Layer 7 Application Buffer for Roaming State Synchronization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Wireless networks face service interruptions and performance degradation during client device roaming due to incomplete Layer 7 (L7) state synchronization, particularly in maintaining quality of service (QoS) and firewall policies, as deep packet inspection (DPI) classification is interrupted, leading to session drops and network congestion.
Innovation Solution
Implementing an L7 application buffer system that stores and synchronizes data packets across network devices to maintain L7 state during client device roaming, allowing for continuous classification and management of L7 applications, even during hand-offs between access points.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If deep packet inspection (DPI) is used to classify L7 applications, then application information can be accurately identified, but service interruption occurs during roaming because DPI classification is interrupted
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by capturing and storing data packets in a buffer before roaming occurs. The first access point stores received data packets in an L7 application buffer before the client device roams to a second access point. This allows the classification process to be resumed after roaming without losing previously captured packet data, thereby maintaining session continuity while preserving application identification accuracy.
2Measurement precision
If data packets are captured for L7 classification, then application information can be identified, but network latency increases due to buffering and synchronization overhead
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an L7 application buffer as an intermediary component between the access points and the classification system. This buffer temporarily stores data packets during roaming transitions, allowing the classification process to continue without interruption. The buffer acts as a mediator that decouples the packet capture process from the classification process, enabling packets to be stored and forwarded without adding significant latency to the overall system operation.
3Reliability
If L7 state is synchronized between access points, then service continuity is maintained during roaming, but device complexity increases due to buffer management and state synchronization mechanisms
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the L7 application buffer and state synchronization functionality from the individual access points and implements it as a separate, dedicated component. By taking out the buffer management complexity from the access points themselves and creating a specialized buffering system, the patent maintains service continuity during roaming while reducing the complexity burden on the access point devices. The synchronization mechanism is isolated to a specific component rather than being distributed across multiple access points.
Data Source
AI summary
Maintaining layer 7 state as a client device roams between network devices during a session. Data packets used in executing a layer 7 application are received at a first network device that a client device is coupled to during a session. Data packets received by the first network device are stored in a layer 7 application buffer that is sent to a second network device that a client device roams to during a session. A layer 7 application buffer is used to classify a layer 7 application that is the subject of a session in order to maintain layer 7 state as a client device roams to a second network device during a session.