System and method for access point (AP) aggregation and resiliency in a hybrid wired/wireless local area network

Abstract

Aspects of the invention may provide a system and method for access point aggregation and resiliency in a hybrid wired/wireless local area network. Access point aggregation and resiliency may include determining one or more available switch ports having a capability to handle a first access point group, the first access point group having a first default switch port. One or more available switch ports may be provisioned to provide service to the first access point group. Information may be communicated between the first default switch port and/or any of the provisioned switch ports, while maintaining client status and connection information. Available switch ports may be selected from a reserved pool of available switch ports and upon abatement of a need to utilize the provisioned switch ports, the provisioned switch ports may be returned to the reserved pool of available switch ports.

1 . A method for access point aggregation and resiliency in a hybrid wired/wireless local area network, the method comprising: 
 determining at least one available switch port having a capability to handle a first access point group, said first access point group having a first default switch port;    provisioning said at least one available switch port to provide service to said first access point group; and    communicating information using at least one of said first default switch port and said at least one provisioned switch port    
     
     
         2 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein said determining further comprises selecting said at least one available switch port from a reserved pool of available switch ports.  
     
     
         3 . The method according to  claim 2 , further comprising returning said selected at least one available switch port to said reserved pool of available switch ports upon abatement of a need to utilize said provisioned at least one available switch port.  
     
     
         4 . The method according to  claim 1 , further comprising selecting said at least one available switch port from at least one of a first switching element and a second switching element, said first default switch port being associated with said first switching element.  
     
     
         5 . The method according to  claim 1 , further comprising determining at least one a second available switch port having a capability to handle a second access point group, said second access point group having a second default switch port.  
     
     
         6 . The method according to  claim 5 , further comprising provisioning at least a third available switch port to provide service to said second access point group.  
     
     
         7 . The method according to  claim 6 , further comprising switching between any two of said at least one available switch port, said at least a second available switch port and said at least a third available switch port.  
     
     
         8 . The method according to  claim 1 , further comprising switching between said default switch port and said at least one available switch port in a time period less than on the order of a few milliseconds from at least one of a detectable link failure and a configuration change.  
     
     
         9 . A machine-readable storage, having stored thereon a computer program having at least one code section for access point aggregation and resiliency in a hybrid wired/wireless local area network, the at least one code section executable by a machine for causing the machine to perform the steps comprising: 
 determining at least one available switch port having a capability to handle a first access point group, said first access point group having a first default switch port;    provisioning said at least one available switch port to provide service to said first access point group; and    communicating information using at least one of said first default switch port and said at least one provisioned switch port.    
     
     
         10 . The machine-readable storage according to  claim 9 , further comprising code for selecting said at least one available switch port from a reserved pool of available switch ports.  
     
     
         11 . The machine-readable storage according to  claim 10 , further comprising code for returning said selected at least one available switch port to said reserved pool of available switch ports upon abatement of a need to utilize said provisioned at least one available switch port.  
     
     
         12 . The machine-readable storage according to  claim 1 , further comprising code for selecting said at least one available switch port from at least one of a first switching element and a second switching element, said first default switch port being associated with said first switching element.  
     
     
         13 . The machine-readable storage according to  claim 9 , further comprising code for determining at least one a second available switch port having a capability to handle a second access point group, said second access point group having a second default switch port.  
     
     
         14 . The machine-readable storage according to  claim 13 , further comprising code for provisioning at least a third available switch port to provide service to said second access point group.  
     
     
         15 . The machine-readable storage according to  claim 14 , further comprising code for switching between any two of said at least one available switch port, said at least a second available switch port and said at least a third available switch port.  
     
     
         16 . The machine-readable storage according to  claim 9 , further comprising code for switching between said default switch port and said at least one available switch port in a time period less than on the order of a few milliseconds from at least one of a detectable link failure and a configuration change.  
     
     
         17 . A system for access point aggregation and resiliency in a hybrid wired/wireless local area network, the system comprising: 
 at least one processor adapted to determine at least one available switch port having a capability to handle a first access point group, said first access point group having a first default switch port;    said at least one processor adapted to provisioning said at least one available switch port to provide service to said first access point group; and    said at least one processor adapted to communicate information using at least one of said first default switch port and said at least one provisioned switch port.    
     
     
         18 . The system according to  claim 17 , wherein said at least one processor is adapted to select said at least one available switch port from a reserved pool of available switch ports.  
     
     
         19 . The system according to  claim 18 , wherein said at least one processor is adapted to select at least one available switch port said reserved pool of available switch ports upon abatement of a need to utilize said provisioned at least one available switch port.  
     
     
         20 . The system according to  claim 17 , wherein said at least one processor is adapted to select said at least one available switch port from at least one of a first switching element and a second switching element, said first default switch port being associated with said first switching element.  
     
     
         21 . The system according to  claim 17 , wherein said at least one processor is adapted to determine at least one a second available switch port having a capability to handle a second access point group, said second access point group having a second default switch port.  
     
     
         22 . The system according to  claim 21  wherein said at least one processor is adapted to provision at least a third available switch port to provide service to said second access point group.  
     
     
         23 . The system according to  claim 22 , wherein said at least one processor is adapted to switching between any two of said at least one available switch port, said at least a second available switch port and said at least a third available switch port.  
     
     
         24 . The system according to  claim 17 , wherein said at least one processor is adapted to switch between said default switch port and said at least one available switch port in a time period less than on the order of a few milliseconds from at least one of a detectable link failure and a configuration change.  
     
     
         25 . The system according to  claim 17 , wherein said at least one processor is at least one of a switch processor, a bandwidth management controller, a quality of service controller, a load balancing controller, a session controller and a network management controller.