Patent Description:
In router networking in a mesh network, a router is generally added or included in a wired mode or a wireless mode. When networking routers wirelessly, a user may first click on a scan operation of an application of a mobile phone or a Personal Computer (PC) to actively discover the routers, and then click on an add operation to complete networking of the routers; or may complete networking of the routers by triggering networking buttons on both routers at the same time. However, with an existing router networking process, the operations are complicated and manual keying is required, with a low degree of intelligence and low efficiency The features of the preamble of the independent claims are known from <CIT> and <CIT>.

The present invention provides a method and device for networking, and a storage medium.

The present invention is defined in the independent claims, and the preferable features according to the present invention are defined in the dependent claims.

It should be understood that the general description above and the detailed description below are illustrative and explanatory only, and do not limit the present invention.

The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and form a part of this specification, illustrate embodiments consistent with the present invention and, together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the present invention.

Reference will now be made in detail to illustrative embodiments, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. The implementations set forth in the following description of illustrative embodiments do not represent all implementations consistent with the present invention. Instead, they are merely examples of devices and methods consistent with aspects related to the present invention as recited in the appended claims. The illustrative implementation modes may take on multiple forms, and should not be taken as being limited to examples illustrated herein. Instead, by providing such implementation modes, embodiments herein may become more comprehensive and complete, and comprehensive concept of the illustrative implementation modes may be delivered to those skilled in the art. Implementations set forth in the following illustrative embodiments do not represent all implementations in accordance with the present invention. Rather, they are merely examples of the apparatus and method in accordance with certain aspects herein as recited in the accompanying claims.

Note that although a term such as first, second, third may be adopted in an embodiment herein to describe various kinds of information, such information should not be limited to such a term. Such a term is merely for distinguishing information of the same type. For example, without departing from the scope of the embodiments herein, the first information may also be referred to as the second information. Similarly, the second information may also be referred to as the first information. Depending on the context, a "if" as used herein may be interpreted as "when" or "while" or "in response to determining that".

In addition, described characteristics, structures or features may be combined in one or more implementation modes in any proper manner. In the following descriptions, many details are provided to allow a full understanding of embodiments herein. However, those skilled in the art will know that the technical solutions of embodiments herein may be carried out without one or more of the details; alternatively, another method, component, device, option, etc., may be adopted. Under other conditions, no detail of a known structure, method, device, implementation, material or operation may be shown or described to avoid obscuring aspects of embodiments herein.

A block diagram shown in the accompanying drawings may be a functional entity which may not necessarily correspond to a physically or logically independent entity. Such a functional entity may be implemented in form of software, in one or more hardware modules or integrated circuits, or in different networks and /or processor devices and /or microcontroller devices.

A terminal may sometimes be referred to as a smart terminal. The terminal may be a mobile terminal. The terminal may also be referred to as User Equipment (UE), a Mobile Station (MS), etc. A terminal may be equipment or a chip provided therein that provides a user with a voice and / or data connection, such as handheld equipment, onboard equipment, etc., with a wireless connection function. Examples of a terminal may include a mobile phone, a tablet computer, a notebook computer, a palm computer, a Mobile Internet Device (MID), wearable equipment, Virtual Reality (VR) equipment, Augmented Reality (AR) equipment, a wireless terminal in industrial control, a wireless terminal in unmanned drive, a wireless terminal in remote surgery, a wireless terminal in a smart grid, a wireless terminal in transportation safety, a wireless terminal in smart city, a wireless terminal in smart home, etc..

<FIG> is a flowchart <NUM> of a method for networking according to embodiments of the present invention. As shown in <FIG>, the method for networking is applied to a first router. The first router implements the method for networking, including steps as follows.

In S101, a probe request sent by at least one second router is received.

In S102, a router to be networked is determined from the at least one second router according to the probe request.

In S103, a networking request carrying networking matching information is returned to the router to be networked. Wireless access of the first router is enabled. The networking matching information is provided to the router to be networked for networking matching.

In S104, after the router to be networked has enabled wireless access of the router to be networked based on the networking request, networking is completed by establishing, based on wireless access of the first router and wireless access of the router to be networked, a connection with the router to be networked.

In embodiments of the present invention, the method for networking may be applied to a scene of mesh networking of multiple routers. In mesh networking, any access network gateway node may be used as a router to send and receive signals, and each node may directly communicate with one or more peer nodes, rendering flexible networking, reducing interaction redundancy, increasing a communication speed.

The first router may be a router that has been mesh networked. The second router may be a router that has not been mesh networked.

The first router may monitor a probe request sent by the second router. After the first router has monitored the probe request, the first router may receive the probe request sent by the second router. It should be noted that the first router may monitor a probe request sent by the second router, and the second router may monitor a response request sent by the first router based on the probe request. As shown in <FIG>, a second router is a router within a monitored range monitored by the first router, and the first router is a router within a monitored range monitored by the second router.

In embodiments of the present invention, the probe request includes an equipment vendor field. The equipment vendor field is in a format shown in the table as follows.

The equipment vendor customized content may include an address of a second router and an equipment state of the second router, which is not limited in embodiments of the present invention.

The address of a second router is used for determining the location of the second router. The address may be a MAC address or an IP address, but is not limited thereto. The equipment state of a second router may include, but is not limited to, an uninitialized state, an initialized state, or a networking state. With embodiments of the present invention, it may be determined, through the equipment state of a second router, whether to continue to determine a router to be networked from at least one second router. For example, when a second router is in the initialized state or the networking state, it indicates that the second router is going through, or has completed, networking configuration. In this case, it may be confirmed that the second router is not a router to be networked, and no further judgment is required.

The probe request is used for determining a router to be networked. In some embodiments, a router to be networked may be determined via the address of a second router, the equipment of the second router, and the signal strength of a signal of the second router as received by the first router.

After a router to be networked has been determined, the first router may return a networking request carrying networking matching information to the router to be networked. The networking matching information may be provided to the router to be networked for networking matching, so that the router to be networked is mesh networked with the first router.

In embodiments of the present invention, the networking matching information of the networking request may be formed by an equipment vendor field. The equipment vendor field has an organization identifier of the first router, a first address of a router to be networked in equipment vendor customized content, and an equipment state of the first router in the equipment vendor customized content.

Illustratively, the networking matching information may include the first address of a router to be networked, the organization identifier of the first router, and the equipment state of the first router, which is not limited in embodiments of the present invention.

In embodiments of the present invention, wireless access of the first router is enabled after the router to be networked has been determined. Wireless access to the first router may be enabled by creating a first interface and enabling wireless access on the first interface. In this way, with embodiments of the present invention, a connection with the router to be networked may be established through a wireless access signal of the first interface.

The first interface includes, but is not limited to, a Wi-Fi interface. The Wi-Fi interface is a wireless encrypted authentication communication interface that enables Wi-Fi Protected Setup (WPS). Wireless access may be provided via the Wi-Fi interface, to establish a connection between the first router and the router to be networked.

In embodiments of the present invention, the router to be networked is within a wireless access range for accessing the first router. After the router to be networked has enabled wireless access of the router to be networked based on the networking request, a connection with the router to be networked may be established based directly on wireless access of the first router and wireless access of the router to be networked, so as to complete networking. In addition, after completing networking, both the first router and the router to be networked are networked.

It should be noted that the connection between the first router and the router to be networked may be a Wi-Fi connection for data transmission between the first router and the router to be networked. For example, the first router may send configuration information to the router to be networked through the Wi-Fi connection. Alternatively, when the configuration information of the first router changes, changed configuration information is sent to the router to be networked through the Wi-Fi connection. Alternatively, collaboration such as roaming between the first router and the router to be networked is implemented via the Wi-Fi connection.

In embodiments of the present invention, the first router first determines a router to be networked by receiving a probe request, and then makes the router to be networked enable wireless access by returning a networking request to the router to be networked, so as to establish a connection with the router to be networked. That is, with embodiments of the present invention, networking is implemented via information exchange between the first router and the router to be networked, and it is not required to determine the router to be networked by clicking on a scan operation, or to establish a connection by clicking on an add operation to complete networking, simplifying operations, completing networking quickly, improving a degree of intelligence and efficiency of router networking.

In some embodiments, the probe request carries an address of the at least one second router. The router to be networked may be determined from the at least one second router according to the probe request as follows.

A signal strength of a signal of the at least one second router as received by the first router may be determined based on the probe request received.

When there is one second router and an address of the one second router is in a list of addresses to be networked, the one second router may be taken as the router to be networked.

When there are multiple second routers and addresses of the multiple second routers are all in the list of addresses to be networked, one or more of the multiple second routers may be selected as the router to be networked based on at least one of: signal strengths of signals of the multiple second routers as received by the first router; or reception time when the first router receives probe requests of the multiple second router.

In embodiments of the present invention, the first router may first receive a probe request through an antenna, and then measure the signal strength of the signal of a second router as received by the first router through a frame signal of the probe request.

It should be noted that in determining the signal strength of the signal of the second router as received by the first router according to the probe request received, with embodiments of the present invention, the signal strength of the signal of the second router as received by the first router may be measured according to the frame signal of the probe request. That is, the first router may acquire the signal strength of the second router by measuring the signal strength of the frame signal of the probe request received.

In embodiments of the present invention, multiple addresses to be networked included in the list of addresses to be networked are addresses that meet a networking requirement. For example, the multiple addresses to be networked are addresses in a networking range, and may also be addresses of routers in a working state, which is not limited in embodiments of the present invention.

One or more of multiple second routers may be selected as the router to be networked based on at least one of: signal strengths of signals of the multiple second routers as received by the first router; or reception time when the first router receives probe requests of the multiple second router, as follows.

Of the multiple second routers, a second router with the greatest signal strength may be selected as the router to be networked. Alternatively, of the multiple second routers, one or more second routers with signal strengths greater than a signal reception threshold may be selected as the router to be networked. Alternatively, of the multiple second routers, one or more second routers corresponding to reception time greater than a time threshold may be selected as the router to be networked. Alternatively, when at least two of the multiple second routers have identical signal strengths, one or more second routers corresponding to reception time greater than a time threshold may be selected as the router to be networked. Alternatively, a signal measurement time may be determined according to the reception time of receiving probe requests of the multiple second routers, and one or more second routers with signal strengths greater than a signal reception threshold may be selected as the router to be networked within the signal measurement time.

In embodiments of the present invention, during networking, when multiple second routers are selected as the router to be networked, the multiple second routers may be networked sequentially or simultaneously, which is not limited in embodiments of the present invention.

The signal reception threshold and the time threshold may be set according to an actual condition. For example, the signal reception threshold may be in the range of -70dBm to -120dBm, and the time threshold may be in the range of <NUM> millisecond to <NUM> milliseconds, which is not limited in embodiments of the present invention.

In embodiments of the present invention, the first router can determine the router to be networked respectively when there are one or more second routers, so that the determination of the router to be networked may be applicable to different situations, improving universality of an applicable scene. Moreover, with embodiments of the present invention, a router to be networked is determined without requiring any manual operation by the user, improving a degree of intelligence and efficiency of router networking.

In some embodiments, the probe request carries an organization identifier of the at least one second router and an equipment state of the at least one second router, and the method further includes an option as follows.

When an organization identifier of the first router is identical to the organization identifier of the at least one second router, and the equipment state of the at least one second router is an uninitialized state, it may be determined whether the signal strength is greater than or equal to a preset signal strength threshold.

When the signal strength is greater than or equal to the preset signal strength threshold, first prompt information may be output. The first prompt information may be for prompting networking authorization.

In embodiments of the present invention, when the equipment state of a second router is an uninitialized state, it indicates that the second router has not been networked, and then the uninitialized second router may be taken as a candidate gateway to continue to determine whether the second router is a router to be networked.

The preset signal strength threshold may be set according to an actual situation. For example, the preset signal strength threshold may be in the range of -30dBm to -120dBm, which is not limited in embodiments of the present invention.

In embodiments of the present invention, the first prompt information may be output as follows. The first prompt information may be output by flashing an LED light. Alternatively, the first prompt information may be output by voice. Alternatively, the first prompt information may be output by displaying an animation.

The first prompt information is used for prompting that networking authorization is required. In this way, the user can be notified in time, so that the user can quickly grant an authorization according to the first prompt information.

In embodiments of the present invention, after the first router has output the first prompt information, the user may complete authorization based on different first prompt information. For example, when the first prompt information is a flashing LED light prompt, the user completes authorization by pressing an authorization key. As another example, when the first prompt information is a voice prompt, the user completes authorization by pressing the authorization key.

In embodiments of the present invention, the first router may determine, through the signal strength, the organization identifier of a second router carried in a probe request, and the equipment state of the second router, that the second router is to be networked, and thereby prompt the user to grant authorization in time.

In some embodiments, the method further includes:
before determining the router to be networked, receiving authorization information returned based on the first prompt information.

In embodiments of the present invention, authorization information is configured to indicate that at least one second router is authorized to be networked. Thus, after the first router has received the authorization information, the first router may select one or more of at least one second routers as the router to be networked to implement networking. In this way, the first router determines the router to be networked and performs networking when authorized, reducing unauthorized networking, improve user experience.

Illustratively, the authorization information may be generated by triggering a key on the first router, or may be sent by triggering an application of terminal equipment. The terminal equipment includes, but is not limited to, a mobile phone, a notebook or a tablet computer, which is not limited in embodiments of the present invention.

In some embodiments, the method further includes an option as follows.

When the organization identifier of the first router differs from the organization identifier of the at least one second router, or the equipment state of the at least one second router is an equipment state other than the uninitialized state, it may be continued to monitor the probe request.

In embodiments of the present invention, when the organization identifier of the first router differs from the organization identifier of the at least one second router, or the equipment state of the at least one second router is an equipment state other than the uninitialized state, it may indicate that the second router that has sent the probe request does not meet the networking requirement. In this case, it is not necessary to determine the router to be networked from the at least one second router according to the probe request received. In this way, with embodiments of the present invention, it is determined in advance via the organization identifier of a second router and the equipment state of the second router, whether the first router is to continue networking, reducing networking steps, improving networking efficiency.

After the connection with the router to be networked has been established, configuration information may be sent to the router to be networked. The configuration information may be configured for the router to be networked to implement synchronization of networking information of the first router in networking access.

In embodiments of the present invention, after a second router to be networked has been configured based on the configuration information, networking of the router to be networked is completed.

The configuration information may be configured for the router to be networked to implement synchronization of networking information of the first router in networking access. The networking information is set information of the first router. For example, the networking information includes a service set identifier, a wireless name, a password, an encryption mode, etc., which is not limited in embodiments of the present invention.

An equipment state of the first router may be updated.

An updated equipment state of the first router and a first address of the router to be networked may be included in a preset field in the networking request to be returned by the first router, acquiring the networking matching information.

In embodiments of the present invention, when the router to be networked is determined, the organization identifier of the first router remains unchanged. For example, the organization identifier of the first router is identical to the organization identifier of the first router initialized during networking.

It should be noted that the networking matching information carried in the networking request may be content of an equipment vendor field. The networking request may be a Beacon or a probe response request corresponding to a probe request. The preset field may be a customized field in the equipment vendor field.

The Beacon may be a frame used by each router to broadcast a signal per se, and may be sent at preset intervals, for identifying the presence of the router.

After networking has completed, second prompt information may be output. The second prompt information may be configured for indicating completion of networking.

In embodiments of the present invention, it is indicated that networking has completed via the second prompt information. In this way, a networking condition is broadcast conveniently in time, improving user experience.

Embodiments of the present invention further provides a method for networking, applied to a router to be networked. The router to be networked implements the method for networking, including steps as follows.

In S201, a probe request is sent to a first router.

In S202, a networking request carrying networking matching information is received. The networking request is returned by the first router based on the probe request.

In S203, when a router networking match is determined according to the networking matching information, wireless access of the router to be networked is enabled.

In S204, networking is completed by establishing, based on wireless access of the router to be networked, a connection with the first router.

In embodiments of the present invention, the router to be networked is determined by the first router from at least one second router according to the probe request. The router to be networked is a second router in at least one second router, that meets a networking condition.

A second router meeting the networking condition may be determined as follows. When there is one second router and an address of the one second router is in a list of addresses to be networked, the one second router may be determined as a second router meeting the networking condition. Alternatively, when there are multiple second routers, a second router with the greatest signal strength thereof may be determined as a second router meeting the networking condition. Alternatively, of the multiple second routers, one or more second routers with signal strengths greater than a signal reception threshold may be determined as the second router meeting the networking condition. Alternatively, when there are multiple second routers and at least two of the multiple second routers have identical signal strengths, one or more second routers corresponding to reception time greater than a time threshold may be determined as the second router meeting the networking condition.

In embodiments of the present invention, the networking matching information includes an organization identifier of the first router, an equipment state of the first router, and a first address.

In embodiments of the present invention, the router networking match may be determined according to the networking matching information as follows.

When an organization identifier of the router to be networked is identical to the organization identifier of the first router, a second address of the router to be networked is identical to the first address in the networking matching information, and the equipment state of the first router is a networking state, the router networking match may be determined.

The first address may be identical to the second address, indicating that the address in the networking matching information is the address of the router to be networked.

In embodiments of the present invention, when the organization identifier of the router to be networked is identical to the organization identifier of the first router, the first address of the router to be networked is identical to the second address of the router to be networked, and the equipment state of the first router is a networking state, the second router may determine the router networking match, and then the second router may complete networking by enabling wireless access and establishing a connection with the first router.

When the router networking match is determined, wireless access of the router to be networked may be enabled. Wireless access of the router to be networked may be enabled by creating a second interface and enabling wireless access on the second interface. In this way, with embodiments of the present invention, a connection with a second router may be established through a wireless access signal of the second interface.

The second interface includes, but is not limited to, a Wi-Fi interface. The Wi-Fi interface is a wireless encrypted authentication communication interface that enables Wi-Fi Protected Setup (WPS). Wireless access may be provided via the Wi-Fi interface, to establish a connection with the second router.

In embodiments of the present invention, after wireless access of the first router has been enabled, a connection with the first router may be established based on wireless access of the router to be networked.

In embodiments of the present invention, the router to be networked first receives the networking matching information returned by the first router, and when determining the router networking match according to the networking matching information, wireless access of the router to be networked is enabled to establish a connection with the first router. That is, with embodiments of the present invention, networking is implemented via information exchange between the router to be networked and the first router, and it is not required to complete networking via a clicking operation or a keying operation, completing networking quickly, improving a degree of intelligence and efficiency of router networking.

after the connection with the first router has been established, configuration information sent by the first router may be received.

Synchronization of networking information of the first router in networking access may be implemented based on the configuration information.

In embodiments of the present invention, the configuration information may be configured for the router to be networked to implement synchronization of networking information of the first router in networking access. The networking information is set information of the first router. For example, the networking information includes a service set identifier, a wireless name, a password, an encryption mode, etc., which is not limited in embodiments of the present invention.

After the second router to be networked has been configured based on the configuration information, networking of the router to be networked is completed.

For a better understanding of the above embodiments, the following examples are proposed.

<FIG> is a flowchart of initializing the first router and outputting first prompt information. As shown in <FIG>, the first router may be initialized and first prompt information may be output as follows.

In S301, a first router may be started and initialized.

In S302, the first router may monitor a probe request.

In S303, it may be determined whether an organization identifier of a second router in an equipment vendor field carried by the probe request is identical to an organization identifier of the first router. If they are identical, S304 may be performed. Otherwise if they differ, S302 may be performed.

In S304, it may be determined whether an equipment state of the second router in the equipment vendor field carried by the probe request is an uninitialized state. If it is the uninitialized state, S305 may be performed. Otherwise if it is not the uninitialized state, S302 may be performed.

In S305, it may be determined whether a signal strength of a signal sent by the second router as received by the first router is greater than or equal to a preset signal strength threshold. If the signal strength is greater than or equal to the preset signal strength threshold, S306 may be performed. Otherwise if the signal strength is less than the preset signal strength threshold, S302 may be performed.

In S306, first prompt information may be output.

In embodiments of the present invention, a wireless drive of the first router performs monitoring, determines the organization identifier, and determines the equipment state. After S304, the wireless drive of the first router sends the signal strength of the second router to a monitoring program of the first router, and performs S305 and S306 via the monitoring program.

<FIG> is a flowchart of completing networking by a first router. As shown in <FIG>, the first router may complete networking as follows.

In S401, authorization information returned based on the first prompt information may be received.

In S402, it may be determined whether an address of a second router is in a list of addresses to be networked. If it is in the list, S403 may be performed. Otherwise if it is not in the list, S405 may be performed.

In S403, when there is one second router, the one second router may be taken as the router to be networked. When there are multiple second routers, one or more of the second routers may be selected as the router to be networked based on at least one of: signal strengths of signals of the multiple second routers as received by the first router; or reception time when the first router receives probe requests of the multiple second routers.

In S405, when the router to be networked is determined, an equipment state of the first router may be updated. The organization identifier of the first router, an updated equipment state of the first router, and a first address of the router to be networked may be included in a vendor field of the first router, acquiring the networking matching information.

In S406, a networking request carrying the networking matching information is returned to the router to be networked. Wireless access of the first router is enabled.

In S407, after the router to be networked has enabled wireless access of the router to be networked based on the networking request, a connection with the router to be networked is established based on wireless access of the first router and wireless access of the router to be networked.

In S408, after the connection has been established, configuration information may be sent to the router to be networked.

<FIG> is a flowchart of completing networking by a router to be networked. As shown in <FIG>, the router to be networked may complete networking as follows.

In S501, equipment to be networked may be started. An equipment state of the equipment to be networked may be set to an uninitialized state.

In S503, a networking request carrying networking matching information returned based on the probe request is received. The networking matching information includes an organization identifier of a first router, an updated equipment state of the first router, and a first address of the router to be networked.

In S504, it may be determined whether the organization identifier of the router to be networked is identical to the organization identifier of the first router. If they are identical, S505 may be performed. Otherwise if they differ, S502 may be performed.

In S505, it may be determined whether the equipment state of the first router is a networking state. If the equipment state is the networking state, S506 may be performed. Otherwise if the equipment state is not the networking state, S502 may be performed.

In S506, it may be determined whether the second address of the router to be networked is identical to the first address. If they are identical, S506 may be performed. Otherwise if they differ, S502 may be performed.

In S507, in response to a router networking match, wireless access of the router to be networked may be enabled.

In S508, a connection with the first router may be established based on wireless access of the router to be networked.

In S509, configuration information sent by the first router may be received. Synchronization of networking information of the first router in networking access may be implemented based on the configuration information.

In embodiments of the present invention, the first router and at least one second router interact to network at least one second router quickly, improving a degree of intelligence and efficiency in networking.

<FIG> is an illustrative diagram <NUM> of a device for networking according to an illustrative embodiment. Referring to <FIG>, the device for networking includes a first receiving module <NUM>, a first determining module <NUM>, a first enabling module <NUM>, and a first establishing module <NUM>.

The first receiving module <NUM> is configured to receive a probe request sent by at least one second router.

The first determining module <NUM> is configured to determine a router to be networked from the at least one second router according to the probe request.

The first enabling module <NUM> is configured to return a networking request carrying networking matching information to the router to be networked, and enable wireless access of the first router. The networking matching information is provided to the router to be networked for networking matching.

The first establishing module <NUM> is configured to, after the router to be networked has enabled wireless access of the router to be networked based on the networking request, complete networking by establishing, based on wireless access of the first router and wireless access of the router to be networked, a connection with the router to be networked.

In some embodiments, the probe request carries an address of the at least one second router.

The first determining module may be further configured to: determine, based on the probe request received, a signal strength of a signal of the at least one second router as received by the first router; in response to the at least one second router being one second router and an address of the one second router being in a list of addresses to be networked, take the one second router as the router to be networked; and in response to the at least one second router being multiple second routers and addresses of the multiple second routers being all in the list of addresses to be networked, select one or more of the multiple second routers as the router to be networked based on at least one of: signal strengths of signals of the multiple second routers as received by the first router; or reception time when the first router receives probe requests of the multiple second routers.

In some embodiments, the probe request carries an organization identifier of the at least one second router and an equipment state of the at least one second router. The device further includes:.

In some embodiments, the device further includes:
an authorization module configured to, before determining the router to be networked, receive authorization information returned based on the first prompt information.

In some embodiments, the device further includes:
a monitoring module configured to, in response to the organization identifier of the first router differing from the organization identifier of the at least one second router, or the equipment state of the at least one second router being an equipment state other than the uninitialized state, continue to monitor the probe request.

In some embodiments, the device further includes:
a first sending module configured to, after establishing the connection with the router to be networked, send configuration information to the router to be networked. The configuration information may be for the router to be networked to implement synchronization of networking information of the first router in networking access.

In some embodiments, the device further includes:.

In some embodiments, the device further includes:
a second outputting module configured to, after completing networking, output second prompt information indicating completion of networking.

<FIG> is an illustrative diagram <NUM> of a device for networking according to an illustrative embodiment. Referring to <FIG>, the device for networking includes a second sending module <NUM>, a second receiving module <NUM>, a second enabling module <NUM>, and a second establishing module <NUM>.

The second sending module <NUM> is configured to send a probe request to a first router.

The second receiving module2002 is configured to receive a networking request carrying networking matching information. The networking request is returned by the first router based on the probe request.

The second enabling module <NUM> is configured to, in response to determining a router networking match according to the networking matching information, enable wireless access of the router to be networked.

The second establishing module <NUM> is configured to complete networking by establishing, based on wireless access of the router to be networked, a connection with the first router.

In some embodiments, the networking matching information includes an organization identifier of the first router, an equipment state of the first router, and a first address.

The second enabling module may be further configured to, in response to an organization identifier of the router to be networked being identical to the organization identifier of the first router, a second address of the router to be networked being identical to the first address in the networking matching information, and the equipment state of the first router being a networking state, determine the router networking match.

In some embodiments, the device may further include:.

A module of the device according to an aforementioned embodiment herein may perform an operation in a mode elaborated in an aforementioned embodiment of the method herein, which will not be repeated here.

<FIG> is a block diagram of a device for networking according to an illustrative embodiment. Referring to <FIG>, the device <NUM> for networking includes a processor <NUM>, a communication interface <NUM>, and a memory <NUM>.

The processor <NUM> generally controls the overall operation of the device for networking.

The communication interface <NUM> may cause the device for networking to communicate with another terminal or server via a network.

The memory <NUM> is configured to store applications and instructions executable by the processor <NUM>, and may also cache data to be processed or already processed by modules in the device for networking and the processor <NUM>, and may be implemented by a flash memory or a Random Access Memory (RAM).

A transitory or non-transitory computer-readable storage medium has stored therein instructions which, when executed by a processor of terminal equipment, allow a device for networking to perform the method for networking in one or more embodiments herein.

Further note that although in drawings herein operations are described in a specific or der, it should not be construed as that the operations have to be performed in the specific or der or sequence, or that any operation shown has to be performed in or der to acquire an expected result. Under a specific circumstance, multitask and parallel processing may be advantageous.

Other implementations of the present invention will be apparent to a person having ordinary skill in the art that has deemed the specification and practiced the present invention. The present invention is intended to cover any variation, use, or adaptation of the present invention following the general principles of the present invention and including such departures from the present invention as come within common knowledge or customary practice in the art. The specification and the embodiments are intended to be illustrative only, with the scope of the present invention being indicated by the appended claims.

Claim 1:
A networking method applied in a wireless mesh network, applied to a first router, characterized by, the method comprising:
receiving (S101) a probe request sent by at least one second router, wherein the probe request carries an equipment state of the at least one second router and the equipment state of the at least one second router comprises an uninitialized state, an initialized state, or a networking state; and wherein the initialized state of the at least one second router indicates that the at least one second router is going through networking configuration, and the networking state of the at least one second router indicates that the at least one second router has completed the networking configuration;
determining (S102) a router to be networked from the at least one second router according to the probe request, wherein an equipment state of the router to be networked is the uninitialized state; wherein the first router is a router that has been mesh networked in the wireless mesh network, and the router to be networked from the at least one second router is a router that has not been mesh networked in the wireless mesh network;
returning (S103, S406) a networking request carrying networking matching information to the router to be networked, and enabling wireless access of the first router, the networking matching information being provided to the router to be networked for networking matching; and
after the router to be networked has enabled wireless access of the router to be networked based on the networking request, completing (S104, S409, S510) networking by establishing (S407), based on wireless access of the first router and wireless access of the router to be networked, a connection with the router to be networked.