Bob T O'Hara

US Patent:

6965942, Nov 15, 2005

Filed:

Jan 12, 2001

Appl. No.:

09/759389

Inventors:

Albert Young - Cupertino CA, US
BoFu Chen - Fremont CA, US
Bob O'Hara - Santa Clara CA, US
Seema Nayek - San Jose CA, US
Tim Schardt - San Jose CA, US

Assignee:

3Com Corporation - Santa Clara CA

International Classification:

G06F015/16
H04L012/43

US Classification:

709232, 709224, 709230, 370447, 370458, 370461

Abstract:

A method and system for increasing the overall network throughput over a wireless local area network (WLAN). Specifically, in one embodiment of the present invention, the dynamic selection of an initial value for a contention window in the Distributed Coordinated Function (DCF) mode is determined according to the load conditions over the WLAN in a method and system. Stations and access points within a WLAN monitor conditions within the network to establish an initial value for the contention window, also called a minimum contention window value, which is lower than that set by the IEEE 802. 11 communication standard. Some factors to consider in determining the load conditions include but are not limited to the following: number of transmissions; number of receptions; and number of collisions.

US Patent:

6990116, Jan 24, 2006

Filed:

Jan 12, 2001

Appl. No.:

09/759770

Inventors:

Albert Young - Cupertino CA, US
BoFu Chen - Fremont CA, US
Bob O'Hara - Santa Clara CA, US
Seema Nayek - San Jose CA, US
Tim Schardt - San Jose CA, US

Assignee:

3Com Corporation - Santa Clara CA

International Classification:

H04L 12/413

US Classification:

370445, 370338, 370462

Abstract:

A method and system for increasing the overall network throughput over a wireless local area network (WLAN). Specifically, in one embodiment of the present invention, the dynamic switching between the Distributed Coordination Function (DCF) and Point Coordination Function IEEE 802. 11 access modes is determined according to the load conditions over the WLAN in a method and system. Stations and access points within a WLAN monitor conditions within the network to determine which access mechanism is most optimum for the current load conditions. Some factors to consider in determining the load conditions include but are not limited to the number of transmissions, number of receptions, and number of collisions.

US Patent:

7024690, Apr 4, 2006

Filed:

Apr 28, 2000

Appl. No.:

09/561088

Inventors:

Albert Young - Cupertino CA, US
Bob O'Hara - Santa Clara CA, US
Danny M. Nessett - Fremont CA, US
Joe Tsai - Saratoga CA, US
BoFu Chen - Fremont CA, US

Assignee:

3Com Corporation - Santa Clara CA

International Classification:

H04L 9/00
H04K 1/00

US Classification:

726 5, 713176, 380270, 726 14

Abstract:

A process for mutual authentication of users and networks over an unsecured wireless communication channel. In one embodiment, sensitive information (e. g. , passwords) is not communicated over the unsecured channel. Rather, hashed representations of user identifiers, passwords, etc. , and randomly generated numbers are communicated between the client and the network during the log-in process. The representations may be encrypted with a one-way hash function such that it is not computationally feasible for an eavesdropper to decrypt. In one embodiment, the representation may be generated based on the user identifier, password and/or MAC address of a wireless LAN card.

US Patent:

6920559, Jul 19, 2005

Filed:

Apr 28, 2000

Appl. No.:

09/561416

Inventors:

Danny M. Nessett - Fremont CA, US
Albert Young - Cupertino CA, US
Bob O'Hara - Santa Clara CA, US
Joe Tsai - Saratoga CA, US
BoFu Chen - Fremont CA, US

Assignee:

3Com Corporation - Santa Clara CA

International Classification:

H04L009/00

US Classification:

713168, 713155, 713158, 713171, 380247

Abstract:

The present invention provides a method and system for using a key lease in a secondary authentication protocol after a primary authentication protocol has been performed. In one embodiment, the primary authentication protocol comprises a strong, secure, computationally complex authentication protocol. Moreover, the secondary authentication protocol comprises a less complex (compared to the primary authentication protocol) and less secure (compared to the primary authentication protocol) authentication protocol which can be performed in a length of time that is shorter than a length of time required to perform the primary authentication protocol. In one embodiment, a wireless client electronic system (WC) completes the primary authentication protocol with a wireless network access point electronic system of a wireless network (AP). When the WC is required to authenticate with another AP, the WC authenticates itself with another AP by using the secondary authentication protocol. However, the WC is required to periodically complete the primary authentication protocol, guarding against the possibility that the secondary authentication protocol may be exploited by an unauthorized intruder to attack the wireless network.