Automatic detection and testing of new networking connections
AssigneeMicrosoft Corporation
InventorsDavid Jones, Sean Lyndersay
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A new connection wizard automatically detects available networking hardware, as well as networks that are available. The wizard then presents the user with a list of choices, i.e., different connection types that they can set up. This list of options is based on the hardware and networks that were detected initially. Thus, the wizard will only present the user with the connection types that can actually be utilized. Once the user has selected a connection type and completed the configuration through the wizard, the wizard will automatically test the connection and report success or failure to the user.
Claims20
A method of configuring a new network connection from a user machine to a network, the method comprising:
- determining one or more network connections that are supportable by the user machine;
- presenting a list of network connection options to a user of the user machine, wherein the list of network connection options lists those network connections supportable by the user machine;
- receiving a user selection of a network connection option associated with a first network;
- configuring a connection from the user machine to the first network;
- and
- testing the connection created from the user machine to the first network.
A computer-readable medium having thereon computer-executable instructions for performing a method of configuring a new network connection from a user machine to a network, the instructions comprising instructions for:
- determining one or more network connections that are supportable by the user machine;
- presenting a list of network connection options to a user of the user machine, wherein the list of network connection options lists those network connections supportable by the user machine;
- receiving a user selection of a network connection option associated with a first network;
- configuring a connection from the user machine to the first network;
- and
- testing the connection created from the user machine to the first network.
A connection wizard for aiding a user of a user machine in configuring a connection from the user machine to a network comprising:
- a network and network hardware detection module for determining one or more network connection types supportable by the user machine;
- a user interface module in communication with the network and network hardware detection module for receiving notification of the one or more network connection types supportable by the user machine, and for generating a user interface presenting a listing of the one or more network connection types supportable by the user machine, and for receiving a user selection of a first network connection type to configure and for guiding the user via the user interface through a process for configuring a network connection of the first network connection type;
- and
- a testing module in communication with the user interface module, for receiving from the user interface module an indication that the configuration of a connection of the first network connection type has completed, and for testing the configured connection.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.