Communicatively coupling WLAN and femtocell networks utilizing a femtocell-to-WLAN network bridge and controller

Abstract

Aspects of a method and system for communicatively coupling WLAN and femtocell networks utilizing a FC-to-WLAN network bridge and controller are provided. In this regard, data communicated via one or more femtocells and one or more WLAN access points may be managed via a FC-to-WLAN network bridge and controller communicatively coupled between a femtocell controller and an access point controller. The femtocell controller may be operable to manage and / or control operation of the one or more femtocells, and the access point controller may be operable to manage and / or control operation of the one or more WLAN access points. The FC-to-WLAN network bridge and controller, the femtocell controller, and the access point controller may interoperate to manage data communicated between a first end-user device communicatively coupled to one of the femtocells and a second end-user device communicatively coupled to one of the access points.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS / INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE[0001]This patent application makes reference to:[0002]U.S. patent application Ser. No. ______ (Attorney Docket No. 19924US01) filed on even date herewith;[0003]U.S. patent application Ser. No. ______ (Attorney Docket No. 19925US01) filed on even date herewith;[0004]U.S. patent application Ser. No. ______ (Attorney Docket No. 19926US01) filed on even date herewith; and[0005]U.S. patent application Ser. No. ______ (Attorney Docket No. 19929US01) filed on even date herewith.[0006]Each of the above stated applications is hereby incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.FIELD OF THE INVENTION[0007]Certain embodiments of the invention relate to networking. More specifically, certain embodiments of the invention relate to a method and system for communicatively coupling WLAN and femtocell networks utilizing FC-to-WLAN network bridge and controller.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0008]An access point is a device that may ...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0013]A system and/or method is provided for communicatively coupling WLAN and femtocell networks utilizing a FC-to-WLAN bridge and control

Problems solved by technology

Since the traffic between a customer's premises femtocell equipment and the operator's network may be traversing a public network, the traffic may be prone to various risks.

Accordingly, coordination of coexistent access points and femtocells a LAN or enterprise network may present a number of challenges to network administrators.

Images