Wireless AP Backhaul Throughput via Dynamic MLAG
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Solution Overview
Problem
Wireless network systems, particularly those using IEEE 802.11ac wave 2, often face throughput limitations due to the 1 Gbps Ethernet backhaul constraint, leading to congestion issues, which are costly to address with additional wired connections or expensive upgrades like 2.5G Ethernet links.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a dynamic multi-chassis link aggregation (MLAG) method that uses both wired and wireless backhaul paths to distribute traffic, allowing wireless APs to temporarily connect with neighboring APs on the 2.4 GHz band to augment backhaul throughput beyond the 1 Gbps limit, thereby sharing wired links and reducing congestion.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If additional wired bandwidth is provided to each AP to increase backhaul throughput, then backhaul throughput is improved, but cost and device complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines wired Ethernet backhaul and wireless backhaul into a unified multi-chassis link aggregation system. The wireless AP aggregates multiple backhaul paths (wired Ethernet port and wireless connection to neighboring AP) into a single logical interface, merging different transmission media and protocols into one cohesive backhaul solution that achieves up to 1.45 Gbps throughput without requiring multiple separate wired connections to each AP.
Solution Approach 2:
The wireless AP is designed to perform multiple functions: it serves as a traditional wired Ethernet backhaul endpoint while simultaneously acting as a wireless client to neighboring APs. This multi-functionality allows the same device to adapt its backhaul configuration dynamically, using wired connections when available and wireless connections when needed, thereby resolving the contradiction between throughput requirements and wired connection complexity.
2Speed
If 2.5G Ethernet link is implemented to increase backhaul throughput, then backhaul throughput is improved, but cost increases due to expensive Phy circuits
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs cost-effective 1 Gbps Ethernet Phy circuits instead of expensive 2.5G Ethernet Phy circuits. By using multiple affordable 1 Gbps wired connections aggregated with wireless backhaul, the system achieves 1.45 Gbps throughput at a lower cost than deploying 2.5G Ethernet hardware, effectively replacing expensive high-speed wired infrastructure with a hybrid approach using cheaper components.
3Speed
If wireless AP connects to multiple neighboring APs wirelessly to increase throughput, then backhaul throughput is improved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The wireless controller acts as an intermediary that manages the complex multi-chassis link aggregation relationships. It handles the dynamic configuration, traffic distribution, and coordination between the wireless AP and its neighboring APs, abstracting the complexity from the individual APs. This centralized management enables the system to achieve high throughput through multiple wireless connections while keeping individual device complexity manageable.
4Productivity
If dynamic traffic distribution across wired and wireless paths is implemented, then network efficiency is improved, but control complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic traffic distribution where the wireless AP can flexibly adjust its backhaul configuration based on real-time network conditions. The system dynamically selects and aggregates available backhaul paths (wired or wireless) according to current throughput requirements and link availability, enabling adaptive optimization of network efficiency while the wireless controller manages the control complexity of these dynamic adjustments.
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates generally to an information handling system. Aspects of the present invention include a mitigation of a wired backhaul limitation with a single Ethernet on a wireless access point (AP). In embodiments, a wireless controller can monitor the wired traffic on a plurality of wireless access points. In embodiments, the wireless controller can distribute traffic across a plurality of wireless access points, when a wireless access point is going to approach its wired backhaul limitation, by setting up a temporary wireless connection between AP's. Thus, more than one wireless access point can share the wired backhaul load of other AP's and mitigate its wired backhaul limitation.