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Abstract

A method, apparatus, and article of manufacture for reducing broadcast traffic in a wireless backbone network. In operation, a wireless access point receives an address resolution protocol (ARP) message from a network device. The wireless access point determines the destination of the ARP message and attempts to identify the Ethernet address associated with the destination network device. If the Ethernet address cannot be determined, the access point sends an ARP request message to the other wireless access points on the network, requesting them to transmit ARP packets to the network device. When the desired network device comes within range of the network, the access points discontinue transmitting ARP packets and a message acknowledging the device's presence is transmitted to the original access point. This method of having access points periodically broadcast ARP packets to network devices reduces ARP broadcasting across the wireless backbone, thereby increasing network throughput.

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First Claim