Access Point Message Forwarding via Configuration Table
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing wireless access point technologies either separate wireless air interface control from user access control in local forwarding mode or waste bandwidth in tunnel forwarding mode due to the inability to selectively apply different forwarding modes for various messages.
Innovation Solution
A message forwarding method and system where an Access Point (AP) uses a forwarding configuration table to determine the appropriate forwarding mode for messages based on their type, encapsulating and forwarding messages accordingly, either through a CAPWAP tunnel or directly to a destination, thereby optimizing message forwarding.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the AP uses local forwarding mode, then the control complexity is reduced and forwarding speed is improved, but wireless air interface control is separated from user access control
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments message forwarding into different modes (local forwarding and tunnel forwarding) based on message types. The AP can selectively apply local forwarding for certain messages to improve speed while using tunnel forwarding for others to maintain control integration, thus resolving the contradiction between forwarding speed and control integration.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces dynamic forwarding mode selection where the AP can adaptively choose between local and tunnel forwarding modes based on message types and network conditions. This dynamic approach allows the system to optimize forwarding speed when appropriate while maintaining control integration when needed, resolving the static contradiction between the two modes.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the AP uses tunnel forwarding mode, then user access control is centralized on the AC, but bandwidth between AP and AC is wasted due to all messages being forwarded through the tunnel
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments message traffic into different categories and applies different forwarding modes to each category. Control-related messages are forwarded through the tunnel to the AC for centralized control, while data messages are forwarded locally to avoid bandwidth waste, thus resolving the contradiction between control integration and bandwidth efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies different forwarding qualities to different parts of the message traffic. Tunnel forwarding is applied to control messages where centralized control is needed, while local forwarding is applied to data messages where bandwidth efficiency is priority, resolving the contradiction through differentiated treatment of message types.
3Device complexity
If the AP simply forwards all messages without type identification, then the device complexity is reduced, but the ability to optimize forwarding modes for different message types is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a universal forwarding mechanism that handles multiple message types through a unified type identification and mode selection process. The AP uses a forwarding configuration table that can accommodate different message types and their corresponding forwarding modes, providing multi-functionality without significantly increasing device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the forwarding mode parameter based on message type identification. The AP identifies message types and dynamically changes the forwarding mode parameter (local or tunnel forwarding) according to the message type and pre-configured rules, enabling optimization capability while maintaining relatively simple device architecture.
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention discloses a message forwarding method, an Access Point, and a system. An Access Point obtains a forwarding configuration table, where the forwarding configuration table includes message types and forwarding modes; receives a message sent by a user station and obtains a message type of the message; determines the forwarding mode of the message according to the message type of the message and the forwarding configuration table; encapsulates and forwards the message according to the forwarding mode of the message. Through the present invention, forwarding control of messages of wireless users can be implemented on the Access Point, thereby avoiding the problem that wireless air interface control is separated from user access control on an AP controller (AC) in the local forwarding mode and the problem of waste of bandwidth between the AP and the AC in the tunnel forwarding mode.