Abstract: Methods, apparatuses and systems directed to, or facilitating, the graphical display of status information in wireless network management systems. In one implementation, the present invention provides a graphical user interface that allows a network administrator to readily ascertain the overall status of a wireless network, and quickly identify the network element(s) within the network that are associated with any potential problem or condition. In another implementation, the present invention provides a graphical user interface that provides status icons that efficiently convey status information for corresponding access points. In another implementation, the present invention provides a hierarchical network model that facilitates network data management, configuration and display tasks associated with wireless network management systems.

Abstract: The present invention discloses how a transcoder may be used to reduce the bit rate of an MPEG-2 stream by transmitting only the visible area of the movie specified by pan-scan directives. Because the pan-scan conversion is performed prior to transmission, not immediately before display, the non-viewed portion of video does not need to be transmitted.

Abstract: A novel and useful mechanism for detecting the nodes connected to a network device and for creating a ring network from the nodes detected thereby. The invention simplifies insertion, removal and modification of nodes in the ring by detecting and reconfiguring the S ring without requiring intervention by a user. Identification information messages generated by network devices and sent out on all links and received over a plurality of ports are used in identifying and determining the connectivity and topology of the network devices. The resulting topology information is stored in a node database. The contents of the node database are then used to generate one or more ring networks, wherein each ring generated corresponds to a unique line speed. The connectivity of the one or more rings generated is stored in a ring database and the rings configured therefrom.

Abstract: Various embodiments provide an apparatus and method for configuring a shared data rate in a stackable interface network. An example embodiment includes detecting a data cable identifier, the data cable identifier being indicative of a first data rate capacity associated with a data cable identified by the data cable identifier; propagating information indicative of the first data rate capacity to at least one of a plurality of network devices connected via stackable network interfaces; receiving information indicative of a second data rate capacity from at least one of the plurality of network devices; determining an appropriate shared data rate from the information indicative of the first data rate capacity and the information indicative of the second data rate capacity; and configuring at least one of the plurality of network devices to communicate via a stackable network interface at the shared data rate.

Abstract: A method for operating a network and a network architecture implementing the method are described. The method, in one embodiment, begins by grouping a plurality of nodes into zones, where the network includes the plurality of nodes. At least one of the nodes in each one of the zones is one of a plurality of boundary nodes, and each of the boundary nodes in each one of the zones is coupled to a boundary node in another of the zones by one of a first number of inter-zone optical links. One of the zones includes a number of nodes, each of which is coupled to at least one other of the nodes by one of a second number of intra-zone optical links. Next, a non-boundary node is configured to transmit network information to other of the nodes. The non-boundary node is a node in the zone that is not a boundary node. Finally, a boundary node in the zone is configured to limit transmission of the network information through itself to other of the boundary nodes.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus to distribute power to a networked apparatus are provided. The apparatus may comprise a communication module to receive sensor data via a communication network connected to a plurality of sensors operatively located within a building. The plurality of sensors may be to provide sensor data identifying a presence of one or more persons in the building. The apparatus includes a policy engine including a plurality of rules, each rule associated with at least one powered device located within the building. A power control module is configured to adjust power supplied to the at least one powered device based on the rule. Power to the powered devices may be provided over a power over Ethernet network.

Abstract: Methods, apparatuses and systems directed to the dynamic configuration of QoS policy for sessions in wireless network environments. Certain embodiments of the present invention feature the transparent processing of session initiation messages associated with wireless clients and the dynamic configuration of QoS policy for the wireless clients having no QoS configuration mechanism. In certain embodiments, the dynamic QoS configuration mechanism is transparent to the wireless clients, requiring no QoS functionality to reside on the wireless clients. Certain embodiments of the present invention transparently process SIP messages to dynamically configure QoS policy for the resulting sessions. As discussed below, the dynamic QoS configuration functionality described herein can be applied to a variety of wireless network system architectures.

Abstract: In a fixed channel wireless network system with a limited number of channels, assignment of the fixed channels between remote client elements and access elements is made systematically according to a set of criteria accounting for network loading and interference, then channel assignments are dynamically updated according to a priority to maintain optimal network performance with changing conditions of load and interference. The channel utilization problem is address at a system level rather than at a local level by treating the system as a three dimensional color mapping problem. All noise is treated as having a source in virtual access elements with an appropriate performance metric. The performance metric is used to select a channel set that minimize chances of interference and maximize user performance. Specifically, there are several parameter matrices which are managed and updated by a central resource management element, namely signal strength between elements, interference, and load.

Abstract: Methods, apparatuses and systems facilitating containment of the effects of rogue or unauthorized access points on wireless computer network environments. Embodiments of the present invention support one to a plurality of rogue containment methodologies. A first rogue containment type involves identification of the physical connection of the rogue access point to the wired network infrastructure and, thus, allows for disabling of that physical connection to contain the rogue access point. Other rogue containment methods involve wireless techniques for containing the effect of rogue access points. As discussed below, the rogue containment functionality described herein can be applied to a wide variety of wireless network system architectures.

Abstract: In a fixed channel wireless network system with a limited number of channels, assignment of the fixed channels between remote client elements and access elements is made systematically according to a set of criteria according for network loading and interference, then channel assignments are dynamically updated according to a priority to maintain optimal network performance with changing conditions of load and interference. The channel utilization problem is addressed at a system level rather than at a local level by treating the system as a three dimensional color mapping problem. All noise is treated as having a source in virtual access elements with an appropriate performance metric. The performance metric is used to select a channel set that minimize chances of interference and maximize user performance. Specifically, there are several parameter matrices which are managed and updated by a central resource management element, namely signal strength between elements, interference, and load.

Abstract: Methods, apparatuses and systems directed to preventing unauthorized access to internal network addresses transmitted across wireless networks. According to the invention, mobile stations are assigned virtual client network addresses that are used as the outer network addresses in a Virtual Private Network (VPN) infrastructure, as well as unique internal network addresses used as the inner network addresses. In one implementation, the virtual client network addresses have little to no relation to the internal network addressing scheme implemented on the network domain. In one implementation, all clients or mobile stations are assigned the same virtual client network address. A translation layer, in one implementation, intermediates the VPN session between the mobile stations and a VPN server to translate the virtual client network addresses to the internal network addresses based on the medium access control (MAC) address corresponding to the mobile stations.

Abstract: Systems and methods for using routing protocol extensions to improve spoke to spoke communication in a computer network are disclosed. Embodiments provide systems and methods to establish a tunnel between a first spoke and a hub, exchange routing information between the first spoke and the hub using a routing protocol, extend the routing protocol and an associated database to include next hop mapping information, and establish a tunnel between the first spoke and a second spoke according to information in the database.

Abstract: Methods, apparatuses and systems facilitating deployment and configuration of managed access points in hierarchical wireless network systems. An embodiment of the invention facilitates deployment and configuration of conventional, substantially autonomous access points operating in connection with a central management node, such as a server or appliance. In another embodiment, the present invention facilitates deployment and configuration of light-weight access points in a hierarchical wireless network system. In one embodiment, the present invention also provides a streamlined encryption key exchange protocol adapted to hierarchical wireless network system architectures.

Abstract: A Fibre Channel Switch which enables end devices in different Fabrics to communicate with one another while retaining their unique Fibre Channel Domain_IDs. The Switch is coupled to a first fabric having a first set of end devices and a second fabric having a second set of end devices. The Switch is configured to enable communication by the first set of end devices associated with the first fabric with the second set of end devices associated with the second set of end devices using the unique Domain_IDs of each of the first set and the second set of end devices. In one embodiment of the invention, the first and second fabrics are first and second Virtual Storage Array Networks (VSANs) respectively. In an alternative embodiment, the first fabric and the second fabric are separate physical fabrics.

Abstract: Methods, apparatuses and systems enabling a directed association mechanism in wireless computer network environments. In certain embodiments, the directed association functionality described herein can be used in a variety of contexts, such as directing wireless clients to associate with a desired access element or subset of access elements in a wireless network environment. In certain embodiments, the present invention can also be used to increase the efficiency of handing off wireless clients between access elements. The directed association mechanism, in one embodiment, increases the efficiency of establishing wireless connections between wireless clients and access points in a wireless network system.

Abstract: A wireless node RF Fingerprinting location mechanism that uses multiple antenna patterns to enhance the accuracy of wireless node location in an RF environment. In one implementation, substantially non-overlapping antenna pattern diversity is used to provide a degree of sectorization in computing the estimated location of a wireless node.

Abstract: Methods, apparatuses and systems directed to, or facilitating, the graphical display of status information in wireless network management systems. In one implementation, the present invention provides a graphical user interface that allows a network administrator to readily ascertain the overall status of a wireless network, and quickly identify the network element(s) within the network that are associated with any potential problem or condition. In another implementation, the present invention provides a graphical user interface that provides status icons that efficiently convey status information for corresponding access points. In another implementation, the present invention provides a hierarchical network model that facilitates network data management, configuration and display tasks associated with wireless network management systems.

Abstract: Methods, apparatuses and systems directed to preventing unauthorized access to internal network addresses transmitted across wireless networks. According to the invention, mobile stations are assigned virtual client network addresses that are used as the outer network addresses in a Virtual Private Network (VPN) infrastructure, as well as unique internal network addresses used as the inner network addresses. In one implementation, the virtual client network addresses have little to no relation to the internal network addressing scheme implemented on the network domain. In one implementation, all clients or mobile stations are assigned the same virtual client network address. A translation layer, in one implementation, intermediates the VPN session between the mobile stations and a VPN server to translate the virtual client network addresses to the internal network addresses based on the medium access control (MAC) address corresponding to the mobile stations.

Abstract: Methods, apparatuses and systems facilitating deployment and configuration of managed access points in wireless network systems. An embodiment of the present invention is a light-weight management protocol that reduces the management footprint of a plurality of managed access points in a wireless network system. An embodiment of the invention facilitates deployment and configuration of conventional, substantially autonomous access points operating in connection with a central management node, such as a server or appliance. In another embodiment, the present invention facilitates deployment and configuration of access points in a wireless network system including hierarchical processing of protocol information.

Abstract: Methods, apparatuses and systems facilitating the configuration of transmit power and coverage areas corresponding to access points in a wireless network environment. The present invention in one embodiment facilitates the dynamic configuration of coverage boundaries across a plurality of access points, improving the performance of the wireless network environment.