METHOD AND SYSTEM OF PROVIDING IP-BASED PACKET COMMUNICATIONS IN A UTILITY NETWORK

摘要

One example embodiment provides a method and system where a node in a utility network registers with one or more access point devices associated with one or more local area utility networks. The utility node generates a unique network address using a network address prefix of a network address associated with the access point device. The utility node registers with a DNS server. Messages sent to the utility node are routed through the access point corresponding to the received prefix used to generate the unique network address for the utility node. The network address for the utility node and access point may be IPv6 addresses and the network address prefix may be an IPv6 prefix, or may be an IPv4 address.

主权项

1. A wireless communication system comprising:
a plurality of nodes that are part of a wireless local area network; and a plurality of access points connected to the wireless local area network, the access points providing communication between at least one of the plurality of nodes and at least one wide area network; wherein at least one of the plurality of nodes is configured to: register with at least two of the plurality of access points; and for each of the plurality of access points with which the at least one node registers, obtain a unique network address of the at least one node corresponding to that access point in response to registration, such that the at least one node obtains a plurality of unique network addresses each respectively associated with a corresponding one of the plurality of access points with which the at least one node registers, wherein the at least one node is configured to forward, via at least one of the access points with which the at least one node is registered, multiple unique network addresses to an intended network destination accessible through the at least one wide area network, to provide the intended network destination with multiple routes to reach the node, wherein the multiple routes are respectively associated with a corresponding one of at least two of the access points with which the node has registered.