Patent ID: 7434044
Filing Date: 2008-10-07
Classification: H04L,H04W

Abstract:
1. An apparatus, comprising: a table for storing authentication data; a proxy authentication server configured to be coupled to a network, the proxy authentication server is in data communication with the table; wherein the proxy authentication server is configured to intercept an authentication request for a client from a first access point; wherein the proxy authentication server is responsive to intercepting the authentication request for the client to determine whether authentication data for the client is stored in the table; wherein the proxy authentication server is responsive to determining authentication data for the table is not stored in the table to forward the authentication request to an authentication server; wherein the proxy authentication server is configured to intercept a response to the forwarded authentication request from the authentication server, the response comprising authentication data for the client; wherein the proxy authentication server is configured to store the authentication data for the client from the response in the table; wherein the proxy authentication server is configured to send data derived from the authentication data to the first access point to enable the first access point to establish a communication session with the client; wherein the proxy authentication server is configured to intercept an authentication request for the client from a second access point; wherein the proxy authentication server is responsive to intercepting the authentication request for the client from the second access point to determine whether authentication data for the client is stored in the table; and wherein the proxy authentication server is configured to send data derived from the authentication data to the second access point to enable the second access point to establish a communication session with the client.