Wireless Mesh Access Point Failover via Inter-AP De-registration
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Solution Overview
Problem
In wireless mesh networks, nodes often fail to de-register from primary access points when they switch to a new path, leading to deadlocks where both access points advertise different primary paths, causing nodes to become unreachable and reducing network throughput.
Innovation Solution
A method where a newly selected primary access point sends a failover message to the pre-existing access point, allowing it to de-register the node by comparing registration times, ensuring only one path is advertised to the router.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a node switches to a new primary access point when the original path becomes unavailable, then network connectivity is restored, but the node cannot successfully de-register from the original primary access point, causing both access points to advertise different primary paths to the router
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements a feedback mechanism where the new primary access point monitors the registration status of nodes and automatically sends de-registration notifications to the original primary access point. This feedback loop ensures that when a node switches access points, the original access point is notified and removes the node from its registration table, preventing duplicate path advertisements to the router.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary communication channel between access points. When a node cannot directly de-register from the original primary access point, the new primary access point acts as an intermediary by sending a notification message to the original access point, which then performs the de-registration on behalf of the node. This intermediary mechanism resolves the deadlock situation without requiring direct node-to-access-point communication.
2Reliability
If both the original primary access point and the new primary access point advertise different primary paths to the router, then the node becomes unreachable, but this situation reduces network throughput
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by implementing a timestamp-based registration table that tracks when nodes registered with each access point. Before advertising paths to the router, access points check the registration table to determine which path is current and valid. This preliminary verification prevents the advertisement of stale or duplicate paths, ensuring node reachability is maintained while avoiding throughput reduction from deadlocks.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the router is provided with two alternative primary paths to the node, then the router becomes deadlocked and cannot select the correct primary path, but this deadlock situation causes nodes to become unreachable for a period of time
Solution Approach 1:
The router receives feedback from access points regarding path availability and validity. The system implements a mechanism where access points provide information about their registration status and path validity to the router. This feedback enables the router to make informed path selection decisions and avoid deadlocks by selecting only valid, current paths rather than being presented with multiple conflicting alternatives.
Data Source
AI summary
A node within a wireless mesh network is configured to select a primary path through an access point and to designate that access point as the primary access point for the node. The access point then transmits a failover message indicating that the node designated that access point as the primary access point for the node at a particular time. When another access point receives the failover message, the other access point may determine that the first node has also designated the other access point as the primary access point for the node, and may then de-register the node and stop advertising a primary path to the node.