Abstract: A system and method are provided for evenly distributing central processing unit (CPU) packet processing workloads. The method accepts packets for processing at a port hardware module port interface. The port hardware module supplies the packets to a direct memory access (DMA) engine for storage in system memory. The port hardware module also supplies descriptors to a mailbox. Each descriptor identifies a corresponding packet. The mailbox has a plurality of slots, and loads the descriptors into empty slots. There is a plurality of CPUs, and each CPU fetches descriptors from assigned slots in the mailbox. Then, each CPU processes packets in the system memory in the order in which the associated descriptors are fetched. A load balancing module estimates each CPU workload and reassigns mailbox slots to CPUs in response to unequal CPU workloads.

Abstract: An operating system (OS) is provided including a hardware-based task scheduler, with a method for managing OS sourced tasks to be performed by a central processing unit (CPU). An OS, partially enabled as software instructions stored in a computer-readable medium and executed by the CPU, generates CPU tasks. The CPU tasks are buffered in a computer-readable task database memory. CPU task IDs associated with the buffered CPU tasks are enqueued in a CPU queue. Subsequently, the CPU dequeues a first task ID from the CPU queue, and accessing a first CPU task from the task database associated with the first CPU task ID. The CPU delivers the first CPU task to the OS. The OS generates the CPU instructions needed to perform the first CPU task, and sends the CPU instructions to the CPU for performance.

Abstract: A wireless LAN communications system capable of supporting communications within a multidisciplinary group or team of individuals, each person equipped with a wireless LAN radio and assigned to one of a number of possible roles in carrying out the mission of the team. A multicast IP address corresponding to a specific role within the group, a multicast IP address corresponding to a specific subgroup within the group, or a multicast IP address corresponding to a generic subgroup within the group is assigned to each LAN radio.

Abstract: A wireless LAN communications system capable of supporting communications within a multidisciplinary group or team of individuals, each person equipped with a wireless LAN radio and assigned to one of a number of possible roles in carrying out the mission of the team. A multicast IP address corresponding to a specific role within the group, a multicast IP address corresponding to a specific subgroup within the group, or a multicast IP address corresponding to a generic subgroup within the group is assigned to each LAN radio.