multiple access elements by a central control element fig2 illustrates a hierarchical wireless networking system according to an embodiment of the present invention including the following components access elements 12 15 for wireless communication with selected remote client elements 16 18 20 22 central control elements 24 26 and means for communication between the access elements and the central control elements typically direct line access 28 30 but potentially a wireless backbone fiber or other reliable link in another embodiment access elements 12 14 are directly connected to lan 10 or a virtual local area network vlan for communication with central control element 24 the access elements 12 15 are coupled via communication means using a wireless local area network wlan protocol e g ieee 802 11a or 802 11b etc to the client remote elements 16 18 20 22 the communications means 28 30 between the access elements 12 14 and the central control element 24 is typically an ethernet network but it could be anything else which is appropriate to the environment as described in u s application ser no 10 155 938 the access elements 12 14 and the central control element 24 tunnel network traffic associated with corresponding remote client elements 16 18 20 22 via direct access lines 28 and 30 respectively central control element 24 is also operative to bridge the network traffic between the remote client elements 16 18 20 22 transmitted through the tunnel with corresponding access elements 12 14 as described in the above identified patent application central control element 24 operates to perform link layer management functions such as authentication and association on behalf of access elements 12 14 for example.