Abstract: Techniques are presented for configuring multiple client devices to connect to a network device (e.g., a wireless router). In one embodiment, a setup application executing on one of the client devices determines if the network device has previously been configured. For example, the network device may broadcast a predefined network name to advertise that a user access point has been configured. If the polling setup application detects the predefined network name, then it can skip any steps that would configure the network device. Accordingly, the setup application only configures the client device to connect to the network device.

Abstract: One or more portable identification devices associated with a first smart network can be carried with a user of the first smart network to a second smart network and used to automatically identify the first smart network and allow authorized access to the smart network via the second smart network. The one or more portable identification devices are configured to automatically provision the second smart network with the information necessary for the second smart network to identify the first smart network and the authorization credentials to connect to the first smart network. In some example embodiments, the portable identification devices may be RFID tags.

Abstract: Techniques are presented for channel scanning in a network having one or more access points. In one embodiment, a first frequency band is scanned to identify a first access point. A channel indicator is received from the first access point. A second frequency band is scanned based on the channel indicator, to identify a second access point. The second access point may be identified based on the channel indicator.

Abstract: A wireless access point (AP) has a modular architecture, where each network element module provides one or more added capabilities to the wireless AP, such as devices and/or services. The modular and mechanically interlocking structure of the wireless AP enables a network user to easily expand or otherwise modify a home wireless network in a simplified manner by physically adding or removing specific network element modules. Each network element module includes the requisite power, high-speed digital signal, and module control connections in an integrated connection port, and is already loaded with suitable software for devices included in the network module element. Consequently, the network user can expand the smart network with a desired functionality by simply plugging the desired network element module into the wireless AP, and all connection and network association procedures are carried out automatically.

Abstract: A smart network may include a smart network host device as well as one or more client devices configured to connect to the smart network. Each of the client devices may implement one or more services that the client device exposes to other devices connected to the smart network. When a client device connects to the smart network, the client device may transmit a message to the smart network host device requesting the client device and zero or more services to be registered on the smart network. Once the client device and services are registered, other devices on the smart network may identify and utilize the resources or functions provided by the client device by querying the smart network host device for information related to the resources on the smart network. The smart network host device also notifies services about relevant service events on the smart network.

Abstract: A smart network may include a smart network host device as well as a smart network connector device, a smart network extender device and one or more client devices configured to connect to the smart network. An installation module is configured to connect to the smart network host device to determine whether a user is attempting to setup multiple network devices substantially simultaneously. The installation module then configures the multiple network devices based on the other network devices connected to the smart network host device. The installation module simplifies setup of the smart network by combining the configuration of multiple network devices into a single setup flow.

Abstract: A host device for a wireless network may be configured to implement at least two virtual access points for connecting client devices to the wireless network. A user virtual access point enables a client device to connect to the wireless network and transmit network traffic to other devices connected to the wireless network. In addition, a setup virtual access point provides an additional access point to connect to the wireless network when network credentials for the user virtual access point, such as a service set identifier (SSID) or a password, are changed by a user. When a client device cannot find the user virtual access point based on a stored SSID or password, the client device may be configured to automatically reconnect to the setup virtual access point to request a new SSID and network credentials for the user virtual access point.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure emulate multicast by generating and synchronizing multiple unicasts of a single content in different encoding formats to multiple devices on a shared network. In one embodiment, a method for multicast emulation includes receiving a request to join an active stream containing a media content. The method also includes identifying a position of the active stream from which to start a new unicast stream of the same media content. The method further includes providing the new unicast stream starting from the identified position, where the new unicast stream is in a format independent from the format of the active stream and the new unicast stream is synchronized to the active stream.

Abstract: A method is provided in one example and includes querying for a total capacity for data transmissions for a local network segment, and identifying an available capacity for the local network segment by subtracting a sum of current aggregate consumption of the local network segment from the total capacity. The method also includes comparing the available capacity to a requested capacity that is generated by a network element for a specific communication session. If the requested capacity is equal to or greater than the available capacity, the request is withheld and not transmitted. In more specific embodiments, if the requested capacity is less than the available capacity, the request is transmitted. The query can be communicated to a gateway. In still other embodiments, the query includes a specific query as to a capacity allocated for video data and the network element is a set-top box.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure emulate multicast by generating and synchronizing multiple unicasts of a single content in different encoding formats to multiple devices on a shared network. In one embodiment, a method for multicast emulation includes receiving a request to join an active stream containing a media content. The method also includes identifying a position of the active stream from which to start a new unicast stream of the same media content. The method further includes providing the new unicast stream starting from the identified position, where the new unicast stream is in a format independent from the format of the active stream and the new unicast stream is synchronized to the active stream.

Abstract: A smart network may include a smart network host device as well as one or more client devices configured to connect to the smart network. Each of the client devices may implement one or more services that the client device exposes to other devices connected to the smart network. Each of the client devices includes network layer 2 and 3 attributes as well as network layer 7 application attributes. The application attributes are enumerated as named services, which each client device registers with the smart network host device. When a client device needs access to a named service, the smart network host device uses layer 2, 3, and 7 attributes associated with the client device to select a suitable server for providing the named service to the client device.

Abstract: A network association apparatus includes identification information and an authorization credential associated with a specific client device or service to be connected to a wireless network. The apparatus is configured to automatically provide the identification information and the authorization credential to a host device of a wireless network in a secure fashion when brought into close proximity to or physically connected with the host of the wireless network. The apparatus may comprise an RFID tag.

Abstract: A smart network may include a smart network host device as well as one or more client devices configured to connect to the smart network. Each of the client devices may implement one or more services that the client device exposes to other devices connected to the smart network. A client device configured to connect to the smart network may implement one or more modules configured to facilitate connecting to the smart network, registering the client device or services running on the client device with the smart network, diagnosing issues with the client device or the smart network, and upgrading the firmware of the client device. The client device may be configured to perform the various operations with minimal input from an owner of the smart network.

Abstract: A smart network host device automatically registers a device or service with a wireless network using identification information and an authorization credential associated with the device or service. The smart network host device obtains the requisite identification information and authorization credential from a network association apparatus associated with the specific device or service to be registered with the wireless network. The smart network host device performs the registration automatically once the smart network host device confirms that the device or service has been associated with the wireless network and a secure password authentication protocol is successfully performed by the smart network host device and the device or service. The network association apparatus may comprise an RFID tag.

Abstract: In one example embodiment, a method is provided and includes identifying a first data type of a first payload of a first data packet to be transmitted as part of a flow, where the first data type is identified by evaluating a quality of service (QoS) field, and setting an acknowledgement flag based on the first data type; the acknowledgement flag to indicate that an acknowledgement is not required from a receiving device such that a network device avoids retransmitting a first outgoing frame when the acknowledgement is not received for the first outgoing frame. In more particular instances, the method can include where the acknowledgement flag is in the first outgoing frame.

Abstract: In one example embodiment, an apparatus is provided and includes a network device that identifies a data type of a payload of a data packet to be transmitted. The network device adapts one or more of data transmission rates according to the data type that was identified. A control portion of the data packet is used to identify the data type. In more specific embodiments, the data transmission rates are controlled by one or more link layer configuration parameters, which are controlled according to the identified data type of the data packet. In still other embodiments, the network device identifies data packets with payloads relating to Intra-coded picture frames (I-frames), Predicted pictures frames (P-frames), and Bi-directional predictive pictures frames (B-frames).

Abstract: A method is provided in one example and includes querying for a total capacity for data transmissions for a local network segment, and identifying an available capacity for the local network segment by subtracting a sum of current aggregate consumption of the local network segment from the total capacity. The method also includes comparing the available capacity to a requested capacity that is generated by a network element for a specific communication session. If the requested capacity is equal to or greater than the available capacity, the request is withheld and not transmitted. In more specific embodiments, if the requested capacity is less than the available capacity, the request is transmitted. The query can be communicated to a gateway. In still other embodiments, the query includes a specific query as to a capacity allocated for video data and the network element is a set-top box.

Abstract: In one example embodiment, an apparatus is provided and includes a network device that identifies a data type of a payload of a data packet to be transmitted. The network device adapts one or more of data transmission rates according to the data type that was identified. A control portion of the data packet is used to identify the data type. In more specific embodiments, the data transmission rates are controlled by one or more link layer configuration parameters, which are controlled according to the identified data type of the data packet. In still other embodiments, the network device identifies data packets with payloads relating to Intra-coded picture frames (I-frames), Predicted pictures frames (P-frames), and Bi-directional predictive pictures frames (B-frames).

Abstract: A method of describing highly valued traffic in a home network in terms that are meaningful for a human and that are translated to useful network parameters.

Abstract: A method of automatically discovering home network device capabilities, ranking devices using the capabilities in accordance with ranking heuristics, and implementing traffic policy in accordance with the ranking.