Wireless local area network channel resource management

A multi-layer switch that supports a wired Local Area Network (wired LAN) having a wired network infrastructure, the multi-layer switch comprising:

• a high-speed packet data network interface that couples the multi-layer switch to a high-speed packet data network;
• a port interface communicatively coupled to the high speed packet data network and to the wired network infrastructure, wherein the port interface further communicatively couples the multi-layer switch to a plurality of Wireless Access Points (WAPs) that couple to the wired network infrastructure;
• and
• a processor operably coupled to the port interface, wherein the processor executes a plurality of software instructions that, upon execution, cause the multi-layer switch to:
• monitor packetized communications serviced by a WAP of the plurality of WAPs;
• determine that a Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN) client serviced by the WAP exceeds a usage threshold;
• and
• reduce the wireless capacity provided to the WLAN client by the WAP.

A combined wired Local Area Network (wired LAN) and Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN) the services a plurality of WLAN clients, the combined wired LAN and WLAN comprising:

• a wired network infrastructure;
• a plurality of Wireless Access Points (WAPs) coupled to the wired network infrastructure;
• a multi-layer switch coupled to the wired network infrastructure;
• wherein a WAP of the plurality of WAPs and the multi-layer switch service packetized communications for a plurality of WLAN clients;
• wherein the multi-layer switch monitors packetized communications serviced by the WAP;
• wherein, the multi-layer switch determines that a WLAN client serviced by the WAP exceeds a usage threshold;
• and
• wherein the multi-layer switch reduces the wireless capacity provided to the WLAN client by the WAP.