Multi-operator wireless networking
First Claim
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1. A method comprising:
- at a wireless network controller configured to perform proxy Address Resolution Protocol (ARP) operations on behalf of connected client devices in a wireless local area network that is accessible to at least first and second operators, creating operator-specific tunnels through the wireless local area network for each of the first and second operators that link a core network of each of the first and second operators with an associated client device;
forwarding packets between the core networks of the first and second operators and their associated client devices via the operator-specific tunnels;
receiving an ARP request at the wireless network controller from a first client device;
determining that the ARP request is directed to a third client device having an Internet Protocol (IP) address that overlaps with the IP address of another client device; and
determining a type of the first client device before processing the ARP request.
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Abstract
Multi-operator networking techniques are provided for allowing two or more operators to share a wireless local area network (WLAN). In particular, mobile access gateway functionality is integrated in a wireless network controller of a WLAN that is accessible to first and second operators. Operator-specific tunnels are created through the network for each of the first and second operators that link a core network of each of the first and second operators with an associated client device. Packets are then forwarded between the core networks of the first and second operators and their associated client devices via the operator-specific tunnels.
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Citations
28 Claims
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1. A method comprising:
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at a wireless network controller configured to perform proxy Address Resolution Protocol (ARP) operations on behalf of connected client devices in a wireless local area network that is accessible to at least first and second operators, creating operator-specific tunnels through the wireless local area network for each of the first and second operators that link a core network of each of the first and second operators with an associated client device; forwarding packets between the core networks of the first and second operators and their associated client devices via the operator-specific tunnels; receiving an ARP request at the wireless network controller from a first client device; determining that the ARP request is directed to a third client device having an Internet Protocol (IP) address that overlaps with the IP address of another client device; and determining a type of the first client device before processing the ARP request. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. An apparatus comprising:
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a wireless transceiver; one or more network interface ports; a memory; and a processor configured to; control a wireless local area network that is accessible to at least first and second operators, create operator-specific tunnels through the wireless local area network for each of the first and second operators that link a core network of each of the first and second operators with an associated client device, forward packets between the core networks of the first and second operators and their associated client devices via the operator-specific tunnels, perform proxy Address Resolution Protocol (ARP) operations on behalf of connected client devices, receive an ARP request at the wireless network controller from the first client device, determine that the ARP request is directed to a third client device having an Internet Protocol (IP) address that overlaps with the IP address of another client device, and determine a type of the first client device before processing the ARP request. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22)
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23. One or more non-transitory computer readable storage media encoded with software comprising computer executable instructions and when the software is executed operable to:
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at a wireless network controller configured to perform proxy Address Resolution Protocol (ARP) operations on behalf of connected client devices in a wireless local area network that is accessible to at least first and second operators, create operator-specific tunnels through the wireless local area network for each of the first and second operators that link a core network of each of the first and second operators with an associated client device; forward packets between the core networks of the first and second operators and their associated client devices via the operator-specific tunnels; receive an ARP request at the wireless network controller from a first client device; determine that the ARP request is directed to a third client device having an Internet Protocol (IP) address that overlaps with the IP address of another client device; and determine a type of the first client device before processing the ARP request. - View Dependent Claims (24, 25, 26, 27, 28)
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Specification