data.

[0043] The processing unit 32 is, for example, at least partially in the form of software implemented by a suitable processor and stored in suitable memory.

[0044] In addition or as an alternative, the processing unit 32 is at least partially in the form of a programmable logic circuit, for example of the FPGA type (from the English "Field-programmable Gate Array").

[0045] The user interaction unit 33 forms a user interaction interface. This interaction unit 33 is capable of acquiring commands transmitted by the user and communicating necessary information to them.

[0046] Thus, for example, the interaction unit 33 optionally includes a screen 43 to provide the user with necessary information and at least one button 44 allowing the user to enter at least some commands.

[0047] Advantageously, according to the invention, the interaction unit 33 further comprises a voice module 45, a loudspeaker 46 and a microphone 47.

[0048] The voice module 45, for example, takes the form of software that allows at least certain instructions to be transmitted to the user in voice form via the speaker 46.

[0049] This voice module 45 also allows the user to receive voice commands and interpret each command to associate it with a corresponding event. This event is then transmitted to the processing unit 32.

[0050] The memory unit 34 allows identification data relating to the repeater 14 to be stored. This unit 34 is part, for example, of the global memory of the repeater 14.

[0051] The identification data allows the repeater 14 to be identified and authenticated in a certain and secure manner with the access equipment 12 as will be explained later.

[0052] These identification data are for example stored in the storage unit 34 during the manufacture of the repeater 14 and, for example, are not modifiable.

[0053] The identification data includes, in particular, a unique private key enabling processing unit 32 to encrypt a message that can only be decrypted by a public key associated with the private key.

[0054] As its name suggests, the public key can be distributed without compromising the security of the network repeater 14.

[0055] In particular, according to the invention, the public key associated with the private key is transmitted to the remote server 22 during the manufacture of the repeater 14 where it is kept with an identifier of the repeater 14 such as for example its MAC address, in a list of available repeaters.

[0056] Finally, the power supply unit 35 provides power to all the components of the network repeater 14. It allows, for example, the current and voltage supplied by the electrical network to be adapted to the power supply of these components.

[0057] The connection method implemented by the repeater 14, which allows it to be connected to the access equipment 12 to extend its wireless network, will henceforth be described with reference to the figure 3 presenting a flowchart of the steps in this process.

[0058] Initially, it is assumed that only access equipment 12 is installed at the user's premises and therefore provides the coverage area 15 explained previously.

[0059] When the user wishes to extend this coverage area 15 for example into the second room 16B entirely, he orders a network repeater from for example the remote server 22 or after any other server connected to this remote server 22.

[0060] The remote server 22 identifies the user and therefore their access device 12, and assigns the user a repeater chosen from the list of available repeaters. This assigned repeater corresponds, for example, to repeater 14 described previously.

[0061] Next, the remote server 22 sends the public key associated with this repeater 14 to the access equipment 12.

[0062] Access equipment 12 therefore becomes targeted insofar as network repeater 14 is now intended to be connected to this targeted equipment 12.

[0063] Next, when the user receives the network repeater 14 and plugs it into the electrical network near the access equipment 12 and possibly connects it by cable to this network, the network repeater 14 implements a PI interaction phase of the connection process, described below.

[0064] The term "proximity" means either the placement of the network repeater 14 within the coverage area 15 of the access equipment 12 or outside this area but with access to the local network by cable.

[0065] This phase includes in particular two steps which are repeated throughout the implementation of the process in parallel with other phases of the process, when the steps of these phases communicate information to the user or acquire commands from the user.

[0066] In particular, this interaction phase includes a step 101 of communicating information being processed by the network repeater 14 and a step 102 of acquiring user commands necessary to implement the step being executed by the network repeater 14.

[0067] Thus, for example, at startup, the repeater 14 implements a communication step during which it communicates a welcome message to the user and starts a PA authentication phase with the targeted access equipment 12.

[0068] As previously stated, advantageously according to the invention, steps 101 and 102 of information communication and command acquisition are implemented in voice form. Thus, the information communicated to the user includes questions to which the user can easily formulate answers. Advantageously, these answers include "yes" or "no" or other easily interpretable forms. Furthermore, it is clear that these answers constitute commands given by the user.

[0069] This interaction phase can be implemented through any other available interface. This could be, for example, screen 43 and button 44, or a mobile phone or computer application designed specifically for this purpose.

[0070] Advantageously, the PI interaction phase includes a step allowing the user to choose the desired communication interface.

[0071] The PA authentication phase includes an initial step 110 during which the network repeater 14 performs a search for the set of nearby access equipment.

[0072] Then, in the next step 120, the repeater 14 identifies the access equipment found and if among these equipment, at least one is of the predetermined type sought, it proceeds to step 125 and otherwise to step 130.

[0073] In particular, an access device is of a predetermined type sought when, for example, it comes from the same telecommunications service provider as the network repeater 14. This type is determined by the repeater 14 using, for example, the MAC address of the corresponding access device.

[0074] During step 130, the repeater 14 informs the user that no compatible equipment is found and, for example, finalizes the process or suggests moving the repeater 14 to perform a new search or using, for example, another communication interface.

[0075] During step 125, for each access device found, network repeater 14 sends an authentication request including an encrypted authentication message using the private key.

[0076] This message may, for example, include the identifier of repeater 14 or any other predetermined message recognizable by the targeted access equipment 12.

[0077] If during step 135, repeater 14 receives an affirmative response from an access device found, it proceeds to step 140 and otherwise, it proceeds to step 130 described previously.

[0078] In particular, according to an exemplary embodiment, during step 135, the repeater 14 waits for an affirmative response for a predetermined period of time. If it does not receive a response during this period, it then decides that none of the access devices found correspond to the target access device 12 and proceeds to step 130; otherwise, it proceeds directly to step 140.

[0079] The affirmative response, for example, is of predetermined form and means in particular that the targeted access equipment 12 was able to decrypt the message with the public key.

[0080] During step 140, the repeater 14 receives from the target equipment 12 configuration parameters relating to the wireless network access implemented by this target access equipment 12.

[0081] These settings include, for example, the password to access the wireless network and possibly the type of security used.

[0082] These parameters are for example automatically transmitted by the targeted access equipment 12 and are for example part of the affirmative response, or are transmitted in addition to the affirmative response for example at the express request of the repeater.

[0083] After this step 140, the repeater 14 proceeds to the execution of a PO optimization phase of the location of the repeater 14. This phase can be implemented optionally, for example with an agreement of the user.

[0084] During the initial step 210 of this PO optimization phase, the repeater 14 determines the wireless connection quality with the targeted access equipment 12.

[0085] This quality of wireless connection is determined for example by measuring the level of reception of signals from the targeted access equipment 12, the data exchange rate with this equipment, etc.

[0086] Then, during step 220, the repeater 14 determines whether it is also connected to the targeted access equipment 12 by cable.

[0087] If repeater 14 is connected by cable, and it should be, repeater 14 proceeds to step 221. This means that repeater 14 should be used as an access point, for example by replacing the wireless network implemented by target access equipment 12 or by creating the wireless network in a location away from target access equipment 12.

[0088] Furthermore, the repeater 14 determines whether or not it should be connected by cable to the target access equipment 12, for example, depending on the type of that equipment 12. Thus, for some types of target equipment (older model, incompatible model, etc.), the repeater 14 determines that it should be connected by cable. For others (compatible model, for example), the repeater 14 determines that it should not be connected by cable.

[0089] If repeater 14 is connected by cable and it should not be, repeater 14 goes to step 222. This means that repeater 14 should be used to extend the existing wireless network.

[0090] If repeater 14 is not connected by cable and it should be, repeater 14 goes to step 223. This means that repeater 14 should be connected by cable to be used as a primary access point.

[0091] Finally, if repeater 14 is not connected by cable and it should not be, repeater 14 goes to step 224. This means that repeater 14 should be used to extend the existing wireless network without being connected by cable to the access equipment.

[0092] During step 221, the repeater 14 analyzes the wireless connection quality determined during step 210 and determines a state characterizing the current location of the repeater 14 relative to the targeted access equipment 12.

[0093] In particular, this state is chosen from the group comprising the following characteristics: "very close", "too far", "not necessarily next door" and "can be improved".

[0094] Then, depending on the determined state, the repeater 14 determines the action necessary to optimize the position of the repeater and communicates this action to the user.

[0095] In particular, when the state corresponds to "very close", repeater 14 determines, for example, that no specific action is necessary.

[0096] When the state corresponds to "too far away", the repeater 14 determines, for example, that it is necessary to move it closer to the targeted access equipment 12 to function normally.

[0097] When the state corresponds to "not necessarily next to", the repeater 14 determines, for example, that it is possible to move it closer to the targeted access equipment 12 for better operation.

[0098] When the state corresponds to "improvable", the repeater 14 determines, for example, that it is desirable to move it closer to the targeted access equipment 12 for normal operation.

[0099] Then, repeater 14 proceeds to step 230, where it asks the user if the communicated action will be performed. If yes, the user then disconnects repeater 14, and after reconnecting it, repeater 14 returns to the initial step 210 of the PO optimization phase.

[0100] Otherwise, repeater 14 moves to a PF connection finalization phase described later.

[0101] Step 222 is analogous to step 221. In particular, during this step 222, the repeater 14 analyzes the wireless connection quality and determines a state characterizing the current location of the repeater 14 relative to the targeted access equipment 12.

[0102] However, unlike step 221, the states determined can be different. In particular, in this case, each state is chosen from the group comprising the following characteristics: "very close", "too far", "not necessarily next to" and "can be improved".

[0103] Then, depending on the determined state, the repeater 14 determines the action necessary to optimize the position of the repeater and communicates this action to the user.

[0104] In particular, when the state corresponds to "very close", the repeater 14 determines that it may be necessary to move it away from the targeted access equipment 12 to have a more extensive wireless network.

[0105] When the state corresponds to "too far away", the repeater 14 determines, for example, that it is necessary to move it closer to the targeted access equipment 12 to function normally.

[0106] When the state corresponds to "perfect", repeater 14 determines that no specific action is necessary.

[0107] When the state corresponds to "improvable", the repeater 14 determines, for example, that it is desirable to move it closer to the targeted access equipment 12 for normal operation.

[0108] Then, as in the previous case, at the end of this step 222, repeater 14 moves on to step 230.

[0109] During step 223, the repeater 14 communicates to the user that it is necessary to connect it to the targeted access equipment 12 and proceeds again to step 220 or 210.

[0110] Step 224 is, for example, analogous to step 222 described previously. In particular, during this step 224, the repeater 14 analyzes the quality of the wireless connection and determines a state characterizing the current location of the repeater which is chosen from the group including the following characteristics: "very close", "too far", "not necessarily next to" and "can be improved".

[0111] Then, depending on the determined state, the repeater 14 determines the necessary action as explained in the case of step 222.

[0112] According to an example implementation, the messages communicated to the user depending on the state may differ from those communicated during step 222.

[0113] Furthermore, unlike step 222, when the determined state corresponds to "too far", the repeater 14 directly offers the user to unplug the repeater 12 in order to bring it closer to the targeted access equipment 12 and after a new plug-in, executes step 210.

[0114] When this has not been done, at the end of step 224, repeater 14 proceeds to step 230 described previously.

[0115] During the initial step 310 of the PF finalization phase, the repeater 14 connects to the target access equipment 12 using the received configuration parameters and sets up a new wireless network.

[0116] Then, optionally, repeater 14 performs at least one of the steps 321 to 324 described below.

[0117] In particular, during step 321, repeater 14 asks the user to assign a name to the current location of the repeater and after a response from the user, memorizes that name.

[0118] During step 322, when the network repeater 14 is connected by cable to the target access device 12, and when it should be, the repeater 14 offers to disable the wireless network implemented by the target access device 12 and, if the response is affirmative, disables this network. To do this, it sends, for example, a suitable command to the target access device 12 or to the remote server 22.

[0119] During step 323, repeater 14 proposes to install another similar repeater. In this case, this other repeater implements the connection process in which repeater 14 is considered as part of the targeted access equipment 12.

[0120] During step 324, the repeater 14 determines the total time elapsed since the start of the connection process or a series of such processes when they have been implemented consecutively by several similar repeaters. Then, it communicates this time to the user.

[0121] It is therefore conceivable that the invention allows a quick and particularly simple connection of a network repeater even for a user with no specific knowledge in the field.

[0122] This is made possible by the specific authentication phase which uses identification information transmitted beforehand to the access equipment.

[0123] Furthermore, installing the repeater requires a limited number of commands from the user. A voice interface can be added to the user interface, further simplifying the installation process.

[0124] In particular, when the state corresponds to "very close", the repeater 14 determines that it may be necessary to move it away from the targeted access equipment 12 to have a more extensive wireless network.

[0125] When the state corresponds to "too far away", the repeater 14 determines, for example, that it is necessary to move it closer to the targeted access equipment 12 to function normally.

[0126] When the state corresponds to "perfect", repeater 14 determines that no specific action is necessary.

[0127] When the state corresponds to "improvable", the repeater 14 determines, for example, that it is desirable to move it closer to the targeted access equipment 12 for normal operation.

[0128] Then, as in the previous case, at the end of this step 222, repeater 14 moves on to step 230.

[0129] During step 223, the repeater 14 communicates to the user that it is necessary to connect it to the targeted access equipment 12 and proceeds again to step 220 or 210.

[0130] Step 224 is, for example, analogous to step 222 described previously. In particular, during this step 224, the repeater 14 analyzes the quality of the wireless connection and determines a state characterizing the current location of the repeater which is chosen from the group including the following characteristics: "very close", "too far", "not necessarily next to" and "can be improved".

[0131] Then, depending on the determined state, the repeater 14 determines the necessary action as explained in the case of step 222.

[0132] According to an example implementation, the messages communicated to the user depending on the state may differ from those communicated during step 222.

[0133] Furthermore, unlike step 222, when the determined state corresponds to "too far", the repeater 14 directly offers the user to unplug the repeater 12 in order to bring it closer to the targeted access equipment 12 and after a new plug-in, executes step 210.

[0134] When this has not been done, at the end of step 224, repeater 14 proceeds to step 230 described previously.

[0135] During the initial step 310 of the PF finalization phase, the repeater 14 connects to the target access equipment 12 using the received configuration parameters and sets up a new wireless network.

[0136] Then, optionally, repeater 14 performs at least one of the steps 321 to 324 described below.

[0137] In particular, during step 321, repeater 14 asks the user to assign a name to the current location of the repeater and after a response from the user, memorizes that name.

[0138] During step 322, when the network repeater 14 is connected by cable to the target access device 12, and when it should be, the repeater 14 offers to disable the wireless network implemented by the target access device 12 and, if the response is affirmative, disables this network. To do this, it sends, for example, a suitable command to the target access device 12 or to the remote server 22.

[0139] During step 323, repeater 14 proposes to install another similar repeater. In this case, this other repeater implements the connection process in which repeater 14 is considered as part of the targeted access equipment 12.

[0140] During step 324, the repeater 14 determines the total time elapsed since the start of the connection process or a series of such processes when they have been implemented consecutively by several similar repeaters. Then, it communicates this time to the user.

[0141] It is therefore conceivable that the invention allows a quick and particularly simple connection of a network repeater even for a user with no specific knowledge in the field.

[0142] This is made possible by the specific authentication phase which uses identification information transmitted beforehand to the access equipment.

[0143] Furthermore, installing the repeater requires a limited number of commands from the user. A voice interface can be added to the user interface, further simplifying the installation process.

Claims

1. Method of connecting a Wi-Fi network repeater (14) to a piece of targeted access equipment (12) implementing a wireless network, the method comprising a prior step of sending a public key to said piece of targeted access equipment (12) from a remote server (22), said public key being associated with a private key stored solely by said network repeater, said public key allowing the decryption of each message encrypted with this private key, the method comprising a phase of authentication (PA) of the network repeater (14) with the piece of targeted access equipment (12), said phase of authentication (PA) being implemented by the network repeater (14) when it is in the coverage area of the piece of the targeted access equipment (12) or when it is outside this coverage area but with access to a wired local area network, said phase of authentication (PA) implemented by the network repeater (14) comprising successively: - search (110) for pieces of access equipment in the vicinity of the network repeater (14); - for the or each piece of access equipment found, sending (125) of an authentication request, the authentication request comprising an authentication message encrypted using the private key; - when the or one of the pieces of access equipment found corresponds to the piece of targeted access equipment, receiving (140) of configuration parameters sent by this piece of targeted access equipment (12) after decryption by this piece of equipment of the encrypted authentication message using the public key, the configuration parameters relating to access to the wireless network implemented by this piece of targeted access equipment (12).

2. Method according to claim 1, wherein during the step of sending (125) an authentication request, a piece of access equipment is considered found when it is of a predetermined type identifiable by the network repeater (14).

3. Method according to claim 2, wherein the predetermined type of a piece of access equipment is identified by a MAC address of that piece of access equipment.

4. Method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the identification information is sent to the piece of targeted access equipment (12) automatically following a command from a network repeater (14) made by a user, the piece of targeted access equipment (12) being determined by an identifier relating to the user.

5. Method according to any one of the preceding claims, further comprising a phase of optimisation (PO) of the network repeater (14) location implemented when the piece of targeted access equipment (12) is found and comprising the following steps: - determination (210) of the quality of the wireless connection with the piece of targeted access equipment (12); - analysis (221, 222, 224) of this wireless connection quality and determination of a state characterising the current location of the network repeater (14) relative to the piece of targeted access equipment (12); - determination (221, 222, 224) of an action required to optimise the current location of the network repeater (14) relative to the piece of targeted access equipment (12); - indication (221, 222, 224) to a user of said state and said action.

6. Method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the phase of optimisation (PO) of the network repeater (14) location further comprises a step (220) of determining a wired connection of the network repeater (14) to the piece of targeted access equipment (12).

7. Method according to any one of the preceding claims, further comprising a phase of finalisation (PF) of the connection, comprising a step of implementing a wireless network after authentication of the network repeater (14) with the piece of targeted access equipment (12).

8. Method according to claim 7, wherein the phase of finalisation (PF) of the connection further comprises at least one of the following steps: - storage (321) of a name of the current repeater location; - when the network repeater (14) has a wired connection to the piece of targeted access equipment (12), proposal (322) to deactivate the wireless network implemented by the piece of targeted access equipment (12); - proposal (323) to install another network repeater (14); - determination (324) of the total time elapsed from the start of the configuration process.

9. Method according to any one of the preceding claims, further comprising a phase of interaction (PI) with a user, comprising the following steps: - communication (101) of the information being processed by the network repeater (14); - acquisition (102) of user commands required to implement the step being executed by the network repeater (14).

10. Method according to claim 9, wherein each communication to the user is spoken and wherein each command from the user is spoken, the command acquisition step (102) then comprising processing of each spoken command given by the user and the association of a corresponding event with this spoken command.

11. Computer program product comprising software instructions which, when implemented by a piece of computing equipment of the network repeater (14), implement the method according to any one of the preceding claims.

12. Network repeater (14) comprising technical means adapted to implement the method according to any one of claims 1 to 10.

13. Access set (10) comprising: - a piece of access equipment (12) capable of implementing a wireless network and receiving identification information from a remote server (22); - a network repeater (14) according to claim 12, configured to connect automatically to the piece of access equipment (12) having received identification information relating to this network repeater (14) in order to extend or replace the wireless network implemented by this piece of access equipment (12).

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