NETGEAR, Inc.
Secure communication in network access points

Abstract:

Disclosed is an access point (AP) for a network that includes security features for interacting with devices on the network. The other devices on the network may be other APs, client devices, or a backend configuration server. The access point includes a private key that is used to verify signals to and from (the private key may be different for different functions). In the case of other APs, the private key is used to verify control signals sent between the APs to identify and prevent a hijacked AP from taking control of the network by sending false control signals. In the case of a client device, the client device may use the subject AP's private key to identify that the subject AP is a trusted member of the network that may receive data. In the case of the backend server, the subject AP may verify configuration updates via use of the private key to prevent loading of malicious firmware.