Diagnostic Link for Wireless Network Troubleshooting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Troubleshooting wireless connectivity issues in wireless networks is challenging due to numerous potential causes, often requiring the involvement of a network administrator, leading to increased costs for enterprises in minimizing end-user downtime.
Innovation Solution
A diagnostic link is established between a diagnostic supplicant and a diagnostic manager, enabling automated troubleshooting protocols through diagnostic tests and information sharing among network elements, allowing for the identification and resolution of connectivity issues without direct client participation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If automated troubleshooting protocols are implemented, then administrator intervention is reduced and downtime is minimized, but system complexity increases due to the need for diagnostic links and troubleshooting protocols
Solution Approach 1:
The wireless client is empowered to perform self-diagnosis through the diagnostic supplicant that automatically initiates troubleshooting protocols when connectivity issues are detected. The system enables self-service by allowing the client to autonomously exchange diagnostic messages with network elements and execute remediation actions without administrator intervention.
Solution Approach 2:
A diagnostic manager is introduced as an intermediary component that coordinates the troubleshooting process between the diagnostic supplicant and various network elements. The diagnostic manager receives diagnostic messages, determines appropriate network elements to query, and manages the overall troubleshooting protocol execution.
2Extent of automation
If a diagnostic link is established between wireless client and network infrastructure, then automated diagnosis is enabled, but the number of protocol elements and communication channels increases
Solution Approach 1:
The diagnostic link utilizes existing WLAN communication channels and protocols (such as 802.11 frames and management channels) to carry diagnostic messages, rather than requiring completely separate dedicated communication infrastructure. This multi-functionality approach allows the same wireless infrastructure to serve both data communication and diagnostic purposes.
Solution Approach 2:
The troubleshooting protocol implements feedback mechanisms where the diagnostic supplicant monitors network connectivity status, automatically initiates diagnostic messages when issues are detected, receives responses from network elements, and executes remediation actions based on the diagnostic results. This closed-loop feedback enables automated troubleshooting without requiring constant administrator oversight.
Data Source
AI summary
Methods, apparatuses, and systems directed to facilitating troubleshooting wireless connectivity issues in a wireless network. In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, either a diagnostic supplicant in the wireless client or a diagnostic manager initiates a troubleshooting protocol between the diagnostic supplicant and the diagnostic manager over a diagnostic link in response to one or more events. In one embodiment, after the diagnostic supplicant establishes a link to a diagnostic manager via a diagnostic link, the diagnostic supplicant generates and transmits a problem report to the diagnostic manager. The problem report initiates a troubleshooting protocol between the diagnostic manager and the diagnostic supplicant.