Abstract: The present invention provides a method and an apparatus for authenticating a client on a wireless network having an address that enables access to a server associated with the wireless network. In one embodiment, a method calls for assigning the address to the client for providing access to the wireless network before finishing authenticating the client based on a first response from the client to a first challenge from the server and a second response from the server to a second challenge from the client in response to a communication between the client and the server over the wireless network. A wireless communication system includes a client module for authenticating a mobile device to a Wi-Fi network through an access point associated therewith.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method and an apparatus for balancing load of a plurality of requests from at least one of first and second clients between a first and a second server. The method comprises comparing the load of the plurality of requests to a threshold of processing requests at the first server to determine whether the first server can process the plurality of requests. The method further comprises selectively redirecting a set of requests from the plurality of requests to the second server based on a policy associated with the first server, if the first server can not process the plurality of requests based on the threshold.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for use in communication involving first and second parties. The method includes determining a first capacity associated with a first channel of a communication link between the first and second parties. The method also includes assigning a second capacity to a second channel of the communication link based on the first capacity and a third capacity associated with at least the first and second channels.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method and an apparatus for roaming between wireless access points with relatively less disruptions to a service in handovers. In one embodiment, a method of communication in a wireless network that includes an access point and a target access point comprises detecting an indication of roaming to the target access point at a mobile terminal associated with the access point and communicating with the target access point using an existing communication link between the mobile terminal and the access point to prepare the mobile terminal for a handover event from the access point to the target access point in response to detecting the indication of roaming. The mobile terminal may communicate with the target access point via a backend channel to prepare for an actual handover to the target access point. By enabling a make-before-break connection, the mobile terminal may proactively prepare a connection to a next access point through a currently existing link to an access point.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method and an apparatus for automating authentication of a user. In one embodiment, a method calls for detecting an authentication event at a wireless communication device to gain access to a first wireless network through an access point associated with the first wireless network, automatically obtaining a credential from a second wireless network in response to the authentication event, and authenticating the user based on the credential to establish a connection between the wireless communication device and the first wireless network. A client-server based communication system includes a client module at a wireless communication device for user authentication of a Wi-Fi device to a Wi-Fi network through an access point associated therewith.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method and an apparatus for allocating bandwidth for transmission to a first client device on a wireless network shared with a second client device. The method comprises sending a request-to-send indication to a transceiver node for transmitting data and in response to the request-to-send indication, receiving an indication at the first client device from the transceiver node to stay silent after transmitting the data. In this manner, in one embodiment, a controlled allocation of an available transmission bandwidth may be provided for shared wireless networks in a bi-directional communication system using a request-to-send (RTS)/clear-to-send (CTS) mechanism, controlling access to a wireless medium and coordinating usage of a wireless network. Specifically, an additional field, i.e., a “silence time” field may be added in a frame sent by an access point (AP). The “silence time” field may contain a value (e.g.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for caching client node requested data stored on a network server is disclosed. The method and apparatus comprise caching server responses at the pre-packetized level thereby decreasing response time by minimizing packet processing overhead, reducing disk file reading and reducing copying of memory from disk buffers to network interfaces.

Abstract: A method for enforcing the security policies of a network includes determining if a client requesting access to the network is in compliance with a current version of the security policies required to gain access to the network, and if the requesting client is not in compliance with a current version of the security policies, denying the client access to the network and making accessible to the non-compliant client a current version of the security policies. In various embodiments of the present invention an access gateway is implemented to enforce the security policies of the network, which includes isolating non-compliant clients from the network and the network resources. In a system in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention an access gateway directs a non-compliant client requesting access to the network to a remote server for downloading a current version of the security policies of the network.

Abstract: The invention comprises a method and apparatus for enabling missed call information to be accessed from a remote device via a packet network. Specifically, the method comprises receiving missed call information associated with a called party, storing the missed call information and transmitting the missed call information towards a remote device associated with the called party via a packet network.