Methods and apparatus to monitor WI-FI media streaming using an alternate access point

A system to monitor wireless traffic, the system comprising:

• a primary access point configured with network credentials to enable communication between a client and an external network;
• an alternate access point configured with the network credentials of the primary access point to enable communication between the client and the external network;
• at least one memory;
• and
• processor circuitry to execute instructions to:
• monitor for a connection of the client to the primary access point;
• capture a beacon frame from the primary access point;
• insert a channel change announcement into the captured beacon frame to instruct the client to connect to the alternate access point;
• transmit the captured beacon frame including the change channel announcement;
• determine a connection between the alternate access point and the client;
• in response to determining the connection between the alternate access point and the client, analyze media requests transmitted via the alternate access point;
• and
• extract media identifying information from the media requests.

A method to monitor wireless traffic, the method comprising:

• configuring a primary access point with network credentials to enable communication between a client and an external network;
• configuring an alternate access point with the network credentials of the primary access point to enable communication between the client and the external network;
• monitoring for a connection of the client to the primary access point;
• capturing a beacon frame from the primary access point;
• inserting a channel change announcement into the captured beacon frame to instruct the client to connect to the alternate access point;
• transmitting the captured beacon frame including the change channel announcement;
• determining a connection between the alternate access point and the client;
• in response to determining the connection between the alternate access point and the client, analyzing media requests transmitted via the alternate access point;
• and
• extracting media identifying information from the media requests.