AirMonitor Wireless Network Monitoring Framework
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current wireless network management solutions, relying on Access Points or expensive custom hardware sensors, face limitations such as limited channel monitoring, CPU and memory constraints, closed platforms, and inability to detect issues like RF holes or interference affecting the client end, making them inefficient and costly.
Innovation Solution
Deploying general-purpose computing devices with wireless adapters as AirMonitors and LandMonitors, equipped with inference engines, to densely monitor wireless and wired networks, allowing for comprehensive RF sensing, data analysis, and scalable monitoring tasks, leveraging existing resources like CPU cycles and wall power.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If Access Points are used for monitoring wireless networks, then cost effectiveness is improved, but monitoring capability is limited due to CPU and memory constraints
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces AirMonitors as intermediary devices that are not traditional Access Points but dedicated monitoring devices. These AirMonitors act as mediators between the wireless network infrastructure and the monitoring system, capable of running multiple channels and providing detailed information without the limitations of conventional APs.
Solution Approach 2:
The monitoring function is segmented from the traditional Access Point role. Instead of relying on APs to perform both service provision and monitoring, the patent creates specialized AirMonitor devices that focus solely on monitoring tasks, allowing for more sophisticated monitoring capabilities.
2Ease of operation
If Access Points are used for monitoring, then deployment is simplified, but detail level of monitoring is limited
Solution Approach 1:
AirMonitors serve as intermediary devices that capture and report detailed wireless network information. They provide comprehensive monitoring data including packet captures, signal strength measurements, and detailed device information that far exceeds the limited data provided by traditional APs.
3Measurement precision
If dedicated hardware sensors are deployed for RF monitoring, then monitoring precision is improved, but cost increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses software-based AirMonitors that replicate the functionality of expensive dedicated hardware sensors. By implementing monitoring capabilities in software on general-purpose or specialized low-cost devices, the system achieves similar monitoring precision without the high hardware costs of dedicated sensor devices.
Solution Approach 2:
The system employs inexpensive AirMonitor devices that can be deployed widely throughout the network. Rather than using a few expensive dedicated sensors, the approach uses multiple low-cost monitoring points to achieve comprehensive coverage and precise monitoring.
4Adaptability or versatility
If Access Points monitor multiple channels, then monitoring coverage is improved, but performance degrades due to resource constraints
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the monitoring function from the service provision function. AirMonitors are dedicated to monitoring tasks and can monitor multiple channels simultaneously without impacting client service performance, as they are not burdened with the dual responsibilities of traditional APs.
Solution Approach 2:
AirMonitors act as intermediary devices that handle the computationally intensive task of multi-channel monitoring. This allows the actual service-providing APs to maintain optimal performance while AirMonitors perform comprehensive monitoring across multiple channels and frequencies.
5Stability of the object's composition
If closed platform Access Points are used, then system stability is improved, but adaptability to new monitoring functions is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces AirMonitors as intermediary devices with open or extensible platforms. These devices provide the adaptability needed for new monitoring functions and algorithms while the traditional APs continue to provide stable service provision, separating the stability requirement from the adaptability requirement.
Data Source
AI summary
A framework for wireless network management applications in an enterprise environment using existing general purpose computing devices is presented. At least one of the devices is configured with a wireless adapter and is used as an AirMonitor to monitor one or more wireless networks. Other devices are configured as LandMonitors to monitor traffic on a wired network in the enterprise environment. At least one inference engine uses the LandMonitors and AirMonitors by assigning them monitoring tasks. Data from the monitoring tasks are stored in a database. Analysis of the data that is computationally intensive is generally performed by the inference engines. Wireless network management applications use the framework by installing and running application-specific components (e.g., filters) on the AirMonitors, LandMonitors, and/or inference engines.