Support of multiple pre-shared keys in access point

An apparatus configured as an access point, the apparatus comprising:

• an interface configured to receive, in response to user input, a plurality of pre-shared keys having different complexities selected based on user tolerance for provisioning client devices with the plurality of pre-shared keys, wherein the plurality of pre-shared keys comprises at least one pre-shared key of a user-friendly format, and wherein the user-friendly format facilitates entering the at least one pre-shared key by a user;
• computer memory configured to store the plurality of pre-shared keys;
• an interface configured to receive a request for a connection to the access point from at least one client device, the request comprising information generated with a key;
• and
• control logic configured to:
• determine whether the information generated with the key matches information generated with a key from the plurality of pre-shared keys;
• when it is determined that the information generated with the key matches the information generated with the key from the plurality of pre-shared keys, allowing the connection;
• and
• when it is determined that the information generated with the key does not match the information generated with the key from the plurality of pre-shared keys, disallowing the connection.

A computer storage device encoded with computer-executable instructions for performing, when executed with at least one processor, a method of operating an access point, the method comprising:

• receiving, via an interface of the access point, a plurality of pre-shared keys having different complexities selected based on security requirements for connections established using the plurality of pre-shared keys, wherein the plurality of pre-shared keys comprises at least one pre-shared key of a user-friendly format used for connections having reduced security requirements;
• receiving a request for a connection to the access point from a client device, the request comprising information generated with a key;
• determining whether the key matches a key from the plurality of pre-shared keys provisioned to the access point;
• when it is determined that the key matches the key from the plurality of pre-shared keys, allowing the connection, the allowing comprising generating one or more keys based on the key from the plurality of pre-shared keys for subsequent communication with the client device;
• and
• when it is determined that the key does not match the key from the plurality of pre-shared keys, disallowing the connection.