Abstract:
A physical security system for an access point that enables an installer to route a cable for the access point through a cable security bracket. The access point is installed onto a mounting bracket. A locking bracket is installed that engages the access point and the mounting bracket and locked while the access point is installed onto the mounting bracket. Once the bracket is installed and locked, the system does not allow for the access point or the cable to be removed.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
   This application is related to U.S. application Ser. No. 10/266,377 filed on Oct. 8, 2002 and to U.S. application Ser. No. 10/983,822 filed on Nov. 8, 2004, both of which are assigned to Cisco Technology, Inc., the assignee of this application. 
   BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   This invention is directed to physical security systems for wireless access points. More particularly, this invention is directed to a physical security system for wireless access points that prevent removal of the access point and cables. 
   Users of wireless access points are concerned about the physical security of distributed access points throughout their facilities. These security concerns include theft of the access points and hacking into the user&#39;s network via unauthorized access to the access point&#39;s I/O panel connectors, such as the Ethernet, fiber and/or console port connectors. 
   To address these security problems, access point users are placing the access points in metal security boxes to secure the access points. However, this solution results in other problems, such as degradation of the thermal design due to excessive heating of the access point which leads to lowered reliability, early product failure, and high warranty return costs. This solution also causes degradation and compromise of the electrical, electromagnetic compatibility, and regulatory certification of the access point. Further, it leads to destruction of the branding and esthetic design of the access point&#39;s standard enclosure as the brand name and design are hidden inside the metal box. In addition, the access point&#39;s visual indicators, such as the status indicators and the Ethernet indicators are hidden from the user. Furthermore, the installation of the security boxes is expensive and time consuming. 
   There is a need for a security system for wireless access points which overcomes these limitations. 
   BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   In accordance with the present invention, there is provided a physical security system for wireless access points which overcomes the limitations of earlier security systems. Further in accordance with the present invention, there is provided a security system for access points which prevents theft, I/O panel connector removal, and access to the ports by unauthorized users. Additionally, the security system does not hide the branding and aesthetic design of the access point enclosure. In accordance with an aspect of the present invention, an installer can route a cable through a cable security bracket and then install a locking bracket and lock while the access point is installed onto the mounting bracket. Once the locking bracket is installed and locked, the system does not allow for the access point and the cable to be removed. 
   In accordance with an aspect of the present invention, there is disclosed herein a physical security system comprising a mounting plate with a top surface and a side. The mounting plate having apertures for mounting to an external surface, the mounting plate further having tabs on the top surface and a slot on the side. The physical security system also has an access point having a top surface and a bottom surface, a first side with a port for attaching an external cable, and a second side with a slot, the bottom surface of the access point having slots matching the tabs of the mounting plate so that the access point slideably engages the mounting plate by sliding the slots of the access point on the tabs of the mounting plate. A cable security bracket is coupled to the mounting plate having an opening for retaining the external cable secured to the first side of the access point. A locking bracket having a first end and a second end, the first end configured to engage the slot on the second side of the access point, the second end having sufficient width to fit through the slot on the mounting plate and having an aperture suitable for receiving a locking mechanism therethrough. When the second end of the locking mechanism engages the slot on the mounting bracket, the locking bracket prevents the access point from from sliding on the mounting plate. The external cable is one of the group consisting of a power cable, an Ethernet cable and a console cable. 
   In accordance with an aspect of the present invention, there is disclosed herein a physical security system comprising a mounting plate. The system further comprises means for mounting the mounting plate to an external surface. The system also has an access point having a top surface, a bottom surface, a first side and a second side. The system further comprising means for retaining a cable attached to the first side of the access point, means for engaging the access point with the mounting plate, and means for coupling the second side of the access point with the mounting plate. When the means for coupling is engaged, the means for coupling prevents the means for engaging the access point with the mounting plate from disengaging. 
   In accordance with an aspect of the present invention, there is disclosed herein, a method for providing physical security to an access point having a first side with a slot and a second side with a port for receiving a cable. The method comprising attaching a cable security bracket having an opening and a corresponding slot to a mounting plate, installing the mounting plate onto an external surface, the mounting plate having tabs, inserting a cable through a slot on a cable security bracket coupled to the and positioning the cable in an opening of a cable security bracket, installing the access point onto the mounting plate, the access point having slots matching the tabs on the mounting plate, wherein the access point slideably engages the mounting plate, and securing the access point to the mounting plate by inserting a locking bracket having first and second ends, the first end inserted into the slot on the access point and the second end engaging the mounting bracket. 
   Still other objects of the present invention will become readily apparent to those skilled in this art from the following description wherein there is shown and described a preferred embodiment of this invention, simply by way of illustration of one of the best modes best suited for to carry out the invention. As it will be realized, the invention is capable of other different embodiments and its several details are capable of modifications in various obvious aspects all without departing from the invention. Accordingly, the drawing and descriptions will be regarded as illustrative in nature and not as restrictive. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING 
     The accompanying drawings incorporated in and forming a part of the specification, illustrates several aspects of the present invention, and together with the description serve to explain the principles of the invention. 
       FIG. 1  is an isometric drawing of an access point. 
       FIG. 2  is a first side view of an access point. 
       FIG. 3  is a second side view of an access point. 
       FIG. 4  is a top view of a mounting plate. 
       FIG. 5  is a bottom view of a mounting plate. 
       FIG. 6  is an isometric view of a cable security bracket. 
       FIG. 7  is a top view of a cable security bracket. 
       FIG. 8  is a side view of a cable security bracket. 
       FIG. 9  is a rear view of a cable security bracket. 
       FIG. 10  is a front view of a locking bracket. 
       FIG. 11  is a side view of a locking bracket. 
       FIG. 12  is an isometric view of an access point mounted on a mounting plate with a locking bracket in an unsecured position. 
       FIG. 13  is a detailed view of  FIG. 12  of the locking bracket in an unsecured position. 
       FIG. 14  is an isometric view of an access point mounted on a mounting plate with a locking bracket in the secured position and secured by a padlock. 
       FIG. 15  is an isometric view of an access point mounted on a mounting plate with cable security bracket. 
       FIG. 16  is an exploded view of a system for mounting an access point to a rail. 
       FIG. 17  is an isometric view of an access point mounted on a mounting plate with cable security bracket. 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF INVENTION 
   Throughout this description, the preferred embodiment and examples shown should be considered as exemplars, rather than limitations, of the present invention. Like numbers are used to indicate like components. 
   Referring to  FIG. 1 , there is illustrated an access point  10  comprising a top side  12  and a bottom side  14 . The access point has a first side  20  with antennas  16  and a second side  30  with antennas  18 . Top side  12  is a solid surface and when in place prevents access to the interior (not shown) and bottom of access point  10 . Although  FIG. 1  shows antennas  16  are different from antennas  18 , this is not important to the scope of the present invention. In the example illustrated in  FIGS. 1–3 , access point  10  is capable of operating on two frequencies, 5 GHz and 2.4 Ghz, however, the present invention is suitably adaptable to an access point utilizing any operating frequency or frequencies. 
     FIG. 2  is an exemplary illustration of side  20  of access point  10 . Side  20  comprises couplers  22 ,  24  for coupling with antennas  16 . Side  20  also has a slot  26 . Preferably, slot  26  is a Kensington style slot (Available from Kensington Technology Group, 333 Twin Dolphin Drive, Sixth Floor, Redwood Shores, Calif. 94065). As will described herein infra, slot  26  is adapted to receive a first end of a locking bracket (see  FIG. 10 ) to secure access point  10  to a mounting bracket  40  (see  FIG. 14 ). 
     FIG. 3  is an exemplary illustration of side  30  of access point  10 . Side comprises antenna couplers  31 ,  32  and has a power port  34 , Ethernet port  36  and Console port  38 . An aspect of the present invention is to retain cables plugged into one or more of power port  34 , Ethernet port  36  and Console port  38 . Power coupler  34  receives external power for access point  10 . If the power cable is removed, then power to access point  10  is interrupted. Ethernet port  36  couples access point  10  to the backbone network or distribution system (not shown). Access to Ethernet port  36  could enable a rogue device to access the network by using the cable (not shown) coupled to Ethernet port  36 . Furthermore, preventing disconnection of a cable (not shown) coupled to Ethernet port  36  is also desirable because the access point  10  is unable to properly function when it is disconnected from the network. Console port  38  is used by service technicians to setup access point  10 . The technician can view and if desired change settings for access point  10  via console port  38 . For example, by accessing console port  38  an intruder may be able to determine the encryption parameters used by access point  10 , thus enabling an intruder to gain unauthorized access to the network. Therefore, it is desirable to prevent an intruder from accessing console port  38 . 
     FIG. 4  is a top view of a mounting plate  40  and  FIG. 5  is a bottom view of mounting plate  40 . As will be described herein infra, mounting plate  40  is used for securing access point  10  to an external surface, such as a wall, ceiling or other surface. Mounting bracket  40  comprises tabs  42  which are configured to align with and engage corresponding slots  60  ( FIG. 16 ) on the bottom surface  14  of access point  10 . Mounting plate  40  has apertures  44  for engaging the external surface that access point  10  is being mounted on. Cable security bracket  50  is affixed to mounting bracket  40 . As will be described herein infra, cable security bracket  50  is employed to retain any cables coupled to one or more of power port  34 , Ethernet port  36  and Console port  38  ( FIG. 3 ) and/or to prevent access to power port  34 , Ethernet port  36  and Console port  38 . Mounting bracket  40  has a surface  46  that forms an opening when an access point is coupled to mounting bracket  40  (see  FIG. 14 ). 
     FIGS. 6–9  illustrates various views of cable security bracket  50 .  FIG. 6  is an isometric view of cable security bracket  50 ,  FIG. 7  is a top view of cable security bracket  50 ,  FIG. 8  is a side view of cable security bracket  50  and  FIG. 9  is a rear view of cable security bracket  50 . Cable security bracket  50  comprises a bottom surface  52  with apertures  54  for receiving fasteners for coupling security bracket  50  with mounting plate  40 . As will be described herein infra, surface  54  extending from bottom surface  52  prevents access to ports  34 ,  36 ,  38  when the cable security bracket  50  is coupled to mounting plate  40  and access point  10  is coupled to mounting plate  40 . Side surfaces  56  are coupled to surface  54 . As will be described herein infra, opening  59  is used to retain cables plugged into one or more of ports  34 ,  36 ,  38 . Slot  58  coupled to opening  59  is used for receiving cables for ports  34 ,  36 ,  38 . Slot  58  and opening  59  are of sufficient width for the cable to pass through, however slot  58  and opening  59  are of insufficient width to allow cable ends to pass through. When it is desired to retain a cable using cable security bracket  50 , the end of the cable is slid through slot  58  towards opening  59 . As will be described herein infra, when access point  10  is mounted on mounting bracket  40 , cable security bracket  50  retains the cables and prevents removal. Because opening  59  and slot  58  are too small for the cable ends to fit through, once the access point  10  is installed on mounting bracket  40 , cable security bracket  50  prevents external cables from being inserted into ports  34 ,  36 ,  38 . 
     FIGS. 10 and 11  illustrated a locking bracket  70  for securing access point  10  to mounting plate  40 .  FIG. 10  is a front view of locking bracket  70  and  FIG. 11  is a side view of a locking bracket  70 . Locking bracket  70  has a main surface  71  coupled to a first end  72  and a second end  74 . An offset surface  73  is coupled between main surface  71  and second end  74  for aligning second  74  with a slot in mounting plate  40  which will be described herein infra. Aperture  78  is located in second end  74  of locking bracket  70 . A T shaped member  76  is coupled to first end  72  of locking bracket  70 . An opening  79  at first end  72  is employed to provide visual access to T shaped member  76 . 
     FIG. 12  is an isometric view of access point  10  mounted on a mounting bracket  40  with locking bracket  70  in an unsecured position.  FIG. 13  is a detailed view of  FIG. 12  with locking bracket  70  in an unsecured position. T shaped member  76  is aligned and inserted into slot  26 . Opening  79  can be employed to provide visual access to T shaped member  76  and aid in aligning T shaped member  76  with slot  26  for insertion. Offset  73  aligns second end  74  of locking bracket  70  with slot  82  in mounting plate  40 . An opening  80  is formed when access point  10  engages mounting plate  40 . As illustrated in  FIG. 13 , rotating locking bracket  70  along path  75  causes T shaped member  76  to engage slot  26  and prevent T shaped member from being removed from slot  26  and second end  74  slides through slot  82  on mounting plate  40 . 
     FIG. 14  is an isometric view of first side  20  of access point  10  mounted, when access point  10  is mounted on mounting bracket  40  with locking bracket  70  in the secured position and secured by padlock  84 . T shaped member  76  is no longer aligned with slot  26 , causing T shaped member  76  to engage slot  26  and preventing the removal of locking bracket  70  from access point  10 . Second end  74  is passed through slot  82 . Padlock  84  engaging aperture  78  of second end  74  prevents locking bracket  70  from disengaging mounting bracket  40 . Thus, because T shaped member  76  prevents locking bracket from disengaging from slot  26  of access point  10  and padlock  84  engaging aperture  78  prevents second end  74  of locking bracket  70  from passing through slot  82  of mounting bracket  40 , locking bracket  40  prevents access point  10  from being removed from mounting plate  40 . 
     FIG. 15  is an isometric view of the second side  30  of access point  10  that is mounted on mounting bracket  40  with cable security bracket  50 . Cable  86  exits opening  59 . Opening  59  is of sufficient size to permit cable  86  to pass through, but of insufficient size to let the coupler (not shown) at the end of cable  86  to pass through. Furthermore, because opening  89  is too small to allow the end of a cable to pass through, it prevents access to ports  34 ,  36 ,  38  ( FIG. 3 ). Bottom surface  54  and surfaces  54 ,  56  surround and prevent access to ports  34 ,  36 ,  38 . 
   Thus, as can be observed from  FIGS. 14 and 15 , when cover  12  is on access cover  10 , and access cover is engaged to mounting plate  40  via locking bracket  70  and cable security bracket is coupled to mounting bracket  40 , access point  10  is secured to mounting bracket  40 , and ports  34 ,  36 ,  38  and any cables connected to ports  34 ,  36 ,  38  are also protected. Furthermore, when access point  10  is mounted on mounting bracket  40 , access point  10  prevents access to the underlying fasteners (not shown) coupling mounting bracket  40  to the mounting surface (not shown). Although, the examples just set forth show locking bracket  70  cable security bracket  50  on different sides  20 ,  30  respectively of access point  10 , it is contemplated that locking bracket  70  cable security bracket  50  can be adapted to be coupled to any side of access point  10 , and may even be located on the same side, e.g., either side  20  or side  30  of access point  10 . 
     FIG. 16  is an exploded view of a physical security system for mounting access point  10  to a rail  62 . Clips  64  slide onto rail  62 . Spacers  66  slide over a cylindrical protruding section  65  of clips  64 . Mounting bracket  40  then slides onto cylindrical protruding sections  65  and is fastened onto clips  64  by nuts  67 . Cable security bracket  50  is coupled to the bottom of mounting bracket  40 . Screws  82  hold the top section  12  of access point  10  onto the bottom section  14  of access point  10 . When access point  10  is secured to mounting bracket  40 , mounting bracket  40  bocks access to screws  82 , thus securing the top section of access point  10 . 
   Access point  10  is coupled to mounting bracket  40  by slots  60  engaging tabs  42  as illustrated by lines  88 . Access point  10  is moved towards mounting bracket  40 , cable  86  is inserted through slot  58  to opening  59 . When slots  60  of access point  10  are properly aligned with corresponding tabs  42 , access point  10  is slide in a horizontal direction  89  so that tabs  42  engage slots  60 . When locking bracket  70  secures access point  10  to mounting bracket  40  as illustrated in  FIG. 14 , this prevents access point  10  from being removed from mounting bracket  40  by preventing access point  10  from sliding off of mounting bracket  40 . 
     FIG. 17  is an isometric view of access point  10  mounted on mounting bracket  40  with cable security bracket  50  retaining cable  86 .  FIG. 17  illustrates how the physical security system employing cable security bracket  50  and locking bracket  70  do not interfere with antennas  16 ,  18 . 
   What has been described above includes exemplary implementations of the present invention. It is, of course, not possible to describe every conceivable combination of components or methodologies for purposes of describing the present invention, but one of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that many further combinations and permutations of the present invention are possible. Accordingly, the present invention is intended to embrace all such alterations, modifications and variations that fall within the spirit and scope of the appended claims interpreted in accordance with the breadth to which they are fairly, legally and equitably entitled.