Client Device Steering Through Stronger Parent Nodes for Mesh Load Balancing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing mesh networks face challenges in load balancing due to high traffic volumes, leading to overloading of gateway nodes and reduced network scalability and availability, particularly when client devices have weak wireless associations with access points.
Innovation Solution
A system and method for identifying and steering client devices with non-weak links in a communication network by using a network balancer to move devices with weak links to stronger parent nodes, based on parameters like RSSI, traffic load, and throughput estimates, thereby enhancing load balancing and network scalability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If client devices with weak links are served by their current parent nodes, then the existing network structure is maintained, but gateway nodes become overloaded and network scalability decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediate steering mechanism that acts as a mediator between client devices and gateway nodes. The system evaluates multiple parent node options and steers clients through intermediate nodes with better link qualities, preventing direct connection to overloaded gateways and distributing traffic more effectively across the network infrastructure
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies local quality by selecting parent nodes based on local link conditions (RSSI, throughput estimates) rather than using a uniform gateway assignment approach. Each client device is steered to a parent node that provides optimal local connection quality, which collectively improves overall network scalability and prevents gateway overload
2Reliability
If load balancing is implemented across all nodes, then network scalability improves, but the complexity of traffic management increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements self-service by enabling client devices to autonomously evaluate their own link conditions (RSSI, throughput) and make steering decisions based on pre-established criteria. The system provides self-service load balancing where nodes automatically assess their capacity and steer clients without requiring complex centralized traffic management, thus improving network availability while minimizing management complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-establishing steering criteria and parent node evaluation metrics before load balancing is needed. The system pre-configures the decision-making framework (RSSI thresholds, throughput estimates) so that when steering decisions are required, they can be made quickly based on pre-analyzed conditions, reducing the complexity of real-time traffic management
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure relates to a system and method for steeling one or more client devices with a non-weak link in a network. The method comprises identifying, a subset of nodes from a set of nodes in the communication network and each subset of nodes is having a set of client devices connected to the subset of nodes. Data is then received from each client device in the set of client wireless devices associated with each subset of nodes. One or more client devices with a non-weak link are identified in each subset of nodes, with a respective parent node of each of the client device. Each of the client device with the non-weak link are then steered based on one or more parameters identified in the data associated with the client device with the non-weak link. The steering is performed towards a root node.