Method and system for preventing the propagation of ad-hoc networks

Abstract

A network management system (19) associated with monitors activity in a first wireless access network (100, 101, 102), for the effect of rogue user terminals (22) transmitting beacons for ad-hoc networks. If it is detected that such an ad hoc network would pose a threat to the integrity of the fixed network and that it is necessary to contain the spread of the ad-hoc network, a network detection unit (32) determines the parameters of the ad-hoc network, from the beacons being transmitted by the terminal (22). A network configuration unit (34) creates an additional network identity for a second network, having the same name as the rogue network but having a higher security setting which will cause any user terminals to preferentially connect to the additional network instead of the second network. The network configuration unit then generates beacons for this additional network identity to be transmitted by the access point (100) which first detected the beacon, which allows the network management system to control and contain the expansion of the second, ad hoc, network preventing it disrupting the channel plan for the first network.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.