Systems and methods for obtaining permanent MAC addresses

#This disclosure relates in general to the field of communications and, more particularly, techniques for managing scenarios where stable MAC addresses are required.

#Many devices are beginning to randomize the media access control (MAC) address presented to WI-FI access points (AP) over the air upon each association. However, Stable Wi-Fi MAC addresses are essential for a number Wi-Fi features and for operational requirements during inter-operator Wi-Fi roaming scenarios. Some wireless devices are starting to randomize their MAC addresses presented over the air for the sake of user privacy and to prevent device tracking by unauthorized entities. However, this hinders certain features and operational procedures. There is a need for a method and procedures to protect privacy, prevent authorized tracking, while still supporting Wi-Fi features and inter-operator Wi-Fi roaming.

#In an embodiment, a network server is provided. The network server includes at least one processor in communication with at least one memory device. The network server is programmed to receive an access request originating from a user device. The network server is also programmed to perform an authentication process for connecting with the user device. The network server is further programmed to transmit, to the user device, a request message for a media access control (MAC) address of the user device. In addition, the network server is programmed to receive, from the user device, a response message including the MAC address of the user device. Moreover, the network server is programmed to determine whether to grant the access request based on the MAC address of the user device.

#These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the present disclosure will become better understood when the following detailed description is read with reference to the accompanying drawings in which like characters represent like parts throughout the drawings, wherein:

#FIGS. 1A-1C are schematic illustrations of different network configurations that use permanent identifiers, according to an embodiment.

#FIG. 2 is a data flow diagram of a process for authenticating a user device for accessing a network by using the network configurations shown in FIG. 1.

#Unless otherwise indicated, the drawings provided herein are meant to illustrate features of embodiments of this disclosure. These features are believed to be applicable in a wide variety of systems including one or more embodiments of this disclosure. As such, the drawings are not meant to include all conventional features known by those of ordinary skill in the art to be required for the practice of the embodiments disclosed herein.

#In the following specification and the claims, reference will be made to a number of terms, which shall be defined to have the following meanings.

#The singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” include plural references unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.