Pre-authentication of mobile clients by sharing a master key among secured authenticators

摘要

Systems and methods for pre-authenticating a mobile client in a wireless network. Authenticators in a secured section of the wireless network share a master key generated during an authentication session between a mobile client and an authentication server. The shared master key is not allowed to reside on any devices located outside the secured section of the network. Accordingly, the likelihood that the master key may be hijacked is essentially eliminated. A first session encryption key is derived from the master key and used by the mobile client and a first access point during a first communications session. When the mobile client roams to a second access point, a fast authentication process is performed. The fast authentication process retrieves the shared master key and generates a second session encryption key. A full authentication process between the authentication server and the mobile client is not required. The second session encryption key is used by the mobile client and a second access point during a second communications session.