Apparatus and method for transmitting or receiving data through a plurality of wireless links in a wireless network interface
First Claim
1. A network device, for communicating data through a plurality of wireless links, which has a virtual MAC address that represents MAC addresses for identifying respective wireless LAN devices on a network, the network device comprising:
- a virtual MAC information packet (VIP) management unit which is configured to transmit or receive information on the plurality of wireless links;
a transmitted frame processing unit which is configured to allocate frames to be transmitted to a specified wireless link among the wireless links and to transmit the frames; and
a channel allocation unit which is configured to receive a wireless link allocation request from the transmitted frame processing unit, to select a wireless link to which the frames will be allocated by using the information on the plurality of wireless links, and to transfer the information on the selected wireless link to the transmitted frame processing unit;
wherein wireless data communications with neighboring wireless network devices are performed through the virtual MAC address.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A method and a network device for communicating data through a plurality of wireless links are provided. A network device includes a virtual MAC information packet (VIP) management unit for transmitting or receiving information on the plurality of wireless links; a transmitted frame processing unit for allocating frames to be transmitted to a specified wireless link and transmitting the frames; and a channel allocation unit for receiving a wireless link allocation request, selecting a wireless link, and to transfer the information on the selected wireless link to the transmitted frame processing unit; wherein wireless data communications are performed through a virtual MAC address. The method includes transmitting or receiving information on the plurality of wireless links; and allocating frames to be transmitted to a specified wireless link among the plurality of wireless links and transmitting the frames using the virtual MAC address.
34 Citations
21 Claims
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1. A network device, for communicating data through a plurality of wireless links, which has a virtual MAC address that represents MAC addresses for identifying respective wireless LAN devices on a network, the network device comprising:
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a virtual MAC information packet (VIP) management unit which is configured to transmit or receive information on the plurality of wireless links;
a transmitted frame processing unit which is configured to allocate frames to be transmitted to a specified wireless link among the wireless links and to transmit the frames; and
a channel allocation unit which is configured to receive a wireless link allocation request from the transmitted frame processing unit, to select a wireless link to which the frames will be allocated by using the information on the plurality of wireless links, and to transfer the information on the selected wireless link to the transmitted frame processing unit;
wherein wireless data communications with neighboring wireless network devices are performed through the virtual MAC address. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. A method for communicating data through a plurality of wireless links of a network device, which has a plurality of wireless LAN devices and a virtual MAC address that represents MAC addresses for identifying the plurality of wireless LAN devices, respectively, the method comprising:
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(a) transmitting or receiving information on the plurality of wireless links for communication of wireless data with neighboring wireless network devices; and
(b) allocating frames to be transmitted to a specified wireless link among the plurality of wireless links and transmitting the frames using the virtual MAC address;
wherein step (b) allocates the frames to the specified wireless link using the information on the wireless link in accordance with a wireless link allocation request. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21)
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Specification