Patent ID: 8046577

Claim:
A method for a mobile wireless IP host to authenticate to an IP network, comprising: broadcasting a dynamic host configuration protocol (DHCP)_DISCOVERY message including a HOST_HELLO message that specifies a plurality of cryptography options for the IP network including a host-to-network authentication method, network-to-host authentication method, key exchange algorithm, and encryption algorithm, wherein the DHCP_DISCOVERY message is transmitted from the mobile wireless IP host over a wireless interface to an access point; after broadcasting the dynamic host configuration protocol (DHCP)_DISCOVERY message, receiving a DHCP_OFFER message including an option confirming the plurality of cryptography options when the plurality of cryptography options meet security requirements of the IP network, wherein the DHCP_OFFER message does not allocate an IP address to the mobile wireless IP host, wherein the DHCP_OFFER message is received at the mobile wireless IP host over the wireless interface from the access point; after broadcasting the dynamic host configuration protocol (DHCP)_DISCOVERY message and after receiving the DHCP_OFFER message, sending a DHCP_REQUEST message including authentication credentials responsive to receiving the DHCP_OFFER, wherein the DHCP_REQUEST message is sent from the mobile wireless IP host over the wireless interface to the access point; and after sending the DHCP_REQUEST message, receiving a DHCP_ACK message when the mobile wireless IP host is authenticated by the network, the DHCP_ACK message including a NETWORK_CONFIG option with encrypted network configuration parameters, wherein the DHCP_ACK message is received at the mobile wireless IP host over the wireless interface from the access point.