Access Point Selection Using Predictive Pre-Configuration
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Solution Overview
Problem
In wireless local area networks (WLANs), existing systems face challenges in efficiently selecting the optimal access point for client devices that are already associated with another access point, leading to potential performance degradation due to unnecessary data tunneling and latency.
Innovation Solution
The system selects an access point for a client device based on historical usage patterns and future scheduled events, predicting the client's likely location or usage, and configuring it to perform services such as storing information, obtaining IP addresses, and serving as a home agent, even if the client is initially associated with a different access point.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the system always uses the currently associated access point for services, then the association process is simple, but network performance degrades due to unnecessary data tunneling and latency when the client moves
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by selecting and pre-configuring a future access point based on predicted client movement patterns before the client actually associates with it. The controller predicts which access point the client will likely associate with next and pre-establishes service configurations at that access point, avoiding the need for service migration and reducing latency when the client moves.
2Duration of action of moving object
If the system configures services at the currently associated access point, then configuration is straightforward, but service interruption occurs when the client roams to a different access point
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs service configuration in advance at the predicted future access point before the client actually associates with it. By predicting the client's next access point and pre-configuring services there, the system eliminates service interruption and configuration delays that would occur during roaming events.
Solution Approach 2:
The system creates a copy of the service configuration at the predicted future access point before the client roams. Instead of migrating the service configuration after association, the controller replicates the necessary service settings and information at the target access point in advance, ensuring seamless service continuity when the client moves.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the system uses data tunneling between access points for mobile clients, then service availability is maintained during roaming, but network latency increases due to the additional tunneling path
Solution Approach 1:
The system extracts the service configuration and client information from the current access point and transfers it directly to the predicted future access point, eliminating the need for data tunneling through intermediate access points. By pre-positioning service configurations at the target access point, the system removes the tunneling overhead and enables direct client-to-service communication.
Data Source
AI summary
A method includes selecting a particular access point for performing service corresponding to a client device that is associating or associated with a different access point. The particular access point is selected based on historical usage pattern and/or a future scheduled event corresponding to the client device.