Abstract: Disclosed is an apparatus and method of client device roaming from a home subnet to a foreign subnet of a network. The method includes the client device accessing the network through a first access node of the home subnet, and the client device roaming to a second access node of the foreign subnet, the client device accessing the network through the second access node, the client device maintaining a fixed client IP address, default gateway IP address and IP subnet attachment as the client device roams from the first access node to the second access node.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for generating connectivity is described. The method includes a server broadcasting a beacon including the server's address. The method further includes each client that receives the beacon rebroadcasting the beacon. The result is that each client receiving the beacon knows a way to reach the server.

Abstract: It is the object of this invention to provide a method of increasing the data throughput of a multi-hop wireless link. A method is provided which mitigates self-interference, without precluding the use of omni-directional transceivers. Distributed protocols for channel allocations in a multi-hop wireless communication system are described. These protocols result in channel allocations that increase the capacity utilization of the network and render the system robust to localized interferers and jammers.

Abstract: Disclosed is an apparatus and method of client device roaming from a home subnet to a foreign subnet of a network. The method includes the client device accessing the network through a first access node of the home subnet, and the client device roaming to a second access node of the foreign subnet, the client device accessing the network through the second access node, the client device maintaining a fixed client IP address, default gateway IP address and IP subnet attachment as the client device roams from the first access node to the second access node.

Abstract: A method that includes a client roaming from the first access node to a second access node is disclosed. The second wireless access node detects the client seeking access to the system. The second wireless access node is able to connect to the backbone network. Client information is obtained. The second wireless node provides the client a communication path to and from the destination. The communication path is able to include wired and wireless communication links. Routing of information through the communication path between the client and the destination is aided based upon detection of the client. The wireless connection between the second access node and the backbone network can include at least one wireless hop between the second access node and a fourth access node.

Abstract: Embodiments for assigning channels to links of a node of a mesh network are disclosed. One embodiment includes a method of assigning channels to links of a node of a mesh network, wherein the mesh network includes the node and an upstream node. The method includes assigning a first channel to an uplink of the node, assigning a second channel to a downlink of the node, and maintaining the first channel and the second channel distinct from an uplink channel of the upstream node. The first channel and the second channel assignments for the node can be based on a number of hops from the node to a distinguished node.

Abstract: The invention includes an apparatus and method for communicating link quality information between access nodes. A first step includes a first access node transmitting first routing packets. A second step includes a second access node receiving at least one of the first routing packets over a first direction of a first link. A third step includes the second access node transmitting second routing packets. A fourth step includes the first access node receiving at least one of the second routing packets over a second direction of the first link, and determining a first direction link quality of the first link based upon the second routing packets.

Abstract: A method of selecting at least one routing path between an access node and a gateway is provided. The method includes the access node receiving over a plurality of channels, indicators from at least one upstream access node, the indicators providing information of selected upstream paths between each of the upstream access nodes and upstream gateways. The access node determines an optimal set of routing paths between the access node and at least one upstream gateway, based upon the indicators, the optimal set of routing paths including a combination of paths over multiple channels.

Abstract: A method of optimizing link transmission parameters between access nodes within a mesh network is disclosed. The method includes each access node within the mesh transmitting packets at N different combinations of data rates and power levels. Each receiving node that receives the data packets at one or more of the N combinations, selects a most desirable one of the received combinations. The receiving nodes indicate to the transmitting nodes the selected most desired combination for transmitting to the receiving node.

Abstract: A method of selecting at least one routing path between and access node and a gateway is provided. The method includes the access node receiving over a plurality of channels, indicators from at least one upstream access node, the indicators providing information of selected upstream paths between each of the upstream access nodes and upstream gateways. The access node determines an optimal set of routing paths between the access node and at least one upstream gateway, based upon the indicators, the optimal set of routing paths including a combination of paths over multiple channels.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for generating connectivity is described. The method includes a server broadcasting a beacon including the server's address. The method further includes each client that receives the beacon rebroadcasting the beacon. The result is that each client receiving the beacon knows a way to reach the server.

Abstract: A method of verifying a mesh network is disclosed. The method includes identifying wireless links from a set of selected mesh network routing links, that have a link quality below a predetermined quality threshold, and providing a network manager with a link list that lists and prioritizes the identified wireless links according to a degree of impact each identified wireless link has on performance of the mesh network. Determining the degree of impact of each identified wireless link can include determining an amount the mesh network relies upon identified wireless link. Mesh network reliance can be dependent on how many routes through the mesh network include the identified wireless link. Determining the degree of impact of each identified wireless link can include determining a link quality of the identified wireless link.

Abstract: Embodiments of methods of assigning a channel to a link of an access node within a wireless mesh network, is disclosed. The method includes the access node receiving beacons over multiple channels, from at least one upstream device, and the access node selecting an uplink channel based upon the received beacons. Additional methods include the access node selecting a downlink channel so that different channels are assigned to consecutive links within a data path between a gateway and a down stream device. The different channels can include non-overlapping channels, or a combination of non-overlapping and at least partially overlapping channels. The method can further include selecting a downstream link channel based upon predetermined sequences of channel selections, and a hop count of the access node.

Abstract: Methods and systems are disclosed for managing a network. The management includes storing configuration parameters in cells within the network, sending a commit command and a commit delay time to the cells, sensing failed reception of the commit command, and aborting the commit command if a failure is sensed.

Abstract: A method of determining a location of a network condition within a wireless mesh network is disclosed. The method includes a test device testing a first plurality of wireless hops of the wireless mesh network. The test device also tests a second number of wireless hops of the wireless mesh network. The test device locates the network condition within the wireless mesh network by comparing the test of the first plurality of wireless hops with the test of the second number of wireless hops.

Abstract: Methods of correlating wireless network performance of a wireless network are disclosed. One method includes collecting wireless network performance parameters at a location of the network, observing at least one of activities and conditions of the wireless network over the period of time, and correlating the wireless network performance parameters with at least one of the activities and conditions of the wireless network. The wireless network performance parameters can be collected by one or more test devices operating at nodes or clients within the wireless network.

Abstract: An apparatus and method of a wireless network timing transmission of multiple BSSID beacons is disclosed. The method includes identifying multiple personalities of the wireless network, wherein a separate MAC address corresponding with each of the personalities. A beacon type is assigned for each of the personalities. During each transmission interval, a plurality of the beacon types are consecutively transmitted, wherein the different beacon types are consecutively spaced during transmission by a predetermined inter-frame spacing, wherein the predetermined inter-frame spacing is substantially less than an air-time duration of each transmission interval.

Abstract: The invention includes an apparatus and method for displaying path metrics associate with nodes and links within a network. The method includes determining path metric values associated with the network. The method further includes displaying only the path metric values that fall within a predetermined set. The predetermined set can be adjustable by a network manager. The predetermined set can include an initial default value and be additionally adjusted by a network manager. The predetermined set associated with a particular node can be based upon a redundancy of paths available to the particular node.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for communicating link quality information between access nodes is disclosed. A first step includes a first access node transmitting first routing packets. A second step includes a second access node receiving at least one of the first routing packets over a first direction of a first link. A third step includes the second access node transmitting second routing packets. A fourth step includes the first access node receiving at least one of the second routing packets over a second direction of the first link, and determining a first direction link quality of the first link based upon the second routing packets.

Abstract: An apparatus and method of propagating a size of a cluster within a wireless mesh network is disclosed. The method includes a gateway within the cluster maintaining information of access nodes within the cluster. The gateway determines a cluster size based on the maintained information, and transmits routing packets that include the cluster size of the gateway. An apparatus and method of balancing clusters of a wireless mesh network is also disclosed. The method includes the gateway of each cluster originating beacons, wherein the beacons include a size of the cluster of the gateway. The access nodes of each cluster, re-broadcasts beacons received from the gateway of the cluster. A connecting access node selects which cluster to connect to at least in part based on the size of each of the clusters.