Patent ID: 8611539

Claim:
A method of implementing security zones on a multi-hop relay wireless network, the method comprising: a mobile station establishing a transport security association with a first relay station for use in transmission of data between the first relay station and the mobile station, wherein a security zone is established by creating a security association among at least a base station and at least two relay stations, including the first relay station, on the multi-hop relay wireless network, wherein the security association enables security zone members to exchange data and management messages in a secure manner on the multi-hop wireless network, wherein the transport security association between the mobile station and the first relay station is different than the security association between the security zone members; the mobile station receiving a first message from the first relay station, wherein the first message is encrypted according to transport key material associated with the transport security association, and wherein, prior to transmission of the first message to the mobile station, the first relay station received the first message, encrypted according to security zone key material associated with the security zone, decrypted the first message, and encrypted the first message using the transport key material; the mobile station decrypting the first message using the transport key material.