MBSSID Beacon Reconfiguration for Wireless Network Reliability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Implementing an MBSSID set on an Access Point (AP) leads to network outages when the transmitted VAP becomes non-functional, as all non-transmitted VAPs are inactivated, causing client devices to disconnect.
Innovation Solution
The AP dynamically reconfigures the MBSSID beacon by setting the BSSID field to a non-transmitted VAP's BSSID when the transmitted VAP becomes non-functional, and client devices are configured to filter frames based on the most significant bits of the BSSID, allowing them to process beacons from any BSSID in the MBSSID set.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If an MBSSID set is implemented on an AP to improve airtime efficiency, then the number of beacon frames is reduced, but network outage occurs when the transmitted VAP becomes non-functional
Solution Approach 1:
The patent pre-configures multiple VAPs within an MBSSID set and pre-establishes beacon frame templates for each VAP. When the transmitted VAP becomes non-functional, the AP can immediately switch to using a pre-prepared beacon frame from another VAP in the set, avoiding network outage. This preliminary preparation of backup beacon frames resolves the contradiction by enabling rapid failover while maintaining the airtime efficiency benefits of MBSSID.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent dynamically changes the BSSID parameter in the beacon frame based on the operational status of VAPs. When the transmitted VAP fails, the AP modifies the beacon frame's BSSID to match a non-transmitted VAP's BSSID, allowing client devices to continue associating without disconnection. This parameter change enables the system to maintain reliability while preserving the consolidated beacon structure that improves airtime efficiency.
2Productivity
If a single beacon is sent for multiple VAPs in an MBSSID set, then airtime efficiency is improved, but client devices must be de-authenticated when the transmitted VAP fails
Solution Approach 1:
The patent pre-configures multiple VAPs and their corresponding beacon frame templates within the MBSSID set before operation begins. When the transmitted VAP becomes non-functional, the AP can immediately switch to a pre-prepared beacon frame from another VAP, avoiding the need for de-authentication and re-association. This preliminary configuration eliminates network downtime while maintaining the airtime efficiency of consolidated beacons.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements dynamic beacon frame selection where the AP can switch between different VAP's beacon frames based on operational status. The system dynamically adjusts which VAP's beacon is transmitted while maintaining the single-beacon MBSSID structure. This dynamic adaptation allows the system to respond to VAP failures without disrupting client connections, resolving the contradiction between airtime efficiency and minimizing downtime.
3Loss of information
If the BSSID field in the beacon frame is set to the transmitted VAP's BSSID, then the beacon accurately represents the current transmitted VAP, but client devices connected to non-transmitted VAPs experience disconnection when the transmitted VAP fails
Solution Approach 1:
The patent dynamically changes the BSSID parameter in the beacon frame based on which VAP is currently functioning as the transmitted VAP. When a VAP failure occurs, the AP changes the beacon's BSSID to match the backup VAP's BSSID, ensuring the beacon accurately represents the current operational state while maintaining client connections. This parameter adaptation resolves the contradiction by keeping beacon information accurate while preventing disconnections.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a copy of the beacon frame structure from a backup VAP and uses it when the original transmitted VAP fails. Instead of maintaining a single static beacon, the system can copy and adapt beacon frames from different VAPs in the MBSSID set based on operational needs. This copying mechanism allows the beacon to remain accurate to the current transmitted VAP while providing continuity for client devices.
Data Source
AI summary
Examples described herein relate to a method for reconfiguring a beacon by an access point (AP) to minimize or avoid network outages experienced by client devices connected to the AP. The AP transmits a beacon comprising a basic service set identifier (BSSID) field and a Multiple BSSID (MBSSID) element. The MBSSID element corresponds to an MBSSID set comprising a transmitted BSSID associated with a transmitted virtual access point (VAP) and a non-transmitted BSSID associated with a non-transmitted VAP, where the BSSID field in the beacon is set to the transmitted BSSID. Further, the AP reconfigures the beacon to generate a reconfigured beacon upon determining that the transmitted VAP is non-functional. In particular, the BSSID field in the reconfigured beacon is set to the non-transmitted BSSID of the MBSSID set. Moreover, the AP transmits the reconfigured beacon to the client device.