EVPN Roaming Tunnel for Seamless Wireless Handover
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
In Layer 3 (L3) based network deployments, the transition from one wireless access point to another can result in temporary loss of session connectivity due to the time it takes for the MAC table to update, leading to disruptions in applications that require continuous connectivity, such as voice calls and video conferencing.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a method where the old access point temporarily forwards traffic to the new access point during the roaming process, using a configurable timer and EVPN/BGP updates to ensure seamless connectivity by establishing tunnels between access points until the MAC address is fully propagated across the network.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If L3-based networking topology is used to replace L2-based topology, then routing functions and network scalability are improved, but session connectivity is lost during roaming due to MAC table update delay
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by establishing a tunnel from the new access point to the old access point before the MAC table update is complete. This allows traffic to be forwarded through the tunnel during the transition period, preventing session connectivity loss while maintaining the benefits of L3 routing.
Solution Approach 2:
A tunnel is introduced as an intermediary mechanism between the new access point and the old access point. This tunnel serves as a temporary forwarding path that bridges the gap during MAC table propagation, ensuring continuous session connectivity without requiring L2 flooding mechanisms.
2Productivity
If MAC table update is performed in L3 network during roaming, then network security and routing efficiency are improved, but application session continuity deteriorates due to update time
Solution Approach 1:
The tunnel establishment occurs in advance before the MAC table update completes. By proactively setting up the forwarding path, the system ensures that even though MAC table propagation takes time, the application session remains continuous without interruption.
Solution Approach 2:
The tunnel maintains continuous traffic forwarding during the MAC table update period. This ensures that the useful action of data transmission continues uninterrupted, preserving application session continuity while the network performs necessary MAC table updates for security and routing efficiency.
3Speed
If learn-and-flood model is used in L2 network, then roaming speed is improved, but network complexity increases when transitioning to L3 topology
Solution Approach 1:
The tunnel acts as an intermediary that enables fast roaming in L3 networks without requiring the complex L2 learn-and-flood mechanism. By establishing a direct forwarding path through the tunnel, the system achieves rapid roaming performance while maintaining the simpler L3 routing topology.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention extracts the essential function of fast roaming from the L2 learn-and-flood model and implements it separately through tunnel-based forwarding in L3 networks. This allows the system to achieve roaming speed without adopting the complexity of L2 flooding mechanisms.
Data Source
AI summary
A method of operating a wireless access point is provided. The method can include connecting with a host and determining whether the host has roamed from the wireless access point to an additional wireless access point. The method can further include activating a tunnel connecting the wireless access point to the additional wireless access point subsequent to determining that the host has roamed from the wireless access point to the additional wireless access point. The method can further include forwarding data packets from the wireless access point to the additional wireless access point via the tunnel. The tunnel can be temporarily created or established based on a configurable timer.