Automated Network Configuration Audits for Roaming Partner Updates
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing wireless networks face issues with Wi-Fi roaming due to signal coverage problems, such as degraded signals between access points, leading to disconnections and slow or failed roaming processes, which can be exacerbated by unconfigured AP settings and increased signal overlap, affecting application performance.
Innovation Solution
An automated system for mobile network operators (MNOs) to retrieve and execute roaming partner network updates using IR.21 information and OMD data, performing event-driven audits and network configuration changes to ensure seamless roaming, using machine learning for efficient network reconfiguration.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If Wi-Fi access points are added to expand coverage, then coverage area is improved, but signal overlap increases causing roaming delays
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by pre-configuring access points with optimized roaming parameters and pre-establishing roaming agreements with visited networks before actual roaming events occur. This includes pre-loading client profiles, pre-configuring AP settings, and pre-establishing authentication mechanisms to eliminate delays during actual roaming transitions.
2Adaptability or versatility
If access points transmit probe requests to discover networks, then network discoverability is improved, but airtime consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
Client devices perform self-service by autonomously selecting roaming networks based on pre-configured preferences and criteria without requiring extensive probe requests. The system uses stored network information and client profiles to enable devices to make roaming decisions locally, reducing the need for continuous network discovery transmissions and associated airtime consumption.
3Productivity
If automated network updates are implemented, then operational efficiency is improved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system introduces an intermediary network management platform that mediates between multiple network operators and the execution layer. This intermediary layer handles the complexity of coordinating automated updates across different networks, managing roaming agreements, and synchronizing configuration changes without requiring direct complex interactions between individual network elements.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements feedback mechanisms where network status information is continuously monitored and fed back to update automated roaming configurations. This includes monitoring network availability, signal quality metrics, and roaming partner status to dynamically adjust configurations, ensuring operational efficiency through adaptive responses to changing network conditions.
Data Source
AI summary
A system periodically retrieves roaming network updates associated with at least one mobile network operator (MNO) using an application programming interface (API), and periodically ingests IR.21 information from cloud servers associated with the MNOs. The system retrieves configuration data for at least one network subsystem of a network. The system then performs an event-driven audit of the at least one network subsystem based on the ingested IR.21 information and queries the at least one network subsystem to determine discrepancies between a current network state and the IR.21 information. To rectify the discrepancies, the system determines a change to the network and maps the determined change with a network configuration table. According to the network configuration table, commands are automatically executed to apply the change and rectify the discrepancies. The network change enables user devices to roam on the network.