Abstract: A mechanism for efficiently distributing multicast messages having group destination addresses to subscribing entities in a computer network. The network includes a plurality of virtual local area network (VLAN) designations among those entities and a multicast network device (MND) configured to generate at least one unique multicast (MVLAN) identifier (ID) for each group destination address. Each MVLAN ID encompasses all VLAN designations of the subscribing entities, except for the VLAN designation associated with the entity sourcing the message. Each MVLAN ID is propagated to intermediate devices of the network and attached to subsequent multicast messages to enable efficient distribution of those messages over the network.

Abstract: Standard protocols, such as those commonly used on LAN networks, are used to connect nodes to an enterprise network via a wide area wireless network. Within the appropriate protocol stacks, the standard protocols are optimized by filtering some packets, eliminating and reducing the size of other fields and substituting still other fields to reduce the size of the data packets. The optimized data packets can be transmitted over the wireless WAN increasing WAN efficiency. The optimization is accomplished by inserting an additional optimization layer into the protocol stack between the existing layers. The optimization layer accepts the normal protocol signals generated by the surrounding layers and generates outputs which mimic protocol layers which the surrounding layers expect. Consequently, the optimization layer operates transparently with respect to the existing protocol stack layers.

Abstract: Standard protocols, such as those commonly used on LAN networks, are used to connect nodes to an enterprise network via a wide area wireless network. Within the appropriate protocol stacks, the standard protocols are optimized by filtering some packets, eliminating and reducing the size of other fields and substituting still other fields to reduce the size of the data packets. The optimized data packets can be transmitted over the wireless WAN increasing WAN efficiency. The optimization is accomplished by inserting an additional optimization layer into the protocol stack between the existing layers. The optimization layer accepts the normal protocol signals generated by the surrounding layers amid generates outputs which mimic protocol layers which the surrounding layers expect. Consequently, the optimization layer operates transparently with respect to the existing protocol stack layers.