Optimizing bandwidth utilization in an in-home network

A system for multimedia communication, the system comprising:

• a network device comprising a bandwidth optimization module, a physical layer (PHY), and a wireless local area network (WLAN) module, said network device for use in a multi-protocol premises-based wired and wireless network, said network device being operable to:
• monitor, using said bandwidth optimization module, one or more capabilities of said PHY operating in accordance with a wired communication standard and capabilities of said WLAN module operating in accordance with a wireless local area network standard, in said multi-protocol premises-based wired and wireless network, wherein said wired communication standard comprises Multimedia over Cable Alliance (MoCA);
• communicate reallocation commands to one or more devices in said multi-protocol premises-based wired and wireless network based on said one or more capabilities;
• route some or all data communications from said PHY to said WLAN module, based on said reallocation commands;
• and
• configure a bit-loading of said data communications in said PHY and a bit-loading of said data communications in said WLAN module-based on said reallocation commands.

A system for multimedia communication, the system comprising:

• a Multimedia over Cable Alliance (MoCA) network controller in a premises, said MoCA network controller comprising a bandwidth optimization module, a MoCA PHY, and a wireless local area network (WLAN) module, said network controller being operable to:
• monitor, using said bandwidth optimization module media capabilities of a wired communication link via said MoCA PHY operating in accordance with a MoCA standard and capabilities of a wireless communication link operating in accordance with a wireless local area network standard, in a multi-protocol wired and wireless network within said premises;
• communicate reallocation commands to one or more devices in said multi-protocol premises-based wired and wireless network based on said one or more capabilities;
• route some or all data communications from said MoCA PHY to said WLAN module, based on said reallocation commands;
• and
• configure a bit-loading of said data communications in said MoCA PHY and a bit-loading of said data communications in said WLAN module-based on said reallocation commands.

A method for multimedia communication, the method comprising:

• in a network device of a multi-protocol premises-based wired and wireless network:
• monitoring one or more capabilities of a wireless communication link operating in accordance with a wireless local area network standard and a wired communication link operating in accordance with a wired communication standard, in said multi-protocol premises-based wired and wireless network, wherein said wired communication standard comprises Multimedia over Cable Alliance (MoCA);
• communicate reallocation commands to one or more devices in said multi-protocol premises-based wired and wireless network based on said one or more capabilities;
• routing some or all data communications from said wireless communication link to said wired communication link, based on said reallocation commands;
• and
• configuring a bit-loading of said data communications in said wireless communication link and a bit-loading of said wired communication link based on said reallocation commands.

A system for multimedia communication, the system comprising:

• a network device for use in a multi-protocol premises-based wired and wireless network, said network device comprising a bandwidth optimization module, a physical layer (PHY), and a wireless local area network (WLAN) module, said network device being operable to:
• monitor one or more capabilities of a wireless communication link operating in accordance with a wireless local area network standard and a wired communication link operating in accordance with a wired communication protocol, in said multi-protocol premises-based wired and wireless network, wherein said wired communication standard comprises Multimedia over Cable Alliance (MoCA);
• communicate reallocation commands to one or more devices in said multi-protocol premises-based wired and wireless network based on said one or more capabilities;
• route some or all data communications from said wireless communication link to said wired communication link, based on said reallocation commands;
• and
• configure a bit-loading of said data communications in said wireless communication link and a bit-loading of said data communications in said wired communication link based on said reallocation commands.