System and method for negotiation of WLAN entity

A method for providing service in a wireless local area network (WLAN) that allows a defined WLAN function split between a wireless access point (WAP) and a single or plurality of Control Nodes (CN) comprising the steps in which:

• the WAP discovers CNs that may provide complementary WLAN functions by sending a single or plurality of discover messages containing information about a subset of WLAN functions of the WAP to all of the CNs in the plurality of CNs;
• after receiving said discover message, at least one of the CNs replies with a single or plurality of messages containing information about a subset of WLAN functions said at least one CN has available for the WAP;
• and
• said WAP chooses from all of the CNs which replied a proper CN based on local policy and establishes an association with said chosen CN.

A method for providing service in a wireless local area network (WLAN) that allows a defined. WLAN function split between a wireless access point (WAP) and a single or plurality of Control Nodes (CN) comprising the steps in which:

• a subset of WAPs processes a total of a subset of functionality of the subset of WAPs defined for the WLAN;
• the WAP dynamically negotiates with a CN for a secure connection and function split arrangement;
• and
• the CN provides complementary functionality for each of the WAPs to form a complete functionality defined for the wireless local area network according to a decision in the negotiation step.

A wireless access point (WAP) in a wireless local area network (WLAN) that allows a defined WLAN function to be split between the wireless access point (WAP) and one or more Control Nodes (CNs), the WAP comprising:

• a discovery function which initiates a discovery operation to discover a Control Node (CN) among said one or more CNs that may complement said WAP with respect to providing said defined WLAN function by sending a plurality of discover messages containing information about a subset of the defined WLAN function of the WAP, to the one or more CNs;
• a receiving function which receives one or more reply messages from said one or more CNs in response to said discover messages, said one or more reply messages including information about a subset of the defined WLAN function which said one or more CNs have available for the WAP;
• and
• a choosing function which chooses from among said one or more CNs that sent said one or more reply messages a particular CN based on local policy.

A Control Node that allows a defined wireless local area network (WLAN) function to be split between a wireless access point (WAP) in the WLAN and the Control Node, the Control Node comprising:

• a receiving function which receives a discover message including information about a subset of the defined WLAN function from the WAP;
• a sending function which sends a reply message to the WAP in response to the discover message;
• a negotiating function which dynamically negotiates with the WAP for a secure connection and function split arrangement;
• and
• a providing function which provides the WAP with complementary functionality for the WAP to form a complete functionality defined for the WLAN according to a decision in the negotiating function.