Group-Based Controller Upgrade for Wireless Networks
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Solution Overview
Problem
Upgrading controllers and access points in computing networks often results in network connectivity outages for client devices, lasting several minutes to hours, disrupting service and impacting network traffic.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a master controller that upgrades controllers and access points by grouping them, allowing for seamless transitions and load balancing, thereby maintaining network connectivity and avoiding outages during the upgrade process.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If controllers and access points are upgraded individually or in large batches, then upgrading completeness is improved, but network connectivity outage time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides access points into multiple groups (first group, second group, etc.) and upgrades them in sequential batches rather than all at once. Each group is upgraded separately while other groups continue to provide network service, thereby segmenting the upgrade process to minimize overall network outage time while ensuring complete upgrading of all access points.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent performs preliminary actions by switching client devices from access points in the group being upgraded to access points in other groups before the upgrade begins. This preliminary client device switching ensures that network connectivity is maintained throughout the upgrade process, as clients are already connected to non-upgraded access points when the upgrade starts.
2Productivity
If all access points are upgraded simultaneously, then upgrading efficiency is improved, but network service interruption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments access points into multiple upgrade groups that are upgraded sequentially rather than simultaneously. This segmentation allows the upgrade process to maintain high efficiency by systematically processing each group while preserving network service continuity, as other groups remain operational during each upgrade batch.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent ensures continuity of useful network service by maintaining operational access points in groups that are not currently being upgraded. While one group undergoes upgrade, other groups continue to provide network connectivity to client devices, ensuring that the useful action of network service continues without interruption throughout the entire upgrade process.
3Reliability
If access points are upgraded one at a time, then network service continuity is improved, but upgrading time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments access points into multiple upgrade groups (first group, second group, etc.) that are upgraded in sequential batches rather than one at a time. This segmentation reduces the total upgrading time by processing multiple access points in each batch while maintaining network service continuity through client device switching to non-upgraded groups during each upgrade batch.
Data Source
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AI summary
Example implementations relate to upgrading controllers and access points by group. A master controller may comprise a processing resource and a memory resource storing machine-readable instructions to cause the processing resource to create a plurality of groups of access points (APs) connected to a first and a second local controller, move a subset of the plurality of APs connected to the first local controller to the second local controller, upgrade the first local controller, move APs associated with a group of the plurality of APs to the first local controller, and upgrade the APs associated with the group of the first local controller.