RSSI-Based Access Point and Switch Redundancy for Critical Sites
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Solution Overview
Problem
Commercial premises lack network redundancy, leading to WAN connectivity loss when switches fail, particularly in areas with critical applications or high traffic, necessitating inefficient resource allocation for redundancy.
Innovation Solution
A network management system determines redundancy scores for access points and switches based on received signal strength indicators and location data, weighing metrics like usage and criticality to optimize network redundancy by recommending configuration and placement adjustments.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If network redundancy is implemented throughout the entire site, then network reliability is improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by implementing network redundancy selectively based on area-specific characteristics. The system calculates redundancy scores for different areas of the site using metrics such as client density, traffic volume, and criticality of applications. Areas with high scores receive redundancy configurations (multiple switches or access points), while low-scoring areas use single-switch configurations. This resolves the contradiction by providing reliability only where needed, avoiding unnecessary complexity in low-traffic areas.
2Reliability
If network redundancy is implemented in all areas, then network reliability is improved, but resource allocation efficiency deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs parameter changes by dynamically adjusting redundancy configurations based on calculated redundancy scores. The system uses multiple parameters including client device count, traffic volume, application criticality, and area importance to determine the appropriate redundancy level for each area. This allows the network to adapt its resource allocation to match actual需求的 variations across different sites and time periods, resolving the contradiction between reliability and resource efficiency.
3Reliability
If redundant switches are deployed, then network reliability is improved, but cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies partial action by implementing redundancy only in portions of the network where it is most needed. Rather than deploying redundant switches throughout the entire site, the system identifies specific high-priority areas using redundancy scoring and applies redundancy only there. This partial implementation achieves the necessary reliability improvement while minimizing the quantity of equipment required, resolving the contradiction between reliability and equipment quantity.
Data Source
AI summary
This disclosure describes a network management system configured to determine, for each AP of the plurality of APs and based on received signal strength indicators (RSSIs) of each AP of the plurality of APs, one or more strong neighbors of each AP. compute an AP redundancy score for each AP of the plurality of APs indicative of a redundancy of each AP; compute, based on the AP redundancy scores, at least one of: a switch redundancy score for each network switch associated with one or more of the plurality of APs, wherein the switch redundancy score is indicative of a redundancy of each network switch, or a site redundancy score, wherein the site redundancy score is indicative of an overall redundancy of the network site; and invoke, based on the AP redundancy scores, the switch redundancy score, or the site redundancy score, one or more actions.