Base Station Boot Code Download via Remote Server
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Solution Overview
Problem
The increasing size and cost of boot code in wireless local area network (WLAN) access points and radio ports due to added features necessitate a more efficient method for initializing and updating hardware components without requiring larger flash memory.
Innovation Solution
A system and method for downloading boot code over a network, where a base station initializes a control module and network device to establish a connection with a server, allowing the download of a second set of instructions that differs from the initial boot code, thereby updating and initializing the base station's hardware components.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If more features are added to access points and radio ports, then functionality and capabilities are improved, but boot code size increases requiring larger flash memory
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the boot code from the local flash memory of access points and radio ports, placing it on a remote server instead. This allows the device to have minimal local storage while maintaining full functionality, as the boot code is downloaded on-demand from the server during the boot process.
Solution Approach 2:
The remote server serves multiple functions: it stores boot code for multiple devices, provides update capabilities, and enables centralized management of boot code across the network. This universal approach eliminates the need for each device to have dedicated large flash memory.
2Adaptability or versatility
If boot code size increases to support more features, then device capabilities are improved, but production cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
By extracting boot code from local flash memory to a remote server, the patent reduces the flash memory size required in each device, thereby lowering manufacturing costs for components while maintaining full device capabilities through network-accessible boot code.
3Quantity of substance
If larger flash memory is used to store boot code, then boot code capacity is improved, but device cost and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a remote server as an intermediary between the device and boot code. This mediator handles the storage and distribution of boot code, allowing the device to have minimal local flash memory while still accessing full boot code functionality through the network.
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods for maintaining base stations are provided. In this regard, a representative system, among others, includes at least one base station that is electrically coupled to a server. The base station includes memory and a first boot code that is stored in the memory. The first boot code has a first set of instructions, which is configured to initialize a control module and a network device. The first set of instructions is further configured to instruct the initialized control module and network device to establish a connection between the server and the base station and download a second boot code from the server into the memory of the base station. The second boot code has a second set of instructions, which is different than the first set of instructions.