Security key distribution using key rollover strategies for wireless networks

A controller in a mixed-mode wireless network environment that provides a wireless link to a plurality of devices, the controller comprising:

• a memory that stores computer-readable code;
• and
• a processor operatively coupled to the memory, said processor configured to implement the computer-readable code, said computer-readable code configured to:
• determine a plurality of keys based on a time period indicating when at least one new key is to be generated, wherein said plurality of keys comprises at least one fixed key and a plurality of rollover keys, wherein said fixed key is manually configured in at least one of said devices and wherein said plurality of rollover keys are automatically updated in at least one other of said devices by said controller;
• communicate said fixed key to said at least one of said devices;
• and
• communicate said plurality of rollover keys to said at least one other of said devices.

An article of manufacture for storing a method performed by a controller in a mixed-mode wireless network environment that provides a wireless link to a plurality of devices, comprising a machine readable medium containing one or more programs which when executed implement the steps of:

• determining a plurality of keys based on a time period indicating when at least one new key is to be generated, wherein said plurality of keys comprises at least one fixed key and a plurality of rollover keys, wherein said fixed key is manually configured in at least one of said devices and wherein said plurality of rollover keys are automatically updated in at least one other of said devices by said controller;
• communicating said fixed key to said at least one of said devices;
• and
• communicating said plurality of rollover keys to said at least one other of said devices.