Access Point Client Location Discovery via Multicast Snooping
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for client location discovery in indoor environments are hindered by the lack of standard interfaces in wireless control plane managed access points and the need for static location server configuration, which is not feasible in many network environments, and they often lead to inefficient polling and scaling issues.
Innovation Solution
A link-local multicast-based mechanism that allows client devices to discover their location without prior configuration, where access points snoop location requests, fetch location information from a location server, cache it, and send updates to clients based on signal strength changes, acting as a gateway and load balancer to reduce infrastructure costs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If static location server configuration is used, then location information can be provided to clients, but network environment adaptability deteriorates because static configuration is not feasible in many network environments
Solution Approach 1:
The access point automatically discovers the location server using standard discovery protocols and configures itself without requiring manual static configuration. The system performs self-service by autonomously obtaining location server information through discovery mechanisms, eliminating the need for administrators to pre-configure location server details in each access point.
Solution Approach 2:
The location server information is discovered and cached in advance by the access point before client location requests arrive. This preliminary discovery action allows the access point to quickly respond to client location requests without requiring real-time configuration or complex runtime discovery processes.
2Productivity
If location requests are handled directly by location servers, then location information can be obtained, but network traffic increases and scaling becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The access point acts as an intermediary between clients and the location server. It receives location requests from clients, retrieves location information from the location server, caches the information locally, and then serves multiple clients with cached data. This intermediary role reduces direct client-server traffic and allows the access point to efficiently handle multiple location requests.
Solution Approach 2:
The access point creates and stores local copies of location server responses in its cache. Instead of repeatedly querying the location server for the same location information, the access point serves cached copies to multiple clients, significantly reducing network traffic to the location server while maintaining service efficiency.
3Reliability
If clients directly query location servers, then location data can be obtained, but infrastructure costs increase due to the need for extensive location server infrastructure
Solution Approach 1:
The access point serves as a local intermediary that caches location server responses, reducing the burden on the central location server infrastructure. This allows the system to maintain reliable location service availability while using simpler, more scalable infrastructure since the access point handles local caching and client interactions.
Solution Approach 2:
The location service functionality is segmented between the central location server and local access points. The location server handles central coordination and authoritative location data, while access points handle local caching and client service. This segmentation allows the system to scale by adding access points without proportionally increasing central server infrastructure requirements.
Data Source
AI summary
One or more implementations can include methods, systems and computer readable media for client location discovery. In some implementations, the method can include receiving, at an access point, a location discovery request message from a client and sending a request from the access point to a location server requesting location information for the client, when a location server is available. The method can also include receiving location information from the location server, when a location server is available and providing the access point location as location information, when a location server is not available. The method can further include sending the location information as a response to the client.