Methods and apparatus for wireless networking connection

An apparatus comprising:

• at least one processor;
• memory storing a program of instructions;
• wherein the memory storing the program of instructions is configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to at least:
• detect receiving at a wireless network access point from a client device seeking access to a network, a management frame comprising information defining a signaling sequence directing scanning, network discovery and authentication, wherein the management frame comprises probe request information, generic advertising service request information, and extended access protocol-response identity information;
• and
• respond to receiving the management frame by forwarding information contained in the management frame to the network;
• detect receiving an authentication response frame from the network, wherein the authentication response frame comprises authenticating information extracted from the management frame, by following authentication procedures of the network, wherein the management frame provides information allowing the access point to determine the identity of the client device and to determine from the client identity if the client device has a subscription to the network, and wherein sending of the authentication response frame comprises delivery of the authentication frame to the access point by an authentication server;
• and
• in response to determining that the client does not have the subscription to the network from which the authentication response frame is received, send a valid response, wherein the response is a generic advertisement service response.

A method comprising:

• controlling a client device to transmit a single management frame comprising information defining a signaling sequence directing scanning, network discovery, and authentication, wherein the management frame comprises probe request information, generic advertising service request information, and extended access protocol-response identity information;
• determining whether the client has a subscription to a network from which the authentication response frame is received;
• responding to the authentication response frame sent by the access point, wherein the authentication response frame comprises authentication information extracted from the management frame by following authentication procedures of the network, wherein the management frame provides information allowing the access point to determine the identity of the client device and to determine from the client identity if the client device has the subscription to the network, and wherein sending of the authentication response frame comprises delivery of the authentication frame to the access point by an authentication server, wherein responding to receiving the management frame comprises examining client identity information and forwarding the information contained in the management frame only if the client has the subscription to the network to which the information contained in the management frame is to be forwarded;
• and
• in response to determining that the client does not have the subscription to the network from which the authentication response frame is received, sending a valid response wherein the response is a generic advertisement service response.

A method comprising:

• detecting receiving at a wireless network access point from a client device seeking access to a network, a management frame comprising information defining a signaling sequence directing scanning, network discovery and authentication, wherein the management frame comprises probe request information, generic advertising service request information, and extended access protocol-response identity information;
• and
• responding to receiving the management frame by forwarding information contained in the management frame to a network;
• detecting receiving an authentication response frame from the network, wherein the authentication response frame comprises authenticating information extracted from the management frame, by following authentication procedures of the network, wherein the management frame provides information allowing the access point to determine the identity of the client device and to determine from the client identity if the client device has a subscription to the network, and wherein sending of the authentication response frame comprises delivery of the authentication frame to the access point by an authentication server;
• and
• in response to determining that the client does not have the subscription to the network from which the authentication response frame is received, sending a valid response wherein the response is a generic advertisement service response.