Wireless Mesh Network Authentication via Access Controller
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing authentication methods for wireless mesh networks are complex, leading to increased access time delays due to the need for multiple authentication handshakes between new nodes and existing nodes.
Innovation Solution
An authentication method and system where a new node selects a father node from neighboring nodes, establishes a peer-to-peer link, and uses an Access Controller (AC) to forward authentication requests to an Authentication Server (AS), simplifying the authentication flow by sharing authentication information through the AC for centralized management and control.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If three authentication handshakes are performed between new node and first node, then authentication security is improved, but access time delay increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an Access Controller (AC) as an intermediary component that centralizes authentication management. The AC receives authentication requests from father nodes, communicates with the Authentication Server, and distributes authentication results. This mediator role eliminates the need for multiple handshakes between mesh nodes while maintaining security through centralized control and unique path identification to the AC.
2Reliability
If multiple authentication handshakes are performed, then authentication thoroughness is improved, but authentication complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the complex authentication handshake process from the mesh node interactions and relocates it to the centralized Access Controller. The AC handles all authentication communication with the Authentication Server, while mesh nodes only need to establish simple peer-to-peer links and send authentication requests through their father node. This extraction reduces authentication complexity at the mesh node level while maintaining thorough authentication through the AC's centralized management.
Data Source
AI summary
The disclosure discloses an authentication method and system for a wireless mesh network. The method comprises: when a new node accesses a network and the node is a Mesh Point (MP), the MP selects one authenticated node from neighbor nodes as a father node, and a uniquely identified secure path exists between the father node and an AC; the MP uses the father node as an authentication point to perform authentication; and after being transmitted to the AC through the secure path between the father node and the AC, which then forwards an authentication message to an AS; similarly, a return message of the AS is forwarded by the AC to the father node through the secure path, and the MP is authenticated. The authentication message is saved on the AC at the same time, so as to facilitate the second authentication of the MP.