Network Interface Preference Policy for Cellular to WLAN Offloading
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current systems fail to efficiently offload traffic from cellular networks to wireless local area networks (WLANs) when the WLAN does not support the preferred network address family, leading to network overload and increased costs, especially during the transition from IPv6 to IPv4.
Innovation Solution
A system and method that determine a network interface preference policy by signaling a network address family preference policy to a host device, allowing it to override the default preference for IPv6 over IPv4 and select a WLAN interface even if it doesn't support IPv6, based on predefined threshold levels, thereby offloading traffic and reducing network load.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the host device strictly follows the default preference for IPv6 over IPv4, then network address family compatibility is improved, but traffic offloading capability to WLAN deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic interface selection by allowing the host device to switch between strict IPv6 preference and threshold-based selection modes. The policy parameter can be adjusted dynamically based on network conditions, enabling the system to adapt between maintaining IPv6 compatibility and achieving traffic offloading to WLAN networks that may only support IPv4.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a configurable policy parameter that changes the selection criterion from a fixed rule (always prefer IPv6) to a flexible threshold-based mechanism. By modifying this parameter, the system can transition between different operational modes: strict IPv6 preference mode and threshold-based mode that allows WLAN interface selection even when IPv6 is unavailable, thus resolving the contradiction between compatibility and offloading capability.
2Reliability
If the host device requires WLAN to support IPv6 for selection, then network address family preference is improved, but network interface selection flexibility deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables dynamic adjustment of the IPv6 preference threshold parameter. When the threshold is set high, the system maintains strict IPv6 preference for reliability. When lowered, it allows greater flexibility to select WLAN interfaces even without IPv6 support. This dynamic parameter adjustment resolves the contradiction by allowing the system to adapt to different operational requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transforms the rigid requirement (WLAN must support IPv6) into a flexible parameter-based decision. By changing the policy parameter threshold, the system can accommodate various scenarios: requiring IPv6 support for critical applications while allowing IPv4-only WLAN selection when appropriate, thus achieving both reliability and flexibility.
3Productivity
If the host device uses threshold-based interface selection, then traffic offloading to WLAN is improved, but network address family compatibility deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a dynamic threshold parameter that can be adjusted based on application requirements and network conditions. For non-critical traffic, a lower threshold enables aggressive offloading to WLAN even without IPv6 support. For critical applications requiring IPv6 compatibility, the threshold can be raised, ensuring that only interfaces supporting the required address family are selected, thus maintaining reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the selection criterion from a fixed rule to a configurable parameter. By adjusting the IPv6 preference threshold parameter, the system can optimize for traffic offloading (lower threshold) or for address family compatibility (higher threshold), resolving the contradiction through parameter optimization rather than a fixed approach.
Data Source
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AI summary
A method and apparatus are provided for determining a network interface preference policy. An example method may include determining a network address family preference policy signaled to a host apparatus by an access point for a first network interface. The example method may additionally include selecting an interface from the first network interface and a second network interface for network traffic of the host apparatus based at least in part on the signaled preference policy. A corresponding apparatus is also provided.