Soft AP Port Assignment for Network Load Management
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Solution Overview
Problem
The increased network load caused by cell phones using soft APs to create Wi-Fi hotspots complicates service providers' ability to manage network resources and charge subscribers fairly, as it exceeds expected bandwidth usage assumptions.
Innovation Solution
A soft AP module in subscriber devices assigns preselected port numbers to identify and control data traffic, with modules at the service provider's facilities analyzing packets to determine network load and implement enhanced port selection processes, including read-only memory storage and packet sniffer modules to differentiate device types and applications.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If cell phones use soft AP to create Wi-Fi hotspots, then network connectivity and accessibility are improved, but network load and bandwidth consumption increase beyond expected levels
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-assigning specific port numbers to soft AP functions before they are activated. The network device预先 configures dedicated port ranges (e.g., ports 1024-2047) for soft AP traffic, enabling the service provider to immediately identify and measure soft AP network consumption without waiting for actual usage to occur. This proactive port assignment facilitates real-time monitoring and control of network load generated by soft APs.
2Adaptability or versatility
If soft AP creates shared network access for multiple devices, then network accessibility and utility are improved, but ability to measure and control individual device usage deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies segmentation by dividing the network traffic monitoring into distinct segments based on port numbers. Each soft AP connection is assigned a unique port number or port range, allowing the network device to segment and separately measure traffic from each individual device connected through the soft AP. This segmentation enables precise measurement of each device's bandwidth consumption while maintaining the soft AP's ability to provide shared network access to multiple devices.
3Productivity
If service provider monitors network traffic to manage load, then network management capability is improved, but system complexity and processing requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by using port numbers as a key parameter to simplify network traffic monitoring. Instead of analyzing complex packet contents or maintaining detailed connection state information for each device, the system uses the pre-assigned port numbers as identifiers to categorize and measure traffic. This parameter-based approach significantly reduces system complexity and processing requirements while maintaining effective network management capability, as the network device can simply monitor and measure traffic flowing through designated soft AP ports.
Data Source
AI summary
A soft AP module that is installed in the subscriber device is adapted to assign preselected ports numbers as part of its network address translation process. Those port numbers are registered to be used solely for this purpose, port numbers that are registered to applications that are seldomly used, or port numbers in the range 49152-65535. One or more modules in the service provider's facilities analyze the packets that pass through the service provider's facilities. Each module detects the aforementioned predetermined port numbers in the analyzed packets and thus identifies the network load that is attributed to devices the employ the W2LANs.