System and method for detecting and locating access points in a wireless network
AssigneeNetworks Associates Technologies, Inc.
InventorsKing L. Won, Kazim O. Yildiz, Handong Wu
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A system, method and computer program product are provided for ascertaining the location of an access point in a wireless network. Initially, a strength of a radio frequency signal of an access point of a wireless network is monitored at a position utilizing a wireless network analyzer. Next, the wireless network analyzer is moved about the position. The foregoing operations may be repeated to allow the location of the access point to be ascertained based on the monitored strength of the radio frequency signal.
Claims18
A method for ascertaining the physical location of an access point in a wireless network, comprising:
- (a) monitoring a strength of a radio frequency signal of an access point of a wireless network at a position utilizing a wireless network analyzer;
- (b) moving the wireless network analyzer about the position;
- (c) repeating (a);
- and
- (d) ascertaining the physical location of the access point based on the monitored strength of the radio frequency signal.
A computer program product embodied on a computer readable medium for ascertaining the physical location of an access point in a wireless network, comprising:
- (a) computer code for monitoring a strength of a radio frequency signal of an access point of a wireless network at a position utilizing a wireless network analyzer;
- (b) computer code for executing (a) at multiple points about the position;
- and
- (c) computer code for ascertaining the physical location of the access point based on the monitored strength of the radio frequency signal.
A system for ascertaining the physical location of an access point in a wireless network, comprising:
- (a) means for monitoring a strength of a radio frequency signal of an access point of a wireless network at a position, wherein the strength of the radio frequency signal is monitored at multiple points about the position;
- and
- (b) means for ascertaining the physical location of the access point based on the monitored strength of the radio frequency signal.
A system for ascertaining the physical location of an access point in a wireless network, comprising:
- (a) a wireless network analyzer for monitoring a strength of a radio frequency signal of an access point of a wireless network at a position, the strength of the radio frequency signal being monitored at multiple points about the position;
- (b) wherein the physical location of the access point is ascertained based on the monitored strength of the radio frequency signal utilizing the wireless network analyzer.
A method for ascertaining the physical location of an access point in a wireless network, comprising:
- (a) defining a list of access points for a wireless network;
- (b) defining a degree of accuracy;
- (c) monitoring a plurality of access points on the wireless network;
- (d) upon identifying at least one access point not on the list:
- (i) monitoring a strength of a radio frequency signal of at least one access point of the wireless network at a position utilizing a wireless network analyzer,
- (ii) moving the wireless network analyzer about the position, and
- (iii) repeating (i);
- (e) moving the wireless network analyzer to an additional position;
- (f) repeating (i)-(iii) based on the additional position;
- (g) ascertaining the physical location of the access point based on the monitored strength of the radio frequency signal;
- and
- (h) outputting a notification upon the physical location of the access point being ascertained within the defined degree of accuracy;
- (i) wherein the physical location of a plurality of access points is ascertained.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.