Access Point VAP Steering via MBSSID Beacon Segmentation
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Solution Overview
Problem
In wireless networking, broadcasting separate beacon frames for each Virtual Access Point (VAP) is inefficient and can degrade connection quality, and the use of Multiple Basic Service Set Identifiers (MBSSIDs) can lead to beacon size bloating and poor client device performance if communication demands are not met.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a method to manage client device associations with VAPs by grouping them into multiple MBSSID sets, monitoring data traffic to determine communication demands, and steering devices to relevant MBSSID sets that can fulfill their requirements, thereby improving airtime efficiency and performance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If separate beacon frames are broadcast for each VAP, then client devices can connect to appropriate VAPs, but airtime efficiency degrades and connection quality worsens
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple VAP beacons into a single MBSSID beacon frame that contains information for multiple virtual access points. This merging approach improves airtime efficiency by reducing the total number of beacon transmissions while maintaining the ability for client devices to connect to appropriate VAPs through the consolidated beacon information.
Solution Approach 2:
The MBSSID beacon frame serves multiple functions simultaneously: it announces multiple VAPs, provides connection information for different service sets, and enables client devices to discover and connect to appropriate VAPs all through a single beacon transmission. This multi-functionality resolves the contradiction by making one beacon frame do the work of multiple separate beacons.
2Productivity
If MBSSID sets are used to improve airtime efficiency, then beacon transmission frequency increases, but beacon size bloats and client device performance deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the MBSSID beacon information into multiple groups or sets, where each MBSSID set contains information for a specific group of VAPs. This segmentation prevents beacon size bloat by organizing the information in a structured manner and allows for more efficient transmission and processing while maintaining airtime efficiency benefits.
3Ease of operation
If client devices are connected to VAPs without considering communication demands, then association is simple, but performance and QoS requirements are not met
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary actions by pre-configuring multiple MBSSID sets with different QoS parameters and characteristics before client devices need to connect. The access point monitors data traffic and determines communication demands in advance, then steers client devices to appropriate MBSSID sets that fulfill their requirements, maintaining both simplicity and performance.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements feedback mechanisms where the access point monitors data traffic corresponding to client devices and determines their communication demands. Based on this feedback, the system dynamically steers client devices to appropriate MBSSID sets, ensuring performance requirements are met while maintaining ease of operation through automated steering.
Data Source
AI summary
Examples described herein relate to a method for managing association of a client device with a virtual access point (VAP) hosted on an access point (AP). The method includes monitoring, by the AP, data traffic corresponding to the client device associated with a first VAP. The first VAP is mapped to a first Multiple Basic Service Set Identifier (MBSSID) set configured with a first quality of service (QoS) parameter. The AP also hosts a second VAP mapped to a second MBSSID set configured with a second QoS parameter. Further, the AP determines a communication demand of the client device based on the data traffic. Furthermore, the AP steers the client device to the second VAP based on the communication demand and the second QoS parameter, and communicates with the client device through the second VAP.