Network Device Virtual Clients for Disruption-Free Roaming Tests
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing network monitoring and troubleshooting methods for wireless networks are inefficient in detecting roaming issues in client devices, often requiring physical presence and causing disruptions during high usage periods.
Innovation Solution
Implementing virtual client functions on network devices to simulate roaming instances, allowing proactive detection of roaming issues without disrupting actual client devices, and enabling remote monitoring and remediation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If physical roaming tests are performed by technicians being present at the site, then roaming issues can be detected, but it causes disruptions during high usage periods and requires physical presence
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates virtual copies of client devices (virtual client functions) that execute on network devices to simulate roaming behavior. These virtual clients replicate the roaming process without requiring physical devices or technician presence, thereby detecting roaming issues while eliminating the need for physical presence and avoiding disruptions to actual client devices.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces virtual client functions as an intermediary between the network infrastructure and roaming testing. These virtual functions execute on network devices and mediate the roaming test process, allowing remote automated testing without requiring physical technician presence or interfering with actual client devices during high usage periods.
2Reliability
If roaming tests are performed during high usage periods, then issues can be detected in real-time, but it causes disruptions to actual client devices
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates virtual copies of client devices that execute roaming tests without affecting actual client devices. These virtual clients run on network devices and simulate roaming behavior, allowing tests to be performed during low-usage periods or without causing disruptions to the live network and actual clients.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the testing function from actual client devices by implementing virtual client functions that run independently on network devices. This segmentation allows roaming tests to be isolated from production traffic, enabling testing during low-usage periods without disrupting actual client devices during high usage periods.
3Extent of automation
If automated virtual client functions are deployed, then remote monitoring and proactive detection are enabled, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent deploys virtual client functions as software copies on existing network devices to enable automated roaming tests and remote monitoring. While this adds software complexity to network devices, it eliminates the need for separate physical testing equipment and enables proactive detection of roaming issues before they affect actual clients.
Data Source
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AI summary
Network device testing with virtual client functions. The disclosure describes one or more techniques for performing roaming tests for sites. For example, a device comprises a memory and one or more processors in communication with the memory and configured to obtain instructions that cause a device of a site to operate as a synthetic client device and to simulate a roaming instance; and send data associated with the roaming instance to a network management system, wherein the data is indicative of a performance of the roaming instance.