Abstract: Message handling in a local area network including switches and clients is provided. At least one of the switches is a peer switch that is capable of monitoring a status of another switch, and at least one switch connects the clients redundantly. A station announcement message is sent by the peer switch for at least one client of the other switch. In each station message announcement, there is inserted a source address of the other switch. The other switches handle the station message announcement as though the station message announcement came from the client.

Abstract: A network includes a plurality of network clusters. Each network cluster includes a plurality of nodes. At least one of the plurality of nodes includes a portal node. A portal node is a node with at least one link that crosses a boundary of the network cluster. Each portal node is configured to communicate detection packets for detecting the existence of other portal nodes within the network cluster. Each portal node is configured to communicate with nodes within the network cluster associated with the respective portal node to indicate that the respective portal node is a predetermined number of hops away from a virtual root bridge associated with the network cluster.

Abstract: A wireless virtual local area network (VLAN) and a device selectively connecting to the wireless VLAN over a second wireless network that may be independent of the wireless VLAN. The device is capable of connecting to at least the wireless VLAN and to the second wireless network. Wireless VLAN access points are each connected to an Ethernet aggregation switch, which is VLAN aware and matches client traffic from connected access points with access VLANs. A wireless VLAN switch maintains an association table between access VLANs and core VLANs. The second wireless network may be remotely connected over the Internet or a private network to a tunnel endpoint. The tunnel endpoint is connected to the VLAN switch, which uses the association table to manage free-form client traffic between connected devices and other mobile stations at access VLANs and appropriate core VLANs.

Abstract: A network with wireless connectivity, a vehicle connected to and including the network and a method of managing network data flow. The network includes multiple wireless access points, each connected to an Ethernet aggregation switch. Each Ethernet aggregation switch is virtual local area network (VLAN) aware and matches client traffic from connected access points with access VLANs. A virtual network switch maintains an association table between access VLANs and core VLANs. The virtual network switch uses the association table to manage free-form client traffic between mobile stations at access VLANs at connected Ethernet aggregation switches and appropriate core VLANs. The vehicle, including the network, may be a train with access points located trackside connecting train passengers to a public network, e.g., the Internet. Wireless devices on the train may also connect to an on-board such network.

Abstract: A network includes a plurality of network clusters. Each network cluster includes a plurality of nodes. At least one of the plurality of nodes includes a portal node. A portal node is a node with at least one link that crosses a boundary of the network cluster. Each portal node is configured to communicate detection packets for detecting the existence of other portal nodes within the network cluster. Each portal node is configured to communicate with nodes within the network cluster associated with the respective portal node to indicate that the respective portal node is a predetermined number of hops away from a virtual root bridge associated with the network cluster.

Abstract: A wireless virtual local area network (VLAN) and a device selectively connecting to the wireless VLAN over a second wireless network that may be independent of the wireless VLAN. The device is capable of connecting to at least the wireless VLAN and to the second wireless network. Wireless VLAN access points are each connected to an Ethernet aggregation switch, which is VLAN aware and matches client traffic from connected access points with access VLANs. A wireless VLAN switch maintains an association table between access VLANs and core VLANs. The second wireless network may be remotely connected over the Internet or a private network to a tunnel endpoint. The tunnel endpoint is connected to the VLAN switch, which uses the association table to manage free-form client traffic between connected devices and other mobile stations at access VLANs and appropriate core VLANs.

Abstract: A network with wireless connectivity, a vehicle connected to and including the network and a method of managing network data flow. The network includes multiple wireless access points, each connected to an Ethernet aggregation switch. Each Ethernet aggregation switch is virtual local area network (VLAN) aware and matches client traffic from connected access points with access VLANs. A virtual network switch maintains an association table between access VLANs and core VLANs. The virtual network switch uses the association table to manage free-form client traffic between mobile stations at access VLANs at connected Ethernet aggregation switches and appropriate core VLANs. The vehicle, including the network, may be a train with access points located trackside connecting train passengers to a public network, e.g., the Internet. Wireless devices on the train may also connect to an on-board such network.