System, device, method and software for providing a visitor access to a public network

Abstract

A system, device, method and software for providing a visitor access to a public network are disclosed. In one form, a virtual visitor enabled local area network includes a visitor access point operable to provide a visitor access to a public network while connected to a local area network (LAN). The visitor access point is operable to protect the LAN using a virtual visitor network established between the visitor access point and a virtual visitor network gateway.

1 - 33 . (canceled)  
     
     
         34 . A wireless access point comprising: 
 a first interface configured for connecting to a private network;    a second interface configured for connecting to at least one visitor; and    a virtual visitor network (VVN) processor, wherein the VVN processor is configured to encapsulate packets from the at least one visitor in order to provide network protection from the at least one visitor in the private network.    
     
     
         35 . The wireless access point of  claim 34 , further comprising a dynamic host configuration protocol (DHCP) server.  
     
     
         36 . The wireless access point of  claim 34 , further comprising a network address translator (NAT).  
     
     
         37 . The wireless access point of  claim 34 , wherein the second interface comprises an 802.11 wireless interface.  
     
     
         38 . The wireless access point of  claim 34 , wherein the VVN processor encapsulates packets with a first header and a second header, and wherein the second header comprises a source address and a destination address, and wherein the source address is the source device address, and wherein the destination address is the destination device address.  
     
     
         39 . The wireless access point of  claim 38 , wherein the source device is allowing a visitor access to a public network.  
     
     
         40 . The wireless access point of  claim 38 , wherein the destination device is transporting packets from the source device to the public network.  
     
     
         41 . A network for providing network protection from at least one visitor in a private network, the network comprising: 
 a wireless access point that comprises: 
 a first interface configured for connecting to a private network;  
 a second interface configured for connecting to at least one visitor; and  
 a virtual visitor network (VVN) processor, wherein the VVN processor is configured to encapsulate packets from the at least one visitor in order to provide network protection from the at least one visitor in the private network.  
   
     
     
         42 . The network of  claim 41 , further comprising a dynamic host configuration protocol (DHCP) server.  
     
     
         43 . The network of  claim 41 , further comprising a network address translator (NAT).  
     
     
         44 . The network of  claim 41 , wherein the second interface comprises an 802.11 wireless interface.  
     
     
         45 . The network of  claim 41 , wherein the VVN processor encapsulates packets with a first header and a second header, and wherein the second header comprises a source address and a destination address, and wherein the source address is the source device address, and wherein the destination address is the destination device address.  
     
     
         46 . The network of  claim 45 , wherein the source device is allowing a visitor access to a public network.  
     
     
         47 . The network of  claim 45 , wherein the destination device is transporting packets from the source device to the public network.  
     
     
         48 . A method for providing a wireless access point to at least one visitor and to provide network protection in a private network comprising: 
 connecting to a private network;    connecting to at least one visitor; and    using a virtual visitor network (VVN) processor, wherein the VVN processor is configured to encapsulate packets from the at least one visitor in order to provide network protection from the at least one visitor in the private network.    
     
     
         49 . The method of  claim 48 , further comprising providing a dynamic host configuration protocol (DHCP) server.  
     
     
         50 . The method of  claim 48 , further comprising providing a network address translator (NAT).  
     
     
         51 . The method of  claim 48 , wherein the at least one visitor is connected using an 802.11 wireless interface.  
     
     
         52 . The method of  claim 48 , wherein the VVN processor encapsulates packets with a first header and a second header, and wherein the second header comprises a source address and a destination address, and wherein the source address is the source device address, and wherein the destination address is the destination device address.  
     
     
         53 . The method of  claim 48 , wherein the source device is allowing a visitor access to a public network.  
     
     
         54 . The method of  claim 48 , wherein the destination device is transporting packets from the source device to the public network.