Centralized access control system and methods for distributed broadband access points

摘要

A method includes automatically sending a request from a wireless access point to a configuration server during a power-up procedure for the wireless access point. The method includes receiving virtual private network tunnel parameters at the wireless access point from the configuration server in response to the request. The virtual private network tunnel parameters identify an access gateway. The method also includes establishing a virtual private network tunnel between the wireless access point and the centralized access gateway during the power-up procedure based on the virtual private network tunnel parameters. The virtual private network tunnel enables the wireless access point to provide one or more wireless devices access to a wide area network.

主权项

1. An access point comprising:
a processor; a wide area network interface coupled to the processor; and a memory coupled to the processor, wherein the memory comprises instructions executable by the processor, upon power-up of the access point, to enable the access point to:
automatically send a request to a configuration server, wherein the request includes an identification of the access point, and wherein the request is sent directly to the configuration server based on data in the memory;receive virtual private network tunnel parameters from the configuration server;establish, via the wide area network interface, a virtual private network tunnel between the access point and a centralized access control gateway based on the virtual private network tunnel parameters received from the configuration server, wherein the virtual private network tunnel provides access to destinations outside of a local area wireless network associated with the access point for a wireless device coupled to the access point; andreceive update software via the centralized access control gateway.