Internetworking support between a LAN and a wireless mesh network

• US 20070076730A1
• Filed: 09/07/2006
• Published: 04/05/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 09/20/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Cisco Technology, Inc. (Cisco Systems, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Cisco Technology, Inc. (Cisco Systems, Inc.)
• Inventors: Rahman, Shahriar, O'Hara, Robert, Meier, Robert, Kruys, Johannes
• Granted Patent: US 7,660,318 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 370/406
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 84/18 Self-organising networks, e.g. ad-hoc networks or sensor networks
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 92/02 Inter-networking arrangements

Abstract

In one embodiment, two portals lie between a wireless mesh network and a LAN. Each portal provides a communication path between the mesh network and the LAN. The second portal is configured to forward data frames with unknown destinations to the first portal across an intramesh path between the two portals.

Claims

1. A system comprising:

a first portal, communicatively coupled to a wireless mesh network and to an adjacent local area network (LAN), for providing a first path of communication between said wireless mesh network and said LAN;

a second portal, communicatively coupled to said wireless mesh network and to said LAN, for providing a second path of communication between said wireless mesh network and said LAN; and

a plurality of mesh points, communicatively coupled to said wireless mesh network, for providing an intramesh path between said first portal and said second portal, wherein said second portal is configured to forward a data frame with an unknown destination to said first portal.

2. The system of claim, further comprising:

a third portal, communicatively coupled to said wireless mesh network and to a disconnected LAN, for providing a data path between said wireless mesh network and said disconnected LAN,

wherein said plurality of mesh points is also for providing a second intramesh path between said first portal and said third portal, said third portal is configured to forward said data frame with said unknown destination to said first portal.

3. The system of claim 2, wherein said first portal is configured to forward data received from said third portal to said LAN.

4. The system of claim 3, wherein said first portal is configured to forward data received from said second portal to said third portal.

5. The system of claim 4, wherein said first portal is configured to forward data received from said LAN to said third portal.

6. The system of claim 5, wherein said system provides a bridge between said LAN and said disconnected LAN.

7. The system of claim 6, further comprising:

a fourth portal, communicatively coupled to said wireless mesh network and to said disconnected LAN, for providing a second data path between said wireless mesh network and said disconnected LAN,

wherein said fourth portal is configured to forward said data frame with said unknown destination to said third portal.

8. A method comprising:

receiving a frame into a first portal connecting a wireless mesh network to a local area network (LAN);

determining whether a path between said first portal and an intended destination of said frame is known;

if said path is known, routing said frame through said wireless mesh network to said destination; and

if said path is not known, forwarding said frame to a second portal connecting said wireless mesh network to said LAN.

9. The method of claim 8, further comprising:

determining at said second portal weather said destination is within said wireless mesh network;

if said destination is within said wireless mesh network, routing said frame through said wireless mesh network to said destination; and

if said destination is not within said wireless mesh network, forwarding said frame to a third portal, said third portal connecting said wireless mesh network to a disconnected LAN.

10. The method of claim 8, wherein said LAN is an 802 LAN.

11. The method of claim 8, wherein said wireless mesh network is configured in accordance with the 802.1 is standard.

12. The method of claim 8, wherein said second portal is configured to operate in a primary mode of operation.

13. The method of claim 8, wherein said first portal is configured to operate in a backup-to-primary mode of operation.

14. The method of claim 9, wherein said third portal is configured to operate in a disconnected mode of operation.

15. Software encoded in one or more computer-readable media and when executed operable to:

receiving a data packet into a first portal, said first portal providing a first data path between a wireless mesh network and a local area network (LAN);

determining whether a destination of said data packet is within said wireless mesh network;

if said destination is within said wireless mesh network, routing said data packet through said wireless mesh network to said destination; and

if said destination is not within said wireless mesh network, forwarding said data packet to said LAN.

16. The computer-readable media of claim 15, further comprising:

receiving a reply from said destination into a second portal, said second portal providing a second data path between said wireless mesh network and said LAN; and

establishing an optimal communication route between said destination and an origin of said data packet.

17. The computer-readable media of claim 16, wherein said optimal communication route comprises said second data path.

18. The computer-readable media of claim 16, further comprising:

receiving said data packet into a third portal, said third portal providing a path between said wireless mesh network and a disconnected LAN; and

forwarding said data packet through said wireless mesh network to said first portal.

19. The computer-readable media of claim 18, further comprising:

forwarding said reply to said third portal; and

routing said reply from said third portal to said origin on said disconnected LAN.

20. The computer-readable media of claim 19, further comprising:

receiving a response to said reply from said origin into a fourth portal, said fourth portal providing a second path between said wireless mesh network and said disconnected LAN; and

establishing an improved communication route between said destination and said origin passing through said fourth portal.