Automatic SSID Switching for Application-Specific Network Segmentation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current wireless network systems face challenges with network security, quality of service, data separation, monitoring, and resource allocation as all transmission data applications share the same WLAN, making it difficult to dynamically and automatically manage each application's resources and security.

Innovation Solution

A method and system for automatically and dynamically switching a networking device's service set identity (SSID) from one WLAN to another based on user-selected transmission data applications, using a server to retrieve and switch SSIDs, ensuring seamless operation and optimal resource allocation for each application.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If all transmission data applications concurrently utilize the same WLAN, then network infrastructure is simplified and cost is reduced, but network security, quality of service, and resource allocation for each application deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenetwork infrastructure complexityVSAvoidnetwork security and quality of service
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the WLAN infrastructure by creating multiple virtual networks (VLANs) each with its own SSID. This allows different transmission data applications to be separated into distinct network segments while sharing the same physical infrastructure. The segmentation enables application-specific security policies, quality of service settings, and resource allocation without requiring separate physical networks for each application.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Reliability

If separate WLANs are created for each transmission data application, then network security and quality of service for each application are improved, but device complexity and overhead of managing multiple networks increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenetwork security and quality of serviceVSAvoidnetwork management complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a universal SSID management system that handles multiple SSIDs and virtual networks through a single centralized interface. The system provides multi-functional capabilities including automatic SSID selection, authentication, and network switching, allowing a single networking device to manage connections across multiple virtual networks without requiring separate management interfaces for each network.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The system enables self-service through automatic SSID selection and network switching based on the active transmission data application. The networking device automatically monitors which application is active and switches to the appropriate SSID without requiring manual user intervention, thereby reducing management complexity while maintaining security and quality of service.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

3Adaptability or versatility

If manual SSID switching is implemented for each transmission data application, then application-specific network allocation is achieved, but user operation complexity and time consumption increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveapplication-specific network allocationVSAvoiduser operation simplicity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system implements automatic SSID switching that monitors the active transmission data application and automatically selects the appropriate SSID. This self-service mechanism eliminates the need for users to manually switch networks, reducing operational complexity and time consumption while maintaining adaptability to different application requirements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses feedback from the transmission data application state to automatically determine which SSID should be active. By continuously monitoring which application is in use and responding by switching to the corresponding network, the system achieves application-specific allocation without requiring user knowledge or manual intervention.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentEP1917787B1Automatic commandable SSID switching
Publication Date: 2019.07.10 THE BOEING CO
  • EP1917787B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP1917787B1 patent drawingFigure 2

AI summary

A system and method on for automatically switching (40) from a first local area network (LAN) to a second LAN is provided. A transmission data application is requested (20) and transmitted on the first LAN in accordance with a first service set identity (SSID) . A second SSID is retrieved that is associated with a requested transmission data application for operation on the second LAN (30) . The first SSID is automatically switched with the second SSID to automatically disassociate the networking device from the first LAN and associate the networking device with the second LAN, and to begin processing the transmission data application on the second LAN (40) .