Wireless local area network access management

In a premises based Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN) that includes a wired network infrastructure, a plurality of Wireless Access Points (WAPs) coupled to the wired network infrastructure, and a network manager coupled to the wired network infrastructure, a method of operation comprising:

• receiving, at a servicing WAP of the plurality of WAPs, a service request from a wireless terminal;
• sending, by the servicing WAP to the network manager, a registration request for the wireless terminal;
• determining, by the network manager, that the wireless terminal is visiting the WLAN, is to be allowed access to the WAP, but is allowed limited access to the WLAN;
• assigning a Virtual Private Network (VPN) ID to the wireless terminal;
• responding, from the network manager to the servicing WAP, with the VPN ID;
• providing, by the servicing WAP, WLAN service to the wireless terminal;
• and
• routing, by the servicing WAP, all communications received from the wireless terminal to an edge node of the WLAN.

In a premises based Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN) that includes a wired network infrastructure, a plurality of Wireless Access Points (WAPs) coupled to the wired network infrastructure, and a network manager coupled to the wired network infrastructure, a method of operation comprising:

• receiving a service request at a WAP of the plurality WAPs from a visiting wireless terminal;
• determining that the wireless terminal should have visitor access rights to the WLAN;
• allocating a Virtual Private Network (VPN) for the service of the wireless terminal;
• establishing the VPN between the WAP and an external network;
• and
• servicing the wireless terminal using the VPN between the WAP and the external network.

A Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN) comprising:

• a network infrastructure;
• a plurality of Wireless Access Points (WAPs) coupled to the network infrastructure;
• a network manager coupled to the network infrastructure;
• wherein a servicing WAP of the plurality of WAPs receives a service request from a wireless terminal;
• wherein the servicing WAP sends a registration request to the network manager requesting registration of the wireless terminal;
• wherein the network manager determines that the wireless terminal is to be allowed access to the WAP;
• wherein the network manager responds to the servicing WAP that the wireless terminal is to be allowed access to the WAP;
• wherein the servicing WAP provides WLAN service to the wireless terminal;
• wherein the network manager provides registration information regarding the wireless terminal to at least one other WAP of the plurality of WAPs;
• wherein another servicing WAP of the plurality of WAPs receives a service request from the wireless terminal;
• and
• wherein the another servicing WAP provides service to the wireless terminal based upon registration information previously received from the network manager and so that latency in handoff is reduced.

A Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN) comprising:

• a network infrastructure;
• a plurality of Wireless Access Points (WAPs) coupled to the network infrastructure;
• a network manager coupled to the network infrastructure;
• wherein a WAP of the plurality WAPs receives a service request from a visiting wireless terminal;
• wherein the network manager determines that the wireless terminal should have visitor access rights to the WLAN;
• wherein the network manager allocates a Virtual Private Network (VPN) for the service of the wireless terminal;
• wherein the network manager establishes the VPN between the WAP and an external network;
• and
• wherein the WLAN services the wireless terminal using the VPN between the WAP and the external network.