Abstract: In one embodiment, a method includes accessing a frame including a baseline header including a recipient address (RA) field, a transmitter address (TA) field, a destination address (DA) field, and a source address (SA) field. The method includes inserting into the frame a mesh header including a mesh destination address (MDA) field and a mesh source address (MSA) field. The MSA field specifies an address of a first edge node of the wireless mesh network, and the MDA field specifies an address of a second edge node of the wireless mesh network. The first edge node is a first transmitter of the frame with the baseline and mesh headers in the wireless mesh network, and the second edge node is a last recipient of the frame with the baseline and mesh headers in the wireless mesh network. The RA, TA, DA, and SA fields precede the MDA and MSA fields in the frame after insertion of the mesh header into the frame.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention include a method, an apparatus, and logic encoded in one or more computer-readable tangible medium to carry out a method. One method includes tagging packets and forwarding packets in a wireless mesh network using stored forwarding information for the tag, wherein the forwarding information is according to a centrally determined routing method and tag distribution method.

Abstract: A mesh access point that includes an access point profile storing one ore more parameters in non-volatile memory, and a method of using the mesh access point having the access point profile to select and carry out mutual authentication on a wireless mesh network to establish itself to the mesh network using information in the access point profile, and further to provide services to wireless clients according to information in the access point profile. Access point profiles can be pre-configured/configured/updated suitably in order to adapt the mesh access point in a mesh network according to its capabilities and requirements.

Abstract: A method, system, and logic for upgrading mesh points of a wireless mesh network. One method includes maintaining a mesh topology data structure containing information on the tree topology of a wireless mesh network. The method further includes using a tree-walking method to send an upgrade message to the root access point and to each other mesh point in the wireless mesh network until each mesh point has received the upgrade message. Receiving the upgrade message enables the receiving mesh point to upgrade according to the contents of the upgrade message without necessarily disrupting the mesh network.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a tree-topology building method for a wireless mesh network includes using a centralized parent selection process to select a parent and join offer messages to a selected child of the selected parent.