Network Management Server for Neighbor Network Discovery
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current wireless networks face challenges in compatibility and neighbor network discovery across different wireless systems, particularly in heterogeneous environments like WiFi, WiMAX, and CDMA 2000, with existing solutions like MAC layer design and proxy router methods being limited in applicability and information scope.
Innovation Solution
A method utilizing a network management server with a DHCP system to provide mobile stations with capability/configuration information of neighbor networks through a media-independent handover service, employing a specific message format and the IEEE 802.21 Working Group's MIH framework for seamless handovers across different wireless networks.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If MAC layer design or proxy router methods are used for neighbor network discovery, then some neighbor network information can be obtained, but the applicability is restricted and not all neighbor networks can be discovered
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a universal neighbor network discovery mechanism that works across multiple wireless network types (WiFi, WiMAX, CDMA 2000, LTE) by defining a common message format and procedure that can be applied regardless of the specific network technology. The network management server acts as a universal intermediary that can retrieve information from diverse network sources and present it in a standardized form to the mobile station.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a network management server as an intermediary entity between the mobile station and neighbor networks. This mediator receives discovery requests from the mobile station, retrieves comprehensive capability and configuration information from multiple neighbor networks using standardized procedures, and returns complete information to the mobile station, thereby overcoming the limitations of direct MAC layer or proxy router approaches.
2Reliability
If comprehensive neighbor network information is provided to mobile stations, then handover optimization is improved, but the complexity of the discovery system increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the complexity of neighbor network discovery from the mobile station by moving the information retrieval function to a network management server. The mobile station simply sends a standardized request and receives comprehensive information, while the complex tasks of querying multiple networks, interpreting responses, and compiling capability information are performed by the server, thereby reducing mobile device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The network management server serves as an intermediary that handles the complexity of interacting with multiple diverse network systems. It implements the standardized discovery procedure, manages communication with various network types, and processes information retrieval, thereby shielding the mobile station from system complexity while ensuring reliable handover information is provided.
Data Source
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AI summary
The present invention relates to a wireless network, and more particularly, a method (*"and system"?*) which a mobile station discovers a neighbor network in an Internet protocol based wireless network, a network management server for enabling the method, and a method of operating the network management server. A network management server of a wireless network system, the server including: a neighborhood (NH) database maintaining configuration information with respect to at least one neighbor network; a communication interface receiving a request message for capability/configuration information of the neighbor network from a mobile station which is connected via a predetermined access point or a base station; and a database management unit extracting the capability/configuration information of the neighbor network which is included in the request message by referring to the neighborhood database, and controlling a reply message including the capability/configuration information to be transmitted to the mobile station via the communication interface.