RU-Based MAC for Quarantined Station Airtime Suppression
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Solution Overview
Problem
Quarantined stations on Wi-Fi communication networks continue to flood access points with data packets, leading to network congestion and reduced performance, as existing technologies lack effective control over airtime usage.
Innovation Solution
Implementing an extended RU-based medium access control system where access points allocate and control airtime resources (RUs) for quarantined stations, moving them to a quarantine VLAN and limiting their airtime through trigger data packets, based on network policies stored in a database.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If quarantined stations are moved to a quarantine VLAN with dedicated BSSID, then network security policy enforcement is improved, but network congestion increases due to uncontrolled airtime usage by quarantined stations
Solution Approach 1:
The access point pre-allocates limited airtime resources to quarantined stations before they can flood the network. By establishing RU allocations in advance through trigger frames, the system prevents quarantined stations from consuming excessive airtime while maintaining security isolation.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the airtime allocation parameters for quarantined stations by imposing strict RU limits and controlling their transmission opportunities. This parameter control transforms the unbounded airtime consumption into a constrained resource usage pattern.
2Ease of operation
If stations control airtime usage for uplinks, then device autonomy is maintained, but network congestion occurs as quarantined stations flood access points at their own leisure
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of allowing stations to control their own airtime usage, the access point inverts the control mechanism by allocating specific RUs to quarantined stations through trigger frames. This reversal of control authority prevents flooding while maintaining structured access.
Solution Approach 2:
The access point acts as an intermediary between quarantined stations and the network medium. By controlling RU allocations and transmission opportunities, the access point mediates airtime usage to prevent congestion while allowing quarantined stations to transmit within allocated limits.
3Productivity
If access points allocate airtime RUs to quarantined stations through trigger data packets, then airtime control is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The access point uses existing MU-OFDMA trigger frame mechanisms for airtime allocation to quarantined stations, making the control system multi-functional. The same infrastructure used for general uplink scheduling is extended to handle quarantine scenarios, avoiding dedicated complex hardware.
Solution Approach 2:
The system leverages the existing OFDMA trigger frame structure and RU allocation mechanisms already present in Wi-Fi 6 infrastructure. By reusing these self-service capabilities, the access point implements quarantine control without requiring entirely new complex subsystems.
Data Source
AI summary
Airtime network policies for quarantined station network policies are stored in a database for application to quarantined stations. Quarantined stations are moved from a first VLAN to a quarantine VLAN with a dedicated BSSID on the Wi-Fi communication network. An RU airtime allocation module of the access point allocates airtime RUs for suppression of some or all transmissions from the quarantined stations. The airtime RU allocation module determines an amount of RUs for access to airtime on a Wi-Fi communications network, based on a network policy that limits an amount of airtime allowed by quarantined stations.