Unified, configurable, adaptive, network architecture

A network system, comprising:

• a network switch including
• a port,
• a processor for executing a software application for configuring the port to support a wireless edge device,
• a memory for storing configuration information associated with the port and a software image;
• and;
• a wireless edge device including a program for automatically downloading the configuration information and the software image when the wireless edge device is connected to the port, so that the wireless edge device is configured to function as a wireless network access point.

In a network system, a method of configuring a network switch port and wireless edge device, comprising:

• receiving configuration information at a network switch;
• storing the configuration at the network switch;
• associating the configuration information with a port of the network switch;
• configuring the port to support either a wired device or a wireless edge device;
• when the port is configured to support a wireless edge device, automatically downloading the configuration information to the wireless edge device when the wireless edge device is connected to the port;
• and
• configuring the wireless edge device based on the downloaded configuration information.

A network switch, comprising:

• means for connecting to a wireless edge device to the switch;
• and
• means for selectively configuring the connecting means to connect to either a wired device or a wireless edge device;
• and
• means for automatically configuring a wireless edge device attached to the connecting means so that the wireless edge device is able to function as a wireless network access point.

A network switch comprising:

• one or more ports;
• a memory for storing a software image executable by a wireless edge device;
• a processor for configuring at least one of the ports to support a wireless edge device;
• and
• an application for automatically downloading the software image to the wireless edge device when the wireless edge device is plugged into the port, thereby configuring the wireless edge device so that it is able to function as a wireless network access point.