Method and apparatus for implementing and managing a network architecture
First Claim
1. A SONET network infrastructure including at least one non-hardline link configured to have the ability to provide multiuser, multinetwork, and multiservice connectivity over a wide geographic area comprising:
- a combination hardline and non-hardline network backbone connected in a SONET configuration to create a telecommunications network configured to utilize predetermined communications protocols, the backbone comprising a plurality of interconnected transponder nodes arranged in a predetermined topological configuration, each node having at least one SONET add/drop multiplexer configured to communicate with at least one adjacent node and each node having the ability to add and drop communications services to that node;
a data link layer communicably connected to the backbone through the add-drop multiplexer and forming a switched circuit hierarchy, the data link layer comprisingat least one switch having at least one permanent virtual circuit, each virtual circuit enabling a discrete communication channel accessible by a bridge, the bridge being configured with at least one connection to the switch;
at least one of the virtual circuits acting as a master virtual circuit for managing and controlling equipment and communications on the network infrastructure from a central network management console; and
at least one virtual local area network that maps to the virtual circuit to enable a discrete communication channel that is accessible by at least one end user;
a wireless layer including at least one access point connected to the data link layer through the bridge, each access point operating on a predetermined frequency and being configured to provide network connectivity to a predetermined geographical area, each access point comprising at least one radio transceiver and antenna for bi-directional communication with a virtual local area network compatible wireless network device;
a network management console configured for monitoring communications within and between the backbone, the data link layers, and the access points using the master virtual circuit to receive information about communications across the network infrastructure and to allow centralized management and provisioning while maintaining interoperability among the layers, the access points, and the telecommunications network to which the backbone is connected, the console comprising;
a database to store and manage information pertaining to operation of the network infrastructure; and
a translation utility to communicate between the database and predetermined network management utilities that are configured to monitor and manage network security and performance.
1 Assignment
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Accused Products
Abstract
A method and apparatus for implementing and managing a network architecture capable of delivering wireless telephony and data services of carrier class quality over a local or wide-area network using industry standard wireless protocols is disclosed. A high bandwidth microwave ring array provides redundant point-to-point communications between nodes that are located to optimize geographical coverage through radio-frequency wireless transceivers. The total system is managed and monitored through web-based software to provide the speed and reliability of wired systems at a fraction of the cost of traditional systems, facilitating service in rural areas or areas of dispersed populations where other communications infrastructure is impractical.
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Citations
43 Claims
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1. A SONET network infrastructure including at least one non-hardline link configured to have the ability to provide multiuser, multinetwork, and multiservice connectivity over a wide geographic area comprising:
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a combination hardline and non-hardline network backbone connected in a SONET configuration to create a telecommunications network configured to utilize predetermined communications protocols, the backbone comprising a plurality of interconnected transponder nodes arranged in a predetermined topological configuration, each node having at least one SONET add/drop multiplexer configured to communicate with at least one adjacent node and each node having the ability to add and drop communications services to that node; a data link layer communicably connected to the backbone through the add-drop multiplexer and forming a switched circuit hierarchy, the data link layer comprising at least one switch having at least one permanent virtual circuit, each virtual circuit enabling a discrete communication channel accessible by a bridge, the bridge being configured with at least one connection to the switch; at least one of the virtual circuits acting as a master virtual circuit for managing and controlling equipment and communications on the network infrastructure from a central network management console; and at least one virtual local area network that maps to the virtual circuit to enable a discrete communication channel that is accessible by at least one end user; a wireless layer including at least one access point connected to the data link layer through the bridge, each access point operating on a predetermined frequency and being configured to provide network connectivity to a predetermined geographical area, each access point comprising at least one radio transceiver and antenna for bi-directional communication with a virtual local area network compatible wireless network device; a network management console configured for monitoring communications within and between the backbone, the data link layers, and the access points using the master virtual circuit to receive information about communications across the network infrastructure and to allow centralized management and provisioning while maintaining interoperability among the layers, the access points, and the telecommunications network to which the backbone is connected, the console comprising; a database to store and manage information pertaining to operation of the network infrastructure; and a translation utility to communicate between the database and predetermined network management utilities that are configured to monitor and manage network security and performance. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. A network infrastructure including at least one non-hardline link configured to have the ability to provide connectivity over a geographic area comprising:
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a network backbone connected in a predetermined configuration to create a telecommunications network configured to utilize predetermined communications protocols, the backbone comprising a plurality of interconnected transponder nodes arranged in a predetermined topological configuration, each node having at least one add/drop multiplexer configured to communicate with at least one adjacent node and each node having the ability to add and drop communications services to that node; a data link layer communicably connected to the backbone through the add-drop multiplexer, the data link layer comprising a switch having a permanent virtual circuit that enables a discrete communication channel accessible by a bridge, the bridge being configured with at least one connection to the switch; the virtual circuit acting as a master virtual circuit for managing and controlling equipment and communications on the network infrastructure; and a virtual local area network that maps to the virtual circuit to enable a discrete communication channel; a wireless layer including an access point connected to the data link layer through the bridge, the access point operating on a predetermined frequency and being configured to provide network connectivity to a predetermined geographical area, the access point comprising a radio transceiver for communication with a compatible network device; a network management console for monitoring communications within and between the backbone, the data link layer, and the access point using the master virtual circuit, the console comprising; a database; and a translation utility to communicate between the database and a network management utility. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27)
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28. A network infrastructure including at least one non-hardline link configured to have the ability to provide connectivity over a geographic area comprising:
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a network backbone connected in a predetermined configuration to create a telecommunications network configured to utilize predetermined communications protocols, the backbone comprising a plurality of interconnected transponder nodes arranged in a predetermined topological configuration, each node having at least one add/drop multiplexer configured to communicate with at least one adjacent node and each node having the ability to add and drop communications services to that node; a data link layer communicably connected to the backbone through the add-drop multiplexer, the data link layer comprising a switch having a permanent virtual circuit that enables a discrete communication channel accessible by a bridge, the bridge being configured with at least one connection to the switch; the virtual circuit acting as a master virtual circuit for managing and controlling equipment and communications on the network infrastructure; and a virtual local area network that maps to the virtual circuit to enable a discrete communication channel; and a wireless layer including an access point connected to the data link layer through the bridge, the access point operating on a predetermined frequency and being configured to provide network connectivity to a predetermined geographical area, the access point comprising a radio transceiver for communication with a compatible network device. - View Dependent Claims (29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43)
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Specification