Abstract: In an example embodiment, there is described herein a technique that provides network availability to wireless clients (e.g., wireless clients running mission critical applications such as voice applications or medical devices) when a portions of a network is unavailable, such as when performing an image upgrade. One or more access points are switched to a standalone mode of operation, for example an AP that can operate using HREAP (Hybrid Remote Edge Access Point) mode, for maintaining network availability while a portion of the network is unavailable.

Abstract: In an example embodiment, there is described herein a technique that provides network availability to wireless clients (e.g., wireless clients running mission critical applications such as voice applications or medical devices) when a portions of a network is unavailable, such as when performing an image upgrade. One or more access points are switched to a standalone mode of operation, for example an AP that can operate using HREAP (Hybrid Remote Edge Access Point) mode, for maintaining network availability while a portion of the network is unavailable.

Abstract: In an example embodiment, there is described herein a technique that provides network availability to wireless clients (e.g. wireless clients running mission critical applications such as voice applications or medical devices) when a portions of a network is unavailable, such as when performing an image upgrade. One or more access points are switched to a standalone mode of operation, for example an AP that can operate using HREAP (Hybrid Remote Edge Access Point) mode, for maintaining network availability while a portion of the network is unavailable.

Abstract: In a multilink point-to-point protocol (PPP) network access server, a method is provided in one aspect of the invention allocating ports among various users that includes allocating primary ports among various users, and thereafter, allocating secondary ports among various users only until the number of allocated secondary ports reaches a prescribed maximum. Another aspect of the invention may be thought of as a back-channel allocation method that includes determining whether a back channel is actually being used by a first network client, and if not then allocating the unused back channel to a second network client.

Abstract: A method of performing maintenance on a network access server having associated channels carrying incoming digital or analog traffic determines whether maintenance is needed on a network access server and then communicating a busy condition of any unused associated channel from the network access server to the service request switch. Used channels are monitored for existing calls and when the used channel becomes substantially unused as indicated by defined digital and analog signaling protocol a busy condition is communicated from the network access server to the service request switch. An unused channel may be determined by usage falling below a predetermined threshold. Any remaining, existing calls are migrated to other network access servers. A signal is then sent to indicate that maintenance on the network access server can be performed and new requests arriving during a busy condition of the network access server are routed to another network access server.

Abstract: In an example embodiment, there is described herein a technique that provides network availability to wireless clients (e.g. wireless clients running mission critical applications such as voice applications or medical devices) when a portions of a network is unavailable, such as when performing an image upgrade. One or more access points are switched to a standalone mode of operation, for example an AP that can operate using HREAP (Hybrid Remote Edge Access Point) mode, for maintaining network availability while a portion of the network is unavailable.

Abstract: An access server includes a plurality of modems, a memory, an allocation module, and a telecommunications interface. Each modem is associated with a modem identifier. The memory stores a performance attribute for each modem. The allocation module, coupled to the memory, receives a modem request and selects a modem for service according to the modem's performance attribute. The telecommunications interface, coupled to the allocation module, couples a remote modem to the selected modem.

Abstract: A method of performing maintenance on a network access server having associated channels carrying incoming digital or analog traffic determines whether maintenance is needed on a network access server and then communicating a busy condition of any unused associated channel from the network access server to the service request switch. Used channels are monitored for existing calls and when the used channel becomes substantially unused as indicated by defined digital and analog signaling protocol a busy condition is communicated from the network access server to the service request switch. An unused channel may be determined by usage falling below a predetermined threshold. Any remaining, existing calls are migrated to other network access servers. A signal is then sent to indicate that maintenance on the network access server can be performed and any new request arriving during a busy condition of the network access server are routed to another network access server.

Abstract: In a multilink point-to-point protocol (PPP) network access server, a method is provided in one aspect of the invention allocating ports among various users that includes allocating primary ports among various users, and thereafter, allocating secondary ports among various users only until the number of allocated secondary ports reaches a prescribed maximum. Another aspect of the invention may be thought of as a back-channel allocation method that includes determining whether a back channel is actually being used by a first network client, and if not then allocating the unused back channel to a second network client.