Distributed State Synchronization for Wireless Network Devices
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Solution Overview
Problem
Controller-based wireless networks face challenges such as single point of failure and scalability issues, as well as unnecessary bandwidth usage due to the centralized sharing of state information, which increases operational complexity and costs.
Innovation Solution
A system and method for distributing state information among neighboring wireless devices using wireless, multicast, and wired distribution schemes, allowing network devices to operate collectively and optimize network functionality without a centralized controller, through the use of PROBE REQUEST and PROBE RESPONSE messages, multicast IP generation, and BEACON messages.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a centralized controller is used to manage state information sharing among APs, then state synchronization is achieved, but the network has a single point of failure and poor scalability
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the centralized state information management into distributed peer-to-peer exchanges among APs. Each AP maintains its own state information and selectively shares it with neighboring APs through direct communication, eliminating the single centralized controller and enabling the system to scale without a bottleneck point.
2Adaptability or versatility
If all state information is uploaded to the centralized controller, then global decisions can be made, but network bandwidth is wasted
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by enabling APs to make localized decisions using only the state information relevant to their immediate neighborhood. Each AP receives and processes only the necessary state data from neighboring APs through direct peer-to-peer communication, rather than all APs uploading all state information to a central controller, thus optimizing bandwidth usage while maintaining decision-making capability.
3Loss of energy
If APs discern what state information is relevant for global decisions, then bandwidth is saved, but operational complexity of APs increases greatly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements self-service by enabling each AP to autonomously determine and exchange only the state information relevant to its local neighborhood without requiring complex global analysis. The distributed peer-to-peer architecture allows APs to independently manage their own state synchronization needs with neighboring APs, avoiding the complexity of centralized information filtering while optimizing bandwidth usage.
Data Source
AI summary
According to one embodiment of the invention, a non-transitory computer readable medium comprising instructions which, when executed by one or more hardware processors, causes performance of operations including detecting, by a first network device, a second network device within a radio frequency (RF) communication range from the first network device. Responsive at least to detecting the second network device, the first network device subscribes to a multicast group associated with the second network device. Thereafter, the first network device receives multicast data associated with the multicast group associated with the second network device.