System and method for concurrently utilizing multiple system identifiers

• US 8,036,195 B2
• Filed: 03/11/2010
• Issued: 10/11/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 04/18/2000
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Cisco Technology, Inc. (Cisco Systems, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Cisco Technology, Inc. (Cisco Systems, Inc.)
• Inventors: Thompson, James, Stewart, Brett B., McClelland, Kathleen E.
• Primary Examiner(s): Phillips; Hassan
• Assistant Examiner(s): JONES, PRENELL P
• Application Number:
  US12/722,205
• Publication Number:
  US 20100202428A1
• Time in Patent Office: 579 Days
• Field of Search: 370/338, 370/401, 370/400, 370/395, 370/389, 455/435, 455/439, 455/433, 709/227, 709/228, 709/229
• US Class Current: 370/338
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 40/12 Accounting
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/1464 using a card, such as credit card, prepay card or SIM
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/1471 splitting of costs
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/1496 involving discounts
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/4666 Operational details on the addition or the stripping of a tag in a frame, e.g. at a provider edge node
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 61/00 Network arrangements, protocols or services for addressing or naming
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 61/35 involving non-standard use of addresses for implementing network functionalities, e.g. coding subscription information within the address or functional addressing, i.e. assigning an address to a function
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/0272 Virtual private networks
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/104 Grouping of entities
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/105 Multiple levels of security
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 69/329 in the application layer [OSI layer 7]
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 9/40 Network security protocols
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 48/16 Discovering, processing access restriction or access information
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 48/18 Selecting a network or a communication service
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 74/00 Wireless channel access
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 8/26 Network addressing or numbering for mobility support
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 88/06 adapted for operation in multiple networks or having at least two operational modes, e.g. multi-mode terminals
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 88/08 Access point devices

Abstract

System and Method for providing access to multiple wireless service providers (WSPs) on a shared network infrastructure. The system includes a plurality of access points (Aps) coupled to a network which may be distributed in airports, mass-transit stations, businesses, etc. The network may couple to a wide area network, such as the Internet. Each AP may include a plurality of virtual Aps (VAPs), each corresponding to a WSP. A portable computing device (PCD) of a user stores identification information indicating a WSP of a plurality of possible WSPs, and which may include an access level of the user. Each AP “listens for” or detects identification information associated with numerous WSPs. When the AP receives the identification information from the PCD, it determines the VAP/WSP for the PCD using the identification information. Network access is then provided to the PCD through the determined WSP at the determined access level.

Claims

1. An access point for providing network access to a plurality of computing devices, wherein the access point is configured to couple to a network, the access point comprising:

a wireless transceiver;

a processor;

a tangible memory medium coupled to the processor, wherein the memory medium stores program instructions executable by the processor, wherein the program instructions are executable to;

instantiate and concurrently execute a plurality of virtual access point instances, wherein each virtual access point instance includes a wireless network protocol stack and wherein each virtual access point corresponds to a unique System ID of a plurality of System IDs (SIDs);

wherein each virtual access point instance of the plurality of virtual access point instances is operative to implement a wireless local area network identified by its corresponding unique SID and provide network access to one or more wireless communication devices.

2. The access point of claim 1 wherein each of the plurality of virtual access point instances is operative to utilize a common Basic Service Set Identifier (BSSID).

3. The access point of claim 1 wherein each of the plurality of virtual access point instances is operative to utilize a unique Basic Service Set Identifier (BSSID).

4. The access point of claim 1 wherein each of the plurality of virtual access point instances is operative to cause the wireless transceiver to broadcast its corresponding SID in wireless beacons.

5. The access point of claim 1 wherein each of the plurality of virtual access point instances is operative to tag received wireless frames with virtual Local Area Network (VLAN) identifiers that are assigned to the respective virtual access point instance.

6. The access point of claim 1, wherein each wireless network protocol stack comprises an IEEE 802.11 protocol stack.

7. The access point of claim 1, wherein the plurality of SIDs comprise a plurality of IEEE 802.11 System IDs.

8. The access point of claim 1, wherein the plurality of SIDs comprise a plurality of IEEE 802.11 Service Set IDs (SSIDs).

9. The access point of claim 1, wherein the plurality of SIDs comprise a plurality of IEEE 802.11 Extended Service Set IDs (ESSIDs).

10. The access point of claim 1, wherein each of the plurality of SIDs is associated with a unique network service provider and wherein each of the virtual access point instances is operative to direct wireless traffic to respective network destinations corresponding to a network service provider.

11. A method comprising:

concurrently executing, on a single physical access point, a plurality of virtual access point instances, wherein each virtual access point instance includes a wireless network protocol stack and wherein each virtual access point corresponds to a unique System ID of a plurality of System IDs (SIDs);

wherein each virtual access point instance of the plurality of virtual access point instances is operative to implement a wireless local area network identified by its corresponding unique SID and provide network access to one or more wireless communication devices.

12. The method of claim 11 wherein each of the plurality of virtual access point instances is operative to utilize a common Basic Service Set Identifier (BSSID).

13. The method of claim 11 wherein each of the plurality of virtual access point instances is operative to utilize a unique Basic Service Set Identifier (BSSID).

14. The method of claim 11 wherein each of the plurality of virtual access point instances is operative to cause the single physical access point to broadcast its corresponding SID in wireless beacons.

15. The method of claim 11 wherein each of the plurality of virtual access point instances is operative to tag received wireless frames with virtual Local Area Network (VLAN) identifiers that are assigned to the respective virtual access point instance.

16. The method of claim 11, wherein each wireless network protocol stack comprises an IEEE 802.11 protocol stack.

17. The method of claim 11, wherein the plurality of SIDs comprise a plurality of IEEE 802.11 System IDs.

18. The method of claim 11, wherein the plurality of SIDs comprise a plurality of IEEE 802.11 Service Set IDs (SSIDs).

19. The method of claim 11, wherein the plurality of SIDs comprise a plurality of IEEE 802.11 Extended Service Set IDs (ESSIDs).

20. The method of claim 11, wherein each of the plurality of SIDs is associated with a unique network service provider and wherein each of the virtual access point instances is operative to direct wireless traffic to respective network destinations corresponding to a network service provider.