Gateway Virtual AP Roaming Session Continuity
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Solution Overview
Problem
Wi-Fi enabled devices face challenges with seamless roaming between access points, requiring manual configuration and security parameter changes, which leads to underutilization and unused bandwidth, especially in public and business settings.
Innovation Solution
A gateway system that supports both local and virtual access points, allowing seamless roaming through a datastore that conveys information to enable Wi-Fi devices to access the virtual AP without manual configuration, maintaining session connectivity via tunnels across different networks.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If Wi-Fi devices are configured with specific security parameters for each access point, then secure network access is achieved, but manual reconfiguration is required when moving between access points
Solution Approach 1:
The system pre-configures security parameters and device information in a datastore before roaming occurs. When a device moves to a new access point, the security parameters are automatically retrieved from the datastore, eliminating the need for manual reconfiguration while maintaining secure access.
Solution Approach 2:
A centralized datastore acts as an intermediary between access points and roaming devices. The datastore stores security parameters and device information, automatically providing the necessary credentials when devices roam between access points, thus eliminating manual configuration requirements.
2Reliability
If Wi-Fi access points are secured with filters and encryption, then network security is improved, but roaming devices cannot access the network without specific configuration
Solution Approach 1:
The datastore serves multiple functions: it stores security parameters for encrypted networks, maintains device information, and provides automatic authentication credentials. This universal system enables both secure network access and seamless roaming capability simultaneously.
Solution Approach 2:
The system enables self-service roaming where devices automatically obtain security parameters and authentication credentials from the datastore without manual intervention. This maintains network security through encryption while providing automatic roaming capability.
3Reliability
If manual configuration is required for each access point, then network security is maintained, but device underutilization occurs
Solution Approach 1:
Security parameters and device information are pre-configured in the datastore before roaming occurs. This preliminary setup maintains network security while enabling automatic roaming, thereby increasing device utilization as devices can seamlessly move between access points without manual intervention.
4Ease of operation
If Wi-Fi roaming is enabled without centralized management, then device autonomy is maintained, but bandwidth optimization is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The centralized datastore provides feedback mechanisms that track device locations and network conditions. This enables automatic optimization of bandwidth usage by directing devices to the most appropriate access points while maintaining device autonomy through automated parameter retrieval and configuration.
Data Source
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AI summary
Systems and methods for maintaining a communication session. A gateway supports both a local access point (AP) and a virtual AP. The local AP is accessible only to an "owner" of the gateway. The virtual AP (VAP) is accessible to devices associated with the owner of the gateway and to roaming Wi-Fi devices. A datastore conveys information about the roaming Wi-Fi devices to the VAP to permit them to access the VAP without the need for manual configuration of the VAP. A roaming Wi-Fi/cellular device may communicate with a gateway via a tunnel to maintain session connectivity during roaming. A session may be initiated on one network, such as a Wi-Fi network or a cellular network, handed off to another network, such as a cellular network or a Wi-Fi network, and then returned to network on which the session was initiated.