Wireless Access Point Mapping for Rogue AP Location Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Locating unauthorized wireless access points in enterprise environments is challenging due to the proliferation of Soft AP devices and rogue access points, which can compromise information security and management.
Innovation Solution
Techniques for wireless access point mapping are employed to detect various characteristics such as signal strength, data error rates, and identifying information at multiple geographic locations, enabling the generation of a reception range mapping to identify authorized access points and manage network activities.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If wireless access point mapping is performed to locate unauthorized access points, then information security is improved, but device complexity and measurement difficulty increase due to multiple Soft AP devices broadcasting signals
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the wireless detection process into multiple geographic locations, detecting access points at each location separately. By dividing the enterprise facility into discrete detection zones and systematically mapping each area, the system can identify unauthorized access points without being overwhelmed by the complexity of simultaneous multi-point detection
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a wireless access point mapping system as an intermediary tool between security personnel and unauthorized access points. This mapping system acts as a mediator that automatically detects, locates, and reports unauthorized access points, reducing the difficulty of manual detection while improving security monitoring capability
2Measurement precision
If characteristics are detected at multiple geographic locations to generate reception range mapping, then measurement precision is improved, but loss of time increases due to extensive scanning required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary detection actions by systematically scanning multiple geographic locations to establish a comprehensive reception range mapping before security incidents occur. This advance mapping creates a baseline knowledge of authorized access point coverage areas, enabling faster identification of unauthorized devices without requiring extensive real-time scanning
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs partial detection by focusing measurements on key characteristics (signal strength, identifying information, data error rates) at strategically selected geographic locations rather than attempting to measure all parameters at every possible point. This selective approach achieves sufficient measurement precision while reducing the time required for comprehensive scanning
Data Source
AI summary
Techniques for wireless access point mapping are described. In at least some embodiments, various characteristics of a wireless access point are detected. Examples of such characteristics include signal strength for wireless signal transmitted by the wireless access point, identifying information for the wireless access point, data error rates for data transmitted by the wireless access point, and so forth. Characteristics of a wireless access point can be detected at multiple different geographic locations to enable a reception range mapping to be generated for the wireless access point, e.g., for an area in which signal reception for the wireless access point is qualitatively acceptable.