Access Point Software Update Partitioning via Vertex Coloring
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for updating software on access points (APs) in a communication network often result in excessive partitions, leading to prolonged downtime and network disruptions, especially when live updates are required.
Innovation Solution
The use of a vertex coloring algorithm to strategically partition APs for software updates, allowing a subset to remain live while others reboot, reducing the number of partitions and minimizing network disruptions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If APs are partitioned for software updates, then network disruptions are minimized, but the number of partitions increases leading to prolonged downtime
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments APs into partitions based on their operational status (active, standby, offline) and updates them in batches. This segmentation allows continuous network operation while systematically applying software updates, resolving the contradiction between minimizing disruptions and reducing update time.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent dynamically adjusts the update process based on real-time network conditions and AP status. The system can adaptively select which partitions to update first and monitor their progress, allowing flexible optimization of both disruption minimization and update time reduction.
2Productivity
If APs are updated live without partitions, then update speed increases, but network disruptions and service interruptions worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides APs into distinct partitions (active, standby, offline) and applies updates selectively to each partition at different times. This allows fast updating of standby and offline APs while maintaining service continuity through active APs, resolving the contradiction between update speed and service continuity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent performs preliminary actions by updating standby and offline APs before they are needed for service. This allows the system to prepare updated APs in advance, then switch them into service roles without interrupting ongoing network operations, achieving both fast updates and continuous service.
3Reliability
If excessive partitions are created for updates, then network disruptions are reduced, but update process complexity and downtime increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a simple three-partition segmentation (active, standby, offline) that is easy to manage and implement. This limited segmentation reduces complexity while still providing effective service continuity, resolving the contradiction between service continuity and partition management complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies different update strategies to different partitions based on their specific characteristics and roles. Active partitions receive different treatment compared to standby and offline partitions, allowing optimized updates for each group without requiring complex uniform management across all partitions.
Data Source
AI summary
In certain implementations, a method includes obtaining network information for a plurality of access points (APs) that are configured to provide user devices with access to a communication network, and determining, according to the network information, partitions in which to divide the APs for deploying a software update to the APs. The method includes dividing, according to a vertex coloring algorithm, the APs into the partitions. The APs correspond to vertices of the vertex coloring algorithm, and neighbor relationships of the APs correspond to edges of the vertex coloring algorithm. The method includes transmitting software update instructions to the APs to cause APs of a first partition to execute a reboot for installing the software update on the APs of the first partition at a different time than APs of a second partition execute a reboot for installing the software update on the APs of the second partition.