Patent ID: 8165044

Claim:
A computer comprising: a processor for executing instructions; a set of computer executable instructions that, when executed by the processor, form a single operating system for the computer, the operating system for controlling operations of the computer; a radio constructed and arranged to send and receive wireless signals for communication with at least one device in a wireless network; a plurality of ports, each of the ports being respectively associated with a corresponding unique wireless network and maintaining a MAC state that is unique from other ports associated with a wireless network, the port handling signals regarding wireless signals to be sent by the radio to, and wireless signals received from, the wireless network associated with the port; and a hardware interface that includes the plurality of ports and includes: a plurality of virtual NICs that are respectively associated with a wireless network and a port, each of the virtual NICs being adapted to send and receive signals for the corresponding port regarding wireless communications on the wireless network; and a hardware virtualization layer that multiplexes connections between the virtual NICs and the radio to allow direct communication between the virtual NICs and the radio; wherein the computer is adapted to maintain a simultaneous virtual connection with two or more wireless networks via the radio.