Wireless Mesh networking method based on main route visual operation

Abstract

The invention relates to a Mesh networking technology, discloses a wireless Mesh networking method based on main route visual operation, and aims to solve the problems of complex operation and poor experience caused by the fact that a user needs to repeatedly operate between a main route and a sub route in the traditional wireless Mesh networking and is not intuitive to perceive a networking state. In the scheme of the invention, the information interaction between the main route and the sub-route is realized by adding the specific TLV field containing the equipment identifier, the state and other information in the Probe request frame sent by the sub-route and the Beacon frame broadcasted by the main route; after analyzing the sub-route information, the main route visually displays an unnetworked sub-route list on a Web page for a user to select; and after the user selects, the main route triggers the corresponding sub-route to start the WPS through the Beacon frame containing the specified information to finish Mesh networking, so that one-stop visual operation of the user on the main route side is realized, the sub-route does not need to be operated, and the networking convenience and intuition are improved.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to Mesh networking technology, and in particular to a wireless Mesh networking method based on main route visualization operation. Background Art

[0002] With the rapid development of wireless network technology, wireless mesh networks, with their flexible scalability, self-organization, and high coverage, are widely used in network deployments in homes, businesses, and public places. In a wireless mesh networking architecture, the main router serves as the core node, and sub-routers form a collaborative network with the main router through wireless connections, jointly achieving wide-area wireless signal coverage.

[0003] In the current wireless mesh networking process, the mainstream method relies on users to manually trigger the WPS (Wi-Fi Protected Setup) button on the main router and sub-routers to complete pairing. This operation mode has the following limitations: Complicated operation: When the main router and sub-router are physically far apart (such as in different rooms or on different floors), or when multiple sub-routers need to be networked, users need to repeat operations at each sub-router location, which increases time cost and operation complexity.

[0004] Fuzzy perception: Users cannot intuitively understand the current status of the sub-router (such as whether it has been networked, device model, etc.), which can easily lead to misoperation or repeated networking problems.

[0005] Poor scalability: Traditional methods are difficult to manage efficiently for batch networking scenarios with multiple sub-routers, reducing networking efficiency and user experience.

[0006] Furthermore, while some improvements attempt to simplify operations, they rely on specialized hardware modules or require significant modifications to existing protocols, resulting in incompatibility issues and difficulty adapting to mainstream network equipment. Therefore, achieving visual and convenient operation of wireless mesh networking while maintaining compatibility with existing protocols has become a pressing technical challenge. Summary of the Invention

[0007] The technical problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide a wireless Mesh networking method based on the visual operation of the main route. In traditional wireless Mesh networking, users need to repeatedly operate between the main route and the sub-route, and the user's perception of the networking status is not intuitive, resulting in complex operation and poor experience.

[0008] The technical solution adopted by the present invention to solve the above technical problems is: A wireless Mesh networking method based on main route visualization operation includes the following steps: S1. After the sub-router enables the Mesh function, it adds a TLV (Type-Length-Value) field containing its own identification and status information to the Proberequest frame sent by the Backhaul STA (backhaul station); S2 main routing receives and parses the Probe request frame, filters out the sub-routes whose networking status is not networked, and displays their information in a list on the main routing Web page; S3. After the user selects the sub-router to be networked on the web page, the main router adds a TLV field containing the main route information and the selected sub-router identifier in the Beacon frame broadcast by the Fronthaul AP (fronthaul access point) and starts the WPS networking process; S4. The sub-router receives and parses the Beacon frame. If the sub-router identifier contained in the TLV field in the frame matches its own, WPS is started to complete the Mesh networking with the main router.

[0009] Furthermore, in step S1, the TLV field added to the Probe request includes the following information: the AL MAC (Abstraction Layer MAC) of the sub-router, the networking status, the Mesh role, the SN number, the device model, and the manufacturer identification code.

[0010] Furthermore, in step S2, the sub-route information displayed on the web page includes the device model, SN number and AL MAC of the sub-route.

[0011] Furthermore, in step S3, the TLV field added to the Beacon frame includes information including: the ALMAC of the main router, the Mesh role, the device model, the SN number, the manufacturer identification code, and the ALMAC and SN number of the sub-router selected by the user.

[0012] Furthermore, in step S3, the master router starts the WPS networking process while broadcasting the Beacon frame.

[0013] Furthermore, step S4 further includes: after completing the Mesh networking, the sub-router updates the networking status of the TLV field in its Probe request frame to "networked".

[0014] The beneficial effects of the present invention are: (1) Improve networking convenience: Users do not need to perform any operations on the sub-router side. They only need to select the sub-router to be networked on the web page of the main router to complete the Mesh networking process. This greatly simplifies the operation steps, reduces the user's round-trip operations between different routing devices, and reduces the time cost and operation complexity of networking.

[0015] (2) Realize visual operation: The main router intuitively displays the information of all unnetworked sub-routers (such as device model, SN number, etc.) through the web page. Users can clearly understand the status and properties of sub-routers, facilitate accurate selection of target devices, enhance users' perception of the networking process, and significantly improve user experience.

[0016] (3) Good compatibility: The solution is based on the existing wireless mesh network protocol and enables information interaction by adding specific TLV fields in Probe request frames and Beacon frames. It does not require large-scale hardware modifications to existing network equipment and can be adapted to mainstream devices, reducing application barriers and implementation costs. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0017] Figure 1 This is a flow chart of wireless networking of the main router in an embodiment of the present invention.

[0018] Figure 2 This is a flow chart of wireless networking of sub-routes in an embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0019] This invention aims to provide a wireless mesh networking method based on visual operation of the main router. Traditional wireless mesh networking requires users to repeatedly operate between the main router and sub-routers, and users' perception of networking status is not intuitive, resulting in complex operation and a poor user experience. The core concept is to enable information exchange between the main router and sub-routes by adding specific TLV fields containing device identification, status, and other information to the Probe request frames sent by sub-routes and the Beacon frames broadcast by the main router. After the main router parses the sub-route information, it visually displays a list of unnetworked sub-routes on a web page for user selection. After the user selects a sub-route, the main router triggers the corresponding sub-route to initiate WPS via a Beacon frame containing the specified information, completing the mesh networking. This allows users to perform one-stop visual operation on the main router without having to operate the sub-routes, improving the convenience and intuitiveness of networking.

[0020] In specific implementation, the sub-router needs to be modified at the software level to support adding the TLV field in the Probe request frame. The specific implementation steps are as follows: Initialization: After the sub-router turns on the Mesh function, it initializes the relevant network parameters and data structures.

[0021] Add TLV fields: When generating a Probe request frame, add predefined TLV fields to the appropriate position of the frame. This function can be implemented by calling the relevant interface in the network protocol stack.

[0022] Sending a Probe request frame: Use the sub-router's Backhaul STA interface to send a Probe request frame containing the TLV field. The Backhaul STA interface is a functional interface module of the sub-router and is the core component of the sub-router's Mesh network backhaul function, used to implement backhaul communication with the main router.

[0023] The main router needs to implement the following functions to complete the visual networking: Receiving and parsing Probe request frames: The primary router receives the Probe request frame through the network interface and uses a parsing algorithm to parse the content in the frame and extract the TLV field information.

[0024] Filter and display the sub-route list: Based on the networking status information in the parsed TLV field, filter out the unnetworked sub-routes and store the relevant information of these sub-routes in a list; then, display the list on a web page through the web server.

[0025] Processing user selection: When the user selects the sub-router to be networked on the web page, the main router receives the user's selection information and converts it into corresponding operation instructions.

[0026] Broadcast Beacon frames: The master router adds a TLV field containing the master route and the sub-route to be networked to the Beacon frames broadcast by the fronthaul AP. This function can be implemented by modifying the Beacon frame generation logic in the network protocol stack.

[0027] The Fronthaul AP is a functional interface module of the main router and is the core component that enables the main router to implement terminal access and Mesh control functions. The main router provides access services to terminals and controls the networking of sub-routers through its built-in Fronthaul AP module.

[0028] Start the WPS networking process: The main router calls the WPS-related driver or interface to start the WPS networking process.

[0029] After receiving the Beacon frame, the sub-router needs to implement the following functions: Receiving and parsing Beacon frames: The sub-router receives Beacon frames through the network interface and uses a parsing algorithm to parse the content in the frame and extract the TLV field information.

[0030] Matching information: Matches the AL MAC and SN number of the sub-route to be networked specified in the parsed TLV field with the local information.

[0031] Start WPS networking: If the match is successful, the sub-router calls the WPS-related driver or interface to start WPS for wireless networking.

[0032] The solution of the present invention is further described below with reference to the accompanying drawings and embodiments.

[0033] This embodiment provides a wireless Mesh networking method based on the visualization operation of the main router. Since in a wireless networking environment, there are two types of router devices: the main router and the sub-router, in order to make the description of the interaction process clearer, the networking process is described below from the sub-router and main router levels respectively.

[0034] See also Figure 2 The wireless networking process of the sub-router in implementing the wireless Mesh networking method includes the following steps: S1. After the sub-router is enabled, a proprietary TLV is added to the Probe request and the networking information is written into the TLV. In this step, after the sub-router enables the Mesh function, it adds a specific TLV field to the Probe request frame sent by the Backhaul STA. This TLV field contains the following key information: AL MAC (Abstraction Layer MAC): used to uniquely identify a sub-route.

[0035] Networking status: Check whether the sub-router has been added to the Mesh network.

[0036] Mesh Role: Indicates the role of the sub-router in the Mesh network.

[0037] SN (Serial Number): The unique serial number of the sub-router.

[0038] Device Model: The device model of the sub-router.

[0039] Manufacturer identification code: The identification code of the manufacturer that produces the sub-router.

[0040] This step adds the TLV field to the Probe request frame because it is a high-frequency frame actively sent by the sub-route, ensuring that the main route quickly captures the sub-route information. The TLV field is highly extensible and can carry custom information without destroying the original frame structure, making it compatible with existing protocols.

[0041] S2. Send a Probe request to all APs. In this step, the sub-router sends a Proberequest with a TLV field to all APs through the Backhaul STA interface so that the main router can receive the frame and parse the sub-router information.

[0042] S3. Receive the Beacon frame sent by the primary router; In this step, the sub-router continuously receives surrounding Beacon frames through the Backhaul STA interface.

[0043] S4. Analyze the target AL MAC and SN in the Beacon frame to see if they are consistent with the local machine. In this step, the sub-router parses the proprietary TLV from the received Beacon frame. If the AL MAC and SN number of the sub-router to be networked in the TLV parameters are consistent with those of the local router, the process proceeds to step S5; otherwise, the process returns to step S2.

[0044] S5. Start networking and start WPS; In this step, after the sub-router successfully matches the target sub-router AL MAC and SN number parsed from the TLV parameters in the Beacon frame with its own information, it determines that it is a device to be networked and immediately calls the WPS driver interface to start WPS pairing.

[0045] Based on the dual matching of AL MAC (hardware unique identifier) ​​and SN number (software unique identifier), incorrect networking can be avoided to the greatest extent.

[0046] S6. Wireless networking is successful; In this step, after the sub-router and the main router complete key negotiation and parameter synchronization through WPS, the Mesh network is successfully established. After the sub-router determines that the network is successful, it proceeds to step S7, otherwise it returns to step S2.

[0047] S7. Update the networking status information of the TLV in the Probe request; In this step, the sub-router will automatically update the "Networking Status" of the TLV field in its own Probe request frame to "Networking". The purpose of updating the networking status is to allow the main router to promptly perceive the current status of the sub-router, avoid repeatedly displaying networked devices on the web page, and reduce user errors.

[0048] See also Figure 1 The wireless networking process of the main router in implementing the wireless Mesh networking method includes the following steps: S1. Receive Probe request frame; In this step, after the main router is turned on, the Probe request frame is monitored. When the Probe request frame is received, step S2 is entered.

[0049] S2. Parse the TLV field in the Probe request frame; In this step, the master router parses the TLV field in the received Probe request frame.

[0050] S3. Determine whether there are Mesh-related parameters in the TLV field; In this step, the master router determines whether the TLV field contains Mesh-related parameters, such as AL MAC, networking status, etc. If yes, it goes to step S4, otherwise it returns to continue monitoring.

[0051] S4. Display the unnetworked sub-route information on the web page; In this step, the main router extracts the "network status" parameter from the parsed TLV field, filters out the sub-routers with a status of "not networked", and organizes their device model, SN number, AL MAC and other information into a list. The main router then renders the list to a web page through the built-in web server.

[0052] By only displaying unconnected sub-routers, users can avoid repeated operations caused by selecting connected devices. The visual display on the web page solves the pain point that users cannot intuitively perceive the status of sub-routers in traditional networking. Users do not need to go to the physical location of the sub-router to check, but can understand device information through the list, significantly lowering the operation threshold.

[0053] S5. The user selects a slave device to join the Mesh network; In this step, users can select the sub-router that needs to join the Mesh network based on the device model, SN number, and other information in the list. The main router monitors user operations in real time and immediately obtains the AL MAC and SN number of the selected sub-router once it detects the selection instruction.

[0054] S6. Add the target sub-machine's AL MAC and SN number to the broadcast Beacon frame TLV; In this step, the master router adds a TLV field to the Beacon frame broadcast by the fronthaul AP. This field contains the master router's own information (such as AL MAC, Mesh role, device model, SN number, manufacturer identification code, etc.) and the AL MAC and SN number of the sub-router selected by the user.

[0055] Beacon frames are chosen as instruction carriers because their broadcast characteristics ensure that sub-routers can receive them stably. Including the main route information in the TLV allows the sub-routers to verify the legitimacy of the main route and avoid accessing untrusted nodes. Including the AL MAC and SN number of the sub-route is to accurately specify the target device and prevent irrelevant sub-routes from responding incorrectly.

[0056] S7. Start WPS and enable wireless networking; In this step, the master router calls the WPS driver interface to activate the WPS function while broadcasting the above Beacon frame.

[0057] S8. Wireless networking is successful; In this step, after turning on WPS, the main router waits for the sub-router to establish wireless networking. If the wireless networking is successful, the entire process ends. Otherwise, it returns to S1 and continues to receive Probe request frames sent by the unnetworked sub-router.

[0058] Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes, modifications, substitutions and variations may be made to these embodiments without departing from the principles and spirit of the present invention, all without departing from the scope of protection of the present invention.

Claims

1. A wireless Mesh networking method based on main route visualization operation, characterized in that: The following steps are involved: S1. After the sub-router enables the Mesh function, it adds a TLV field containing its own identification and status information to the Probe request frame sent by the Backhaul STA; S2 main routing receives and parses the Probe request frame, filters out the sub-routes whose networking status is not networked, and displays their information in a list on the main routing Web page; S3. After the user selects the sub-route to be networked on the Web page, the main route adds a TLV field containing the main route information and the selected sub-route identifier in the Beacon frame broadcast by the Fronthaul AP, and starts the WPS networking process; S4. The sub-router receives and parses the Beacon frame. If the sub-router identifier contained in the TLV field in the frame matches itself, WPS is started to complete the Mesh networking with the main router.

2. A wireless Mesh networking method based on main route visualization operation according to claim 1, characterized in that: In step S1, the TLV field added to the Probe request contains information including: the AL MAC of the sub-router, networking status, Mesh role, SN number, device model, and manufacturer identification code.

3. A wireless Mesh networking method based on main route visualization operation according to claim 2, characterized in that: In step S2, the sub-route information displayed on the web page includes the device model, SN number and AL MAC of the sub-route.

4. A wireless Mesh networking method based on main route visualization operation according to claim 2, characterized in that: In step S3, the TLV field added to the Beacon frame contains information including: the AL MAC of the main router, the Mesh role, the device model, the SN number, the manufacturer identification code, and the AL MAC and SN number of the sub-router selected by the user.

5. A wireless Mesh networking method based on main route visualization operation according to claim 1, characterized in that: In step S3, the master router starts the WPS networking process while broadcasting the Beacon frame.

6. A wireless Mesh networking method based on main route visualization operation according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that: Step S4 also includes: after the sub-router completes the Mesh networking, updating the networking status of the TLV field in its Probe request frame to "networked".

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