Abstract: A method for operating a network having one or more nodes wherein each of the nodes having one or more resources, comprising the steps of: forming the network using one or more nodes, wherein certain one or more of the nodes is a gateway connecting to two or more different network connection types; and managing the one or more nodes of the network; wherein the nodes are segregated into one or more cells each having one or more of the nodes and one or more supernodes; wherein the nodes within the same cell are interconnected; and wherein the supernodes are interconnected.

Abstract: A gateway switch comprises: two or more transceiving modules, wherein each of the transceiving modules is capable of transmitting and receiving data, wherein the data is an analog signal or a digital signal, and wherein each of the transceiving modules provides a different network connection type; a system module for processing the received data in accordance with one or more rules; and a switching module for symmetrically switching the processed data from any one of the transceiving modules to a selected one of the transceiving modules for transmission of the processed data; wherein the system module selects one of the transceiving modules for the transmission of the processed data as a function of the rules.