Patent ID: 7016948

Claim:
In an IEEE 802.11(b) wireless LAN, a method for accessing and analyzing the contents of data packets or frames transmitted along a IEEE 802.11(b) wireless communication channel, comprising the steps of: establishing a direct wireless logical connection with the wireless communications network; receiving wirelessly, in real-time, data packets or frames transmitted in the wireless communications network for all stations or devices associated therewith; performing over a first period of time a detailed protocol analysis on the contents of the header of the data packets or frames, including analyzing associated protocol layers in detail, permitting a user to enter the MAC addresses of known access points operating in said IEEE 802.11(b) wireless communication channel; selectively activating a rogue access point detection routine; checking the addresses of newly detected access points against the addresses of said known access points; and marking for display as a rogue access point, any access point detected that is not included as a known access point; and displaying in real time the results of the analysis to a user.