Network Device Virtual Clients for Non-Disruptive Roaming Tests
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
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 disrupting network usage during testing.
Innovation Solution
Implementing virtual client functions on network devices to simulate roaming instances, allowing proactive detection of roaming issues without disrupting network usage by executing program instructions that mimic client device behavior and collect performance data.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If physical roaming tests are performed by manually moving client devices through the site, then roaming issues can be detected, but network usage is disrupted and physical presence is required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates virtual copies of client devices through virtual machine instances that can be deployed on network devices. These virtual clients replicate the roaming behavior of physical devices without requiring actual physical movement or disrupting real client usage. The virtual machine instances execute roaming test protocols to detect issues while leaving production network operations unaffected.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces virtual machine instances as intermediary entities between the testing process and the physical network infrastructure. These intermediaries perform roaming tests by interacting with access points through virtual wireless interfaces, allowing issue detection without direct manipulation of physical client devices or disruption of actual user traffic.
2Reliability
If physical roaming tests are performed by manually moving client devices, then roaming issues can be detected, but physical presence at the site is required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical/physical system of manually moving devices through physical space with a virtualized system. Virtual machine instances execute roaming test sequences through software-controlled wireless interfaces, eliminating the need for physical presence at the site while maintaining the ability to detect roaming issues through automated test protocols.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent enables the testing system to perform self-service operations through automated virtual machine deployment and execution. The virtual clients autonomously execute roaming test sequences without requiring human operators to physically move devices or be present at the site, with results automatically collected and analyzed by the system.
3Measurement precision
If roaming tests are performed during periods of high client device usage, then network performance can be monitored under load, but disruptions to network usage occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the testing function from production operations by running roaming tests in isolated virtual machine instances. This segmentation allows tests to be executed concurrently with production traffic without interference, as the virtual clients operate in separate virtualized environments that do not compete for physical wireless resources in a way that disrupts real users.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses virtual machine instances that can be deployed in sufficient numbers to provide statistically significant performance measurements without exceeding the network capacity. By controlling the number and configuration of virtual clients, the system obtains precise performance data while maintaining network performance below disruption thresholds.
Data Source
AI summary
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.