Gateway Selection Engine for Mesh Network Propagation Delays
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Solution Overview
Problem
In mesh networks with limited connectivity to broadband Internet infrastructure, there are challenges with gateway selection, including delayed propagation of gateway information, frequent gateway switching leading to out-of-order packet delivery, and lack of proactive notification for gateway unavailability, as well as limitations in storing and utilizing multiple gateway options.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a gateway selection engine that manages the frequency of gateway announcement messages, sends proactive notifications for gateway unavailability, and allows storage of both primary and secondary gateway information to facilitate smoother transitions and improve network reliability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If gateway announcement messages are propagated through the mesh network, then gateway information becomes available to mesh nodes, but propagation delays occur causing late gateway availability
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by having the gateway send announcement messages proactively before nodes need gateway access. The gateway periodically transmits announcement messages containing gateway identification and access information, ensuring nodes have gateway information available before they need to access external networks, thus eliminating propagation delays.
2Adaptability or versatility
If mesh nodes frequently switch between gateways based on availability, then network flexibility improves, but packet delivery order is disrupted
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by having mesh nodes store multiple gateway information records in advance. Each record contains gateway identification, access information, and a sequence number. Nodes pre-establish a list of available gateways with their sequence numbers, allowing them to switch gateways maintainingly packet order by selecting gateways based on sequence number comparisons rather than frequent switching.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies feedback by implementing a sequence number mechanism where gateway announcement messages include sequence numbers, and nodes use these sequence numbers to determine gateway preference. This feedback system ensures that nodes switch gateways in a controlled manner that maintains packet delivery order, as nodes compare sequence numbers to determine whether switching to a new gateway would disrupt ordering.
3Reliability
If the mesh network stores multiple gateway information, then gateway redundancy improves, but storage and selection complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies segmentation by dividing gateway information into discrete, structured records. Each gateway information record is segmented into distinct fields: gateway identification, access information, and sequence number. This segmentation allows nodes to store multiple gateway records in a organized manner and simplifies selection logic by comparing specific fields (sequence numbers) rather than managing complex gateway configurations.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies parameter changes by introducing sequence numbers as a key parameter for gateway selection. Instead of managing complex gateway information without a clear selection criterion, the patent adds the sequence number parameter to gateway announcement messages and storage records. This parameter change transforms the selection process into a simple comparison operation, reducing management complexity while maintaining redundancy.
4Speed
If gateway announcement messages are sent frequently, then gateway information updates are prompt, but network overhead increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies periodic action by having the gateway send announcement messages at regular intervals rather than continuously or on every change. The gateway maintains a timer that triggers announcement message transmission periodically, ensuring nodes receive updated gateway information in a timely manner while avoiding excessive message transmission that would waste network energy and create overhead.
Data Source
AI summary
Technology for gateway selection in a mesh network is described. In one embodiment, upon restart of a root node in the mesh network, the root node generates first Root Node Announcement (RANN) information and sends one or more announcement messages comprising the first RANN information to other mesh nodes in the mesh network. The RANN information comprises information about a type of backhaul connection between the root node and one or more network resources external to the mesh network and information about a cost metric defining a cost associated with utilizing the root node computing device to access the one or more network resources for each of one or more mesh nodes in the mesh network since those one or more mesh nodes do not have direct access to the one or more network resources. When the root node has sent a number of announcement messages that meets or exceeds a threshold amount determined in view of a total number of mesh nodes in the mesh network, the root node starts sending announcement messages with a second frequency that is lower than the first frequency.