Wi-Fi Networking News: New License Fee May Face Operators

Wi-Fi Networking News is reporting that Nomadix has received a patent for the authentication method most commonly used in WiFi hotspots. This method, which redirects a potential client to a web-based authorization page, is used by several vendors and some open source project. The Nomadix Press Release says:

Nomadix, Inc. (www.nomadix.com), the leading supplier of Public-access solutions, today announced it has been issued a patent by the U.S. Patent Office for its proprietary systems and methods for online Home Page Redirection on wired and wireless (Wi-FiTM) networks.  Nomadix’ Patent No. 6,636,894 B1, “Systems and Methods for Redirecting User Having Transparent Computer Access to a Network Using a Gateway Device Having Redirection Capability,” describes the system and methods that enable a portable computer user logging into a Public-access network, or a Wi-Fi HotSpot, to be automatically redirected to the venue owner or service provider’s home page. This redirection takes place regardless of the host computer’s settings and without altering the user’s browser settings.

The patent itself can be found online. Here is the abstract:

Systems and methods for dynamically creating new users having transparent computer access to a destination network, wherein the users otherwise have access to a home network through home network settings resident on the users' computers, and wherein the users can access the destination network without altering the home network settings. The system includes a gateway device for receiving a request from a user for access to the destination network, a user profile database comprising stored access information and in communication with the gateway device, and an Authentication, Authorization and Accounting (AAA) server in communication with the gateway device and user profile database. The AAA server determines if user is entitled to access the destination network based upon the access information stored within the user profile database, and wherein the AAA server redirects the user to a login page where the access information does not indicate the user's right to access the destination network. The systems and methods of the present invention can also redirect users having transparent computer access to a destination network, wherein the users otherwise have access to a home network through home network settings resident on the users' computers, and wherein the users can access the destination network without altering the home network settings.

Rob Flickenger has also commented on the NoCatAuth mailing list:

While they might like to make it sound like they've patented the captive portal, they've really only patented their wacky arp implementation. They look for any machine being ARP'd for that doesn't receive a reply, and issue an ARP reply using the gateway's MAC address. Combined with some DNS strangeness, this lets the gateway bring up a splash page even when the client requests a private intranet page, or even if they are using static IP address settings rather than DHCP.

Wi-Fi Networking News continues the discussion with this article where Jim Thompson, formally CTO of Wayport, had this to say:

Given my 20 minutes of reading, NoCat (and the others) likely infringe on this patent. Note that you infringe if you “make, use, or sell” the invention.

I know there are a lot of WiFi vendors out there doing gateway authentication. As I said, most of the WISP companies are using some version of this technology. This should be an interesting debate to watch.