Dual-Wi-Fi Client Identifier for MAC Address Reconciliation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Dual-Wi-Fi client devices appear as two individual client devices with different Media Access Control (MAC) addresses, leading to infrastructure resource issues, policy issues, and management challenges.

Innovation Solution

A process is implemented to provide a client device identifier that reconciles multiple MAC addresses associated with a dual-Wi-Fi client device, allowing infrastructure services to recognize these addresses as representing a single client device.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If dual-Wi-Fi client devices connect using multiple MAC addresses, then connection reliability and bandwidth are improved, but infrastructure resource consumption and management complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveconnection reliabilityVSAvoidmanagement complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces an intermediary identifier (such as a device name or unique identifier) that mediates between the multiple MAC addresses and the infrastructure. This intermediary serves as a common reference point that allows the system to recognize and manage multiple MAC addresses as belonging to a single client device, thereby reducing management complexity while maintaining the reliability benefits of dual-Wi-Fi connections

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Power

If dual-Wi-Fi client devices use multiple MAC addresses, then available bandwidth increases, but infrastructure resource consumption doubles

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovebandwidthVSAvoidinfrastructure resource consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

PowerVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the identification of multiple MAC addresses under a single unified identifier (such as a device name or unique device identifier). By combining the management of multiple MAC addresses into a single identity, the infrastructure can allocate resources more efficiently and avoid duplicating resource allocations for each MAC address, thereby reducing overall infrastructure resource consumption while maintaining high bandwidth availability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Stability of the object's composition

If dual-Wi-Fi client devices appear as two individual devices, then connection stability is improved, but policy enforcement and management visibility deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveconnection stabilityVSAvoidmanagement visibility

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs an intermediary identifier (device name or unique identifier) that acts as a bridge between the multiple MAC addresses and the management system. This intermediary enables the management system to maintain visibility and enforce policies consistently across all MAC addresses associated with a single client device, preventing the loss of management information while preserving connection stability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentUS20250071831A1Client device identifier for dual-wi-fi connections

Publication Date: 2025.02.27 CISCO TECHNOLOGY INC

AI summary

A client device identifier for dual-Wi-Fi connections may be provided. First, it may be determined that a client device has associated over a first link having a first Media Access Control (MAC) address. Next, from the client device over the first link, a first management frame may be received that identifies a MAC address of a second link associated with the client device. Then, based on information in the first management frame, it may be determined that the first link and the second link are associated with the client device.