Abstract: A wireless network for supporting mobile unit traffic segmentation for a plurality of mobile units to associate each mobile unit with virtual networking services (VNS). The wireless network includes a plurality of radio units and access controllers. Each radio unit is adapted to initiate the connection of a mobile unit to the network by transmitting and receiving communication data to and from the mobile unit. Each access controller is adapted to receive communication data from each radio unit during the connection of a mobile unit. Based on the communication data transmitted to the radio unit during connection of the mobile unit, access controller is able to discover VNS factors for the mobile unit communication session and to establish a communication session based on the VNS factors discovered during the connection process such that the mobile unit is connected to the network on the basis of the characteristics defined by the virtual networking services.

Abstract: A wireless network and associated method for providing continuous communication service for a mobile unit as it roams within a virtual wireless network. The virtual network includes home and foreign access controllers and a virtual network manager (VN manager). The VN manager is used to maintain a VN configuration record that includes all active access controllers within virtual network and to disseminate said VN configuration record to all active access controllers. A tunneling data communication connection is established between all active access controllers including home and foreign access controllers. When a mobile unit first connects to home access controller and then roams to foreign access controller, communication data is transmitted between the mobile unit and the foreign access controller to provide continuous data communication on the basis of the characteristics defined by the virtual networking services while simultaneously preserving the IP configuration of mobile unit on the network.

Abstract: A wireless network and associated method for providing continuous communication service for a mobile unit as it roams within a virtual wireless network. The virtual network includes home and foreign access controllers and a virtual network manager (VN manager). The VN manager is used to maintain a VN configuration record that includes all active access controllers within virtual network and to disseminate said VN configuration record to all active access controllers. A tunneling data communication connection is established between all active access controllers including home and foreign access controllers. When a mobile unit first connects to home access controller and then roams to foreign access controller, communication data is transmitted between the mobile unit and the foreign access controller to provide continuous data communication on the basis of the characteristics defined by the virtual networking services while simultaneously preserving the IP configuration of mobile unit on the network.