Cloud CoA Role Synchronization for Cross-VLAN Wi-Fi Roaming
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Solution Overview
Problem
In Wi-Fi systems, the synchronization of role changes (CoA) for mobile stations during roaming is uncertain due to timing issues and incompatibility across different virtual local area networks (VLANs, leading to incorrect role assignments and manual intervention for large numbers of stations.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a cloud-based CoA server to store and synchronize the latest CoA roles across multiple access points, ensuring correct role assignment by retrieving the CoA role from the cloud server upon authentication at a new access point.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the old AP synchronizes CoA role to the new AP during roaming, then seamless connectivity is achieved, but timing issues cause incorrect role assignments
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a cloud service as an intermediary between the old AP and the new AP. Instead of direct synchronization between APs (which suffers from timing issues), the cloud service receives CoA role information from the old AP and forwards it to the new AP. This intermediary approach eliminates timing uncertainties and ensures accurate role assignment during roaming.
Solution Approach 2:
The cloud service performs preliminary action by receiving and storing the CoA role information before the mobile station actually roams to the new AP. This ensures that when the new AP needs the role information, it is already available and correct, eliminating timing issues during the roaming process.
2Reliability
If manual intervention is used for role assignment, then correctness is ensured, but productivity decreases for large numbers of stations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements self-service by enabling the system to automatically synchronize CoA roles through the cloud service without requiring manual intervention. The cloud service automatically receives role information from the old AP and forwards it to the new AP, allowing the system to manage large numbers of mobile stations efficiently and automatically.
Solution Approach 2:
The cloud service acts as an intermediary that automates the role synchronization process. Instead of manual intervention, the cloud service automatically handles the transmission of CoA role information between APs, significantly improving productivity while maintaining correctness for large-scale deployments.
3Device complexity
If direct AP-to-AP synchronization is used, then device complexity is reduced, but reliability deteriorates due to VLAN incompatibility
Solution Approach 1:
The cloud service serves as an intermediary that transcends VLAN boundaries. When APs are in different VLANs and cannot directly communicate, the cloud service receives CoA role information from the old AP and successfully forwards it to the new AP through the cloud infrastructure, enabling reliable cross-VLAN synchronization without increasing device complexity at the AP level.
Data Source
AI summary
Implementations of the present disclosure relate to change-of-authorization (CoA) synchronization via a cloud service. A method at a server comprises receiving a CoA message indicating a CoA role of a mobile station from a first access point (AP) and storing the CoA role of the mobile station. The method further comprises receiving, from a second AP, an authentication message indicating the mobile station has been authenticated at the second AP. The method further comprises obtaining the CoA role of the mobile station and transmitting a CoA request, including the CoA role to the second AP. Implementations of the present disclosure can help the mobile station to obtain its correct CoA role automatically when roaming from a home AP to a target AP.