Patent ID: 8599780

Claim:
A system comprising: a network switch for coupling a first network segment to a second network segment, wherein the first network segment includes a wireless network; an untethered access point (UAP), wherein the UAP functions as a wireless access point (WAP) for the wireless network; a wireless distribution point (WDP) coupled to the network switch and wirelessly operationally connected to the UAP, wherein the WDP functions as a non-WAP station on the wireless network; and an access point (AP) range extension engine: wherein, in operation: the UAP receives a message from a station on the wireless network having a destination that is not on the wireless network; the WDP receives the message from the UAP; the network switch allocates traffic, including the message, from the first network segment to the second network segment, and the AP range extension engine performs network analysis to determine which of a plurality of stations on the wireless network can act as the UAP without a first station of the plurality of stations being required to act as a repeater for a second station of the plurality of stations.