Marvell International Limited

Heng-Jui Hsu

Peter Loc

Lawrence Tse

Joseph Knapp

Senthil Arumugham

Brian Bosso

Chor-Teck Law

James Chieh-Tsung Chen

Claudius Tewari

James Chih-Shi Yee

A network interface includes a network interface controller and a plurality of communication paths between a host and a plurality of different networks. Each of the plurality of communication paths includes a media access controller and a physical layer device. The media access controller is configured to use a same media access controller address for communicating with a respective one of the plurality of different networks. The physical layer device configured to determine at least one of an availability of the respective one of the plurality of different networks and a performance condition of the respective one of the plurality of different networks. The network interface controller is configured to receive, from the host, a selection of one of the plurality of different networks and activate one of the plurality of communications paths based on the selection.

Method and apparatus for enabling a network interface to support multiple networks

Techniques and systems for associating a client with an access point using a security protocol are described. A described technique includes initiating an association request; establishing an association between a first device and a second device different from the first device based on the association request; participating in a handshake including exchanging an operational key between the first device and the second device during the handshake; and entering an operational phase using the operational key when the handshake is successful. Participating in the handshake can include participating in an authenticated handshake when the association request indicates an authenticated access, and participating in an unauthenticated handshake when the association request indicates an unauthenticated access.

Enhanced association for access points

A network device comprises a host, including a device driver, and a network interface. The network interface includes a first media access controller, the first media access controller configured to, when activated, use a media access controller address for transferring data from the host to the first network, and transferring data from the first network to the host. A second media access controller is configured to, when activated, also use the media access controller address for transferring data from the host to the second network, and transferring data from the second network to the host. The device driver is configured to select either the first network or the second network for communication with the host, and the first media access controller or the second media access controller is respectively activated in response to the device driver selecting the first network or the second network.

An apparatus capable of communicating data with a second apparatus using one of multiple networks comprising first and second networks comprises a host specifying a preferred one of the multiple networks; a first physical layer device arranged to communicate the data over the first network, wherein the first physical layer device determines a first status of the first network; a second physical layer device arranged to communicate the data over the second network; a first media access controller to facilitate communication of the data from the host over the first network using a single media access controller address via the first physical layer device; and a second media access controller to facilitate communication of the data from the host over the second network using the single media access controller address via the second physical layer device; and a controller in communication with the first and second physical layer devices and the host to provide the first and second status to the host, wherein the host controls the controller to communicate the data using the first media access controller if the first network is the preferred one and the first status is available.

A wireless network comprises a plurality of nodes. An access point wirelessly communicates with the plurality of nodes, generates a table comprising a list of the plurality of nodes, and transmits the table to a first node of the plurality of nodes. The first node determines a hidden status of a second node in the table relative to the first node.

Apparatus and method for detecting hidden nodes in a wireless network

The invention relates to a method for associating a client with an access point using a security protocol. The method may include initiating a handshake and exchanging operational information between the access point and the client, establishing an encrypted operational key if the operational information is validated and entering an operational phase using the operational key and an unique service set identifier if valid.

A first node in a wireless network comprises a transceiver that wirelessly communicates with an access point. A hidden status generator communicates with the transceiver, receives a table comprising a list of nodes in communication with the access point and determines a hidden status of a second node in the table relative to the first node.

A wireless network according to the present invention includes a plurality of nodes that transmit and receive radio frequency (RF) signals. An access point broadcasts and receives radio frequency (RF) signals, wirelessly communicates with the plurality of nodes, generates a table containing a list nodes operating in the wireless network, and broadcasts the table to the plurality of nodes. The access point also calculates traffic conditions. A first node receives the table determines a hidden status of a second node in the table. The first node communicates directly with the second node if the second node has a not hidden status and communicates with the second node through the access point if the second node has a hidden status.

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San Jose, CA, United States of America

Heng-Jui Hsu