Access Point QoS Policy Exchange for Accurate Traffic Marking
Solution Overview
Problem
Client devices often misapply Quality of Service (QoS) markers, either intentionally or unintentionally, leading to improper prioritization of network traffic, which can result in inefficient use of network resources.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a method where Access Points (APs) map applications to privilege groups for QoS levels and transmit these mappings to client devices, allowing them to select the most suitable AP based on desired QoS and ensuring correct marking of traffic according to the assigned privilege levels.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If client devices apply QoS markers autonomously based on local policies, then ease of operation is improved, but manufacturing precision deteriorates due to misapplication of QoS markers
Solution Approach 1:
The access point monitors QoS marker usage by client devices and provides feedback when misapplication is detected. The system compares actual QoS marker usage against expected usage patterns and sends correction notifications to client devices, enabling them to adjust their QoS marker application to align with network policies.
Solution Approach 2:
The access point acts as an intermediary between network QoS policies and client device traffic marking. It receives QoS markers from client devices, validates them against current network policies, and either accepts or rejects them. This intermediary role ensures that even if client devices autonomously apply QoS markers, the final enforcement aligns with network requirements.
2Adaptability or versatility
If QoS schemes are updated frequently to adapt to changing network conditions, then adaptability is improved, but loss of information increases due to outdated scheme assignments
Solution Approach 1:
QoS schemes are made dynamic rather than static. The access point maintains current QoS policy information and can update client devices with new schemes as network conditions change. Client devices are equipped to receive and apply updated schemes, ensuring their QoS marker assignments remain current with network requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The access point proactively pushes QoS scheme updates to client devices before misapplication occurs. By anticipating policy changes and distributing updated schemes in advance, the system prevents client devices from using outdated assignments, eliminating the information loss problem.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple Access Points offer different QoS mappings, then adaptability is improved, but device complexity increases due to selection requirements
Solution Approach 1:
Client devices are empowered to autonomously evaluate and select the most appropriate access point based on their own QoS requirements and the advertised mappings. The selection process is built into the client device's connection management logic, allowing it to self-determine the optimal AP without requiring complex external coordination or user intervention.
Data Source
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Figure 3A
AI summary
Dynamic policy mapping is provided via mapping, by an Access Point (AP), a plurality of applications to a set of privilege groups for Quality of Service (QoS) levels in a network; transmitting the mapping of the privilege groups to a client device; receiving packets from the client device including QoS markers; and in response to determining that the QoS markers received from the client device do not match the privilege groups for the packets, performing a corrective action on the client device, wherein the corrective action includes one or more of: disassociating the client device from the network; and retransmitting the set of privilege groups to the client device. In some embodiments, the privilege groups are transmitted before the client device is associated with the AP, enabling the client device to select what AP to associate with based on the privilege groups.