Abstract: Systems and methods for allocating network bandwidth between a plurality of networks. Requests for bandwidth allocation from other networks can be received. A coexistence frame requesting an allocation of bandwidth for a local network can be generated based upon the bandwidth allocation requests received from other networks. The coexistence frame can be transmitted, and utilization of the requested allocation can be delayed by a reservation period.

Abstract: A hybrid network device can implement functionality to detect a change in a packet route associated with one or more packets sharing a common route, and to manage out-of-order packet arrival. In a hybrid communication network, a first network device can communicate with a second network device via a plurality of packet routes. The first network device can detect one or more route change indicators that are indicative of a change in a packet route between the first network device and the second network device from a first packet route to a second packet route based, at least in part, on a plurality of packets received from the second network device. Based on the route change indicators, it may be determined whether the plurality of packets were received according to a predetermined order and if the plurality of packets should be re-ordered based on the predetermined order.

Abstract: Functionality for secure client authentication and service authorization in a shared communication network are disclosed. A managing network device of a communication network causes a securely connected client network device to perform an account authorization process with an accounting network device in parallel with a service matching process with the managing network device and one or more service providers of the communication network. The managing network device executes the service matching process and securely matches the client network device with one of the service providers. The accounting network device executes the account authorizing process with the client network device and provides a service voucher to the managing network device authorizing one or more of the service providers to service the client network device. The managing network device transmits the service voucher to the matched service provider to prompt the matched service provider to service the client network device.

Abstract: A hybrid network device can implement functionality for automatically detecting and locating legacy bridges in a communication network. In one embodiment, a first network device of a first class of network devices can determine that a second network device of a second class of network devices is communicatively located adjacent to at least one of a plurality of network interfaces of the first network device based, in part, on detecting that a packet originating from the second network device does not include a predetermined tag. The first network device can determine whether network segments associated with the first network device and a target network device are communicatively coupled via a network bridge device of the second class of network devices based on transmitting probe messages to the second network device and determining whether the target network device detected the probe messages.

Abstract: Protocol data units (PDUs) associated with a packet stream are transmitted with sequence numbers to support reordering and selective acknowledgement. A selective acknowledgement (SACK) message may be used to indicate at least one sequence number of a lost or corrupted PDU which was not properly received by the receiving device. Responsive to the SACK message, the lost or corrupted PDU is retransmitted via a different path of the network, different from the path used to transmit the original PDU. Lost or corrupted PDUs may not be retransmitted if the estimated retransmission delay is greater than a delay tolerance associated with the quality of service requirements of the application. Instead, a control message (i.e. “cut losses” message) may be transmitted to indicate that PDUs earlier than a particular sequence number will not be transmitted.

Abstract: A hybrid network device can implement functionality to indicate the sequence of packets associated with a common packet stream transmitted via a plurality of packet routes and to manage out-of-order packet arrival. In a hybrid communication network, a first network device can determine sequence identifiers associated with a plurality of packets of a packet stream received from a second network device via a plurality of packet routes between the first network device and the second network device. The first network device can detect out-of-order delivery of one or more of the plurality of received packets based, at least in part, on the sequence identifiers associated with the plurality of packets. Consequently, the first network device can re-order at least a subset of the plurality of packets based on the sequence identifiers associated with the plurality of packets.

Abstract: A method for establishing shared information is described. The method includes estimating characteristics of a communication channel between two nodes based on signals transmitted between the nodes. The method also includes transmitting a signal from the first node to the second node, the signal being modulated with a first data sequence according to a first estimated characteristic, and transmitting a signal from the second node to the first node, the signal being modulated with a second data sequence according to a second estimated characteristic. Shared information is formed at each of the first and second nodes based on at least a portion of the first data sequence and at least a portion of the second data sequence.

Abstract: A simple connect setup function for hybrid networks is provided that allows a user to add devices optionally having a number of different network interfaces (e.g., that facilitate communications using different network technologies or protocols) to a hybrid network in a single, simplified operation that alleviates the need for the user to individually connect and/or configure a multitude of different network interfaces. The simple connect setup function also alleviates the need for the user to know on which devices the simple connect setup function must be activated for successful simple connect setup.

Abstract: A simple connect setup function for hybrid networks is provided that allows a user to add devices optionally having a number of different network interfaces (e.g., that facilitate communications using different network technologies or protocols) to a hybrid network in a single, simplified operation that alleviates the need for the user to individually connect and/or configure a multitude of different network interfaces. The simple connect setup function also alleviates the need for the user to know on which devices the simple connect setup function must be activated for successful simple connect setup.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for providing a passphrase-based security setup for a hybrid network including multiple network interfaces configured for communicating over one or more communication media are provided. The method includes receiving a passphrase from a user at a network interface of the multiple network interfaces. The received passphrase is then used for authenticating the device for one or more network interfaces. The authentication can be performed irrespective of a communication medium used by the network interfaces.

Abstract: Systems and methods for allocating network bandwidth between a plurality of networks. Requests for bandwidth allocation from other networks can be received. A coexistence frame requesting an allocation of bandwidth for a local network can be generated based upon the bandwidth allocation requests received from other networks. The coexistence frame can be transmitted, and utilization of the requested allocation can be delayed by a reservation period.

Abstract: Systems and methods for allocating network bandwidth between a plurality of networks. Requests for bandwidth allocation from other networks can be received. A coexistence frame requesting an allocation of bandwidth for a local network can be generated based upon the bandwidth allocation requests received from other networks. The coexistence frame can be transmitted, and utilization of the requested allocation can be delayed by a reservation period.

Abstract: Functionality for secure client authentication and service authorization in a shared communication network are disclosed. A managing network device of a communication network causes a securely connected client network device to perform an account authorization process with an accounting network device in parallel with a service matching process with the managing network device and one or more service providers of the communication network. The managing network device executes the service matching process and securely matches the client network device with one of the service providers. The accounting network device executes the account authorizing process with the client network device and provides a service voucher to the managing network device authorizing one or more of the service providers to service the client network device. The managing network device transmits the service voucher to the matched service provider to prompt the matched service provider to service the client network device.

Abstract: A hybrid network device can implement functionality to detect a change in a packet route associated with one or more packets sharing a common route, and to manage out-of-order packet arrival. In a hybrid communication network, a first network device can communicate with a second network device via a plurality of packet routes. The first network device can detect one or more route change indicators that are indicative of a change in a packet route between the first network device and the second network device from a first packet route to a second packet route based, at least in part, on a plurality of packets received from the second network device. Based on the route change indicators, it may be determined whether the plurality of packets were received according to a predetermined order and if the plurality of packets should be re-ordered based on the predetermined order.

Abstract: A hybrid network device can implement functionality to indicate the sequence of packets associated with a common packet stream transmitted via a plurality of packet routes and to manage out-of-order packet arrival. In a hybrid communication network, a first network device can determine sequence identifiers associated with a plurality of packets of a packet stream received from a second network device via a plurality of packet routes between the first network device and the second network device. The first network device can detect out-of-order delivery of one or more of the plurality of received packets based, at least in part, on the sequence identifiers associated with the plurality of packets. Consequently, the first network device can re-order at least a subset of the plurality of packets based on the sequence identifiers associated with the plurality of packets.

Abstract: A method for establishing shared information is described. The method includes estimating characteristics of a communication channel between two nodes based on signals transmitted between the nodes. The method also includes transmitting a signal from the first node to the second node, the signal being modulated with a first data sequence according to a first estimated characteristic, and transmitting a signal from the second node to the first node, the signal being modulated with a second data sequence according to a second estimated characteristic. Shared information is formed at each of the first and second nodes based on at least a portion of the first data sequence and at least a portion of the second data sequence.

Abstract: A simple connect setup function for hybrid networks is provided that allows a user to add devices optionally having a number of different network interfaces (e.g., that facilitate communications using different network technologies or protocols) to a hybrid network in a single, simplified operation that alleviates the need for the user to individually connect and/or configure a multitude of different network interfaces. The simple connect setup function also alleviates the need for the user to know on which devices the simple connect setup function must be activated for successful simple connect setup.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for providing a passphrase-based security setup for a hybrid network including multiple network interfaces configured for communicating over one or more communication media are provided. The method includes receiving a passphrase from a user at a network interface of the multiple network interfaces. The received passphrase is then used for authenticating the device for one or more network interfaces. The authentication can be performed irrespective of a communication medium used by the network interfaces.

Abstract: A simple connect setup function for hybrid networks is provided that allows a user to add devices optionally having a number of different network interfaces (e.g., that facilitate communications using different network technologies or protocols) to a hybrid network in a single, simplified operation that alleviates the need for the user to individually connect and/or configure a multitude of different network interfaces. The simple connect setup function also alleviates the need for the user to know on which devices the simple connect setup function must be activated for successful simple connect setup.

Abstract: A hybrid network device can implement functionality for automatically detecting and locating legacy bridges in a communication network. In one embodiment, a first network device of a first class of network devices can determine that a second network device of a second class of network devices is communicatively located adjacent to at least one of a plurality of network interfaces of the first network device based, in part, on detecting that a packet originating from the second network device does not include a predetermined tag. The first network device can determine whether network segments associated with the first network device and a target network device are communicatively coupled via a network bridge device of the second class of network devices based on transmitting probe messages to the second network device and determining whether the target network device detected the probe messages.