Out-of-band management and traffic monitoring for wireless access points
First Claim
1. In a system for providing wireless data communication with mobile units using a first wireless communications protocol, said system having an access point, a host computer adapted to provide management communications with the access point, and the mobile units, a method performed by the access point for conducting communications, the method comprising the steps of:
- conducting wireless data communications with the mobile units using said first wireless communications protocol;
receiving, by a network interface of the access point, the management communications from the host computer over a cable connection; and
when a communication failure between the host computer and the access point occurs over the cable connection, a radio module of the access point receiving the management communications from a wireless terminal that is distinct from the host computer over a wireless connection using a second wireless communications protocol to allow management of the access point, wherein the second wireless communication protocol is different from the first wireless communication protocol.
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Accused Products
Abstract
In a wireless data communications system a method is provided for conducting out-of-band for management and other communications with access points. The system operates under a first protocol, such as IEEE 802.11 protocol to provide wireless data communications. The access points are provided with a second radio module for conducting wireless data communications using a second protocol, such as Bluetooth. A wireless terminal, operating as a Bluetooth master can access the processor in the access point to conduct management and other communications relating to the operation of the access point.
15 Citations
20 Claims
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1. In a system for providing wireless data communication with mobile units using a first wireless communications protocol, said system having an access point, a host computer adapted to provide management communications with the access point, and the mobile units, a method performed by the access point for conducting communications, the method comprising the steps of:
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conducting wireless data communications with the mobile units using said first wireless communications protocol; receiving, by a network interface of the access point, the management communications from the host computer over a cable connection; and when a communication failure between the host computer and the access point occurs over the cable connection, a radio module of the access point receiving the management communications from a wireless terminal that is distinct from the host computer over a wireless connection using a second wireless communications protocol to allow management of the access point, wherein the second wireless communication protocol is different from the first wireless communication protocol. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. An access point for use in a wireless data communication system, comprising:
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a first network interface for conducting data communications with one or more computers adapted to provide management communications with the access point, and for receiving the management communications from the one or more computers over a cable connection; a first radio module using a first wireless communications protocol for wirelessly transmitting first data messages received from the one or more computers at said first network interface to mobile units, and for receiving second data messages from the mobile units and relaying the second data messages to the one or more computers via the first network interface; at least one processor connected to the first network interface and the radio module for controlling the access point; and a second radio module operating using a second wireless communications protocol, which is different from the first wireless communications protocol, and for receiving the management communications from a wireless terminal that is distinct from the host computer over a wireless connection when a communication failure between the one or more computers and the access point occurs over the cable connection. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. An apparatus, comprising:
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a hardwired network interface; a first radio module adapted to provide data communications with mobile units according to a first wireless communications protocol; a second radio module adapted to communicate with a wireless terminal according to a second wireless communications protocol, which is different from the first wireless communications protocol; and a processor communicatively coupled to the hardwired network interface, the first radio module, and the second radio module, the processor adapted to provide data messages from the hardwired network interface to the first radio module, receive, via the hardwired network interface, management communications from a remote computer that is distinct from the wireless terminal and that is adapted to provide the management communications to the apparatus, and when a communication failure between the remote computer and the apparatus occurs over the hardwired network interface, to receive the management communications using the second wireless communications protocol from the wireless terminal via the second radio module. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification