Radio Service Identifier Spoofing for Seamless Wireless Failover
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current wireless access points lack the ability to seamlessly transfer client devices between radios, especially when one radio fails or is upgraded, leading to interruptions in network service and traffic flow.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a Channel Switch Announcement (CSA) mechanism that instructs client devices to switch from one radio to another, with the second radio spoofing the service identifier of the first radio to maintain continuous communication, allowing seamless transfer without noticeable disruptions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a radio is added to an AP to increase network capacity and provide redundancy, then the network's fault tolerance and capacity are improved, but the system lacks the ability to seamlessly transfer client devices between radios, causing service interruption when a radio fails
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a control logic as an intermediary component that manages client device transfers between radios. The control logic receives indications of radio status, determines appropriate target radios for client devices, and coordinates the switching process, enabling seamless failover without direct client intervention
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary actions by pre-establishing the control logic and radio coordination mechanisms before failures occur. The control logic is ready to immediately determine alternative radios and initiate transfers when a radio failure is detected, minimizing service interruption
2Productivity
If multiple radios operate simultaneously in an AP, then network capacity and bandwidth are increased, but the complexity of managing and coordinating these radios increases
Solution Approach 1:
The control logic serves multiple functions: monitoring radio status, determining target radios for client transfers, coordinating channel switching announcements, and managing the overall radio coordination. This multi-functional approach consolidates complexity into a single coordinating entity rather than requiring complex peer-to-peer radio coordination
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements feedback mechanisms where the control logic receives status indications from radios and client device information, processes this information to determine optimal target radios, and adjusts its coordination actions accordingly. This feedback loop enables dynamic adaptation to changing network conditions
Data Source
AI summary
Embodiments herein describe control logic for seamlessly switching client devices between radios co-located on the same network device or between radios located on different network devices that have overlapping coverage areas. In one embodiment, the radios are assigned different channels in the same frequency band. To move the client devices between the radios, one of the radios transmits a Channel Switch Announcement (CSA) which instructs the client devices serviced by a first radio to switch to a channel assigned to a second, different radio. For example, the CSA may be used when the first radio fails, is upgraded, performs a Channel Availability Check (CAC), is overloaded, and the like. After the CSA is transmitted, the second radio spoofs the service identifier of the first radio so to the perspective of the client devices, they are still communicating with the first radio.