System and method for concurrently utilizing multiple system identifiers
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.
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.