Virtual Network Manager for Seamless Mobile Roaming
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing wireless communication systems fail to provide flexible and customizable network connection services to roaming mobile users within a wireless LAN without the need for client software installation on mobile units.
Innovation Solution
A wireless network architecture that includes a virtual network manager to maintain a configuration record of active access controllers and establish tunneling data communication connections between home and foreign access controllers, allowing continuous communication for mobile units without software installation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If mobile IP communication is used to allow mobile units to connect to different access controllers, then mobile unit roaming and continuous connection are enabled, but client software must be installed on mobile units
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a network controller as an intermediary device that manages mobile unit connections and coordinates communication between access controllers. The network controller maintains mobility information and establishes tunnel connections, allowing mobile units to roam without requiring client software. The intermediary handles the complexity of mobility management centrally rather than requiring distributed client software on each mobile unit.
2Adaptability or versatility
If virtual networking services are provided with centralized session control, then flexible service policies can be applied, but network complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the network architecture into distinct functional components: access controllers that handle local wireless access, a network controller that manages mobility and session information, and virtual networking services that provide policy-based services. This segmentation allows flexible service policies to be applied at the virtual networking layer without overwhelming complexity in the underlying infrastructure. Each component has a specific responsibility, reducing overall system complexity while maintaining service flexibility.
3Reliability
If tunneling connections are established between access controllers, then continuous communication during roaming is achieved, but data communication overhead increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent establishes tunnel connections between access controllers in advance, before mobile units actually need to roam. The network controller pre-configures these tunnel paths and maintains mobility information proactively. When a mobile unit roams, the tunnel is already in place, eliminating the need for real-time connection establishment and reducing communication overhead during the actual roaming event.
Data Source
AI summary
A wireless network and associated method for providing continuous communication service for a mobile unit as it roams within a virtual wireless network. The virtual network includes home and foreign access controllers and a virtual network manager (VN manager). The VN manager is used to maintain a VN configuration record that includes all active access controllers within virtual network and to disseminate said VN configuration record to all active access controllers. A tunneling data communication connection is established between all active access controllers including home and foreign access controllers. When a mobile unit first connects to home access controller and then roams to foreign access controller, communication data is transmitted between the mobile unit and the foreign access controller to provide continuous data communication on the basis of the characteristics defined by the virtual networking services while simultaneously preserving the IP configuration of mobile unit on the network.