Discovery of cloud-based access-point controllers

Abstract

In order to configure an access point, the access point requests information specifying an associated cloud-based controller when the access point is first turned on at a user location. In particular, the access point may provide, to a configuration device, a controller query requesting information specifying a unique network address of a cloud-based controller associated with the access point. This controller query may include an identifier of the access point (such as a serial number). Then, the access point receives, from the configuration device, the information specifying the unique network address of the cloud-based controller, such as a fully qualified domain name of the cloud-based controller. Note that the cloud-based controller may be one of multiple cloud-based controllers from different providers, and the access point may be associated with the cloud-based controller based on the received information specifying unique network address.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An access point, comprising:
 an interface circuit configured to communicate with a configuration device via a network, wherein the access point is configured to:
 provide, to the configuration device, a controller query requesting information specifying a unique network address of a cloud-based controller associated with the access point, wherein the controller query includes an identifier of the access point, and wherein the cloud-based controller is one of multiple cloud-based controllers from different providers; and 
 receive, from the configuration device, the information specifying the unique network address of the cloud-based controller. 
   
     
     
         2 . The access point of  claim 1 , wherein the identifier includes a serial number of the access point. 
     
     
         3 . The access point of  claim 1 , wherein the information specifying the unique network address includes a fully qualified domain name of the cloud-based controller. 
     
     
         4 . The access point of  claim 1 , wherein the access point is configured to provide the controller query and receive the information specifying the unique network address the first time the access point is turned on at a user location. 
     
     
         5 . The access point of  claim 1 , wherein the access point is further configured to associate with the cloud-based controller based on the received information specifying unique network address. 
     
     
         6 . The access point of  claim 1 , wherein the access point further comprises:
 a processor; and   memory, coupled to the processor, which stores a program module configured to be executed by the processor, the program module including:
 instructions for providing the controller query; and 
 instructions for receiving the information specifying the unique network address. 
   
     
     
         7 . The access point of  claim 1 , wherein the interface circuit is configured to provide the controller query and to receive the information specifying the unique network address. 
     
     
         8 . The access point of  claim 1 , wherein the access point is configured to provide the controller query and receive the network address after a factory reset of the access point. 
     
     
         9 . A computer-program product for use in conjunction with an access point, the computer-program product comprising a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium and a computer-program mechanism embedded therein to configure the access point, the computer-program mechanism including:
 instructions for providing, to a configuration device, a controller query requesting information specifying a unique network address of a cloud-based controller associated with the access point, wherein the controller query includes an identifier of the access point, and wherein the cloud-based controller is one of multiple cloud-based controllers from different providers; and   instructions for receiving, from the configuration device, the information specifying the unique network address of the cloud-based controller.   
     
     
         10 . A method for configuring an access point, wherein the method comprises:
 providing, to a configuration device, a controller query requesting information specifying a unique network address of a cloud-based controller associated with the access point, wherein the controller query includes an identifier of the access point, and wherein the cloud-based controller is one of multiple cloud-based controllers from different providers; and   receiving, from the configuration device, the information specifying the unique network address of the cloud-based controller.   
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the access point is configured to provide the controller query and receive the information specifying the unique network address the first time the access point is turned on at a user location. 
     
     
         12 . A configuration device, comprising:
 an interface circuit configured to communicate with an access point via a network, wherein the configuration device is configured to:
 receive, from the access point, a controller query requesting information specifying a unique network address of a cloud-based controller associated with the access point, wherein the controller query includes an identifier of the access point, and wherein the cloud-based controller is one of multiple cloud-based controllers from different providers; 
 identify the cloud-based controller based on the identifier using a predefined mapping from the identifier to the cloud-based controller; and 
 provide, to the access point, the information specifying the unique network address of the cloud-based controller. 
   
     
     
         13 . The configuration device of  claim 12 , wherein the identifier includes a serial number of the access point. 
     
     
         14 . The configuration device of  claim 12 , wherein the information specifying the unique network address includes a fully qualified domain name of the cloud-based controller. 
     
     
         15 . The configuration device of  claim 12 , wherein the configuration device further comprises:
 a processor; and   memory, coupled to the processor, which stores a program module configured to be executed by the processor, the program module including:
 instructions for receiving the controller query; 
 instructions for identifying the cloud-based controller; and 
 instructions for providing the information specifying the unique network address. 
   
     
     
         16 . The configuration device of  claim 12 , wherein the interface circuit is configured to: receive the controller query, identify the cloud-based controller, and provide the information specifying the unique network address. 
     
     
         17 . The configuration device of  claim 12 , wherein, prior to receiving the configuration request, the configuration device is further configured to:
 authenticate a third party, who is other than a provider of the access point and a provider of the cloud-based controller; and   receive the predefined mapping from the third party.   
     
     
         18 . The configuration device of  claim 17 , wherein the third party includes: a distributor of the access point, and a service provider. 
     
     
         19 . A method for configuring an access point, wherein the method comprises:
 receiving, from the access point, a controller query requesting information specifying a unique network address of a cloud-based controller associated with the access point, wherein the controller query includes an identifier of the access point, and wherein the cloud-based controller is one of multiple cloud-based controllers from different providers;   identifying the cloud-based controller based on the identifier using a predefined mapping from the identifier to the cloud-based controller; and   providing, to the access point, the information specifying the unique network address of the cloud-based controller.   
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 19 , wherein the method further comprises, prior to receiving the configuration request:
 authenticating a third party, who is other than a provider of the access point and a provider of the cloud-based controller; and   receiving the predefined mapping from the third party.