Multi-Wi-Fi Endpoint Identification Using MWDI for Consistent QoS
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Solution Overview
Problem
Dual-band Wi-Fi capable devices face challenges in maintaining consistent Quality of Service (QoS) and security due to the use of randomized MAC addresses, leading to inconsistent policy enforcement and underutilization of network resources across multiple connections.
Innovation Solution
A Multi-Wi-Fi Device Identifier (MWDI) is shared across connections during four-way handshakes to uniquely identify the client device, ensuring consistent policy application and QoS across multiple connections.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If randomized MAC addresses are used for dual-band Wi-Fi connections, then device privacy is protected, but consistent QoS and security policy enforcement deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a Multi-Wi-Fi Device Identifier (MWDI) as an intermediary element that bridges the conflict between privacy and QoS consistency. The MWDI is generated by hashing the MAC address and is shared across both 2.4GHz and 5GHz connections, allowing the network to consistently identify and apply policies to a device without exposing the actual MAC address, thus maintaining privacy while enabling reliable QoS management.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple connections are established with different MAC addresses, then network coverage is expanded, but policy enforcement consistency deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The MWDI serves multiple functions simultaneously: it acts as a unique device identifier across different frequency bands, enables consistent policy enforcement, facilitates QoS management, and maintains security. By generating a single universal identifier that works across both 2.4GHz and 5GHz connections, the system achieves multi-functionality that resolves the contradiction between expanded network coverage and consistent policy enforcement.
3Adaptability or versatility
If separate authentication processes are used for each connection, then connection flexibility is improved, but processing time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary action by pre-computing the MWDI from the MAC address during the first authentication process. This pre-computed identifier is then reused in subsequent authentication processes for different connections, eliminating the need to perform the full authentication sequence from scratch each time. This significantly reduces processing time while maintaining connection flexibility across multiple frequency bands.
Data Source
AI summary
Uniquely identifying an endpoint that connects to a network using multiple channel/bands may be provided. A client device may begin a first connection with an Access Point (AP). The client device is a multi-Wireless-Fidelity (Wi-Fi) capable device. The client device may generate a Multi-Wi-Fi Device Identifier (MWDI). The client device may send the MWDI to the AP during a four-way handshake for the first connection. The client device may begin a second connection with the AP after establishing the first connection. The client device may send the MWDI to the AP during a four-way handshake for the second connection. The AP may determine, based on the MWDI, that both the first connection and the second connection are originating from a same client device and apply a policy applied to the first connection also to the second connection.