Dynamic generation of per-station realm lists for hot spot connections

摘要

Per-station realm lists are dynamically generating per-station for hot spot connections to access points by roaming stations. A query for a list of realms is received from a roaming station when connecting to a hot spot. Using an MAC address or other station identity, a list of available realms narrowed to a subset of per-station realms sent to the station. Narrowing is performed on-the-fly with respect to at least one aspects. A last N realms are retrieved from a database record searched by MAC address. The list is further narrowed by removing realms that are inaccessible or otherwise recently shown to have bad link quality. Additional ranking factors can narrow or rearrange the realm list based on financial agreements, popularity, trends, and the like. A selection from the list of realms is received from the station. The access point then authenticates the station with the selected realm. If successful, data traffic concerning the station can be forwarded through the hot spot on behalf of the selected realm.

主权项

1. A computer-implemented method for generating a list of per-station NAI (Network Access Identifier) realms for a hot spot WLAN connection, the method comprising the steps of:
receiving a query for a list of realms from a station during a connection to a hot spot; responsive to detecting the request specifically from the station, retrieving a history of previous connections by the station, generating the list of realms that are a subset of a list of realms available to the hot spot, and including at least one realm from the history of previous connections in the list of realms; receiving a selection from the list of realms; authenticating the station with the selected realm; and forwarding data traffic concerning the station through the hot spot on behalf of the selected realm.