Integration of a wireless wide-area network (WAN) data terminal with a network processor for interfacing with local-area network (LAN) nodes
A wireless data terminal apparatus, comprising: a wireless wide-area network (WAN) data terminal configured to provide data communication over a wireless wide-area telecommunication network, the wireless WAN data terminal including at least a data processor and an RF section; and a network processing module configured to provide access to a local-area network (LAN), the network processing module providing multi-port switch functionality to allow connection of the wireless WAN data terminal to a plurality of LAN devices coupled to the LAN.
1 . A wireless data terminal apparatus, comprising:
a wireless wide-area network (WAN) data terminal configured to provide data communication over a wireless wide-area telecommunication network, said wireless WAN data terminal including at least a data processor and an RF section; and
a network processing module configured to provide access to a local-area network (LAN), said network processing module providing multi-port switch functionality to allow connection of said wireless WAN data terminal to a plurality of LAN devices coupled to said LAN.
2 . The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein said network processing module is an Ethernet card.
3 . The apparatus of claim 2 , wherein said Ethernet card is configured as a router.
4 . The apparatus of claim 2 , wherein said Ethernet card includes a built-in DHCP server.
5 . The apparatus of claim 1 , further comprising
a USB interface coupled to said network processing module and said wireless WAN data terminal.
6 . The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein said wireless WAN data terminal is a broadband WAN modem for a laptop computer.
7 . The apparatus of claim 1 , further comprising
a wireless LAN access point to provide access to a wireless LAN.
8 . A system comprising:
a local-area network (LAN) configured to network a plurality of nodes within a predefined distance of each other;
a wireless wide-area network (WAN) configured to provide a communication network for a plurality of wireless WAN data terminals; and
a wireless WAN data terminal apparatus operating to provide communication over said wireless WAN to said plurality of nodes in said LAN, said wireless WAN data terminal apparatus comprising:
a wireless WAN data terminal configured to provide data communication over a wireless wide-area telecommunication network, said wireless WAN data terminal including at least a data processor and an RF section; and
a network processing module configured to provide access to a local-area network (LAN), said network processing module providing multi-port switch functionality to allow connection of said wireless WAN data terminal to a plurality of LAN devices coupled to said LAN.
9 . The system of claim 8 , wherein said plurality of nodes includes computers, printers, workstations, and terminals.
10 . The system of claim 8 , wherein said network processing module is an Ethernet card.
11 . The system of claim 10 , wherein said Ethernet card is configured as a router.
12 . The system of claim 10 , wherein said Ethernet card includes a built-in DHCP server.
13 . The system of claim 8 , further comprising
a USB interface coupled to said network processing module and said wireless WAN data terminal.
14 . The system of claim 8 , wherein said wireless WAN data terminal is a broadband WAN modem for a laptop computer.
15 . A method comprising:
configuring a wireless wide-area network (WAN) data terminal to provide data communication over a wireless wide-area telecommunication network, said wireless WAN data terminal including at least a data processor and an RF section; and
configuring a network processing module to provide access to a local-area network (LAN), said network processing module providing multi-port switch functionality to allow connection of said wireless WAN data terminal to a plurality of LAN devices coupled to said LAN.