GeoAware DNS Server for Automatic WiFi Controller Registration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional methods for wireless access points to discover and register with WiFi controllers lack location awareness, often requiring manual registration with a centralized controller and failing to automatically direct access points to the correct group serving a specific geographical area or broadband service provider.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a GeoAware DNS server that maps fully qualified domain names (FQDNs) of WiFi controllers to specified groups based on source IP addresses, enabling location-aware resolution and pre-provisioning of WiFi controllers for secure and efficient registration.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Extent of automation
If a lightweight wireless access point uses conventional DNS resolution to discover WiFi controllers, then it can obtain a list of candidate controllers, but it cannot automatically identify the correct group serving its specific geographical area or service provider
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-configuring the DNS server with mapping tables that associate geographic locations and service provider identifiers with specific WiFi controller groups. When the access point sends a DNS query, the server has already prepared the appropriate controller list based on the access point's embedded location information, enabling automatic discovery without manual configuration.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces the DNS server as an intermediary between the wireless access point and WiFi controllers. The DNS server mediates the discovery process by receiving queries from access points, resolving FQDNs based on location awareness, and returning appropriate controller IP addresses. This intermediary enables automatic group identification without requiring direct communication between access points and controllers.
2Loss of information
If manual registration with a centralized WiFi controller is used, then location awareness can be maintained, but the registration process becomes time-consuming and requires human intervention
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements self-service by enabling wireless access points to autonomously perform controller discovery and registration without human intervention. The access points automatically embed their location information in DNS queries, receive appropriate controller lists from the DNS server, and complete registration procedures independently, eliminating the need for manual configuration while preserving location awareness.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-configuring the DNS server with comprehensive mapping tables that contain geographic location data and service provider associations. This preparation enables the DNS server to immediately resolve access point queries and provide appropriate controller lists without requiring manual intervention, thus reducing registration time while maintaining location accuracy.
3Productivity
If a wireless access point registers with any available WiFi controller, then registration can be completed quickly, but it may not be directed to the correct group serving its specific geographical area or service provider
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-configuring the DNS server with mapping tables that associate geographic locations and service provider identifiers with specific WiFi controller groups. This preparation enables the DNS server to immediately resolve access point queries with precise group matching, achieving both fast registration and accurate controller assignment without requiring manual intervention.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements feedback by having the DNS server use the embedded location information from access point queries to determine the appropriate controller group. The server provides feedback in the form of resolved FQDNs that direct access points to the correct controllers, ensuring both speed and accuracy in the registration process through automated location-based routing.
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods of discovering and registering with a WiFi controller by a wireless access point that can provide location awareness in the WiFi controller discovery and registration process. The systems and methods employ a DNS server that can receive a DNS query containing the FQDN of a WiFi controller from an access point, and compare the FQDN of the WiFi controller and the source IP address of the DNS query against a mapping table, which maps FQDNs of WiFi controllers and ranges of source IP addresses of DNS queries to groups of WiFi controllers. By comparing the FQDN of the WiFi controller and the source IP address against the mapping table, the DNS server can resolve the FQDN to IP addresses of a group of WiFi controllers, which can belong to a particular broadband service provider, and/or serve a target market of mobile subscribers located within a geographical area.