Partitioning a radio into chains for scanning channels

Abstract

Network device (102; 202), comprising: a processing resource (214); and a storage resource (216) storing machine-readable instructions to cause the processing resource (214) to: Partitioning a standard radio of the network device (102; 202) into a service chain (104) and a scan chain (108) in response to a scan request, wherein the service chain (104) provides network connectivity for client devices (106) connected to the network device (102; 202), and wherein the scan chain (108) scans other channels to discover devices operating on the other channels; Scanning a particular channel (109) with the scan chain (108) for a predetermined period of time to detect devices (110) operating on the particular channel (109) of a network; and Combining the service chain (104) and the scan chain (108) into the standard radio after completion of the scan and after the predetermined period of time.

Description

General state of the art

[0001] A network device can transmit and / or receive electromagnetic waves to communicate with other devices. Electromagnetic waves can be transmitted and / or received by a network device's radio chain.

[0002] The network device can communicate with other devices on a wireless channel. For example, the network device and the other devices can communicate using the same wireless channel.

[0003] US 7 711 374 B2 describes a method for managing communication resources in a communication system having a multi-transceiver configuration, the method comprising: communicating a first portion of a first communication using a plurality of transceivers of the communication system; determining to reassign at least one of the plurality of transceivers for a second communication; reassigning the at least one of the plurality of transceivers to perform the second communication; transmitting a second portion of the first communication using the plurality of transceivers less the reassigned at least one of the plurality of transceivers; and concurrently with communicating the second portion of the first communication, communicating the second communication using the reassigned at least one of the plurality of transceivers.

[0004] US 8 655 355 B2 relates to a wireless device comprising multiple receivers and logic coupled to the receivers. The logic causes at least one receiver to receive data communications from one access point while at least one other receiver simultaneously searches for another access point. Short description

[0005] A network device according to claims 1 to 8, a non-transitory, machine-readable storage medium according to claims 9 to 14 and a method according to claims 15 to 20 are disclosed. Short description of the drawings Fig. 1 represents an example of a network design consistent with the disclosure. Fig. 2 is a block diagram of an example network device for partitioning a radio into chains to scan channels according to the disclosure. Fig. 3 is a block diagram of an example system according to the disclosure. Fig. 4 illustrates an example of a method consistent with the disclosure. Fig. 5 illustrates an example flowchart for partitioning a radio into chains for scanning channels according to the disclosure. Detailed description

[0006] A network device may use a radio chain to transmit and / or receive information. The information may be transmitted and / or received over a network. In this context, the term "radio chain" may refer, for example, to hardware that can transmit and / or receive information via radio signals. Client devices and / or other devices may communicate with the network device using numerous radio chains on a radio channel. In this context, the term radio channel may refer, for example, to a frequency or frequency range used by a network device to communicate (e.g., transmit and / or receive) information.

[0007] The network device may scan other channels to discover devices capable of operating on the other channels. In some situations, devices capable of operating on the other channels may not be able to communicate with the network device. In some implementations, the network device may partition a standard radio into a service chain and a scan chain. The scan chain may scan the other channels to discover devices capable of operating on the other channels. In this context, the term "scan chain" may refer, for example, to a radio chain for providing network connectivity to client devices connected to the network device. In this context, the term "scan chain" may refer, for example, to a radio chain for scanning the other channels to discover devices capable of operating on the other channels.

[0008] The service chain may provide network connectivity to client devices connected to the network device, while the scan chain scans the other channels. In this context, the term "network connectivity" may refer, for example, to an ability to transmit and / or receive information via radio signals over a network relationship. In this context, the term "network relationship" may refer, for example, to a local area network (LA), a wireless local area network (WLAN), a virtual local area network (VLAN), a wide area network (WAN), a personal area network (PAN), a distributed computing environment (e.g., a cloud computing environment), a storage area network (SAN), a metropolitan area network (MAN), a cellular communications network, and / or the Internet, to name a few types of network relationships.

[0009] In the present context, the term "information" may refer to, for example, data, addresses, control, management (e.g., statistics), or any combination thereof. For data transmission, the information may be transmitted as a message, namely a collection of bits in a predetermined format. A message, such as a wireless message, may include a header and a payload with a predetermined number of information bits. The wireless message may be placed in a format as multiple packets, frames, or cells.

[0010] In some implementations, partitioning a radio into chained channels for scanning may promote continuous network connectivity to client devices connected to the network while other channels of the network are being scanned. When using this partitioning mechanism, partitioning a radio into chained channels for scanning may mitigate the risk of frame loss at client devices during a scan, which may reduce the risk of problems with client device connectivity to the network device during the scan. In the present context, the term "mechanism" may refer, for example, to a component of a system or device for serving multiple functions, including software components, electronic components, electrical components, mechanical components, electromechanical components, etc.

[0011] Fig. 1 illustrates an example of a network design 100 consistent with the disclosure. As in Fig. 1, the network design 100 may include a network device 102, a service chain 104, a service channel 105, client devices 106-1, 106-M (collectively referred to as client devices 106), a scan chain 108, a particular channel 109, and devices 110-1, 101-N (collectively referred to as devices 110).

[0012] In the present context, the term "default radio" may refer, for example, to a radio of a network device, such as network device 102, that may provide network connectivity to client devices, such as client devices 106, when network device 102 is not performing a scan. Although not included in the disclosure for the sake of clarity and to avoid obscuring the examples, Fig. 1, the network device 102 may provide network connectivity over the default radio to the client devices 106 when the network device 102 is not scanning a channel. The default radio may be a single radio, such as a WLAN radio, partitioned into the service chain 104 and the scan chain 108. The service chain 104 and the scan chain 108 may be combined into the default radio when the network device 102 is not scanning a particular channel 109, as will be described in further detail herein. In the present context, the term "network device" may refer, for example, to a device capable of transmitting and / or receiving signaling and information within such signaling, such as a station (e.g., any data processing equipment, such as a computer, a mobile phone, an organizer, tablet devices, etc.), an access point, data transmission devices (such asnetwork switches, routers, controllers, etc.) or the like.

[0013] The network device 102 may partition a standard radio of the network device 102 into a service chain 104 and a scan chain 108. In the present context, the term "partitioning" may refer, for example, to a division into or a division into sections or parts. For example, the network device 102 may partition the standard radio into radio chain sections. The sections of the standard radio may include the service chain 104 and the scan chain 108.

[0014] As in Fig. 1, the network device 102 may be a network device with an 8x8 antenna. In the present context, the term "antenna" may refer, for example, to a device that converts electrical power into electromagnetic waves (e.g., radio waves) and / or vice versa. For example, a network device 102 with an 8x8 antenna may, by way of example, include a radio that may include eight transmit antennas and eight receive antennas. The network device 102 may partition the standard radio into a 4x4 service chain 104 and a 4x4 scan chain 108. That is, the 4x4 service chain 104 may include four transmit antennas and four receive antennas, and the 4x4 scan chain 108 may include four transmit antennas and four receive antennas.

[0015] Although the network device 102 in Fig. 1 as being partitioned into a 4x4 service chain 104 and a 4x4 scan chain 108, the examples of the disclosure are not so limited. For example, the network device 102 may partition the standard radio into a 7x7 service chain and a 1x1 scan chain 108, among other partitioning schemes. That is, the 7x7 service chain 104 may include seven transmit antennas and seven receive antennas, and the 1x1 scan chain 108 may include one transmit antenna and one receive antenna.

[0016] Although this is Fig. While the network device 102 shown in Figure 1 is illustrated as an 8x8 antenna network device, the examples of the disclosure are not so limited. For example, the network device 102 may be smaller than an 8x8 network (e.g., a 6x6 network) or longer than an 8x8 network device (e.g., a 12x12 network device).

[0017] In response to a scan request, network device 102 may partition the standard radio into service chain 104 and scan chain 108. In the present context, the term "scan request" may refer, for example, to a request to scan a specific channel 109. The scan request may include the specific channel 109 to be scanned. The specific channel 109 may be a channel not used by network device 102 to provide network connectivity to client devices 106. In other words, network device 102 may provide network connectivity to client devices 106 on service channel 105, where service channel 105 is a channel different from specific channel 109.

[0018] In some examples, the scan request may be received periodically by network device 102. As used herein, the term "periodic" may refer, for example, to periodically recurring at regular and / or irregular intervals. For example, network device 102 may receive a scan request every two seconds, every five seconds, and / or combinations thereof (e.g., every second, then every five seconds, then every second, etc.), although the examples of the disclosure are not limited to periodic scan requests received every two, five, etc. seconds. For example, the periodic requests may be received more frequently than every second or less frequently than every second.

[0019] In some examples, the scan request may be received by network device 102 in response to a change in a topology of a network. The network may be a network to which network device 102 is connected. The topology of the network may change, and as a result, network device 102 may scan the particular channel 109 to determine changes in the topology of the network. For example, an access point (AP) may be added to the network. The added AP may change the topology of the network to which network device 102 is connected. Network device 102 may receive a scan request in response to the AP being added to the network. An AP may refer to a network device that enables a client device to connect to a wired or wireless network. In the present context, the term "access point" (AP) may refer, for example, torefer to receiving points for any known or suitable wireless access technology that may later become known. The term AP is not intended to be specifically limited to IEEE 802.11-based APs. APs generally operate as an electronic device capable of enabling wireless devices to connect to a wired network using various communication standards. An AP may include processing resources, memory, and / or input / output interfaces, including wired network interfaces such as IEEE 802.3 Ethernet interfaces, and wireless network interfaces such as IEEE 802.11 Wi-Fi interfaces, although the examples of the disclosure are not limited to such interfaces. An AP may include memory resources, including read / write memory and a hierarchy of persistent memory such as ROM, EPROM, and flash memory.

[0020] Despite the above description as receiving a periodic scan request or receiving a scan request in response to a change in the network topology, the examples of the disclosure are not so limited. For example, network device 102 may receive a scan request in response to various performance issues related to the network. For example, network device 102 may receive a scan request in response to suboptimal channel and / or radio assignments, asymmetric AP links, beacon links out of synchronization, and / or other performance issues, such as an exceeded power threshold, etc.

[0021] The network device 102 may scan the particular channel 109 with the scan chain 108 to discover devices 110 operating on the particular channel 109 of a network. In the present context, the term "scan" may refer, for example, to searching for a device unknown to the network device 102. For example, the devices 110 may be operating on the particular channel 109, while the client devices 106 are operating on them, and the network device 102 may be providing network connectivity on the service channel 105. It is possible that the network device 102 is unaware of the devices 110 because they are operating on the particular channel 109. The network device 102 may scan the particular channel 109 to discover the devices 110.

[0022] The network device 102 may provide network connectivity to the client devices 106 connected to the network device 102 via the service chain 104 while the particular channel 109 is scanned by the scan chain 108. For example, while the scan chain 108 is scanning the particular channel 109 to search for the devices 110, the service chain 104 may provide network connectivity to the client devices 106 operating on the service channel 105. In other words, the network device 102 may provide network connectivity to the client devices 106 connected to the network device 102 on the service channel 105, where the service channel 105 is a channel different from the particular channel 108 scanned by the scan chain 108.By partitioning a standard radio into a service chain 104 and a scan chain 108, a single radio can be used to provide network connectivity to existing client devices 106 while simultaneously scanning the particular channel 109 for devices 110 operating on the particular channel 109.

[0023] In some examples, network device 102 may scan the particular channel 109 for a predetermined period of time. For example, network device 102 may scan the particular channel 109 for one second, although the examples of the disclosure are not so limited. For example, network device 102 may scan the particular channel 109 for longer or shorter than one second.

[0024] The predetermined time period may be variable. For example, the network device 102 may scan the particular channel 109 for a variable time period. For example, the network device 102 may scan the particular channel 109 for a period of two seconds. The predetermined time period may be varied to be longer than two seconds or shorter than two seconds.

[0025] The network device 102 may combine the service chain 104 and the scan chain 108 into the standard radio. As shown in Fig. 1, for example, the service chain 104 and the scan chain 108 are shown as partitioned into a 4x4 service chain 104 and a 4x4 scan chain 108. The network device 102 may combine the 4x4 service chain 104 and the 4x4 scan chain 108 into the 8x8 standard radio. The 8x8 standard radio may provide network connectivity to the client devices 106, and the network device 102 no longer has any antennas scanning the specific channel 109.

[0026] In some examples, in response to scanning the particular channel 109 for a predetermined period of time, the network device 102 may combine the service chain 104 and the scan chain 108 in the standard radio. In other words, the network device 102 may combine the service chain 104 and the scan chain 108 in the standard radio after the predetermined scanning period. For example, the scan chain 108 may scan the particular channel 109 for two seconds, and the network device 102 may combine the service chain 104 and the scan chain 108 in the radio after two seconds.

[0027] In some examples, in response to receiving a multi-user multiple-input multiple-output (MU-MIMO) transmission from a client device 106 connected to the network device 102, the network device 102 may combine the service chain 104 and the scan chain 108 in the default radio. In the present context, a MU-MIMO device may use a radio channel to transmit and receive more than one data signal simultaneously. A MU-MIMO device may include operational specifications such that the network device 102 may provide network connectivity to a MU-MIMO device in a non-partitioned state. That is, the network device 102 may use the default radio, including up to all of the available radio chains included in the default radio, to transmit and / or receive MU-MIMO frames to provide network connectivity to a MU-MIMO device, as described in connection with the Fig. 4 and Fig. 5 is further described.

[0028] In some examples, the network device 102 may be an access point (AP), although the examples of the disclosure are not limited to the network device 102 being an AP.

[0029] Partitioning a radio into chains for scanning channels according to the disclosure may enable a network device to scan for other devices without disrupting the network connectivity of existing client devices connected to the network device. By partitioning a standard radio into a service chain and a scan chain, the network device may provide continuous network connectivity to existing client devices using the dedicated service chain while simultaneously scanning backup channels using the scan chain. Partitioning a radio into chains for scanning channels according to the disclosure may reduce the risks of frame loss for existing client devices during scanning while providing a stable network connection for existing client devices connected to the network device.Partitioning a radio into channel scanning chains can avoid having an antenna dedicated to channel scanning that is unable to provide network connectivity to client devices.

[0030] Fig. 2 is a block diagram 212 of an example network device 202 for partitioning a radio into chains for scanning channels according to the disclosure. As described herein, the network device 202 (e.g., the one previously described in connection with Fig. 1 described network device 102) perform a function associated with partitioning a radio into chains for scanning channels. Although it Fig. 2, network device 202 may include a machine-readable storage medium. Although the following descriptions refer to an individual processing resource and an individual machine-readable storage medium, the descriptions may also apply to a system having numerous processing resources and numerous machine-readable storage media. In such examples, network device 202 may be distributed across numerous machine-readable storage media, and network device 202 may be distributed across numerous processing resources. In other words, the instructions executed by network device 202 may be stored across numerous machine-readable storage media and executed across numerous processing resources, such as in a distributed or virtual computing environment.

[0031] As in Fig. 2, the network device 202 may include a processing resource 214 and a storage resource 216 storing machine-readable instructions for causing the processing resource 214 to perform an operation related to partitioning a radio into chains to scan channels. That is, using the processing resource 214 and the storage resource 216, the network device 202 may, among other operations, partition a standard radio. The processing resource 214 may be a central processing unit (CPU), a microprocessor, and / or other hardware device capable of retrieving and executing instructions stored in the storage resource 216.

[0032] Network device 202 may include instructions 218 stored in memory resource 216 and executable by processing resource 214 to partition a standard radio. For example, network device 202 may include instructions 218 stored in memory resource 216 and executable by processing resource 214 to partition a standard radio of network device 202 into a service chain and a scan chain in response to a scan request.

[0033] Network device 202 may include instructions 220 stored in memory resource 216 and executable by processing resource 214 to scan a particular channel. For example, network device 202 may include instructions 220 stored in memory resource 216 and executable by processing resource 214 to scan a particular channel with the scan chain to discover devices operating on the particular channel of a network.

[0034] Network device 202 may include instructions 222 stored in memory resource 216 and executable by processing resource 214 to combine the service chain and the scan chain. For example, network device 202 may include instructions 222 stored in memory resource 216 and executable by processing resource 214 to combine the service chain and the scan chain in the standard radio.

[0035] In this way, the network device 202 can partition a standard radio into a service chain and a scan chain, scan a specific channel with the scan channel, while simultaneously providing network connectivity to existing client devices with the service chain, and scan the service chain and the scan chain into the standard radio.

[0036] Fig. 3 is a block diagram of an example of a system 324 according to the disclosure. In one example of Fig. 3, the system 324 includes a processing resource 314 (e.g., the one previously described in connection with Fig. 2) and a machine-readable storage medium 326. Although the following descriptions refer to an individual processing resource and an individual machine-readable storage medium, the descriptions may also apply to a system having numerous processing resources and numerous machine-readable storage media. In such examples, the instructions may be distributed across numerous machine-readable storage media, and the instructions may be distributed across numerous processing resources. In other words, the instructions may be stored across numerous machine-readable storage media and executed across numerous processing resources, such as in a distributed computing environment.

[0037] The processing resource 314 may be a central processing unit (CPU), a microprocessor, and / or other hardware device capable of retrieving and executing instructions stored in the machine-readable storage medium 326. In the particular Fig. 3, the processing resource 314 may receive, determine, and send instructions 328, 330, and 332. As an alternative or in addition to retrieving and executing instructions, the processing resource 314 may include electronic circuitry comprising an electronic component for performing the operations of the instructions in the machine-readable storage medium 326. With respect to the executable instruction representations or boxes described and shown herein, it should be understood that some or all of the executable instructions and / or electronic circuitry contained within a box may be contained in a different box shown in the figures or in a different box not shown.

[0038] The machine-readable storage medium 326 may be an electronic, magnetic, optical, or other physical storage device that stores executable instructions. Thus, the machine-readable storage medium 326 may be, for example, random access memory (RAM), electrically programmable and erasable read-only memory (EEPROM), a storage drive, an optical disk, and the like. The executable instructions may be stored on the Fig. 3. The machine-readable storage medium 326 may be a portable, external, or remote storage medium, allowing the system 324, for example, to download the instructions from the portable / remote storage medium. In this situation, the executable instructions may be part of an "installation package." As described herein, the machine-readable storage medium 326 may be encoded with executable instructions associated with antenna polarization patterns.

[0039] When executed by processing resource 314, instructions to partition a standard radio 328 may cause system 324 to partition a standard radio of the network device into a service chain and a scan chain in response to a network device receiving a scan request. In some examples, the scan request may be a periodic scan request. In some examples, the scan request may be received from the network device in response to a change in a topology of a network. The network may be a network to which the network device is connected.

[0040] When executed by processing resource 314, instructions to scan a particular channel 330 may cause system 324 to scan a particular channel through the network device's scan chain to discover devices operating on the particular channel of a network. The network device may operate on a channel different from the particular channel. The service chain may provide network connectivity to existing client devices connected to the network device while the scan chain scans the particular channel.

[0041] When executed by processing resource 314, the instructions for combining the service chain and the scan chain 332 may cause system 324 to combine the service chain and the scan chain in the default radio. In some examples, in response to scanning the particular channel for a predetermined period of time, the network device may combine the service chain and the scan chain in the default radio. In some examples, the network device may combine the service chain and the scan chain in the default radio in response to receiving a MU-MIMO transmission from an existing client device attached to the network device, as described in connection with the Fig. 4 and Fig. 5 is described in detail.

[0042] Fig. 4 illustrates an example of a method 434 consistent with the disclosure. The method 434 may be performed by a network device (e.g., the network device 102, 202, each described in connection with the Fig. 1 and Fig. 2).

[0043] At 436, the method may include partitioning, by an access point (AP), a default radio of the AP into a service chain and a scan chain in response to receiving a scan request. In some examples, the scan request may be a periodic scan request. In some examples, the scan request may be received from the network device in response to a change in a topology of a network. The network may be a network to which the network device is attached.

[0044] In some examples, before partitioning the default radio, the AP may determine whether MU-MIMO transmissions by existing client devices are in progress. For example, the AP may operate using the default radio to successfully transmit and / or receive MU-MIMO transmissions with existing client devices attached to the network device. The AP may refrain from partitioning the default radio in response to MU-MIMO transmissions by the client devices that are in progress, as described in connection with Fig. 5 is described in further detail.

[0045] At 438, the method may include scanning a particular channel by the AP's scan chain to discover devices operating on the particular channel of a network. The AP may be operating on a channel different from the particular channel.

[0046] At 440, method 434 may include providing network connectivity to client devices connected to the AP through the AP's service chain. For example, scanning the AP's chain may simultaneously scan the particular channel of the network while the AP's service chain provides network connectivity to existing client devices connected to the AP.

[0047] At 442, method 434 may include the AP combining the service chain and the scan chain into the default radio. In some examples, the AP may combine the service chain and the scan chain into the default radio in response to scanning the particular channel for a predetermined period of time. In some examples, the AP may combine the service chain and the scan chain into the default radio in response to receiving a MU-MIMO transmission from a client device connected to the network device.

[0048] Method 434 may be repeated. In some examples, method 434 may be repeated in response to receiving a scan request. In some examples, method 434 may be repeated in response to a change in the network topology.

[0049] Fig. 5 illustrates an example flowchart 544 for partitioning a radio into chains for scanning channels in accordance with the disclosure. At 546, a scan request may be generated. The scan request may be periodic or in response to a change in the network topology. At 548, the network device may be operating on an operational channel. That is, the network device may provide network connectivity to existing client devices on the operational channel. The network device may receive the scan request.

[0050] At 550, the network device may determine whether MU-MIMO transmissions are in progress from the client devices. MU-MIMO transmissions in progress may include receiving MU-MIMO transmissions from client devices and / or transmitting MU-MIMO transmissions by the network device to client devices. In response to MU-MIMO transmissions in progress by the client devices, the network device may refrain from partitioning a default radio of the network device. For example, the network device may operate in a default mode such that the default radio is not partitioned if there are client devices conducting MU-MIMO transmissions with the network device, as the network device may use up to all available radio chains included in the default radio to transmit and / or receive MU-MIMO frames to provide network connectivity to the MU-MIMO device.

[0051] In the example where MU-MIMO transmissions are in progress, the network device can queue received scan requests. For example, client devices can transmit MU-MIMO transmissions with the network device while receiving scan requests. The three scan requests can include requests to scan three different channels (e.g., channel 1, channel 2, and channel 3) if the network device is operating on channel 4.

[0052] At 552, the network device may partition the standard radio and scan the channels received from the client devices in response to MU-MIMO requests. For example, the network device may partition the standard radio into a service chain and a scan chain. The service chain may provide network connectivity to client devices, while the scan chain may scan queued channels (e.g., channel 1, channel 2, and channel 3).

[0053] Although described above as queuing three channels, the examples of the disclosure are not so limited. For example, the network device may queue fewer than three channels to be scanned or more than three channels to be scanned.

[0054] At 554, the network device may determine whether the scan time has ended. For example, in response to the completion of the scan time, the network device may combine the scan chain and the service chain into the default radio. The default radio may resume providing network connectivity to existing client devices over the working channel at 548. The network device may resume MU-MIMO transmissions.

[0055] At 556, the network device may determine whether MU-MIMO transmissions are currently being received in response to the incomplete scan time. For example, the network device may determine whether client devices may have transmitted MU-MIMO transmissions to the network device.

[0056] In response to no incoming MU-MIMO transmissions, the network device may continue scanning the channels included in the scan request. For example, the network device may continue scanning any queued channels received in scan requests.

[0057] In response to an incoming MU-MIMO transmission, the network device can combine the scan chain and the service chain into the standard radio. The standard radio can resume providing network connectivity to existing client devices over the operating channel at 548, and the network device can resume MU-MIMO transmissions.

[0058] Although described above as operating in a standard mode such that the standard radio is not partitioned when there are client devices performing MU-MIMO transmissions with the network device, the examples of the disclosure are not so limited. For example, the network device may operate in a standard mode such that the standard radio is partitioned into the service chain and the scan chain. Standard mode with a partitioned standard radio may be used when no client devices connected to the network device are MU-MIMO capable. The network device may combine the service chain and the scan chain in the standard radio in response to a client device that is MU-MIMO capable and connected to the network device, and may operate in a standard mode such that the standard radio is not partitioned.

[0059] Partitioning a radio into channel scanning chains according to the disclosure may enable a network device to provide continuous network connectivity to existing client devices while simultaneously scanning for other devices on different channels. By partitioning a standard radio into a service chain and a scan chain, the network device may perform dynamic resource allocation. That is, the network device may avoid a dedicated / permanent scan chain, allowing for better resource allocation when no scanning operations are performed. The examples of the disclosure may reduce the risks of frame loss to existing client devices, mitigating the risks of loss of network connectivity for the existing client devices while the network scans different channels.

[0060] In the foregoing detailed description of the disclosure, reference is made to the accompanying drawings, which form a part hereof, and in which is shown by way of example how examples of the disclosure may be practiced. These examples are described in sufficient detail to enable one skilled in the art to practice the examples of this disclosure, and it is understood that other examples may be utilized and that procedural, electrical, and / or structural changes may be made without departing from the scope of the disclosure.

[0061] The figures herein follow a numbering convention in which the first digit corresponds to the figure number of the drawing, and the remaining digits identify an element or component in the drawing. Similar elements or components between different figures can be identified by the use of similar digits. For example, 102 can refer to the reference element "02" in Fig. 1 and a similar element can be referred to as 202 in Fig.2. The elements shown in the various figures may be added, interchanged, and / or removed to provide multiple additional examples of the disclosure. In addition, the proportions and relative scale of the elements provided in the figures are intended to be illustrative of the examples of the disclosure and are not to be taken in a limiting sense. As used herein, the designators "M" and "N," particularly with respect to reference numerals in the drawings, indicate that multiple of the particular features so designated may be included in the examples of the disclosure. The designators may represent the same or different numbers of the particular features. Further, as used herein, "multiple" elements and / or features may refer to more than one such element and / or feature.

Claims

[1] Network device (102; 202), comprising: a processing resource (214); and a storage resource (216) storing machine-readable instructions to cause the processing resource (214) to: Partitioning a standard radio of the network device (102; 202) into a service chain (104) and a scan chain (108) in response to a scan request, wherein the service chain (104) provides network connectivity for client devices (106) connected to the network device (102; 202), and wherein the scan chain (108) scans other channels to discover devices operating on the other channels; Scanning a particular channel (109) with the scan chain (108) for a predetermined period of time to detect devices (110) operating on the particular channel (109) of a network; and Combining the service chain (104) and the scan chain (108) into the standard radio after completion of the scan and after the predetermined period of time. [2] The network device (102; 202) of claim 1, comprising instructions that cause the processing resource (214) to provide network connectivity to client devices (106) connected to the network device with the service chain while the particular channel is being scanned by the scan chain (108). [3] The network device (102; 202) of claim 1, wherein the channel scanned by the scan chain (108) is determined based on the scan request. [4] The network device (102; 202) of claim 1, wherein the network device (102; 202) provides network connectivity to client devices (106) connected to the network device on a channel different from the particular channel (109) scanned by the scan chain (108). [5] The network device (102; 202) of claim 1, comprising instructions that cause the processing resource (214) to: Combining the service chain (104) and the scan chain (108) into the standard radio in response to receiving a multiple-user multiple-input multiple-output (MU-MIMMO) transmission from an existing client device connected to the network device (102; 202). [6] The network device of claim 1, wherein the network device (102; 202) is an access point (AP). [7] The network device (102; 202) of claim 1, comprising instructions that cause the processing resource (214) to: Partitioning antennas of the network device (102; 202) into the service chain (104) and the scan chain (108) in response to the scan request. [8] The network device (102; 202) of claim 5, comprising instructions that cause the processing resource (214) to: queue the scan request in response to the MU-MIMO transmissions in progress; and to scan the particular channel (109) in response to the MU-MIMO transmissions being terminated. [9] A non-transitory, machine-readable storage medium (326) having machine-readable instructions stored therein for causing a computer processor to: Partitioning (328) a standard radio of a network device (102; 202) into a service chain (104) and a scan chain (108) by the network device (102; 202) in response to a scan request, wherein the service chain (104) provides network connectivity for client devices (106) connected to the network device (102; 202), and wherein the scan chain (108) scans other channels to discover devices operating on the other channels; Scanning (330) a particular (109) channel by the scan chain (108) of the network device (102; 202) for a predetermined period of time to detect devices (110) operating on the particular channel (109) of a network, wherein the network device (102; 202) operates on a channel different from the particular channel (109); and Combining (332) the service chain (104) and the scan chain (108) into the standard radio after completion of the scan and after the predetermined period of time. [10] The medium (326) of claim 9, comprising instructions for combining the service chain (104) and the scan chain (108) into the standard radio in response to at least one of the following: Receiving a multiple-user multiple-input multiple-output (MU-MIMO) transmission from multiple client devices (106) connected to the network device; and Transmitting a MU-MIMO transmission to a plurality of client devices (106) connected to the network device (102; 202). [11] The medium (326) of claim 10, wherein the predetermined time period is variable. [12] The medium (326) of claim 9, wherein the scan request is received periodically by the network device (102; 202). [13] The medium (326) of claim 9, wherein the scan request is received by the network device (102; 202) in response to a change in a topology of a network. [14] The medium (326) of claim 10, comprising instructions for: Queuing the scan request in response to the MU-MIMO transmissions in progress; and Scanning the particular channel (109) in response to the MU-MIMO transmissions being terminated. [15] Method (434) comprising: Partitioning (436), by an access point (AP), a standard radio of the AP into a service chain (104) and a scan chain (108) in response to a scan request, wherein the service chain (104) provides network connectivity for client devices (106) connected to the AP, and wherein the scan chain (108) scans other channels to discover devices operating on the other channels; Scanning (438) a particular channel (109) by the scan chain (108) of the AP for a predetermined period of time to discover devices (110) operating on the particular channel (109) of a network, wherein the AP operates on a channel different from the particular channel (109); and Providing (440) network connectivity for client devices (106) connected to the AP through the AP's service chain (104); and Combining (442), by the AP, the service chain (104) and the scan chain (108) into the standard radio after completion of the scan and after the predetermined period of time. [16] The method (434) of claim 15, wherein the method (434) comprises combining the service chain (104) and the scan chain (108) in response to the following: Receiving a multiple-user multiple-input multiple-output (MU-MIMO) transmission from a client device (106) connected to the AP. [17] The method (434) of claim 15, wherein the method (434) comprises: Determining by the AP whether MU-MIMO transmissions are in progress by the client devices (106); and Refrain from partitioning the standard radio in response to MU-MIMO transmissions by client devices (106) that are in progress. [18] The method (434) of claim 17, wherein the method (434) comprises: Queuing received scan requests in response to the MU-MIMO transmissions in progress; and Scanning, by the AP's scan chain (108), certain channels included in the queued scan requests in response to the client devices (106) completing MU-MIMO transmissions. [19] The method (434) of claim 15, comprising: Partitioning the AP's antennas into the service chain (104) and the scan chain (108) in response to the scan request. [20] The method (434) of claim 15, wherein the scan request is received in response to at least one of the following: an asymmetric AP connection, an unsynchronized beacon connection, or exceeding a power threshold.

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