Abstract: An aspect of the present disclosure enables convenient provisioning of multiple wireless devices. In an embodiment, a provisioning agent (e.g., a smart phone) identifies wireless devices requiring provisioning to operate as wireless stations and communicates with each wireless device to provide provisioning parameters for joining a first basic service set (BSS). However, during such communication, the provisioning agent operates as a wireless station and each wireless device operates as an access point (AP) outside of the first BSS. Each wireless device is enabled to be configured according to the received provisioning parameters to thereafter operate as a corresponding wireless station of the first BSS.

Abstract: An access point (AP) in accordance with an aspect of the present disclosure provides a convenient approach to provision wireless devices. In an embodiment, the AP initiates push button mode of WPS procedures with a wireless device, in response to receiving of a provisioning request from the wireless device, without requiring a WPS push button signal locally. The AP thereafter operates to complete provisioning of the wireless device. According to yet another aspect of the present disclosure, a wireless device may also participate in push button mode of WPS, without requiring a push button signal locally. In an embodiment, a wireless device automatically transmits a request for provisioning. An AP within the transmission range, responds back with a command to initiate push button mode of WPS procedures. The wireless device communicates with the AP to complete provisioning.

Abstract: A wireless device is provisioned according to WPS (WiFi Protected Setup) push button mode. The wireless device receives an electronic signal from a provisioning agent external to the wireless device, the electronic signal indicating to the wireless device that the wireless device is to start WPS provisioning procedures. A user presses a push button on an AP to which the wireless device is to be connected. On receipt of the electronic signal, the wireless device enrolls in a wireless network, of which the AP is a part, by communicating with the access point in accordance with push button mode of WPS. The technique enables a wireless device to be provisioned without a user requiring to press any button on the wireless device.

Abstract: An aspect of the present disclosure enables an access point (AP) to conveniently provision multiple wireless devices. In an embodiment, the AP may normally operate in a secure mode to disregard non-secure provisioning requests from wireless devices. However, upon receipt of a request to accept provisioning requests from multiple wireless devices, the AP permits multiple wireless devices to be provisioned via the AP, in response to corresponding provisioning requests received from the respective wireless devices. The request to accept may be generated upon pressing of a push button provided on the AP, which may be referred to as a group provisioning button since multiple wireless devices are provisioned in response to pressing of that button.

Abstract: A web-based system is provided for generating binary images customized for different users in memory space constrained environments. Inputs from a user identifying a set of features of interest in a software program, and a maximum size of memory space available for storing the software program are received. A required size of memory space for the software program, including the set of features is computed. If the required size is more than the maximum size, the user is notified that the set of features cannot be fit into the available memory space. Otherwise, a corresponding binary image implementing both of a core functionality of the software program and the set of features of interest is built. The user can retrieve the binary image from the server via the client system.

Abstract: An access point (AP) of a WLAN maintains a list of wireless clients in the WLAN that belong to a special class. The AP receives data to be transmitted to the wireless clients as a multicast packet, and examines the list to determine whether any wireless clients belong to the special class. If none of the wireless clients belongs to the special class, the AP transmits the data as a multicast packet. However, if one or more wireless clients belong to the special class, the AP transmits the data in the form of unicast packets to each wireless client of the special class in addition to transmitting the data as a multicast packet.

Abstract: An access point communicates with a wireless station based on a point-to-point channel, to determine time instances of future communication to be received from the wireless station. In intervals between such future communications, the access point powers down at least some portions of a circuit contained within the access point for at least a partial duration between such future communications. In an embodiment, the powered-down portions include the receiver portions of the access point. The access point may be battery-powered, and the powering-down of the receiver portions enables reduction of power consumption in the access point.

Abstract: A wireless station in a WLAN generates a first set of data elements for sending to a final destination. The wireless station forms a first Internet Protocol (IP) packet with a header portion and a payload portion. The header portion specifies an IP address of a neighbor access point (AP) as the next hop destination. The payload portion of the IP packet includes an IP address of the final destination to indicate that the data elements are to be delivered to the final destination. The wireless station transmits the IP packet to the neighbor AP according to the IP address of the neighbor AP. Extended connectivity based on wireless paths between stations of a wireless local area network (WLAN) is thus provided.

Abstract: A link device facilitating communication between a wireless communication terminal and a resource-constrained device. According to an aspect, the link device receives messages from the wireless communication terminal on a wireless path according to a first protocol, converts the messages into a second protocol, and forwards the converted messages in the second protocols to the resource-constrained device on a wired path connecting the link device to the resource-constrained device. In an embodiment, the first protocol corresponds to HTTP protocol and the second protocol corresponds to a simpler protocol which requires relatively lesser processing and memory resources.

Abstract: A WiFi-enabled embedded device boots as a first access point. The WiFi-enabled embedded device communicates with a first wireless station to receive configuration parameters while continuing to operate as an access point. The WiFi-enabled embedded device then applies the configuration parameters internally to cause the WiFi-enabled embedded device to operate as a second wireless station. In an embodiment, the first wireless station discovers a configuration service advertized by the WiFi-enabled embedded device using mDN/DNS-SD, and automatically provides the configuration parameters to the WiFi-enabled embedded device. Convenient provisioning of the WiFi-enabled embedded device is thus made possible.

Abstract: A WiFi-enabled embedded device boots as a first access point. The WiFi-enabled embedded device communicates with a first wireless station to receive configuration parameters while continuing to operate as an access point. The WiFi-enabled embedded device then applies the configuration parameters internally to cause the WiFi-enabled embedded device to operate as a second wireless station. In an embodiment, the first wireless station discovers a configuration service advertized by the WiFi-enabled embedded device using mDN/DNS-SD, and automatically provides the configuration parameters to the WiFi-enabled embedded device. Convenient provisioning of the WiFi-enabled embedded device is thus made possible.

Abstract: An end device in a network is designed to operate consistent with multiple versions of the internet protocol. The end device determines which version of the internet protocol, according to which the network is operative, by monitoring a set of packets on the network. Based on the determination of the version of internet protocol, the end device loads in an internal volatile memory only those instructions and data required for operation according to the determined version. Instructions and data required for operation according to other version(s) are not loaded into the volatile memory. Size requirements of the volatile memory are thereby reduced.

Abstract: An access point communicates with a wireless station based on a point-to-point channel, to determine time instances of future communication to be received from the wireless station. In intervals between such future communications, the access point powers down at least some portions of a circuit contained within the access point for at least a partial duration between such future communications. In an embodiment, the powered-down portions include the receiver portions of the access point. The access point may be battery-powered, and the powering-down of the receiver portions enables reduction of power consumption in the access point.

Abstract: An end device operates as an access point to setup communication with a wireless station. Once the communication has been setup, the end device exchanges data packets with the wireless station while operating as an access point. The end device and the wireless station are included in a WLAN network according to IEEE 802.11 standards. Operation as an access point enables the end device to communicate with a large number of wireless stations. Such communication can be the basis for implementation of various management applications on wireless stations. In an embodiment, the end point includes a blood pressure sensor, and transmits (while operating as an access point) blood pressure measurements to a mobile phone operating as a wireless station.

Abstract: A link device facilitating communication between a wireless communication terminal and a resource-constrained device. According to an aspect, the link device receives messages from the wireless communication terminal on a wireless path according to a first protocol, converts the messages into a second protocol, and forwards the converted messages in the second protocols to the resource-constrained device on a wired path connecting the link device to the resource-constrained device. In an embodiment, the first protocol corresponds to HTTP protocol and the second protocol corresponds to a simpler protocol which requires relatively lesser processing and memory resources.

Abstract: A wireless station (A) is operated in a power-save mode, in which the station is alternately in power-ON and power-OFF states to reduce power consumption. Wireless station (A) computes at least some future time instances at which another wireless station (B) is expected to start transmitting control messages. Wireless station (A) is ensured to be in the power-ON state in corresponding time intervals encompassing durations of at least some of such future transmissions of control messages by wireless station (B), and is thereby enabled to receive the control messages. In an embodiment, the control messages correspond to group key message updates in which values of a decryption key are transmitted, wireless station (A) being a wireless client, wireless station (B) being an access point, with wireless stations (A) and (B) operating in a wireless network consistent with IEEE 802.11 specifications, and communication between wireless stations (A) and (B) being encrypted.

Abstract: An end device in a network is designed to operate consistent with multiple versions of the internet protocol. The end device determines which version of the internet protocol, according to which the network is operative, by monitoring a set of packets on the network. Based on the determination of the version of internet protocol, the end device loads in an internal volatile memory only those instructions and data required for operation according to the determined version. Instructions and data required for operation according to other version(s) are not loaded into the volatile memory. Size requirements of the volatile memory are thereby reduced.

Abstract: A wireless station (A) is operated in a power-save mode, in which the station is alternately in power-ON and power-OFF states to reduce power consumption. Wireless station (A) computes at least some future time instances at which another wireless station (B) is expected to start transmitting control messages. Wireless station (A) is ensured to be in the power-ON state in corresponding time intervals encompassing durations of at least some of such future transmissions of control messages by wireless station (B), and is thereby enabled to receive the control messages. In an embodiment, the control messages correspond to group key message updates in which values of a decryption key are transmitted, wireless station (A) being a wireless client, wireless station (B) being an access point, with wireless stations (A) and (B) operating in a wireless network consistent with IEEE 802.11 specifications, and communication between wireless stations (A) and (B) being encrypted.

Abstract: Several keep-alive messages of point to point (PPP) sessions received from a remote system are aggregated into a single packet in an aggregation device (e.g., network access server). The aggregated packet is sent to a peer aggregation device (e.g., home gateway) at the other end of the PPP session. The peer aggregation device may send the status of the sessions in a single packet. As a result, the data traffic on a communication backbone due to keep-alive status checks may be reduced. Without waiting for the peer aggregation device to provide the status information, a proxy reply may be generated from the aggregation device.

Abstract: Setting up a group of virtual circuits using a single set up message request. In an embodiment, fewer than all of the virtual circuits in the group are immediately provisioned, and the remaining virtual circuits are placed in an inactive status by appropriate configuration of all the devices in the path of the group of virtual circuits. Each of the inactive virtual circuits can be activated (complete provisioning) as and when required. The bandwidth overhead on the networks is reduced as fewer signaling messages would be used in provisioning several virtual circuits. The parsing overhead is reduced on the devices processing the signaling messages as a result.