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Methods and improvements for joining wireless mesh networks

  • US 8,000,334 B2
  • Filed: 01/11/2007
  • Issued: 08/16/2011
  • Est. Priority Date: 01/11/2007
  • Status: Active Grant
First Claim
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1. A method of joining a first wireless mesh network (“

  • first network”

    ) with a second wireless mesh network (“

    second network”

    ), wherein the first network includes a first-network controller and a plurality of first-network nodes, and wherein the second network includes a second-network controller and a plurality of second-network nodes, the method comprising;

    the first-network controller receiving from a given first-network node a first message, the first message indicating that the given first-network node received a first signal from a given second-network node;

    responsive to receiving the first message, the first-network controller (i) validating the second network and (ii) responsive to validating the second network, (a) directing the given first-network node to enter a first bridging mode and (b) providing the given first-network node with first bridging data that includes a security key for communications between the given first-network node and the given second-network node;

    the second-network controller receiving from the given second-network node a second message, the second message indicating that the given second-network node received a second signal from the given first-network node;

    responsive to receiving the second message, the second-network controller (i) validating the first network and (ii) responsive to validating the first network, (a) directing the given second-network node to enter a second bridging mode and (b) providing the given second-network node with second bridging data that includes the security key; and

    the given first-network node and the given second-network node associating with each other using the security key, thereby allowing communications to securely pass between the first network and the second network,wherein the first-network controller maintains first peering data, wherein the first message comprises an identifier for the second network, and wherein the first-network controller validating the second network comprises the first-network controller determining that the first peering data includes the identifier for the second network, andwherein the second-network controller maintains second peering data, wherein the second message comprises an identifier for the first network, and wherein the second-network controller validating the first network comprises the second-network controller determining that the second peering data includes the identifier for the first network.

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