Method for the recognition and operation of virtual private networks (VPNs) over a wireless point to multi-point (PtMP) transmission system

A scheduling method for use in a packet-centric wireless point to multi-point telecommunications system, said telecommunications system comprising:

• a wireless base station coupled to a first data network;
• one or more host workstations coupled to said first data network;
• one or more subscriber customer premise equipment (CPE) stations in wireless communication with said wireless base station over a shared wireless bandwidth using a packet-centric protocol;
• and one or more subscriber workstations coupled to each of said subscriber CPE stations over a second network;
• resource allocation means for optimizing end-user quality of service (QoS) and allocating said shared wireless bandwidth among said subscriber CPE stations, wherein said resource allocation means is application aware, and wherein said application awareness comprises awareness of at least one layer above layer 4 of Open Systems Interconnect (OSI) model;
• means for analyzing and scheduling an internet protocol (IP) flow over said shared wireless bandwidth, wherein said scheduling method comprises the steps of:
• prioritizing said IP flow in comparison to other IP flows based on priorities of a virtual private network (VPN) associated with said IP flow.

A packet-centric wireless point to multi-point telecommunications system comprising:

• a wireless base station coupled to a first data network;
• one or more host workstations coupled to said first data network;
• one or more subscriber customer premise equipment (CPE) stations in wireless communication with said wireless base station over a shared wireless bandwidth using a packet-centric protocol;
• and
• one or more subscriber workstations coupled to each of said subscriber CPE stations over a second network;
• a resource allocator to optimize end-user quality of service (QoS) and allocate said shared wireless bandwidth among said subscriber CPE stations, wherein said resource allocator is application aware, and wherein said application awareness comprises awareness of at least one layer above layer 4 of Open Systems Interconnect (OSI) model;
• and
• a scheduler to schedule an internet protocol (IP) flow over said shared wireless bandwidth, wherein said scheduler comprises:
• a prioritizer to prioritize said IP flow in comparison to other IP flows based on priorities of a virtual private network (VPN) associated with said IP flow.