Abstract: This invention deals with a safe key distribution and authentication in a data communication network (e.g. wireless LAN type of network).The network includes a network manager to which are connected, via a LAN wired circuit, one or more base stations. Individual remote stations are, in turn, wirelessly connected to an installed base station.One essential function for achieving security in such a network, is a mechanism to reliably authenticate the exchanges of data between communicating parties. This involves the establishment of session keys, which keys need to be distributed safely to the network components. An original and safe method is provided with this invention for key distribution and authentication during network installation, said method including using the first installed base station for generating a network key and a backbone key, and then using said first installed base station for subsequent remote station or additional base station installations while avoiding communicating said network key.

Abstract: Methods for handoff in a wireless communication network including a local area network connected to a plurality of base stations, each of which has a geographic area, defined as a cell, within which mobile stations can communicate with a base station, with each such base station being capable of performing bidirectional wireless communication with one or more of said mobile stations under control of a controller, with communication between base stations and mobile stations being performed by frequency hopping, with there being n available frequency hopping channels in a fixed frequency band, with each channel being of a same fixed duration and having a fixed frequency different than another channel.