Wireless Mesh Gateway Roaming via Layer 3 Route Updates
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current wireless mesh networks are limited in client roaming capabilities when the upstream router is remotely located, requiring special mobility software on the client or non-standard behavior from the upstream router, and do not ensure all traffic goes through the upstream router.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a method where gateways connected through a Layer 3 network send route updates to an aggregation router, with a cost function aging mechanism to quickly and intelligently select the most current client route, allowing seamless roaming between different clusters without requiring special software or non-standard router behavior.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the upstream router is remotely located through a Layer 3 network, then services such as authentication, authorization, accounting, and DHCP can be provided advantageously, but client roaming between gateways is not supported
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary mechanism where the gateway acts as a mediator between the client and the remotely located upstream router. The gateway sends route updates to the upstream router through the Layer 3 network, enabling the router to forward traffic to the correct gateway without requiring direct client-router communication or special client software
Solution Approach 2:
The system segments the network functionality by separating the service provisioning functions (authentication, authorization, accounting, DHCP) located at the upstream router from the client access functions at the gateway level. This segmentation allows services to be remotely located while maintaining roaming capability through gateway-managed route updates
2Reliability
If gratuitous ARP is used to update the upstream router with client location, then the upstream router can send traffic to the correct gateway, but this mechanism does not work when the upstream router is remotely located through a Layer 3 network
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the communication parameter from Layer 2 gratuitous ARP (which requires direct Layer 2 connectivity) to Layer 3 route updates that can traverse the Layer 3 network. This parameter change enables the upstream router to be remotely located while maintaining accurate traffic routing to the correct gateway
Solution Approach 2:
The patent substitutes the ARP-based routing mechanism (which relies on Layer 2 broadcast) with a routing protocol-based mechanism that operates at Layer 3. This substitution allows the system to function over IP networks rather than requiring direct Ethernet connectivity between gateways and the upstream router
3Productivity
If the gateway sends route updates to the aggregation router, then fast client roaming is enabled between clusters, but route update delays may occur without an aging mechanism
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements periodic route updates with an aging mechanism where route information is refreshed at regular intervals. The aging mechanism allows the system to tolerate some delay in route updates by preferring more recent route information, enabling fast roaming while accounting for network latency in the Layer 3 connection
Data Source
AI summary
A method and apparatus of allowing client roaming between gateways of a wireless mesh network is disclosed. The gateways are connected through a layer 3 network to an aggregation router. The method includes a first gateway sending a first route update to the aggregation router when a client joins a first cluster of the first gateway, the first gateway aging the route, and a second gateway sending a second route update to the aggregation router when the client roams to a second cluster of the second gateway.