Master-Slave Network Handover via Pre-Configured Interface Switching

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Solution Overview

Problem

In master-slave networks, the handover process between slave devices is lengthy due to the need for the user device to reestablish a connection, which increases handover time.

Innovation Solution

The method involves the master device determining the need for handover and sending identifiers and network connection information to enable seamless transition between slave devices, allowing the first network interface to be deactivated and the second network interface to be activated without the user device reestablishing a connection, using the same identifier for both interfaces.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the user device reestablishes connection with the target slave device during handover, then connection reliability is improved, but handover time increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconnection reliabilityVSAvoidhandover time
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The master device pre-configures the target slave device with network connection information (including identifier, encryption mode, key information, ARP information, and IP address) before the handover is triggered. This preliminary preparation allows the user device to seamlessly connect to the target slave device without performing time-consuming reconnection procedures, thus reducing handover time while maintaining connection reliability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The master device acts as an intermediary that manages the handover process by selecting the target slave device, allocating network interface identifiers, and distributing connection information. This centralized coordination enables optimized handover without requiring the user device to independently perform complex reconnection procedures, balancing reliability and speed

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If the user device performs complete handshaking procedure with the target slave device, then authentication security is improved, but handover efficiency deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveauthentication securityVSAvoidhandover efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The master device pre-distributes authentication credentials (encryption mode, key information, ARP information, and IP address) to the target slave device before handover occurs. This allows the user device to bypass time-consuming authentication handshaking while security is maintained through pre-configured credentials, thus improving handover efficiency without compromising authentication security

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The network connection information is copied from the master device to the target slave device in advance. This copying mechanism allows the target slave device to have identical authentication credentials needed for secure connection, enabling fast handover without complete re-authentication while maintaining security through replicated credential information

Inventive Principle:
Principle #26Copying

Data Source

PatentEP3386240B1Switchover method in master-slave network, master device, slave device, and system
Publication Date: 2021.08.11 HUAWEI TECH CO LTD
  • EP3386240B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3386240B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3386240B1 patent drawingFigure 3A

AI summary

Embodiments of the present invention relate to the communications field and provide a handover method and system in a master-slave network, a master device, and a slave device so as to resolve a problem of a long handover time of a user device in the master-slave network. The method is: When a master device or a first slave device determines that a user device needs to be handed over to a second slave device, the first slave device sends, to the second slave device, an identifier of a first network interface allocated by the first slave device to the user device, and first network connection information used after the user device establishes a connection to the first network interface of the first slave device, where the identifier of the first network interface and an identifier of the user device are in a one-to-one correspondence; the first slave device controls the first network interface to be deactivated; and the second slave device controls a second network interface to be activated. In this way, the user device can be handed over to the second slave device without a need of performing multiple handshakes, and a problem of a long handover time of an access device is effectively resolved.