Abstract: A method (200, 300) for supporting telecommunications over a wide area network. The method can include receiving a first message from a first communications site (110), the first message communicated through a logical port (174) at the communications site and maintaining the logical port open for at least a minimum period. A second message can be received from a second communications site (112), the second message requesting an identifier associated with the first communications site. Further, a third message can be communicated to the first communications site through the logical port. The third message can identify the second communications site as a candidate for establishing a peer-to-peer communications link over which telecommunications content may be communicated to a first remote unit (104).

Abstract: Providing a supplicant access to at least one requested service is described. An authentication request is received, wherein the authentication request comprises an association request and an identifier to a requested service. A relationship between the supplicant and the requested service based on the association request is created. Then, the association request for the requested service is fulfilled and an authentication server based upon the requested service identified in the authentication request is determined. Finally, the supplicant is authenticated for the requested service.

Abstract: A method for managing floor control in a network is disclosed. The method includes beginning a ballot timer when at least one of a) a first node packet is created at the node and b) a second node packet is received at the node from a second node. The first node packet comprises a first timestamp and the second node packet comprises a second timestamp. The ballot timer runs for a first predefined time interval. The method further includes determining a floor holder upon expiration of the first predefined time interval based upon an earliest time of the first timestamp and the second timestamp. Further, the node and the second node have a same absolute timing reference.

Abstract: A method for the selection of forward error correction (FEC)/constellation pairings (800) for digital transmitted segments based on learning radio link adaptation (RLA) including formatting a packet transmission having a predetermined number of information bits (801). The packet is then split into a plurality of segments (803) where an RLA is used (805) to determine the optimum format of the packet. The plurality of segments is then sent to a channel encoder for FEC encoding and symbol mapping (807) at a rate selected by the RLA. The segments are then formatted into packet blocks (809) and transmitted in blocks that form a time slot at a constant symbol rate.

Abstract: A method (200, 300) for supporting telecommunications over a wide area network. The method can include receiving a first message from a first communications site (110), the first message communicated through a logical port (174) at the communications site and maintaining the logical port open for at least a minimum period. A second message can be received from a second communications site (112), the second message requesting an identifier associated with the first communications site. Further, a third message can be communicated to the first communications site through the logical port. The third message can identify the second communications site as a candidate for establishing a peer-to-peer communications link over which telecommunications content may be communicated to a first remote unit (104).

Abstract: A method for supporting telecommunications over a wide area network. The method can include receiving telecommunications content and a group identifier from a first remote unit (104). From the group identifier, a plurality of recipient identifiers can be identified. The telecommunications content and the plurality of recipient identifiers can be communicated to a packet duplicator (150). Each of the recipient identifiers can be associated with at least one intended recipient (106, 108) of the telecommunications content. The telecommunications content then can be communicated via at least one peer-to-peer communications link to a plurality of telecommunications stewards (136, 138). Each of the telecommunications stewards can be associated with at least one respective recipient identified by at least one of the recipient identifiers.

Abstract: Providing a supplicant access to at least one requested service is described. An authentication request is received, wherein the authentication request comprises an association request and an identifier to a requested service. A relationship between the supplicant and the requested service based on the association request is created. Then, the association request for the requested service is fulfilled and an authentication server based upon the requested service identified in the authentication request is determined. Finally, the supplicant is authenticated for the requested service.