Access Point SSID Association via Server Profile Retrieval
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Solution Overview
Problem
The limited number of basic service set identifiers (BSSIDs) available at an access point restricts the number of service set identifiers (SSIDs) that can be provided in a wireless local area network, limiting user access and mobility across different areas within a multi-dwelling building.
Innovation Solution
Inhibiting the broadcast of SSIDs and using a hidden SSID mode, where wireless clients send probe messages to request connections, allowing the access point to retrieve wireless local area network profiles from a server and establish associations using a shared BSSID, thereby increasing the number of available SSIDs beyond the limited BSSIDs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the access point broadcasts multiple SSIDs, then users can easily discover and connect to available networks, but the number of SSIDs is limited by the finite number of BSSIDs available at the access point
Solution Approach 1:
A server acts as an intermediary between the access point and the wireless clients. The server stores multiple wireless local area network profiles associated with different SSIDs and provides them to the access point upon request. This allows the access point to support more SSIDs than it has BSSIDs, as the server supplies the necessary profile information dynamically.
Solution Approach 2:
The server pre-stores multiple wireless local area network profiles associated with different SSIDs before the access point needs them. When a client probes for a specific SSID, the access point can immediately retrieve the pre-stored profile from the server without delay, enabling rapid association establishment.
2Reliability
If the access point uses hidden SSID mode, then security is improved by preventing SSID broadcast, but the client must send probe messages to discover and connect to the network
Solution Approach 1:
The server mediates the interaction between clients and the access point in hidden SSID mode. When a client sends a probe message for a specific SSID, the access point forwards this request to the server, which provides the necessary profile information. This maintains security while enabling proper network discovery and connection.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple SSIDs are supported at an access point, then user mobility across different areas is improved, but the association establishment process becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The server simplifies the association establishment process by centralizing the storage and management of wireless local area network profiles. The access point only needs to retrieve the appropriate profile from the server rather than maintaining multiple profiles locally, reducing the complexity at the access point while enabling support for multiple SSIDs.
Data Source
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AI summary
A wireless network comprises a plurality of wireless clients and an access point (101), the access point having at least one BSSID basic service set identifier. Broadcast of at least a first SSID service set identifier from the access point (101) is inhibited. A first probe message is received from a first wireless client (102) at the access point carrying a first SSID service set identifier. A first request message is sent from the access point (101) to a server (103) of the access point requesting a wireless local area network profile associated with the first SSID service set identifier. A message is received carrying a first wireless local area network profile for the first SSID service set identifier at the access point (101) from the server 103. A first BSSID basic service set identifier is used to establish an association between the first wireless client (102) and the access point (101) to provide access to a wireless local area network according to the first wireless local area network profile.