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: According to one embodiment of the invention, a method comprises an exchange of messages between an access point and a wireless network switch. One message, a PROXY IGMP JOIN message, is transmitted to the access point for propagation to a multicast router. This is performed so that multicast data associated with the multicast group identified by the PROXY IGMP JOIN message is routed to the access point without any unnecessary involvement by the wireless network switch.

Abstract: Supporting idle stations in an IEEE 802.11 wireless distribution system. When a station in an IEEE 802.11 wireless distribution system (DS) enters the idle state, it is not associated with any access points (APs) in the DS, Prior to entering the idle state, a station may establish filters indicating what traffic it wishes to receive. These filters are sent to a server in the DS. When a station goes idle, it is associated with a paging server in the DS, which buffers all received for the idle station, and initiates paging of the idle station when such traffic meeting filter criteria is received. When the station exits the idle state by reassociating with an AP in the DS, the server is notified, and forwards the buffered traffic to the station through its AP. The server may be implemented as a process running in a controller or portal in the DS.

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: In one embodiment of the invention, a wireless network is adapted with a wireless network switch in communication with a plurality of access points, which are in communication with one or more stations. Coupled to the access points over an interconnect, the wireless network switch is adapted to receive a DEAUTHENTICATION message sent by one of the plurality of access points in the same coverage area of the station so as to detect the DEAUTHENTICATION message and to block communications between the plurality of access points and the station in response to determining that the DEAUTHENTICATION message is invalid.

Abstract: Band steering for multi-band wireless clients. In a wireless digital network having at least one central controller and a plurality of access nodes connected to the central controller, and wherein some of the access nodes support a preferred wireless band and at least one non-preferred wireless band, the central controller identifies wireless client devices capable of multi-band operation, and encourages them to connect to the preferred wireless band. Client devices may be identified as multi-band capable by tracking probe requests. The central controller keeps a list of multi-band capable clients, for example in a database. This information is provided to other central controllers, and to access nodes attached to the central controller. Multi-band capable clients are encouraged to connect on the preferred wireless band for example by having the access nodes not respond to probe requests on the non-preferred wireless bands.

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: In one embodiment of the invention, a wireless network is adapted with a wireless network switch in communication with a plurality of access points, which are in communication with one or more stations. Coupled to the access points over an interconnect, the wireless network switch is adapted to receive a DEAUTHENTICATION message sent by one of the plurality of access points in the same coverage area of the station so as to detect the DEAUTHENTICATION message and to block communications between the plurality of access points and the station in response to determining that the DEAUTHENTICATION message is invalid.

Abstract: According to one embodiment of the invention, a method for controlling capacity of a wired or wireless network with varying bandwidth capacity is described. First, dynamic conditions associated with the data flow are measured. These dynamic conditions influence a bandwidth capacity for the data flow. Next, the capacity is estimated in order to adjust the data flow based on the estimated capacity per the measured dynamic conditions.

Abstract: Band steering for multi-band wireless clients. In a wireless digital network having at least one central controller and a plurality of access nodes connected to the central controller, and wherein some of the access nodes support a preferred wireless band and at least one non-preferred wireless band, the central controller identifies wireless client devices capable of multi-band operation, and encourages them to connect to the preferred wireless band. Client devices may be identified as multi-band capable by tracking probe requests. The central controller keeps a list of multi-band capable clients, for example in a database. This information is provided to other central controllers, and to access nodes attached to the central controller. Multi-band capable clients are encouraged to connect on the preferred wireless band for example by having the access nodes not respond to probe requests on the non-preferred wireless bands.

Abstract: In general, one embodiment of the invention relates to a method of operation where the type of an incoming Media Access Control (MAC) frame is initially determined. Based on such determination, the MAC frame is processed locally at an access point if the MAC frame is one of a first group of MAC frames. Otherwise, the MAC frame is processed remotely at a switch communicatively coupled to the access point.

Abstract: Supporting idle stations in an IEEE 802.11 wireless distribution system. When a station in an IEEE 802.11 wireless distribution system (DS) enters the idle state, it is not associated with any access points (APs) in the DS, Prior to entering the idle state, a station may establish filters indicating what traffic it wishes to receive. These filters are sent to a server in the DS. When a station goes idle, it is associated with a paing server in the DS, which buffers all received for the idle station, and initiates paging of the idle station when such traffic meeting filter criteria is received. When the station exits the idle state by reassociating with an AP in the DS, the server is notified, and forwards the buffered traffic to the station through its AP. The server may be implemented as a process running in a controller or portal in the DS.

Abstract: According to one embodiment of the invention, a method for controlling capacity of a wired or wireless network with varying bandwidth capacity is described. First, dynamic conditions associated with the data flow are measured. These dynamic conditions influence a bandwidth capacity for the data flow. Next, the capacity is estimated in order to adjust the data flow based on the estimated capacity per the measured dynamic conditions.

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 of the invention, a method comprises an exchange of messages between an access point and a wireless network switch. One message, a PROXY IGMP JOIN message, is transmitted to the access point for propagation to a multicast router. This is performed so that multicast data associated with the multicast group identified by the PROXY IGMP JOIN message is routed to the access point without any unnecessary involvement by the wireless network switch.

Abstract: In an exemplary embodiment, a method comprising determining locations within a site for a plurality of network devices and calibrating the network devices by each of the plurality of network devices. The calibration of each network device is performed separately and successively through the transmission of wireless signals by the access points. The quality of these wireless as measured by test receivers are mapped to detect RF interference and to adjust power level or channel assignment as needed.

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: 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: In one embodiment of the invention, a wireless network is adapted with a wireless network switch in communication with a plurality of access points, which are in communication with one or more stations. Coupled to the access points over an interconnect, the wireless network switch is adapted to receive a DEAUTHENTICATION message sent by one of the plurality of access points in the same coverage area of the station so as to detect the DEAUTHENTICATION message and to block communications between the plurality of access points and the station in response to determining that the DEAUTHENTICATION message is invalid.