AP Manager Channel Configuration via IP Geolocation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Devices such as wireless access points (APs) may be configured to operate on RF channels valid for one country but are installed in a country requiring different channels, leading to mismatched operating parameters between the configured and physical location countries.
Innovation Solution
A method and system where an AP manager receives the IP geolocation of an AP to determine its physical location country, compares it with the AP's configured country, identifies a common channel authorized for use in both countries when they do not match, and pushes a configuration message to the AP to operate on this common channel.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the AP is configured to operate on RF channels valid for one country, then the AP can maintain its configured country settings, but the operating parameters will not match the physical location country requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The system automatically changes the operating channel parameter of the AP by detecting the physical location country through IP geolocation and comparing it with the configured country. When a mismatch is detected, the system identifies a common channel that is authorized for use in both countries and pushes this channel configuration to the AP, thereby resolving the contradiction between maintaining configured settings and complying with local regulations
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements a feedback mechanism where the AP manager continuously monitors the AP's operational status and location information. By receiving IP geolocation data and comparing it with stored configuration information, the system provides feedback to automatically adjust channel settings, ensuring that the AP operates compliantly with local regulations while maintaining connectivity
2Ease of operation
If the AP manager automatically identifies and pushes common channel configuration, then network management is simplified, but the system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables self-service configuration management by having the AP manager automatically detect location mismatches, identify common channels, and push configurations without manual intervention. This automation simplifies network management operations while the underlying system complexity is encapsulated within the AP manager's automated detection and correction mechanisms
Solution Approach 2:
The AP manager acts as an intermediary between the AP and the network management system. It receives location information, compares it with configuration data, identifies appropriate channels, and pushes updates to the AP. This intermediary role simplifies the overall system architecture by centralizing the complex coordination logic in a dedicated management component
Data Source
AI summary
A non-transitory computer readable medium, a device, and a method for configuring a channel at an access point (AP) are disclosed. In an embodiment, the non-transitory computer readable medium includes instructions for receiving an Internet Protocol (IP) geolocation of an AP at an AP manager, where the IP geolocation indicates a physical location country of the AP, obtaining a configuration of the AP from a configuration database, the configuration of the AP including a configured country, determining whether the physical location country matches the configured country, identifying a common channel when the physical location country of the AP and the configured country of the AP do not match, the common channel including a channel that is authorized for use in both the physical location country and in the configured country, and pushing an indication of the common channel from the AP manager to the AP in a configuration message.