Wireless Network Key Management for Temporary Device Access
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing wireless network systems face security challenges due to the lack of efficient methods for temporarily authenticating external devices, leading to vulnerabilities in accessing and managing wireless networks, especially with the need for frequent certificate issuance and revocation.
Innovation Solution
A wireless network system and communication method utilizing a key management device that creates and transmits encryption keys within a limited communication radius, allowing external devices to securely access the network without relying on a separate certificate authority, using a key management device with a storage unit for authentication information and a limited communication unit for secure key exchange.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a separate certificate authority is used for authentication, then authentication security is improved, but device complexity and operational difficulty increase due to separate certificate issuance and revocation procedures
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the certificate authority function with the access point function into a single integrated system. The access point simultaneously performs wireless communication relay and authentication certificate issuance, eliminating the need for a separate certificate authority device and simplifying the overall system architecture while maintaining security.
Solution Approach 2:
The access point is designed with multi-functionality, serving both as a wireless communication relay device and as a certificate authority. This universal device can issue authentication certificates to station devices and manage their access rights, reducing the number of specialized devices needed in the network.
2Adaptability or versatility
If frequent certificate issuance is performed for temporary access, then access flexibility is improved, but loss of time and operational efficiency deteriorate due to repeated authentication procedures
Solution Approach 1:
The access point pre-generates and stores authentication certificates in its storage unit before actual access is needed. When a station device requests access, the access point can quickly retrieve and issue appropriate certificates from pre-prepared pools, significantly reducing the time required for authentication compared to generating certificates from scratch each time.
3Reliability
If a separate certificate authority is used, then authentication reliability is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates due to separate management procedures for certificate issuance and revocation
Solution Approach 1:
By combining the certificate authority functions with the access point, the patent creates a unified management interface. The access point handles both certificate issuance to new devices and certificate revocation for temporary access within a single integrated operation, making network management more straightforward and reducing operational complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
A wireless network system and a communication method, where an external network device easily and temporarily logs in and out of the wireless network. A key management device of the wireless network system includes a limited communication unit that receives encryption information from a wireless network device, a storage unit that stores authentication information for authenticating the wireless network device, and a key creating unit that creates an encryption key using the received encryption information to allow the wireless network device to log onto the wireless network. The key creating unit also transmits the created encryption key to the wireless network device.