Abstract: A node and method are described for providing more flexible access to a wireless network. The node has scanning circuitry for performing a scanning operation to detect one or more wireless backhaul nodes and a performance characteristic associated with each of the one or more wireless backhaul nodes. This scanning operation is performed for each of a plurality of antenna directions. Filter circuitry is also provided to store a reference to the one or more wireless backhaul nodes, a value of the performance characteristic associated with the one or more wireless backhaul nodes, and an antenna position during the scanning operation, which are stored in a candidate list on the basis of a condition. The node also comprises data processing circuitry to select a selected wireless backhaul node from the candidate list based on the performance characteristic.

Abstract: A node is provided to operate in a wireless network. The node comprises scanning circuitry to perform a scanning process to detect one or more upstream nodes of said wireless network; connection circuitry to form a connection to one of said one or more upstream nodes in response to said scanning circuitry completing said scanning process, wherein said connection is broken as a consequence of said scanning process; storage circuitry to store one or more triggers; and processing circuitry to cause said scanning circuitry to perform said scanning process in response to one of said one or more triggers.

Abstract: A node is provided to operate in a wireless network.

Abstract: A node and method are described for providing more flexible access to a wireless network. The node has scanning circuitry for performing a scanning operation to detect one or more wireless backhaul nodes and a performance characteristic associated with each of the one or more wireless backhaul nodes. This scanning operation is performed for each of a plurality of antenna directions. Filter circuitry is also provided to store a reference to the one or more wireless backhaul nodes, a value of the performance characteristic associated with the one or more wireless backhaul nodes, and an antenna position during the scanning operation, which are stored in a candidate list on the basis of a condition. The node also comprises data processing circuitry to select a selected wireless backhaul node from the candidate list based on the performance characteristic.

Abstract: A file transfer method for transmitting a large data file in slices from a sender to a receiver through the Internet on multiple parallel FTP connections uses the restart (REST) command of the industry-standard FTP Protocol to command an FTP server to transfer the respective slices starting with the first byte corresponding to that slice. This method can obtain the same high speed download performance of multiple simultaneous FTP connections without requiring any special software to be installed at the sender end. The “restart” file transfer method can be employed in a batch-processing system for performing file transfers from multiple FTP servers through the Internet in which each file transfer involves multiple parallel FTP connections.

Abstract: A gas and liquid contact apparatus includes at least one pair of generally vertically aligned contact bodies having pairs of opposed generally vertically and horizontally extending edge portions. The contact bodies have passageways formed therein which penetrate between the two opposed vertical edges of the body, with the horizontal edges thereof being open to admit liquid into the passageways. A liquid impervious distribution strip is located between the adjacent spaced horizontal edges of the contact bodies and extends across one of the vertical edges thereof, to deflect liquid migrating to the one vertical edge toward the other vertical edge of the contact body therebelow.