Cloud Credential Distribution for Wireless Devices
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Solution Overview
Problem
Consumers face difficulties in configuring and securing WiFi credentials for internet-connected devices, leading to inconvenience and increased support costs due to the need for manual entry and frequent changes with new routers, especially for devices without rich user interfaces.
Innovation Solution
A cloud-based system that authenticates and securely distributes private network credentials to wireless devices, using a credential management system to verify authorized users and devices, ensuring secure and error-free connection to wireless networks.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If WiFi credentials are manually entered in devices, then local network access is obtained, but user inconvenience and error rates increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables self-service credential distribution where the cloud service automatically provides WiFi credentials to devices without requiring manual user entry. The device receives credentials through automated cloud-based processes, eliminating the need for users to manually type or enter WiFi passwords.
Solution Approach 2:
A cloud-based credential distribution service acts as an intermediary between the WiFi network and the device. Instead of direct manual entry, the cloud service mediates the credential transfer, receiving credentials from the network administrator and distributing them to authorized devices automatically.
2Reliability
If WiFi credentials are changed with new routers, then network security is maintained, but device reconfiguration time and support costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The credential distribution system is dynamic and can be updated in real-time. When WiFi credentials change due to router replacement or security updates, the cloud service automatically receives the new credentials and redistributes them to all authorized devices, making the system adaptable to network changes without manual intervention.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary credential distribution before devices need to connect to the network. Credentials are pre-configured in the cloud service and automatically pushed to devices when they come online or request connection, ensuring devices are ready to connect immediately without requiring manual reconfiguration when network credentials change.
3Ease of operation
If cloud-based credential distribution is implemented, then ease of device connection improves, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The cloud-based credential distribution service provides multiple functions through a single system: credential storage, device authentication, automated credential distribution, and security management. This universal approach handles various device types and network scenarios through one unified platform, managing complexity centrally rather than in each individual device.
Data Source
AI summary
Methods, systems and apparatus for securing credential distribution are disclosed. One method includes receiving, by a cloud system, a notification from a credential management system that a wireless device is associated with an authenticated user of the credential management system, wherein the credential management system stores private network credentials of the authenticated user, and wherein the cloud system further receives an identifier of the wireless device with the notification, authenticating, by the cloud system, the wireless device, receiving, by the cloud system, a request from the wireless device for private network credentials, and distributing, by the cloud system, the private network credentials to the wireless device, thereby allowing the wireless device to obtain local network access with the private network credentials.