Enhanced mobility and address resolution in a wireless premises based network

A communications network comprising:

• a wired network operating according to a wired network protocol, the wired network having a first network segment and a second network segment;
• a first wireless access point connected to the first network segment;
• a second wireless access point connected to the second network segment;
• a wireless node having a wired network protocol address respective to the first wireless access point, and capable of roaming to the proximity of a remote wireless access point connected to the second network segment;
• and
• means for routing communications via a protocol tunnel from the first wireless access point to the second wireless access point across the wired network when the wireless node has roamed to the proximity of such a remote wireless access point connected to the second network segment and is in communication with such remote wireless access point, and means for providing a logical extension to the remote wireless access point while allowing the wireless node to retain its wired network protocol address, and without requiring the use of pseudo addresses or new local addresses assigned dynamically to roaming wireless terminals.

In a communications network comprising:

• a wired network operating according to a wired network protocol, the wired network having a first network segment and a second network segment with respective access points connected thereto;
• a wireless node having a wired network protocol address respective to a first wireless access point of the first network segment;
• the method of enabling roaming of the wireless node into proximity to a remote wireless access point of the second network segment while maintaining communications;
• said method comprising
• the step for routing communications via a protocol tunnel from the first wireless access point to a second wireless access point of the second network segment across the wired network when the wireless node has roamed to the proximity of a remote wireless access point of the second network segment and is in communication with such remote wireless access point, and
• the step for routing communication from the second wireless access point to the remote wireless access point via a data link tunnel, without requiring the wireless node to obtain a new local address, and without the use of pseudo addresses dynamically assigned to roaming terminals.