Wireless Access Point Partitioning for Network Performance
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Solution Overview
Problem
The presence of low-functionality wireless clients in a network impairs the performance of high-functionality clients, as operational parameters must be downgraded to accommodate all clients, limiting the potential performance of higher-capability devices and requiring complex and frequent adjustments to achieve desired performance levels in wireless LANs.
Innovation Solution
A method and system that partition wireless access points into overlay and underlay networks, where the overlay network provides maximum coverage for low-functionality clients and the underlay network optimizes performance for high-functionality clients, using a partitioning algorithm to assign access points based on coverage needs and parameters, ensuring maximum throughput and coverage while maintaining RF coverage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If operational parameters are downgraded to accommodate low-functionality clients, then all clients can be served, but high-functionality clients cannot operate at maximum performance
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the wireless network into two separate networks: an overlay network for low-functionality clients and an underlay network for high-functionality clients. This segmentation allows each network to operate with optimized parameters for its target client type, resolving the contradiction between compatibility and performance by serving different client groups in different network environments.
2Productivity
If wireless access points are partitioned into overlay and underlay networks, then high-functionality clients can operate at maximum performance, but RF coverage may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by assigning different functional characteristics to different parts of the network infrastructure. Specifically, overlay access points are configured with parameters optimized for broad coverage and compatibility, while underlay access points are configured with parameters optimized for high-performance operations. This allows each subset of access points to have locally optimized qualities appropriate to its intended client base.
3Productivity
If partitioning adjustments are made frequently to achieve desired performance levels, then network performance can be optimized, but system complexity and adjustment frequency increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary action by pre-configuring overlay and underlay access points with appropriate operational parameters before clients connect. The system determines client capability in advance and directs them to the appropriate network, avoiding the need for frequent real-time adjustments. This preliminary classification and configuration reduces ongoing management complexity while maintaining optimized performance.
Data Source
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AI summary
Methods, apparatuses and systems directed to partitioning access points into two or more network access layers, such as overlay and underlay network access layers. According to one implementation of the present invention, a wireless network management system partitions a set of wireless access points into an overlay network for low-functionality clients and an underlay network for high- functionality clients. As described in further detail below, each of the overlay and underlay networks provides a class of network service, where each class of network service differs relative to at least one attribute (e.g., type of 802.11 access, data rates, High-Density, Quality-of-Service, encryption, compression, etc.). For didactic purposes, the overlay network is also referred to as the overlay network service layer (NSL) and the underlay network is referred to as the underlay NSL. In one implementation of the present invention, a partitioning algorithm is used to partition wireless access points into overlay and underlay networks. As described in further detail below, the partitioning algorithm, in one implementation, automatically assigns access points to the overlay and underlay networks based on the coverage needs of each network and the coverage parameters of each access point. In one implementation, the partitioning algorithm can be configured such that the overlay network provides maximum coverage for low-functionality clients, and the underlay network enables maximum performance for high -functionality clients.