Automatic Detection of Wireless Network Type

Abstract

Techniques for facilitating automatic detection of a type of wireless network are described. In accordance with one or more embodiments, wireless network client(s) can automatically detect the “type” of a network (e.g., method of authentication and encryption) without requiring input from the user. In accordance with one or more embodiments, a wireless network detection system having a connection component and a detection component is provided. The connection component facilitates connection of a client system to at least one of a plurality of wireless networks. The detection component identifies a type of an available wireless network. Identification can be based, for example, upon information received in an information element and/or iterative probing of the wireless network beacon.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An apparatus comprising:
 one or more processors; and   one or more computer-readable storage media storing computer-executable instructions that are executable by the one or more processors to cause the apparatus to perform operations comprising:
 attempting to connect to a wireless network via a first wireless connection protocol that supports 802.1x authentication; 
 monitoring for a failure associated with said attempting;
 responsive to ascertaining that the failure occurs, determining that the network requests user entry of an encryption key according to a second wireless connection protocol; or 
 responsive to ascertaining that the failure does not occur, determining that the wireless network supports the first wireless connection protocol; and 
 
 displaying a user interface based on which of the first network connection protocol or the second network connection protocol is supported by the wireless network.