Abstract: Band steering for multi-band wireless clients. According to one embodiment of the invention, a method of operations comprises receiving, at a network device, a request from a wireless client device on a first wireless communication band. Thereafter, the network device identifies a unique address identifier associated with the wireless client device based on the received request and stores the unique address identifier in response to determining that the wireless client device is capable of communicating on the first wireless communication band.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, a system and computer-readable storage medium for storage of software directed to the management of associations between network devices is described. The computer-readable storage medium comprising instructions which, when executed by at least one hardware processor on a network device, causes performance of operations, comprising: (1) determining a desired operating state for a client device under analysis, the client device being associated with a first network device of a plurality of network devices; (2) detecting if a triggering event has occurred based on a comparison of the desired operating state for the client device under analysis to an actual operating state for the client device under analysis; and (3) in response to detecting that the triggering event has occurred, causing the client device to wirelessly connect to a second network device of the plurality of network devices in lieu of the first network device.

Abstract: The present disclosure discloses a method and network device for automatic delivery traffic indication message (DTIM) interval control for better mobile power save performance. The disclosed network device determines one or more characteristics for at least one client device connected to an Access Point (AP). The network device then dynamically selects a DTIM interval for the AP based on the characteristics for the at least one client device, and configures the AP to transmit a DTIM beacon frame at a frequency based on the dynamically selected DTIM interval. Alternatively, the network device can determine one or more characteristics for a client device, and dynamically select a Virtual Access Point (VAP) for providing network access to the client device based on the characteristics for the client device and a DTIM interval configured for the VAP, and then cause the client device to connect to the VAP.

Abstract: Operations include determining that a subset of devices, from a plurality of devices, are executing a same application, located in a same geographical location, or correspond to a same user. Responsive to the determining operation, a group with the subset of devices is created and communication between the devices is supported.

Abstract: A method is described for dynamically assigning tasks to entities of different types within a network system based on preferences to perform the tasks on particular entities and/or network/device conditions. This ability to dynamically assign processing of tasks between disparate devices in a network system provides a more efficient network configuration and utilization of resources while not compromising throughput, overall network security, and/or network flexibility.

Abstract: According to one embodiment of the disclosure, a network device is described that includes at least one hardware processor and is configured to perform a number of operations. Some of these operations include receiving information associated with a level of connectivity by a client device to a first network, and receiving information associated with a level of connectivity by the client device to a second network. Based on the level of connectivity with the first network and the level of connectivity with the second network, the second network is selecting for the client device to access one or more resources, and thereafter, causing the client device to connect to the second network.

Abstract: An access point device that is adapted to a wireless network and a wired network is disclosed. The access point includes a transceiver to receive wireless frames from a plurality of wireless devices of the wireless network, respectively, and at least one component to process information extracted from the wireless frames and to control channel scanning based upon at least one of an amount of wireless device traffic and a type of call.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, a digital device is adapted to support one or more network services. The digital device comprises processing circuitry, and a memory coupled to the processing circuitry. The memory comprises logic that, when executed by the processing circuit, is configured to (i) detect, in response to a triggering event, one or more network services advertised by at least one digital device within a network, and (ii) store information only directed to the one or more network services.

Abstract: Operations include determining that a subset of devices, from a plurality of devices, are executing a same application, located in a same geographical location, or correspond to a same user. Responsive to the determining operation, a group with the subset of devices is created and communication between the devices is supported.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, a non-transitory computer readable medium within a first network device operating as an access point and comprising instructions which, when executed by one or more hardware processors, causes performance of a number of operations including transmission and reception of Peer-to-Peer messages between two or more network devices having Peer-to-Peer functionality. Thereafter, negotiations are conducted by network devices to selection of a Group Owner (GO) for a Peer-To-Peer group. The negotiations comprise specifically selecting a set of one or more values that ensures the first network device obtaining the GO role for Peer-to-Peer communications within the Peer-to-Peer group instead of randomly selecting the one or more values for the negotiating of the GO role.

Abstract: The present disclosure discloses a method and network device for automatic delivery traffic indication message (DTIM) interval control for better mobile power save performance. The disclosed network device determines one or more characteristics for at least one client device connected to an Access Point (AP). The network device then dynamically selects a DTIM interval for the AP based on the characteristics for the at least one client device, and configures the AP to transmit a DTIM beacon frame at a frequency based on the dynamically selected DTIM interval. Alternatively, the network device can determine one or more characteristics for a client device, and dynamically select a Virtual Access Point (VAP) for providing network access to the client device based on the characteristics for the client device and a DTIM interval configured for the VAP, and then cause the client device to connect to the VAP.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, a system and computer-readable storage medium for storage of software directed to the management of associations between network devices is described. The computer-readable storage medium comprising instructions which, when executed by at least one hardware processor on a network device, causes performance of operations, comprising: (1) determining a desired operating state for a client device under analysis, the client device being associated with a first network device of a plurality of network devices; (2) detecting if a triggering event has occurred based on a comparison of the desired operating state for the client device under analysis to an actual operating state for the client device under analysis; and (3) in response to detecting that the triggering event has occurred, causing the client device to wirelessly connect to a second network device of the plurality of network devices in lieu of the first network device.

Abstract: The present disclosure discloses a system and method for task processing and resource sharing in a distributed wireless system. The system includes a processor and a memory storing instructions that, when executed, cause the system to: identify a plurality of nodes in a distributed wireless system, each node of the plurality of nodes associated with a radio frequency neighborhood, the radio frequency neighborhood of one node including one or more other nodes that hear beacons from the one node; assign a task to the plurality of nodes; split the task into a plurality of subtasks; assign the plurality of subtasks to the plurality of nodes; receive a plurality of subtask processing results from the plurality of nodes; and combine the plurality of subtask processing results to generate a task processing result for the task.

Abstract: One embodiment described herein, a method of supporting wireless stations in a wireless distribution system having a portal and one or more access points is described. The method comprises accepting by a first access point (AP) a set of filters from a station; receiving by the first AP signaling that the station enters into an idle mode and signaling the same to a server in the wireless distribution system; forwarding by the first AP the set of filters to the server, the set of filters being applied to messages directed to the station received by the server in the wireless distribution system; receiving a buffered message for the station from the server in response to the buffered message matching at least one of the set of filters; and forwarding the buffered message to the station in response to receiving the buffered message from the server.

Abstract: A system with a device including a hardware processor is configured to perform operations: receiving, by the device, a message over a wired medium, wherein the message has a frame including (a) a MAC address as a source MAC address for the frame and (b) a second MAC address as a destination MAC address for the frame, extracting, by the device, the frame from the message received over the wired medium, and wirelessly transmitting, by the device, the frame without modifying the source MAC address and without modifying the destination MAC address.

Abstract: To facilitate management and configuration of VLAN memberships associated with applications or network protocols, a network device receives a packet from a wireless station which is a member of a virtual local area network (VLAN). The network device determines whether the packet is associated with a predefined application or network protocol. If so, the network device delivers the received packet to a dedicated VLAN which is accessible only to network devices associated with the predefined application or network protocol, regardless of destination address specified within the packet. If not, the network device delivers the received packet to an address or a group of addresses specified in a header of the received packet. In some embodiments, the VLAN is divided from a VLAN pool, and the dedicated VLAN corresponds to an address space that is outside the address space of the VLAN pool.

Abstract: The present disclosure discloses a method and network device for software-defined client device management. Specifically, a network device can cause a client device to switch association with a first access point to a second access point. The network device determines whether a number of times the client device has been caused to switch association with an access point exceeds a threshold value for the first period of time. If not, the network device causes the client device to switch to an association with a third access point. Also, the network device determines a configuration indicating when any access point with which a client device is associated may be modified. Based on the configuration, the network device determines whether an association of the client device should not be modified. Also, based on one or more attributes, the network device selectively causes the client device to switch an association.

Abstract: Determining whether a station is at the edge of wireless local area network (WLAN) coverage. In an IEEE 802.11 wireless network comprising one or more access points (APs) which may optionally be connected to one or more controllers, with wireless clients connected to those APs. Station S connected to AP A collects reports such as beacon reports which contains information on all APs station S can hear, including signal strengths. AP A collects a neighbor report which contains information on all APs in its neighborhood including signal strengths. These reports from A and S are observed and compared over time to determine when S is at or is moving to the edge of WLAN coverage. For example, if the only entry in the beacon list for client S is AP A to which it is connected, and the signal strength is decreasing over time, S is at the edge of WLAN coverage and is moving away from the WLAN. The process may be implemented at a controller, at a client, or both.

Abstract: In general, one embodiment of the invention is a air monitor adapted to a wireless network. The air monitor enforces policies followed by the wireless network even though it is not involved in the exchange of data between wireless devices of the wireless network such as access points and wireless stations.

Abstract: The present disclosure discloses a method and network device for enforcing uplink airtime fairness in wireless local area networks. The disclosed network device receives usage limits associated with transmissions from one or more client devices. The client devices transmit packets to the network device via one or more uplink wireless mediums. The disclosed network device further collects wireless medium usage times associated with the client devices, and calculates a size for transmission windows corresponding to the client devices based on the wireless medium usage times and the usage limits. The transmission windows can be TCP advertisement windows whose size determines a rate of transmissions permitted over the wireless medium. Then, the disclosed network device sets the transmission window to the calculated size.