Multiple abstraction layers within a communication device

An apparatus for communication in a heterogeneous network, the heterogeneous network including a plurality of disparate communication media types, the apparatus comprising:

• a communication interface configured for communication over one of the communication media types;
• and
• an abstraction layer (AL) processing unit coupled to the communication interface, the AL processing unit configured to abstract the communication interface from an upper layer processing unit in a communication device, wherein the AL processing unit includes i) a first interface for communicating with the communication interface and ii) a second interface for communicating with other AL processing units within the communication device.

An apparatus for communication in a heterogeneous network, the heterogeneous network including a plurality of disparate communication media types, the apparatus comprising:

• a communication interface configured for communication over one of the communication media types;
• and
• an abstraction layer (AL) processing unit coupled to the communication interface, the AL processing unit configured to abstract the communication interface from an upper layer processing unit in a communication device, wherein the AL processing unit includes i) an interface for communicating with other AL processing units within the communication device, and ii) a central database accessible by other AL processing units within the communication device, the central database configured to store at least (a) forwarding data and (b) link data describing quality of active links associated with the communication device.