Abstract: A system for, and method of, determining a physical topology of a network having multiple subnets. In one embodiment, the system includes: (1) a skeleton path initializer that uses addressing information from elements in the network to develop a collection of skeleton paths of direct physical connections between labeled ones of the elements, the skeleton paths traversing multiple of the subnets and (2) a skeleton path refiner, coupled to the skeleton path initializer, that refines the collection by inferring, from the direct physical connections and path constraints derived therefrom, other physical connections in the skeleton paths involving unlabeled ones of the elements.

Abstract: The coordination of transmissions by access points (APs) in a wireless local area network (WLAN) is carried out by allowing APs to transmit during slots of a Contention Free Period (CFP). Prior to transmission, slots are assigned to APs using a 4-approximation technique. This technique allows an AP to transmit using multiple frequencies. The assignment of slots satisfies a maximal, lower bound of an AP slot-to-user ratio.

Abstract: A system for, and method of, monitoring link delays and faults in an IP network. In one embodiment, the system includes: (1) a monitoring station identifier that computes a set of monitoring stations that covers links in at least a portion of the network and (2) a probe message identifier, coupled to the monitoring station identifier, that computes a set of probe messages to be transmitted by at least ones of the set of monitoring stations such that the delays and faults can be determined.

Abstract: The number of directional antennas and associated radios needed to ensure a nomadic wireless mesh network (NWMN) remains operational in the event of node or link failures, while minimizing delay and other unwanted effects, may be determined using novel methods and devices. Such a determination may reduce the number of antennas and radios a service or network provider normally uses, thus reducing its costs.

Abstract: Real-time broadcast and multicast based packet transmissions/services over a wireless, local area networks (WLAN) may be improved by reducing the interference across neighboring access points (APs) while minimally impacting the performance of unicast transmissions/services. Minimal impact is assured by scheduling the transmission of multicast packet flows such that the duration of the time period required to transmit such flows is also minimized. One type of method provides a constant approximation of an optimal time period/schedule while another provides a logarithmic approximation of an optimal time period/schedule.

Abstract: The adjacency of access points in a wireless, local area network is used to determine the existence of common overlapping access point coverage areas and to determine maximum distances between access points.

Abstract: Systems and methods for provisioning QoS paths with restoration in a network. In one embodiment, one system includes: (1) a primary path generator configured to identify a suitable primary path between source and destination nodes in a network, (2) an auxiliary graph generator, associated with the primary path generator, configured to construct a directed auxiliary graph from an undirected graph representing the network by reversing each link in a primary QoS path of the undirected graph and replacing each other link in the undirected graph by two directed links, (3) a walk identifier, associated with the auxiliary graph generator, configured to identify a walk in the auxiliary directed graph corresponding to a set of bridges in the network and (4) a bridge identifier, associated with the walk identifier, configured to identify a set of bridges in the network such that at least one link of the primary path is protected by a bridge.

Abstract: The load on access points (APs) in wireless, local area networks (WLANs) is minimized using a number of methods and associated devices. One method minimizes the load of the most congested APs while a second balances the load on both congested and uncongested APs using an optimal min-max (priority) load balanced solution. The optimal solution is obtained without requiring complex modifications, among other things. Both methods include adjustments to the transmission power levels of AP beacon messages to reduce congestion, but do not require adjustments to the transmission power levels of AP data traffic channels.

Abstract: Rounded solutions of a linear program are used to partition or group cells, such as cells in a wireless network, in order to provide efficient approximations of network updating and paging costs.

Abstract: The physical topology of large, heterogeneous Ethernet LANs that may include multiple subnets may be discovered utilizing Management Information Base (MIB) information. Topology discovery tools and network management systems are introduced to carry out the topological discovery methods, features and functions of the present invention.

Abstract: Mobile devices may be associated with access points other than their current access point based on load-balancing objectives of a wireless, local area network during an iterative time period.

Abstract: Unique identifiers are assigned to sets of adjacent access points in a wireless, local area network (WLAN). Thereafter, a unique identifier may be forwarded to a mobile device which uses the identifier to associate itself with one of the adjacent access points. Associating a mobile device with an adjacent access point using unique identifiers allows a WLAN to meet its load balancing objectives.

Abstract: The adjacency of access points in a wireless, local area network is used to determine the existence of common overlapping access point coverage areas and to determine maximum distances between access points.

Abstract: A method comprises allocating a respective restoration path to protect each of a plurality of primary paths in a network. Each primary path has a plurality of nodes and at least two subpaths connecting the nodes of the primary path. Each restoration path includes at least one link. Each link protects at least one of the subpaths of the primary path. Each of the subpaths of the primary path is protected. None of the links in the restoration path is included in the corresponding primary path. At least one of the links is shared among at least two restoration paths corresponding to at least two of the primary paths.

Abstract: Association control is utilized for associating wireless local area network users with at least one wireless local area network access point and thereby achieving simultaneous fairness and load balancing. In the present method, a network operation center receives user parameters from each user in the wireless network via the access points. It then sets out both to determine a set of associations between each user and one or more access points based on the user parameters using fractional load balancing and produce a second set of associations by rounding so that, in said second set, each user is associated with only one access point. The present method achieves close to optimal load balancing and max-min fairness while outperforming commonly-used heuristic approaches.

Abstract: Wireless stations (and their associated operation) making up a static, multi-hop wireless network are simplified because topological modeling and routing/scheduling decisions are shifted from the stations to a controller external to the network. The controller may determine routing paths and schedules for each of the wireless stations in a network based on the topology of a given network along with other network characteristics. Thereafter, the so-determined paths and schedules are sent to the associated wireless stations. By simplifying the operation of a wireless station, the amount of energy required to be used by each station may be reduced thereby maximizing the lifetime of the network.

Abstract: A configurable access network (CAN) architecture is used to identify primary routing paths that allows each wireless station within a static, multi-hop wireless CAN to route packetized data in a way that simplifies the operation of each station and makes more efficient use of the limited energy available to each station.

Abstract: A more energy efficient, medium access control (MAC) layer of a multi-hop wireless network is provided using scheduling techniques which reduce packet collisions, and therefore the need for packet re-transmissions, while ensuring both bandwidth and delay, Quality-of-Service (QoS) guarantees. The techniques are used in conjunction with the formation of a multi-hop, configurable access wireless network (CAN).

Abstract: The coordination of transmissions by access points (APs) in a wireless local area network (WLAN) is carried out by allowing APs to transmit during slots of a Contention Free Period (CFP). Prior to transmission, slots are assigned to APs using a 4-approximation technique. This technique allows an AP to transmit using multiple frequencies. The assignment of slots satisfies a maximal, lower bound of an AP slot-to-user ratio.

Abstract: Problems associated with hidden nodes and overlapping cells in Wireless Local Area Networks (WLANs) are substantially eliminated by only allowing non-interfering Access Points to transmit during assigned slots of a contention-free period (CFP). The CFP is broken up into a number of slots which are assigned to Access Points based on the number of users associated with each Access Point. This assures a relative level of fairness and a quality of service.