Centralized Access Controller Tracing for Wireless APs
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing user equipment tracing methods have low efficiency in tracing signaling terminated at an Access Point (AP) due to the need to preset tracing on each AP individually, especially when the equipment frequently switches between APs.
Innovation Solution
An access device sends a query request message with a user equipment identifier to an access controller, which queries a tracing task list and determines if tracing is needed, allowing the access device to perform signaling tracing only when instructed, thus eliminating the need for individual AP tracing setups.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If signaling tracing is preset for user equipment on each AP individually, then tracing of signaling terminated at AP can be achieved, but the complexity of device operation and time consumption increase significantly when user equipment frequently switches APs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the tracing setup function from individual APs to a central AC (Access Controller). The AC maintains a unified tracing task list that manages tracing for multiple APs simultaneously. When user equipment associates with any AP, the AC automatically adds the equipment's MAC address to the tracing task list, eliminating the need for manual configuration on each AP and solving the operational complexity issue.
Solution Approach 2:
The AC acts as an intermediary between user equipment and multiple APs for tracing management. It receives association requests from APs, queries its tracing task list, and automatically adds new equipment to the tracing list without requiring direct configuration on each AP. This intermediary mechanism resolves the contradiction by centralizing control while maintaining comprehensive tracing capability.
2Reliability
If signaling tracing is preset on each AP individually, then complete tracing of user signaling can be achieved, but the time required for tracing setup increases when user equipment frequently switches APs
Solution Approach 1:
The AC pre-establishes a tracing task list with tracing identifiers before user equipment arrives. When equipment associates with an AP, the AC quickly checks this pre-prepared list and automatically adds the equipment's MAC address, eliminating the need for time-consuming manual configuration on each AP during equipment movement.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements automatic self-service through the AC's tracing task list mechanism. When user equipment associates with an AP, the AC automatically queries the tracing task list, determines whether to add the equipment, and configures tracing without human intervention. This self-service approach dramatically reduces setup time while maintaining complete tracing coverage.
3Reliability
If manual tracing configuration is performed on each AP, then tracing can be initiated at the AP level, but the productivity of the tracing system decreases when user equipment frequently switches APs
Solution Approach 1:
The AC's tracing task list serves multiple APs simultaneously with a single unified configuration. One tracing task list manages tracing for numerous APs, making the system universal and multi-functional. This eliminates the need for separate configurations on each AP and significantly improves system productivity when equipment moves between APs.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements automatic feedback mechanisms where APs send association requests to the AC, which then queries the tracing task list and automatically updates the tracing configuration. This closed-loop feedback system continuously adapts to equipment movements without manual intervention, maintaining high productivity and tracing reliability dynamically.
Data Source
AI summary
Embodiments of the present invention provide a user equipment tracing method and system, an access device, and an access controller. The method includes: sending, by an access device, a query request message to an access controller, where the query request message includes a user equipment identifier, so that the access controller queries a tracing task list according to the user equipment identifier, determines that the tracing task list includes the user equipment identifier, and sends a query response message to the access device, where the query response message includes a tracing identifier and/or the user equipment identifier; and receiving, by the access device, the query response message sent by the access controller, and if it is determined that the query response message includes the tracing identifier, performing a signaling tracing operation on the user equipment.