Mesh Instability Source Identification and Remediation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Large-scale wireless mesh networks face management challenges due to tree-based topologies, which can lead to communication problems as instability in parent devices is inherited by child devices, degrading network performance and reliability.
Innovation Solution
An apparatus identifies and remediates mesh instability sources by determining node stability contributions and influences on child devices, implementing solutions such as changing communication parameters or network topology to eliminate instability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a tree-based topology is used in large-scale wireless mesh networks, then network management becomes more structured and routing is simplified, but communication reliability degrades due to instability inheritance from parent to child devices
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the network management function by introducing a separate network controller that operates independently from the tree-based network topology. The controller analyzes network stability metrics and identifies instability sources without being part of the inheritance chain, thus breaking the link between structured management and reliability degradation.
Solution Approach 2:
The network controller acts as an intermediary that mediates between the tree-based topology structure and the actual communication reliability. It introduces a new stability metric and uses this intermediary layer to identify and remediate instability sources, preventing the direct inheritance of communication problems from parent to child devices.
2Quantity of substance
If the network scale is increased to include thousands of devices, then network coverage and capability are improved, but the difficulty of effective management and problem identification increases substantially
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the network controller continuously monitors network stability metrics from all devices and uses this feedback to identify instability sources. The controller calculates stability metrics based on observed communication patterns and uses this feedback loop to detect problems even in networks with thousands of devices, making the detection process scalable.
Solution Approach 2:
Each network device contributes to the self-diagnosis of the network by providing its own stability metrics and communication data. The network controller aggregates this self-reported data from all devices to automatically identify instability sources, enabling the system to manage and detect problems in large-scale networks without requiring external intervention for each device.
3Device complexity
If child devices inherit communication problems from parent devices in the tree topology, then network management remains simple, but overall network performance and stability are degraded
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the instability identification function from the tree-based topology inheritance mechanism. Instead of allowing communication problems to inherit automatically from parent to child devices, the network controller separately identifies instability sources by analyzing stability metrics, and then applies targeted remediation to specific devices, preventing the propagation of performance degradation throughout the network.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a new stability metric parameter that changes the way network performance is evaluated. By monitoring this new parameter and comparing it against thresholds, the system can identify instability sources and apply remediation based on parameter changes rather than inheriting performance characteristics from the tree topology structure.
Data Source
AI summary
In one embodiment, a method comprises identifying, by an apparatus, a mesh instability source device that adds a substantial instability influence that substantially degrades network communications in a mesh network, including: determining, for each mesh network device in the mesh network, a corresponding node stability contribution that identifies a long-term capability of the corresponding mesh network device to provide reliable communications for other mesh network devices in the mesh network, and determining a corresponding influence of the node stability contribution on child mesh network devices relying on the corresponding mesh network device for connectivity in the mesh network, and identifying the mesh instability source device as having a corresponding worst influence of the node stability contribution in the mesh network; and eliminating the substantial instability influence based on determining a remediation solution, and causing the remediation solution to be implemented for the mesh instability source device.