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US 8,428,036 B2Granted
System and method for providing wireless local area networks as a service
AssigneeBelAir Networks Inc.
InventorsBernard Herscovici, Stephen Rayment
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A wireless local area network (WLAN) system is provided. The system comprises a WLAN network controller and a plurality of access points. The WLAN network controller is in communication with each of the plurality of access points via a transport data network. The WLAN network controller is configured to perform one or more network control functions for the benefit of the plurality of access points. The network control functions may be selected from management and operation, client authentication, mobility, and per-user administration. The WLAN network controller is remotely located and operated with respect to the plurality of access points.
Claims36
A wireless local area network (WLAN) control system, comprising:
- a WLAN network controller;
- and
- a plurality of access points,
- the WLAN network controller being in communication with each of the plurality of access points via a transport data network,
- the WLAN network controller being configured to perform substantially all WLAN network control functions for benefit of at least one of the plurality of access points, the substantially all WLAN network control functions including at least (i) management and operation of physical network resources, (ii) provision of client authentication functions to limit network access to authorized users, (iii) provision of cross-subnet mobility, and (iv) administration of per-user functions,
- wherein the WLAN network controller is located at a service provider facility which is remote from both the WLAN and the plurality of access points, which plurality of access points are not disposed at the service provider facility, and wherein the substantially all WLAN network control functions are performed external of the WLAN,
- wherein the at least one access point of the plurality of access points is configured to use a Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol snooping operation to determine a client Media Access Control (MAC) address and to communicate the client MAC address to the WLAN network controller for MAC authentication, and
- wherein the WLAN network controller is configured to authenticate the client to the WLAN by transmitting a message to the least one access point, the message including information relating to authentication.
5 more elements
A method of providing a wireless local area network (WLAN) control capability as a service, the method comprising the steps of:
- identifying a plurality of access points as belonging to a WLAN;
- communicating with each of the plurality of access points from a WLAN network controller which is disposed at a service provider location which is remote from the plurality of access points, via a transport data network, the WLAN and the access points not being disposed at the service provider;
- operating the WLAN by performing substantially all WLAN network control functions at the service provider location, for benefit of the plurality of access points, the substantially all WLAN network control functions including at least (i) management and operation of physical network resources, (ii) provision of client authentication functions to limit network access to authorized users, (iii) provision of cross-subnetmobility, and (iv) administration of per-user functions, and wherein the substantially all WLAN network control functions are performed external of the WLAN,
- using, by at least one access point of the plurality of access points, a Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol snooping operation to determine a client Media Access Control (MAC) address and communicating the client MAC address to the WLAN network controller for MAC authentication, and
- authenticating, by the WLAN network controller, the client to the WLAN by transmitting a message to the least one access point, the message including information relating to authentication.
2 more elements
A method of providing a wireless local area network (WLAN) control capability as a service, the method comprising:
- providing a WLAN with a plurality of access points on-site of the WLAN;
- providing a WLAN network controller at a service provider that is remote from and off-site of the WLAN, the plurality of WLAN access points not being located at the service provider;
- remotely managing the plurality of access points on-site of the WLAN using the WLAN network controller off-site of the WLAN, the WLAN network controller performing substantially all WLAN network control functions remote from the WLAN, the substantially all WLAN network control functions including at least (i) management and operation of physical network resources, (ii) provision of client authentication functions to limit network access to authorized users, (iii) provision of cross-subnetmobility, and (iv) administration of per-user functions, and wherein the substantially all WLAN network control functions are performed external of the WLAN,
- using, by at least one access point of the plurality of access points, a Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol snooping operation to determine a client Media Access Control (MAC) address and communicating the client MAC address to the WLAN network controller for MAC authentication, and
- authenticating, by the WLAN network controller, the client to the WLAN by transmitting a message to the least one access point, the message including information relating to authentication.
2 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.