Abstract: A wireless local area network includes access ports which communicate over a wired network with wireless switches which control the access ports and bridge data between portals in the access ports and another network. Code for operating the access ports and for configuring the portals is separately downloaded from the wireless switch. Where an access port includes more than one portal, separate ethernet addresses are assigned to the processor of the access port and to the portals for communications with the wireless switch. The protocol may provide separate sequence numbers for the communications and include a command field.

Abstract: A method for automatically determining the amount of currently utilized bandwidth on infrastructure devices such as wireless access points in a wireless network is disclosed. The method begins by a mobile client device receiving load leveling information from infrastructure devices corresponding to media type access categories. Based upon the load leveling information, the amount of currently utilized bandwidth by media type access categories on the infrastructure devices is determined and an infrastructure device with bandwidth sufficient to support at least one of the media type access categories intended for use by the mobile client device is selected.

Abstract: A wireless local area network includes access ports which communicate over a wired network with wireless switches which control the access ports and bridge data between portals in the access ports and another network. Code for operating the access ports and for configuring the portals is separately downloaded from the wireless switch. Where an access port includes more than one portal, separate ethernet addresses are assigned to the processor of the access port and to the portals for communications with the wireless switch. The protocol may provide separate sequence numbers for the communications and include a command field.