Hybrid networking master passphrase
AssigneeQualcomm Atheros, Inc.
InventorsRichard E. NEWMAN, Sidney B. Schrum, Lawrence W. Yonge, III
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Abstract
A method and apparatus for providing a passphrase-based security setup for a hybrid network including multiple network interfaces configured for communicating over one or more communication media are provided. The method includes receiving a passphrase from a user at a network interface of the multiple network interfaces. The received passphrase is then used for authenticating the device for one or more network interfaces. The authentication can be performed irrespective of a communication medium used by the network interfaces.
Claims29
A method for adding a number of devices to a hybrid network having first and second sub-networks operating according to first and second communication protocols, respectively, the method comprising:
- entering a master passphrase into a first device and a second device, wherein the first device comprises a first network interface of the first communication protocol and the second device comprises a second network interface of the second communication protocol;
- transforming the master passphrase, using a first transformation operation in the first device, to generate a first password compliant with the first communication protocol;
- transforming the master passphrase, using a second transformation operation in the second device, to generate a second password compliant with the second communication protocol;
- authenticating the first device to the first sub-network using the first password;
- and
- authenticating the second device to the second sub-network using the second password.
A system for joining a number of devices to a hybrid network having first and second sub-networks operating according to first and second communication protocols, respectively, the system comprising:
- means for entering a master passphrase into a first device and a second device, wherein the first device comprises a first network interface of the first communication protocol and the second device comprises a second network interface of the second communication protocol;
- means for transforming the master passphrase, using a first transformation operation in the first device, to generate a first password compliant with the first communication protocol;
- means for transforming the master passphrase, using a second transformation operation in the second device, to generate a second password compliant with the second communication protocol;
- means for authenticating the first device to the first sub-network using the first password;
- and
- means for authenticating the second device to the second sub-network using the second password.
A hybrid network having first and second sub-networks operating according to first and second communication protocols, respectively, the hybrid network including a first device comprising:
- a first network interface of the first communication protocol;
- a first processor;
- and
- a first memory coupled to the first processor and having stored therein first computer-executable instructions that when executed by the first processor cause the first device to:
- receive a master passphrase from a user;
- transform the master passphrase into a first password compliant with the first communication protocol;
- hash the first password to derive a first key compliant with the first communication protocol;
- and
- join the first device to the first sub-network using the first key.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.