US 8,898,466 B1 · Secure block acknowledgement mechanism for use in communication networks

Abstract

Secure block acknowledgment techniques for use in communication networks are discussed. In one embodiment, a method includes setting up a session with a transmitting station in which the transmitting station is to perform a block acknowledgment to confirm receipt of packets, the session including determining whether the transmitting station has a capability to implement a mechanism to securely perform a block acknowledgement. The embodiment includes receiving an information unit including information indicative of a request for the communication device to adjust a receiving window associated with the session, determining whether the received information unit is in accordance with the mechanism, adjusting the receiving window if the received information unit is in accordance with the mechanism, and not adjusting the receiving window if (i) the received information unit is not in accordance with the mechanism, and (ii) the transmitting station is determined to have the capability to implement the mechanism.

Claims26

Dependent claims

A method, comprising:

setting up a session with a transmitting station in which the transmitting station is to perform a block acknowledgment to confirm receipt of a plurality of packets, the session including determining whether the transmitting station has a capability to implement a mechanism to securely perform a block acknowledgement;
during the session, receiving an information unit including information indicative of a request for the communication device to adjust a receiving window associated with the session;
determining whether the received information unit is in accordance with the mechanism;
adjusting the receiving window if the received information unit is in accordance with the mechanism;
and
not adjusting the receiving window if (i) the received information unit is not in accordance with the mechanism, and (ii) the transmitting station is determined to have the capability to implement the mechanism.

3 more elements

A communication device, comprising:

a communication interface configured to receive an information unit during a session with a transmitting station, the information unit including information indicative of a request for the communication device to adjust a receiving window associated with a block acknowledgement session;
and
a secure block acknowledgement engine configured to
set up, prior to receiving the information unit, the block acknowledgement session with the transmitting station, including determining whether the transmitting station has a capability to implement a secure block acknowledgement mechanism while setting up the block acknowledgement session,
determine whether the received information unit is in accordance with the secure block acknowledgement mechanism,
adjust the receiving window if the received information unit is in accordance with the secure block acknowledgement mechanism, and
not adjust the receiving window if (i) the received information unit is not in accordance with the secure block acknowledgement mechanism, and (ii) the transmitting station is determined to have the capability to implement the secure block acknowledgement mechanism.

4 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Secure block acknowledgement mechanism for use in communication networks

Life of this patent

Secure block acknowledgement mechanism for use in communication networks

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims26