Abstract: A system constructs an OSPF-compatible virtual model of a multi-hop, multi-access packet radio network that includes a plurality of routers (120) and which includes its own private, internal routing system (150), in order to facilitate the incorporation of that packet radio network into an overall OSPF routing environment. The system determines a network graph identifying actual connectivity among the plurality of routers (120). The system constructs a virtual model (300) of the, wherein connectivity of the virtual model may be different than the actual connectivity of the network graph. The system represents the multi-hop, multi-access radio network in the virtual model as a set of multi-access links (305, 310), point-to-point links, AS-external routes, and area summary routes. The system employs the virtual model for routing purposes and advertises the virtual model to other OSPF routers for the same purpose.

Abstract: A system for exchanging routing information over a communications network constructs a connectivity graph that indicates connectivity between a first node and a first set of nodes in the network. The system constructs an adjacency graph that indicates a second set of nodes with which the first node will exchange routing data, where the adjacency graph is distinct from the connectivity graph. The system exchanges routing data between the first node and each node of the second set of nodes based on the adjacency graph.

Abstract: The invention relates generally to systems, methods and/or devices for joining, generating, maintaining, and/or multicasting information via a multicast mesh.

Abstract: In an apparatus for varying the rate at which the broadcast beacons are transmitted, there is at least one router (2). The router transmits beacons which contain various types of data, controls the rate at which the beacons are transmitted, and adaptively varies the rate at which the beacons are transmitted, in response to a variety of network conditions.

Abstract: In a radio network having plural routers (10, 12, 14, 16, 18), each router includes a routing table (101, 121, 141, 161, 181). Link state information of the network that has been forwarded to the router is received and used to determine the connections in the network. The determined network connections are collected to generate network topology information which is placed in the routing table (101, 121, 141, 161, 181). The network topology information is retrievable for inclusion in messages forwarded by the receiving router.

Abstract: A communications system has stations arranged in clusters (1a, 1b and 1c) of communication member stations (CM2, CM3, CM6 and CM7), with one member station (CH1, CH4 or CH5) in each cluster being a head station for the cluster. Each member station (CM2, CM3, CM6 and CM7) communicates with the network through a cluster head station (CH1, CH4 or CH5). The cluster head stations (CH1, CH4 and CH5) communicate among other cluster head stations (CH1, CH4 and CH5). A mobile communications station (e.g., CM3) evaluates a beacon message received from a first member station (e.g., CM6) of the plurality of mobile stations through a transceiver 6. The station CM3 also determines whether to communicate with the first member station CM6 directly or to communicate with the first member station CM6 by forwarding messages through a cluster head station CH1 that is affiliated to the mobile communications station CM3.

Abstract: A system uses database digests to synchronize routing data in a network (100). The system includes a first node (110-1) and a second node (110-2). The first node (110-1) stores first routing data and the second node (110-2) stores second routing data. The second node (110-2) further performs a function on a portion of the second routing data, where the function produces a database digest that has substantially less data than the portion of the second routing data. The second node (110-2) also sends the database digest to the first node (110-1) to synchronize the second routing data with the first routing data.

Abstract: A communication system has stations arranged in clusters of member stations, each of which communicates with the other member stations. One member station is a head station of the cluster that communicates with head stations of other clusters. The stations are configured by determining the communication state between a station and one or more cluster head stations. The station is assigned to at least one cluster when a prescribed communication state has been determined between the station and the cluster head station. The station is set to be in independent communication with the one or more cluster head stations which have the prescribed communication state with the station.

Abstract: A network for routing packets includes multiple nodes. A first node has a direct link to a second node. The first node receives a packet and identifies a primary next hop to which to transmit the packet (410). The primary next hop identifies at least the second node. The first node transmits the packet to the second node (420), determines whether the transmission was successful (430), and identifies at least a third node when the transmission to the second node was unsuccessful. The first node identifies the third node by: finding a node in the network that has a direct link to both the first and second nodes (440); identifying at least one alternate next hop, assuming that the link between the first and second nodes is unavailable, determining the cost associated with each of the alternate next hops, and selecting one of the alternate next hops based on the determined cost (640); or retrieving a predetermined alternate next hop from a forwarding table stored by the first node (940).

Abstract: A communications system for communication among plural stations in a network has stations (CH1, CM2, CM3, CH4, CH5, CM6, CM7) arranged in clusters (1a, 1b, 1c) of communication member stations, each communicating with each other. One of the member stations (CH1, CH4, CH5) is a head station of the cluster. The cluster head stations (CH1, CH4, CH5) communicate with other cluster head stations (CH1, CH4, CH5). A method for configuring the network of stations includes a step of operating at least a first (CH5) and a second (CH4) station of the plural stations as cluster head stations, the first (CH5) and second (CH4) stations forming a communications link. The method also includes a step to resign the first (CH5) station from operating as a cluster head station when a predetermined resignation condition is met.

Abstract: In an apparatus for varying the rate at which the broadcast beacons are transmitted, there is at least one router (2). The router transmits beacons which contain various types of data, controls the rate at which the beacons are transmitted, and adaptively varies the rate at which the beacons are transmitted, in response to a variety of network conditions.

Abstract: A communications system for communication among plural stations in a network has stations (CH1, CM2, CM3, CH4, CH5, CM6, CM7) arranged in clusters (1a, 1b, 1c) of communication member stations, each communicating with each other. One of the member stations (CH1, CH4, CH5) is a head station of the cluster. The cluster head stations (CH1, CH4, CH5) communicate with other cluster head stations (CH1, CH4, CH5). A method for configuring the network of stations includes a step of operating at least a first (CH5) and a second (CH4) station of the plural stations as cluster head stations, the first (CH5) and second (CH4) stations forming a communications link. The method also includes a step to resign the first (CH5) station from operating as a cluster head station when a predetermined resignation condition is met.

Abstract: A communications system for communication among plural stations in a network has stations (CH1, CM2, CM3, CH4, CH5, CM6, CM7) arranged in clusters (1a, 1b, 1c) of communication member stations, each communicating with each other. One of the member stations (CH1, CH4, CH5) is a head station of the cluster. The cluster head stations (CH1, CH4, CH5) communicate with other cluster head stations (CH1, CH4, CH5). A method for configuring the network of stations includes a step of operating at least a first (CH5) and a second (CH4) station of the plural stations as cluster head stations, the first (CH5) and second (CH4) stations forming a communications link. The method also includes a step to resign the first (CH5) station from operating as a cluster head station when a predetermined resignation condition is met.