Patent Publication Number: US-2004054798-A1

Title: Method and system for providing seamless connectivity and communication in a multi-band multi-protocol hybrid wired/wireless network

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS/INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE  
     [0001] This application makes reference to, claims priority to, and claims the benefit of:  
     [0002] The application also makes reference to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Serial No. 60/459,356 (Attorney Docket 14182US01) entitled “Method and System for Providing Seamless Connectivity in a Multi-Band Multi-Protocol Hybrid Wired/Wireless Network” filed on Mar. 31, 2003;  
     [0003] U.S. Provisional Patent Application Serial No. 60/433,198 entitled “Method and System for Providing a Super Channel in a Multi-band Multi-protocol Hybrid Wired/Wireless Network” filed on Dec. 31, 2002;  
     [0004] U.S. Provisional Patent Application Serial No. 60/411,261 entitled “Communications Systems Software and Protocols” filed on Sep. 17, 2002; and  
     [0005] U.S. Provisional Patent Application Serial No. 60/411,301 entitled “Method and System for Providing a Scalable Integrated Switch and Wireless Architecture” filed on Sep. 17, 2002.  
     [0006] The application also makes reference to U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/606,565 entitled “Method and System for Network Management in a Hybrid Wired/Wireless Network” filed on Jun. 26, 2003.  
     [0007] The above stated applications are all incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.  
    
    
     
       FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
       [0008] Embodiments of the present application relate generally to hybrid wired/wireless networking, and more particularly to a method and system for providing seamless connectivity in a multi-band multi-protocol hybrid wired/wireless network.  
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0009] The Open Systems Interconnection (OSI) model promulgated by the International standards organization (ISO) was developed to establish standardization for linking heterogeneous computer and communication systems. The OSI model describes the flow of information from a software application of a first computer system to a software application of a second computer system through a network medium. FIG. 1 a  is a block diagram  100  of the OSI model. Referring to FIG. 1 a , the OSI model has seven distinct functional layers including layer  7 , an application layer  114 ; layer  6 , a presentation layer  112 ; layer  5 , a session layer  110 ; layer  4 , a transport layer  108 , layer  3 , a network layer  106 ; layer  2 : a data link layer  104 ; and layer  1 , a physical layer  102 . The physical layer  102  may further include a physical layer convergence procedure (PLCP) sublayer  102   b  and a physical media dependent sublayer  102   a . The data link layer  104  may also include a Medium access control (MAC) layer  104   a.    
       [0010] In general, each OSI layer describes certain tasks which are necessary for facilitating the transfer of information through interfacing layers and ultimately through the network. Notwithstanding, the OSI model does not describe any particular implementation of the various layers. OSI layers  1  to  4  generally handle network control and data transmission and reception, generally referred to as end-to-end network services. Layers  5  to  7  handle application issues, generally referred to as application services. Specific functions of each layer may vary depending on factors such as protocol and/or interface requirements or specifications that are necessary for implementation of a particular layer. For example, the Ethernet protocol may provide collision detection and carrier sensing in the physical layer. Layer  1 , the physical layer  102 , is responsible for handling all electrical, optical, opto-electrical and mechanical requirements for interfacing to the communication media. Notably, the physical layer  102  may facilitate the transfer of electrical signals representing an information bitstream. The physical layer  102  may also provide services such as, encoding, decoding, synchronization, clock data recovery, and transmission and reception of bit streams.  
       [0011] The PLCP layer  102   b  may be configured to adapt and map services provided by the physical layer  102  to the functions provided by the device specific PMD sublayer  102   a . Specifically, the PLCP layer  102   b  may be adapted to map PHY sublayer service data units (PDSUs) into a suitable packet and/or framing format necessary for providing communication services between two or more entities communicating via the physical medium. The PMD layer  102   a  specifies the actual methodology and/or protocols which may be used for receiving and transmitting via the physical medium. The MAC sublayer  104   a  may be adapted to provide, for example, any necessary drivers which may be utilized to access the functions and services provided by the PLCP sublayer  102   b . Accordingly, higher layer services may be adapted to utilize the services provided by the MAC sublayer  104   a  with little or no dependence on the PMD sublayer  102   a.    
       [0012] 802.11 is a suite of specifications promulgated by the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE), which provide communication standards for the MAC and physical (PHY) layer of the OSI model. The 801.11 standard also provides communication standards for wired and wireless local area networks (WLANs). More specifically, the 802.11 standard specifies five (5) types of physical layers for WLANs. These include, frequency hopping spread spectrum (FHSS), direct sequence spread spectrum (DSSS), infrared (IR) communication, high rate direct sequence spread spectrum spread spectrum (HR-DSS) and orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM). The 802.11 standard also provides a PLCP frame format for each of the specified PHY layers.  
       [0013] Over the past decade, demands for higher data rates to support applications such as streaming audio and streaming video, have seen Ethernet speeds being increased from about 1-2 megabit per second (Mbps), to 10 Mbps, to 100 Mbps, to 1 gigabit per second (Gbps) to 10 Gbps. Currently, there are a number of standards in the suite of specifications, namely 802.11b, 802.11a and 802.11g which have been adapted to facilitate the demands for increased data rates. The 802.11g standard for example, provides a maximum data rate of about 54 Mbps at a transmitter/receiver range of 19 meters (m) in a frequency range of 2.4 GHz to 2.4835 GHz. The 802.11b standard for example, provides a maximum data rate of about 11 Mbps at a transmitter/receiver range of 57 meters (m) in a frequency range of 2.4 GHz to 2.4835 GHz. Finally, the 802.11a standard for example, may be adapted to provide a maximum data rate of about 54 Mbps at a transmitter/receiver range of 12 meters (m) in a 300 MHz segmented bandwidth ranging from 5.150 GHz to 5.350 GHz and from 5.725 GHz to 5.825 GHz.  
       [0014] The 802.11 standard forms the basis of the other standards in the suite of specifications, and the 802.11b, 802.11a and 802.11g standards provide various enhancements and new features to their predecessor standards. Notwithstanding, there are certain elementary building blocks that are common to all the standards in the suite of specifications. For example, all the standards in the suite of specifications utilize the Ethernet protocol and utilize carrier sense multiple access with collision avoidance (CSMA/CA).  
       [0015] CSMA/CA utilizes a simple negotiation scheme to permit access to a communication medium. If a transmitting entity wishes to transmit information to a receiving entity, the transmitting entity may sense the communication medium for communication traffic. In a case where the communication medium is busy, the transmitting entity may desist from making a transmission and attempt transmission at a subsequent time. In a case where the communication transmission is not busy, then the transmitting entity may send information over the communication medium. Notwithstanding, there may be a case where two or more transmission entities sense that the communication medium is not busy and attempt transmission at the same instant. To avoid collisions and retransmissions, a CSMA/OA or ready to send (RTS) and clear to send (CTS) messaging scheme may be employed, for example. Accordingly, whenever a transmitting device senses that the communication medium is not busy, then the transmitting device may send a ready to send message to one or more receiving device. Subsequent to the receipt of the ready to send message, the receiving device may send a clear to send message. Upon receipt of the clear to send message by the transmitting device, the transmitting device may initiate transfer of data to the receiving device. Upon receiving packets or frames from the transmitting device, the receiving device may acknowledge the received frames.  
       [0016] The 802.11b standard, commonly called Wi-Fi, which represents wireless fidelity, is backward compatible with its predecessor standard 802.11. Although 802.11 utilizes one of two modulation formats including direct sequence spread spectrum (DSS) using differential binary phase shift keying and frequency hopping spread spectrum (11-bit Barker sequence), 802.11b utilizes a higher data rate form of DSS called complementary code keying (CCK). CCK permits higher data rate and particularly less susceptible to interference effects such as multipath-propagation interference, the PSK.  
       [0017] 802.11a utilizes orthogonal frequency-division multiplexing (OFDM) modulation/encoding scheme, which provides a maximum data rate 54 Mbps. Orthogonal frequency-division multiplexing is a digital modulation technique which splits a signal into several narrowband channels, with each channel having a different frequency. Each narrowband channel is arranged so as to minimize the effects of crosstalk between the channels and symbols in the data stream.  
       [0018] Since equipment designed to provide support for 802.11a operates at frequencies in the ranges 5.150 GHz to 5.350 GHz and from 5.725 GHz to 5.825 GHz, 802.11a equipment will not interoperate with equipment designed to operate with the 802.11b standard which defines operation in the 2.4 to 2.4835 GHz frequency band. One major drawback is that companies that have invested in 802.11b equipment and infrastructure may not readily upgrade their network without significant expenditure.  
       [0019] The 802.11g standard was developed as an extension to 802.11b standard. The 802.11g standard may utilize a similar OFDM modulation scheme as the 802.11a standard and delivers speeds comparable with the 802.11a standard. Since 802.11g compatible equipment operates in the same portion of the electromagnetic spectrum as 802.11b compatible equipment, 802.11g is backwards compatible with existing 802.11b WLAN infrastructures. Due to backward compatibility of 802.11g with 802.11b, it would be desirable to have an 802.11b compliant radio card capable of interfacing directly with an 802.11g compliant access point and also an 802.11g compliant radio card capable of interfacing directly with an 802.11b compliant access point.  
       [0020] Furthermore although 802.11g compatible equipment operates in the 2.4 GHz to 2.4835 GHz frequency range, a typical transmitted signal utilizes a bandwidth of approximately 30 MHz, about a third or 30% of the total allocated bandwidth. This limits the number of non-overlapping channels utilized by an 802.11g access point to three (3). A similar scenario exists with 802.11b. Accordingly, many of the channel assignment and frequency reuse schemes associated with the 802.11b standard may be inherent in the 802.11g.  
       [0021] RF interference may pose additional operational problems with 802.11b and 802.11g equipment designed to operate in the 2.4 GHz portion of the electromagnetic spectrum. The 2.4 GHz portion of the spectrum is an unlicensed region which has been utilized for some time and is crowded with potential interfering devices. Some of these devices include cordless telephone, microwave ovens, intercom systems and baby monitors. Other potential interfering devices may be Bluetooth devices. Accordingly, interference poses interference problems with the 802.11b and 802.11g standards.  
       [0022] 802.11a compatible equipment utilizes eight non-overlapping channels, as compared to three non-overlapping channels utilized by 802.11b. Accordingly, 802.11a access points may be deployed in a more dense manner than, for example 802.11b compatible equipment. For example, up to twelve access points each having a different assigned frequency may be deployed in a given area without causing co-channel interference. Consequently, 802.11a may be particularly useful in overcoming some of the problems associated with channel assignment, especially in areas that may have a dense user population and where increased throughput may be critical. Notwithstanding, the higher operating frequency of 802.11a causes more attenuation resulting in a shorter operating range at a given data rate. This may significantly increase deployment cost since a larger number of access points are required to service a given service area.  
       [0023] In hybrid wired/wireless networks that utilize one or more protocols in the 802.11 suite of protocols, the mobility of access devices throughout the network may pose additional challenges for conventional switches and switching equipment. Since access devices are continuously changing their point of access to the network, conventional switches may not have the capability to effectively control other network devices and/or entities in order to provide seamless communication throughout the network. Accordingly, allocation and de-allocation of certain network resources can be problematic in these networks where traffic dynamics are continuously changing. Moreover, particularly in network systems that may handle large volumes of access device traffic, providing adequate security may also pose additional problems.  
       [0024] Further limitations and disadvantages of conventional and traditional approaches will become apparent to one of skill in the art, through comparison of such systems with some aspects of the present invention as set forth in the remainder of the present application with reference to the drawings.  
       BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0025] Aspects of the invention provide a method and system for providing seamless connectivity and communication in a multi-band multi-protocol hybrid wired/wireless network. The method may include initially authenticating an access device upon the access device initiating communication with a first access point. Authentication information related to the initial authentication may be provided to a second access point and/or a third access point. The first access point, second access point or third access point may provide service to the access device based on the initial authentication. The initial authentication information may be stored and subsequently retrieved by the second access point and/or the third access point. The second access point may retrieve the initial authentication information when the access device migrates from a first coverage area associated with the first access point to a second coverage area associated with the second access point. Similarly, the third access point may retrieve the initial authentication information when the access device migrates from one of the first coverage area and the second coverage area to a third coverage area associated with the third access point.  
       [0026] In accordance with an aspect of the invention, the initial authentication information may be retrieved when the access device initiates communication with the second access point. The initial authentication information may also be retrieved when the access device initiates communication with the third access point. In another embodiment of the invention, the initial authentication information may be distributed to the second access point and the third access point on the access device&#39;s initial authentication. The initial authentication information may be transparently transferred to the second access point during a handoff of the access device from the first access point to the second access point. Similarly, the initial authentication information may be transparently transferred to the third access point during a handoff of the access device from the first access point or the second access point to the third access point.  
       [0027] Another embodiment of the invention may provide a machine-readable storage, having stored thereon, a computer program having at least one code section for providing seamless connectivity and communication in a multi-band, multi-protocol network. The at least one code section may be executable by a machine, thereby causing the machine to perform the steps as described in the method for providing seamless connectivity and communication in a multi-band, multi-protocol network.  
       [0028] In accordance with another embodiment of the invention, a system for seamless connectivity and communication in a multi-band, multi-protocol network may be provided. The system may include at least one processor adapted to initially authenticate an access device upon the access device initiating communication with a first access point. The at least one processor may provide initial authentication information related to the initial authentication to a second access point and/or a third access point. The first access point, second access point or third access point may provide service to the access device based on the initial authentication information.  
       [0029] A memory or database may be adapted to store the initial authentication information. The at least one processor may be adapted to retrieve the initial authentication information from the memory or database for the second access point and/or the third access point. The at least one processor may also be adapted to retrieve the initial authentication information for the second access point when the access device migrates from a first coverage area associated with the first access point to a second coverage area associated with the second access point. Finally, the at least one processor may also be adapted to retrieve the initial authentication information for the third access point when the access device migrates from the first coverage area or the second coverage area to a third coverage area associated with the third access point.  
       [0030] In accordance with an aspect of the invention, the initial authentication information may be retrieved by the at least one processor when the access device initiates communication with the second access point. The at least one processor may also be adapted to retrieve the initial authentication information when the access device initiates communication with the third access point. In another embodiment of the invention, the at least one processor may be adapted to distribute the initial authentication information to the second access point and the third access point on the access device&#39;s initial authentication. The at least one processor may be adapted to transparently transfer the initial authentication information to the second access point during a handoff of the access device from the first access point to the second access point. Similarly, the initial authentication information may be transparently transferred to the third access point during a handoff of the access device from the first access point or the second access point to the third access point.  
       [0031] These and other advantages, aspects and novel features of the present invention, as well as details of an illustrated embodiment thereof, will be more fully understood from the following description and drawings.  
     
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS  
     [0032]FIG. 1 a  is a block diagram of the OSI model.  
     [0033]FIG. 1 b  is a block diagram illustrating a general PLCP frame as defined by 802.11.  
     [0034]FIG. 1 c  is a block diagram illustrating a PLCP frame utilized by frequency hopping spread spectrum as defined by 802.11.  
     [0035]FIG. 1 d  is a block diagram illustrating a PLCP frame for direct sequence spread spectrum and high rate direct sequence spread spectrum as defined by 802.11.  
     [0036]FIG. 1 e  is a block diagram illustrating a PLCP frame for orthogonal frequency division multiplexing as defined by 802.11.  
     [0037]FIG. 2 a  is a block diagram of a super channel in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.  
     [0038]FIG. 2 b  is a block diagram of a super channel adapted to handle a plurality of protocols in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.  
     [0039]FIG. 3 is a block diagram  300  of an exemplary multi-band multi-protocol hybrid wired/wireless network that may utilize a super channel in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.  
     [0040]FIG. 4 is a block diagram of an exemplary system that may be utilized for providing enhanced connectivity in a multi-band multi-protocol network in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.  
     [0041]FIG. 5 is a block diagram of a system for providing seamless connectivity and communication in a multi-band, multi-protocol network in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.  
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
     [0042] Aspects of the invention provide a method and system for providing seamless connectivity and communication in a multi-band multi-protocol hybrid wired/wireless network. The method may include initially authenticating an access device upon the access device initiating communication with a first access point. Authentication information related to the initial authentication may be provided to a second access point and/or a third access point. The first access point, second access point or third access point may provide service to the access device based on the initial authentication. The initial authentication information may be stored and subsequently retrieved by the second access point and/or the third access point. The second access point may retrieve the initial authentication information when the access device migrates from a first coverage area associated with the first access point to a second coverage area associated with the second access point. Similarly, the third access point may retrieve the initial authentication information when the access device migrates from one of the first coverage area and the second coverage area to a third coverage area associated with the third access point.  
     [0043] The enhanced connectivity may be provided in a multi-band, multi-protocol network. In this regard, messages from a physical layer of each communication band and each communication channel associated with each of a plurality of protocols in a single multi-protocol layer of the multi-band, multi-protocol network may be concentrated into a single multi-protocol layer. A single protocol stack is provided in which the single multi-protocol layer may be a super channel layer. An optimal communication path may be identified from among the communication band and/or communication channel based on information borne by the single multi-protocol layer of the single protocol stack. A communication session may be established using the identified optimal communication path. The communication path may include different channels within a single communication band, and/or channels selected from different communication bands. In this regard, channels from the same or from different communication bands may be combined to provide an optimal communication path for accommodating a communication session.  
     [0044] In conventional multi-band multi-protocol hybrid wired/wireless systems, each protocol handled by the system requires its own protocol stack. In this regard, each protocol stack handles and processes the messages associated with a particular protocol, and/or communication band. An inherent disadvantage with such systems is that each protocol and/or communication band requires its own hardware and/or software for handling its associated protocol stack, thereby complicating processing. Moreover, since each protocol requires its own protocol stack, the need for additional hardware and/or software translates to increased system cost. Accordingly, a single protocol stack is provided having a super channel or multi-protocol layer that may be adapted to concentrate the messages from the PHY layer of each protocol or communication band. This may eliminate a need to provide separate protocol stacks for handling and processing messages associated with each protocol or communication band.  
     [0045]FIG. 1 b  is a block diagram  120  illustrating a general PLCP frame as defined by 802.11. Referring to FIG. 1 b , there is shown preamble  122 , PLCP header  124 , MAC data  126 , and CRC  128 . Preamble  122  may include synchronization (SYNC) data  122   a  and synchronization delimiter  122   b . The PLCP header  124  may include, for example PLCP signal field (PSF)  124   a , service data  124   b , length  124   c  and other fields. The preamble  122  may be dependent on the PHY. The SYNC data  122   a  may include a unique bit stream that may be adapted to signal timing parameters such as the start of a frame. The SYNC data  122   a  is used for bit synchronization and demodulation. The SYNC delimiter  122   b  provides frame timing information and may be adapted to delimit the end of synchronization information. The PLCP header  124  may be adapted to contain information used for decoding the frame. For example, the PSF  124   a  may be adapted to include communication data rate information. The service data  124   b  is generally reserved, but may be utilized to provide application specific functionality. The length  124   c  may be adapted to indicate the length of the MAC data  126 . In this regard, the length  124   c  may be expressed in terms of the time required to transmit the MAC data  126 .  
     [0046]FIG. 1 c  is a block diagram  130  illustrating a PLCP frame utilized by frequency hopping spread spectrum as defined by 802.11. Referring to FIG. 1 c , there is shown a SYNC data  132 , PLCP header  134  and PSDU  136 . The PLCP header  134  may include, for example, PSDU length word (PLW)  134   a , PLCP signaling field (PSF)  134   b , header error check field or CRC  134   c  and other fields. The PLW  134   a  may specify the number of octets contained in the PSDU  136 . The PSF  134  be may be 4-bits in length and may be used to denote the communication data rate.  
     [0047]FIG. 1 d  is a block diagram  140  illustrating a PLCP frame for direct sequence spread spectrum and high rate direct sequence spread spectrum (HR-DSS) as defined by 802.11. Referring to FIG. 1 d , there is shown preamble  142 , PLCP header  144  and MPDU  146 . Preamble  142  may include synchronization (SYNC) data  142   a  and synchronization delimiter  142   b . The PLCP header  144  may include PLCP signal field (PSF)  144   a , service data  144   b , length  144   c , and CRC field  144   d . The SYNC data  142   a  may be 128 bits as compared to 8 bits for SYNC data  132   a  for frequency hopping spread spectrum. The CRC  144   d  is 16 bits, which is similar to CRC  134   c  for frequency hopping spread spectrum.  
     [0048]FIG. 1 e  is a block diagram  150  illustrating a PLCP frame for orthogonal frequency division multiplexing as defined by 802.11. Referring to FIG. 1 e , there is shown preamble  152 , PLCP header  154  and PSDU  156 , tail  158  and pad  160 . Preamble  152  may include synchronization (SYNC) data  152   a  and synchronization delimiter  152   b . The PLCP header  154  may include length  154   a , PLCP signal field (PSF)  154   b , reserved field  154   c , parity  154   d , tail  154   e  and service  154   f . The length  154   a  is a 12-bit field that may be adapted to indicate the length of the frame. The PSF  154   b  is a 4-bit field that may indicate a modulation scheme utilized and its associated coding rate of the PSDU. For example, the specification utilizes binary  1011  to represent 6 Mbps,  1111  to represent 9 Mbps,  1010  to represent 12 Mbps,  1110  to represent 18 Mbps,  1001  to represent 24 Mbps,  1011  to represent 36 Mbps,  1000  to represent 48 Mbps and finally,  1100  to represent the maximum standardized rate if 54 Mbps. The reserved field  154   c  is a 1 bit field that is reserved for future use and may be adapted for application specific use. The parity field  154   d  may indicate odd or even parity. The tail field  154   e  is a 6-bit field. The service field  154   f  is a 16-bit field that may be adapted to indicate the type of service.  
     [0049] In accordance with an embodiment of the invention, a single protocol stack having a super channel or single multi-protocol layer may be provided. The super channel or single multi-protocol layer may be adapted to provide seamless communication between various communication standards and protocols. For example, the super channel may be adapted to combine or concentrate a plurality of channels from different communication band to create a multi-band, multi-protocol stack. For example, one or more Bluetooth channels, 802.11a channels, 802.11b and/or 802.11g channels may be combined into a single multi-band, multi-protocol stack. The combination of channels may result in a super channel set that may be adapted to receive and process communication information from a plurality of transceivers operating in different communication bands.  
     [0050] In accordance with the invention, a multi-band, multi-protocol access point and/or switch may be adapted to provide service to one or more of a plurality of access devices which may operate in one or more of a plurality of communication bands. For example, a first access device may be capable of operating on an 802.11a compatible channel. Similarly, a second access device may be capable of operating on an 802.11b compatible channel. A third access device may be capable of operating on a 802.11g compatible channel. Finally, a fourth access device may be capable of operating on an 802.11a and 802.11b compatible channels. Accordingly, the multi-band multi-protocol access point may be adapted to provide communication service to any of the first, second, third and/or fourth access devices that may be located within its service or coverage area.  
     [0051] In on embodiment of the invention, the super channel may be adapted to monitor, for example, channel traffic across the entire bandwidth or spectrum covered by the super channel. For example, in a case where a multi-band, multi-protocol access point may be adapted to handle Bluetooth, 802.11a, and 802.11b channels, the access point may be adapted to monitor each of the channels at the PHY layer of the super channel. Accordingly, the access point may be adapted to provide effective channel and/or traffic management among the various communication channels, communication bands, and access devices that may be serviced by the access point. In this regard, an access point may be adapted to coordinate activities such as bandwidth sharing, bandwidth management, QoS management, load management, handover, and roaming.  
     [0052] In one aspect of the invention, depending on a traffic load on one or more channels handled by an access point, for example, if there is sufficient bandwidth available, one or more channels may be reserved to provide feedback to access devices serviced by the access point. The feedback information may include, but is not limited to, information such as bandwidth utilization, quality of service (QoS), and service type. The super channel may be adapted to facilitate the extraction of information such as the service types, which may be obtained from the PLCP sublayer. In another aspect of the invention, each access device or client may be adapted to periodically monitor channels which may be designated as feedback channels. For example, in a case where a feedback channel may provide information related to QoS, an access device may be instructed to tune its transceiver to a channel which may be less crowded and/or provides a better QoS. Similarly, in a case where a particular band may be crowded, bandwidth related information acquired from the super channel may be utilized to select an alternate communication channel or communication band having available bandwidth. Accordingly, the access device may be instructed to tune its transceivers to the alternate communication channel having available bandwidth.  
     [0053] In accordance with an embodiment of the invention, the super channel may be implemented as a layer immediately above and interfacing with the MAC layer in the protocol stack. FIG. 2 a  is a block diagram  200  of a super channel in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. Referring to FIG. 2 a , there is illustrated a protocol stack in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. The protocol stack in accordance with the invention may have the seven distinct functional layers including application layer  214 , presentation layer  212 , session layer  210 , transport layer  208 , network layer  206 , data link layer  204  and physical layer  202 . The physical layer  202  may further include the physical layer convergence procedure (PLCP) sublayer  202   b  and a physical media dependent sublayer (PMD)  202   a . The data link layer  204  may also include the medium access control (MAC) layer  204   a . Additionally, the data link layer  204  may also include a super channel layer or multi-protocol layer  204   b.    
     [0054] In operation, the super channel layer  204   b  may exploit the services and functions provided by the interfacing MAC layer  204   a  on top of which the super channel layer  204   b  resides. The super channel layer  204   b  may be adapted to utilize the services of the MAC layer to acquire channel specific information from, for example, the PLCP sublayer  202   b  and the PMD sublayer  202   a . In one aspect of the invention, the super channel layer  204   b  may be viewed as an enhanced or super MAC layer, although the invention is not so limited. The super channel layer  204   b  may be adapted to provide services to one or more of the upper layers of the protocol stack.  
     [0055] For example, in the case of high rate direct sequence spread spectrum (HRDSS) modulation scheme, the super channel layer  204   b  may acquire information such as the PLCP signal field (PSF)  144   a  of FIG. 1 d  and service data  144   b  from the PLCP header  144 . Similarly, in the case of orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM), the super channel layer  204   b  may be adapted to acquire information such as the PLCP signal field (PSF)  154   b , and service  154   f  from the PLCP header  154 .  
     [0056]FIG. 2 b  is a block diagram  220  of a super channel adapted to handle a plurality of protocols in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. Referring to FIG. 2 b , there is shown a super channel (SC) layer  222 , MAC layers MAC  1 , MAC  2 , MAC  3 , . . . , MAC n, collectively  226 , and physical layers PHY  1 , PHY  2 , PHY  3 , . . . , PHY n, collectively  228 . The upper layers residing above the super channel layer or single multi-protocol layer  224  may be collectively illustrated as  224 . The PHY  1  and the MAC  1  layers correspond to protocol  1 . The PHY  2  and the MAC  2  layers correspond to protocol  2 , communication band  1 . The PHY  3  and the MAC  3  layers correspond to protocol  2 , communication band  2 . Finally, the PHY n and the MAC n layers correspond to protocol n. In this regard, the single multi-protocol layer  224  may be adapted to handle and process all the messages associated with each of protocol  1 , protocol  2  communication band  1 , protocol  2  communication band  2 , . . . , and protocol n.  
     [0057] In a typical multi-band, multi-protocol wireless local area network, especially as access devices become mobile throughout the network, channel capacity may be rapidly time varying. For example, when the distance from an access device to an access point increases or decreases due to mobility, the channel capacity and ultimately the channel throughput among various bands and channels may change due to continuous association and dis-association of access devices with access points. In accordance with an embodiment of the invention, the super channel may be adapted to provide, for example, network management services to the upper layers of the protocol stack. In this regard, a switch may be provided to facilitate network management between one or more of a plurality of access devices and/or access points, and/or other switches communicating via one or more communication bands utilizing the same or different protocols. The switch may utilize a messaging protocol, which may be adapted to facilitate tasks such as quality of service (QoS) control and management, switch filter transfer, bandwidth management, session control and management and/or and load balancing.  
     [0058] U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/606,565 entitled “Method and System for Network Management in a Hybrid Wired/Wireless Network” filed on Jun. 26, 2003, provides an system for network management which includes QoS management, load balancing, bandwidth management, and session control management and is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.  
     [0059] Referring to the task of network management, in a hybrid wired/wireless LAN in which network capacity may be rapidly changing over time due to the mobility of access devices, the switch, in accordance with an aspect of the invention, may be configured to perform various network management tasks for a wired and/or a wireless portion of the network. The task of network management may involve performing one or more activities including, but not limited to, QoS management, bandwidth management including tracking bandwidth usage and allocating and de-allocating bandwidth to meet user and/or client demands. The management of these activities may be directly or indirectly related to providing mobility and operability throughout a multi-band multi-protocol wired and/or wireless LAN, or a hybrid combination thereof. The super channel may provide a layer in which data related to access devices operating on different channels and/or on different communication bands in a multi-channel multi-protocol may be readily accessible. Accordingly, one or more of a QoS management process, bandwidth management process, a load balancing process, a session control process and a network management process may be adapted to acquire information from the super channel and use the acquired information to provide more efficient network management.  
     [0060]FIG. 3 is a block diagram  300  of an exemplary multi-band multi-protocol hybrid wired/wireless network that may utilize a super channel in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. Referring to FIG. 3, there is shown, a local area network (LAN)  302 , authentication server  304 , switches  306 ,  308 , access points (APs)  310 ,  312 ,  314 ,  316 ,  318 ,  320  and access devices  322 ,  324 ,  326 ,  328 ,  330 ,  332 ,  334 ,  336 ,  338 . The block diagram  302  may be a representative of an Enterprise WLAN although the invention is not so limited.  
     [0061] The LAN  302  may be adapted to provide a transport medium between switch  306  and switch  308 . Access points  316 ,  318 ,  320  may be coupled to switch  308 . For illustrative purposes, access points  316 ,  318 ,  320  may be 802.11a and 802.11b compliant. In addition, access point  318  may be Bluetooth compliant. In this regard, the access points  316 ,  318 ,  320  may include multiple transceivers that may be configured to operate on different communication bands and/or one or more of a plurality of multi-band multi-protocol transceivers. Access point  316  may provide service to access device or client  330 , which may be, for example, an 802.11b compliant device. Access point  318  may provide service to access devices or clients  332 ,  334 ,  336  which may be located within a coverage area of access point  318 . Access device  332  may be 802.11a compliant and access device  334  may be 802.11g compliant. Access device  336  may be 802.11b and Bluetooth compliant. Finally, access point  320  may provide service to access device  338  which may be located within the service area of access point  320 . The access device or client  338  may be 802.11g compliant.  
     [0062] For illustrative purposes, access points  310 ,  312 ,  314  may be 802.11g compliant. In addition, access point  312  may be Bluetooth compliant. In this regard, the access points  310 ,  312 ,  314  may include multiple transceivers that may be configured to operate on different communication bands and/or one or more of a plurality of multi-band multi-protocol transceivers. Access point  310  may provide service to access devices or clients  322 ,  324 , which may be located within a coverage area of access point  310 . Access device  322  may be, an 802.11a compliant device and access device  324  may be an 802.11g compliant device, for example. Access point  312  may provide service to access devices or clients  326 ,  328 , which may be located within a coverage area of access point  312 . Access device  326  may be 802.11a compliant and access device  328  may be 802.11g and Bluetooth compliant.  
     [0063] In operation, an originating access device such as access device  328  may initiate a communication session with a terminating access device or client such as access device  334 . Upon initiation of the communication session, access point  312  may request that switch  306  establish a virtual circuit connecting the originating access device  328  and the terminating access device  334 . A network management process associated with one or more of switches  306 ,  308  and/or access points  312 ,  318  may be adapted to acquire information from the super channel layer in order to determine a most efficient path for accommodating the communication session. In this regard, one or more different channels and/or communication bands may be utilized to provide communication between the initiating and terminating access devices.  
     [0064] In one aspect of the invention, one or more of a plurality of processes may be utilized to select a most efficient path for accommodating the communication session. Any one or more of a network management process, a load management process, a bandwidth management process, a session control process and a QoS management process may be adapted to acquire information from the super channel layer and determine, for example, an appropriate channel that may be utilized for the communication session. In this regard, the appropriate channel may be selected such that co-channel interference is minimal, a load balance may be maintained, a minimum QoS may be maintained, and bandwidth is efficiently utilized throughout the network.  
     [0065]FIG. 4 is a block diagram  400  of an exemplary system that may be utilized for providing enhanced connectivity in a multi-band multi-protocol network in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. Referring to FIG. 4, there is shown the lower portions of a stack  420  and a processor block  412 . The stack  420  may include a PHY layer  418 , a MAC layer  416  and a super channel layer  414 . The processor block  412  may include a QoS controller  402 , a load balancing controller  404 , a bandwidth controller  406 , a session controller  408  and a network management controller  410 . The processor block  412  may be part of a switch or an access point.  
     [0066] The super channel layer or single multi-protocol layer  414  may be arranged and located as a sublayer within a data link layer. The single multi-protocol layer  414  may be characterized as a super channel sublayer within the data link. As illustrated in FIG. 4, the data link layer may include MAC layer  416  and the super channel or single multi-protocol layer  414 . The single multi-protocol layer  414  interfaces with and is located immediately above MAC layer  416 . In this arrangement, the MAC layer  416  interfaces with the physical layer  418 , the latter of which is located below the MAC layer  416 .  
     [0067] Each of the controllers  402 ,  404 ,  406 ,  408 ,  410  in processor block  412  may be associated with a corresponding network processing function, namely, a QoS management process, a load balancing process, a bandwidth management process, a session control process and a network management process, respectively. Accordingly, the QoS management processes may be controlled by the QoS management processor or controller  402 . The load balancing process may be controlled by a load balancing processor or controller  404 . The bandwidth management process may be controlled by a bandwidth management processor or controller  406 . The session control process may be controlled by a session control processor or controller  408 . Finally, the network management process may be controlled by a network management processor or controller  410 . Notwithstanding, one or more of the QoS management process, load balancing process, bandwidth management process, session control process and network management process and/or their corresponding processors may be controlled by a main or host processor.  
     [0068] In accordance with an embodiment of the invention, the single multi-protocol layer or super channel  414  may be adapted to concentrate messages from the physical layer  418  associated with each communication channel and/or communication band in a multi-band, multi-protocol network. For example, the single multi-protocol layer or super channel  414  may be adapted to concentrate 802.11a, 802.11b, and Bluetooth compliant messages received from the physical layer  418 . Each communication channel and/or communication band may correspond to each of a plurality of protocols utilized in the multi-band, multi-protocol network. For example, and 802.11b compliant access device may operate in the 2.4 GHz communication band, while and 802.11a compliant access device may operate in the 5.2 GHz communication band. In the case of an 802.11b communication band, various communication channels may be defined in the frequency range of 2.4 GHz to 2.4835 GHz. In the case of 802.11a, various communication channels may be defined in the frequency range of 5.150 GHz to 5.350 GHz and from 5.725 GHz to 5.825 GHz.  
     [0069] One or more of the processes and/or controllers in processor block  412  may be adapted to acquire channel information from the super channel or the single multi-protocol layer  414 . The acquired channel information may be used to determine and/or identify an optimal communication path from among the communication bands and/or communication channels that may be available. Based on channel information in the super channel or multi-protocol layer  414 , the processor block  412  may select at least one communication channel or communication band, or a combination thereof for facilitating the communicating session. The communication channel or communication band may be associated with different protocols or bands within a protocol. Finally, the processor block  412  may be configured to establish a communication session using the identified optimal communication path.  
     [0070] Another aspect of the invention, one or more of the network management controller  410 , bandwidth management controller  406 , load balancing controller  404 , session controller  408  and/or QoS management controller  402 , may be adapted to interface with the super channel or single multi-protocol layer  414 . Any one or more of the network management controller  410 , bandwidth management controller  406 , load balancing controller  404 , session controller  408  and/or QoS management controller  402 , may be adapted to monitor at least a portion of the concentrated messages in the single multi-protocol layer  414 . Each of the network management controller  410 , bandwidth management controller  406 , load balancing controller  404 , session controller  408  and/or QoS management controller  402  may be adapted to extract channel specific data from the single multi-protocol layer  414 . Accordingly, the extracted information acquired by each of the network management controller  410 , bandwidth management controller  406 , load balancing controller  404 , session controller  408  and/or QoS management controller  402 , may be shared among one or more of the other processes. In this regard, information from the various processes handled by the controllers in processor block  412  may be utilized to provide a more robust communication system.  
     [0071]FIG. 5 is a block diagram  500  of a system for providing seamless connectivity and communication in a multi-band, multi-protocol network in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. Referring to FIG. 5, there is shown switches  506 ,  508 , access points  510 ,  512 ,  514 ,  516 ,  518 ,  520 , access devices  522 ,  524 , authentication server  502 , server  504  and database  530 . Each of the switches  506 ,  508  may include a processor switches  506   a ,  508   a  respectively. Each of the access points  510 ,  512 ,  514 ,  516 ,  518 ,  520  may include a processor  510   a ,  512   a ,  514   a ,  516   a ,  518   a ,  520   a . Authentication server  502  may also include a processor  502 .  
     [0072] For illustrative purposes, access device  522  may be in the coverage area of access point  510 . Processor  510   a  and/or processor  506   a , and/or authentication processor  502   a  may be adapted to initially authenticate access device  522  upon the access device  522  initiating communication with a first access point  510 . Any one of processors  510   a , processor  506   a , or authentication processor  502   a  may provide initial authentication information related to the initial authentication to a second access point  512  and/or a third access point  514 . The first access point  510 , second access point  512  or third access point  514  may provide service to the access device  522  based on the initial authentication information. In this regard, when access device  522  is subsequently serviced by access points  512  or  514 , access device  522  may not have to be re-authenticated.  
     [0073] The memory or database  530  may be adapted to store the initial authentication information. Although not shown, each of the access points  510 ,  512 ,  514 ,  516 ,  518 ,  520  and/or switches  506 ,  508 , may include an associated memory in which the initial authentication information may be stored. In one aspect of the invention, the authentication information may be stored in various registers that may be quickly updated and accessed. Notwithstanding, processors  512   a  or  514   a  may be adapted to retrieve the initial authentication information from the memory or database  530  for the second access point  512  and the third access point  514 . In one aspect of the invention, processor  512   a  may also be adapted to retrieve the initial authentication information for the second access point  512  when the access device  522  migrates from a first coverage area associated with the first access point  510  to a second coverage area associated with the second access point  512 . Similarly, processor  514   a  may also be adapted to retrieve the initial authentication information for the third access point  514  when the access device  522  migrates from the access point&#39;s  510  coverage area or the access point&#39;s  512  coverage area to access point&#39;s  514  coverage area.  
     [0074] In accordance with an aspect of the invention, the initial authentication information may be retrieved by any of processors  502   a ,  506   a ,  512   a  when the access device  522  initiates communication with the second access point  512 . Any of the processors  502   a ,  506   a ,  514   a  may also be adapted to retrieve the initial authentication information when the access device  522  initiates communication with the third access point  514 . In another embodiment of the invention, any one or more of the processors  510   a ,  506   a ,  502   a  may be adapted to distribute the initial authentication information to the second access point  512  and the third access point  514  on the access device&#39;s initial authentication.  
     [0075] Any of the processors  510   a ,  506   a ,  502   a  may be adapted to transparently transfer the initial authentication information to the second access point  512   a  during a handoff of the access device  522  from the first access point  510  to the second access point  512 . Similarly, any of the processors  512   a ,  506   a ,  502   a  may be adapted to transparently transfer the initial authentication information to the third access point  514  during a handoff of the access device  522  from the first access point  510  or the second access point  512  to the third access point  514 .  
     [0076] In accordance with another embodiment of the invention, dependent on the modulation scheme utilized, one or more of the PLCP frames illustrated in FIG. 1 b , FIG. 1 c , FIG. 1 d  and FIG. 1 e  may be adapted to contain information which may be utilized for providing communication between the plurality of access points in one or more mesh networks in accordance the embodiments of the invention. Additionally, the PLCP frames may be adapted to convey information for any one or more of the 801.11a, 802.11b and 802.11g modes of operation utilized by access points and/or access devices in accordance the embodiments of the invention.  
     [0077] In a case where access device  522  migrates to a coverage area serviced by access point  518 , any one or more of processors  518   a ,  508   a ,  502   a  may be adapted to provide the initial authentication information to the access point  518 . In this regard, access device  522  may not have to be re-authenticated as it migrates from a network domain serviced by the switch  506  to the network domain serviced by the switch  508 . Moreover, during a handoff, the initial authentication information may be communicated from one or more of the access points  510 ,  512 ,  514  and switch  506  to the switch  508  and any one or more of the access points  516 ,  518 ,  520 . Alternatively, any one of the access points  516 ,  518 ,  520  that are providing service to access device  522  may be adapted to acquire the initial authentication information from the authentication server  502  or memory  530 .  
     [0078] Accordingly, the present invention may be realized in hardware, software, or a combination of hardware and software. The present invention may be realized in a centralized fashion in one computer system, or in a distributed fashion where different elements are spread across several interconnected computer systems. Any kind of computer system or other apparatus adapted for carrying out the methods described herein is suited. A typical combination of hardware and software may be a general-purpose computer system with a computer program that, when being loaded and executed, controls the computer system such that it carries out the methods described herein.  
     [0079] The present invention also may be embedded in a computer program product, which comprises all the features enabling the implementation of the methods described herein, and which when loaded in a computer system is able to carry out these methods. Computer program in the present context means any expression, in any language, code or notation, of a set of instructions intended to cause a system having an information processing capability to perform a particular function either directly or after either or both of the following: a) conversion to another language, code or notation; b) reproduction in a different material form.  
     [0080] Notwithstanding, the invention and its inventive arrangements disclosed herein may be embodied in other forms without departing from the spirit or essential attributes thereof. Accordingly, reference should be made to the following claims, rather than to the foregoing specification, as indicating the scope of the invention. In this regard, the description above is intended by way of example only and is not intended to limit the present invention in any way, except as set forth in the following claims.  
     [0081] While the present invention has been described with reference to certain embodiments, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes may be made and equivalents may be substituted without departing from the scope of the present invention. In addition, many modifications may be made to adapt a particular situation or material to the teachings of the present invention without departing from its scope. Therefore, it is intended that the present invention not be limited to the particular embodiment disclosed, but that the present invention will include all embodiments falling within the scope of the appended claims.