BLE Error Beacon Relay for Isolated Access Point Diagnostics
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing systems require onsite intervention by a technician to collect debugging information from isolated access points (APs) that cannot connect to the network, which is costly and inefficient.
Innovation Solution
Access points utilize Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) beacons to transmit error codes and debugging information to neighboring devices with network connectivity, allowing these devices to forward the information to a monitoring server.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If an AP loses connectivity to the wired network, then the AP cannot communicate debugging information to the network management system, but requiring onsite technician intervention increases cost and reduces efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a mobile device as an intermediary to collect debugging information from the isolated AP. The mobile device receives debugging information (such as error codes) from the AP through wireless communication and then transmits this information to the network management system, thereby bridging the communication gap when the AP loses wired network connectivity.
2Ease of manufacture
If an AP cannot connect to the wired network, then remote collection of debugging information is impossible using traditional methods, but deploying field support centers remotely increases operational cost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables the isolated AP to autonomously transmit debugging information to nearby mobile devices without requiring onsite technician intervention. The AP self-services by broadcasting or unicast its debugging information (error codes, logs) to any nearby device with network connectivity, eliminating the need for costly field support operations.
3Reliability
If an AP isolates from the network, then traditional keep-alive message monitoring can detect the failure, but the monitoring system cannot probe the AP for detailed error information
Solution Approach 1:
The patent prepares debugging information (error codes, logs, diagnostic data) in advance within the AP's memory before network failure occurs. This preliminary preparation ensures that when connectivity is lost, the information is already formatted and ready for immediate retrieval by any nearby mobile device, eliminating the need for complex probing operations.
Data Source
AI summary
Methods and apparatus for obtaining status from an isolated AP that cannot connect to a remote management server are described. The status information is obtained from a second device and then provided, via the second device, to the remote management server. At least some of the disclosed embodiments are utilized in a system including a plurality of access points, which can provide alternate pathways to the remote management server. The remote management server determines a remedial action based on the status information.