Dispersed high level devices in a network environment

• US 8,630,298 B2
• Filed: 06/11/2005
• Issued: 01/14/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 06/11/2005
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Wavestar Communications Systems LLC (Equitable IP Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Sandwave Ip, LLC
• Inventors: Bishop, Donald M.
• Primary Examiner(s): Choi, Eunsook
• Application Number:
  US11/150,384
• Publication Number:
  US 20060280176A1
• Time in Patent Office: 3,139 Days
• Field of Search: None
• US Class Current: 370/401
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 84/12 WLAN [Wireless Local Area Networks]

Abstract

A system and method for locating Open System Interconnection (OSI) Layer 3 or higher devices at strategic locations throughout the network. The Layer 3 devices may have additional capabilities, such as wireless connections or other functionality that may benefit both the consumer and network provider. Layer 2 traffic is confined to smaller areas, allowing the main backbone of the network to handle more useful data traffic and less overhead traffic.

Claims

1. A network comprising:

a network connection point device having a connection to the Internet, said network connection point having a first table comprising the address of at least one subscriber connection point;

a bi-directional distribution backbone connected to said network connection point;

a subscriber connection point configured to maintain a second table comprising the address of at least one downstream device located distally from said network connection point and comprising a second subscriber connection point, said second table being located in said subscriber connection point, said subscriber connection point being located off any subscriber'"'"'s premises and in a location physically accessible to a network operator but not a subscriber, said first table and said second table being used at least in part for Network Address Translation.

2. The network of claim 1 wherein said distribution backbone is a linear broadband network.

3. The network of claim 1 wherein said distribution backbone comprises a plurality of twisted pair conductors.

4. The network of claim 1 wherein said network connection point device is a cable modem termination system.

5. The network of claim 1 wherein said network connection point device is a digital subscriber line access manager.

6. The network of claim 1 wherein said network connection point is configured to maintain a third table comprising said address of at least one downstream device, said third table being located in said network connection point.

7. The network of claim 6 wherein said third table further comprises an address of at least one device on the Internet.

8. The network of claim 1 wherein said network connection point comprises a router operating at OSI Layer 3 or higher.

9. The network of claim 1 wherein said subscriber connection point comprises a router operating at OSI Layer 3 or higher.

10. The network of claim 1 wherein said at least one downstream device is connected to said subscriber connection point using a wireless connection.

11. The subscriber connection point of claim 1 wherein said at least one connection to a subscriber receiver is a wireless connection.

12. The network of claim 1, said location being a utility pole.

13. The network of claim 1, said location being a utility pedestal.

14. The network of claim 1, said location being located within a easement.

15. The network of claim 1, said location being a network interface device.

16. The network of claim 1, said subscriber connection point being mounted on an exterior of a subscriber'"'"'s house and physically accessible only by said network operator.

17. The network of claim 1, said subscriber connection point being configured to provide IP masquerading using said first table.