Patent ID: 8254346
Filing Date: 2012-08-28
Classification: G01S,H04L,H04W

Abstract:
1. A method for providing communication in a hybrid wired/wireless local area network, the method comprising: in a network device: broadcasting, by the network device, at least one discovery message to at least one of a plurality of access points within the hybrid wired/wireless local area network, wherein said at least one of said plurality of access points is operable to connect at least one device to the hybrid wired/wireless local area network; receiving, by the network device, a response from said at least one of said plurality of access points, said response reporting a presence of at least one access device located within a coverage area of said at least one of said plurality of access points, said at least one access device being separate and distinct from the network device and from said at least one of said plurality of access points; and requesting, by the network device, from said at least one of said plurality of access points, a status of said at least one access device located within said coverage area of said at least one of said plurality of access points by sending at least one status request message only to a particular one of said plurality of access points within whose coverage area said at least one access device is located.