WiFi-7 AP Live Upgrade via MLO Link Transfer
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional methods for live software upgrading of Access Points (APs) in Wi-Fi 7 often cause connection issues due to the inability of clients without specific protocols to disconnect and roam to neighbor APs, leading to forced disconnections and subsequent connectivity problems.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of Multi-Link Operation (MLO) in Wi-Fi 7, where the MLD UMAC is moved to an external location and MLD LMAC is temporarily transferred to neighbor APs during the upgrade, allowing seamless client roaming and maintaining connectivity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional live upgrading methods are used for Access Points, then the AP can be upgraded without full downtime, but connection issues occur and client roaming is disrupted
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the upgrading AP's functionality by separating the MAC sublayer (handled by neighbor APs) from the upper protocol layers (handled by controller). This allows the AP to be upgraded while clients seamlessly roam to neighbor APs that temporarily assume the upgrading AP's MAC sublayer responsibilities, eliminating connection disruptions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces neighbor APs as intermediaries that temporarily assume the MAC sublayer responsibilities of the upgrading AP. These neighbor APs act as mediators between clients and the upgrading AP during the upgrade process, allowing clients to maintain connections without direct interaction with the upgrading AP's upper layers.
2Ease of manufacture
If the AP is taken offline for upgrading, then software can be updated, but network service is interrupted
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary actions by having neighbor APs assume the MAC sublayer responsibilities of the upgrading AP before the actual upgrade begins. This preparation ensures that when the AP is taken offline for upgrading, clients have already been redirected to neighbor APs, maintaining service continuity without interruption.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent ensures continuity of useful action by maintaining network service through neighbor APs that temporarily handle client connections during the upgrade. The upgrading AP's MAC sublayer functionality continues to operate through neighbor APs, allowing software updates to proceed without interrupting network productivity.
3Productivity
If clients are forced to disconnect during AP upgrade, then the upgrade can proceed, but connection issues and roaming problems occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses neighbor APs as intermediaries that clients connect to during the upgrade process. Instead of forcing clients to disconnect, the neighbor APs seamlessly assume client connections, allowing the upgrade to proceed while clients maintain stable connections through the intermediary neighbor APs.
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods are provided for performing live upgrading of Access Points (APs) in WiFi-7. A method of upgrading an AP having Multi-Link Operation (MLO) and a Multi-Link Device (MLD) comprising a UMAC sublayer (MLD UMAC) and an LMAC sublayer (MLD LMAC), includes determining whether the MLD is in tunnel mode, and when the MLD is not in tunnel mode, switching the MLD to tunnel mode. Contents of the MLD UMAC are transferred to a controller; and contents of the MLD LMAC, comprising one or more MLD links, are transferred to one or more neighbor APs. Live upgrade of the upgrading AP is performed, after which the upgrading AP is rebooted. The MLD links previously transferred to the one or more neighbor APs are transferred back to the upgraded AP, and the contents of the MLD UMAC are copied from the controller to the UMAC of the upgraded AP.