Wireless LAN Tunnel Separation for Access Controller Overhead Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing methods for establishing wireless local area network tunnels result in increased overheads and complexity for access controllers due to the need for extensive VLAN configurations and the lack of separation between data and control tunnels, leading to higher workload and costs in management and maintenance.
Innovation Solution
The method involves sending configuration messages from the access controller to the access point and broadband access server to establish separate data and control tunnels, using tunnel establishment configuration parameters that include IP addresses and SSID binding information, allowing the access point to establish data tunnels directly with the broadband access server and the access controller to establish control tunnels, thereby reducing unnecessary overheads.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If all user data is forwarded by the AC through a single tunnel, then the control and data packets can be transmitted, but the overheads of the AC are increased and workload is greatly increased
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the tunnel into two independent types: control tunnel (for control packets between AC and AP) and data tunnel (for user data between AP and BRAS). This segmentation allows the AC to forward only control packets through the control tunnel, while data packets are forwarded directly by the AP through the data tunnel, significantly reducing AC overhead and improving processing efficiency.
2Reliability
If site VLANs are configured between AC and BRAS to acquire binding relationships, then binding relationships between APs and BRASs can be established, but configuration, management, and maintenance costs are greatly increased
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the binding relationship configuration from the AC-BRAS interface (site VLANs) and relocates it to the AP-BRAS interface (data tunnel configuration). Each AP independently configures its own data tunnel with the BRAS, eliminating the need for centralized AC-BRAS VLAN configuration. This extraction significantly simplifies operation and maintenance while maintaining reliable binding relationships.
3Device complexity
If a single tunnel is used for both control and data packets, then tunnel establishment is simplified, but the AC must forward all user data increasing overheads
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the tunnel into control tunnel and data tunnel. The control tunnel is established between AC and AP for control packets, while the data tunnel is established between AP and BRAS for user data. This segmentation allows the AC to reduce overhead by only processing control packets through the control tunnel, while data packets are forwarded directly by the AP without passing through the AC.
Data Source
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AI summary
The present invention provides a method for establishing a wireless local area network tunnel, an apparatus, and an access network system. An AC sends a first configuration message to an AP, where the first configuration message includes a first tunnel establishment configuration parameter, and the first tunnel establishment configuration parameter includes information about binding between an IP address of at least one BRAS and at least one SSID, so that the AP establishes a data tunnel with the BRAS according to the first tunnel establishment configuration parameter, and the AC establishes a control tunnel with the AP, thereby separating the data tunnel from the control tunnel, and reducing unnecessary overheads of the AC.