Wireless Configuration Diagnosis Framework for WLAN
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Solution Overview
Problem
Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN) access points face challenges in maintaining backward compatibility with legacy client devices while supporting new protocols and features, leading to complex software testing and potential feature activation failures, which are difficult to detect and resolve manually.
Innovation Solution
A wireless configuration diagnosis framework is introduced, using a controller to create a reference footprint for frame exchanges between access points and client devices, allowing for automatic detection and notification of out-of-sync configurations, and enabling automatic or manual resolution of mismatches.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If access points support new protocols and features, then functionality and performance are improved, but software complexity and testing difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the software testing process into modular components: creating test scenarios, executing frame exchanges, capturing traces, and analyzing results. This modular approach makes the complex testing process manageable and systematic, allowing access points to support multiple protocols and features without overwhelming software complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements preliminary action by pre-defining choreographies (test scenarios) and reference footprints (expected outcomes) before actual testing. This preparation work is done in advance, allowing the system to automatically detect deviations without requiring complex real-time analysis during operation.
2Reliability
If manual testing is used to ensure compatibility, then configuration errors can be detected, but time consumption and resource requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements self-service by enabling the access point to automatically perform testing and self-diagnosis. The system autonomously executes frame exchanges, captures traces, compares outcomes against reference footprints, and identifies configuration errors without requiring manual intervention, thereby maintaining high reliability while dramatically reducing testing time.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent establishes a feedback mechanism where test results are automatically compared against expected outcomes, and configuration errors are immediately identified and reported. This closed-loop feedback system ensures reliable error detection while eliminating the time-consuming nature of manual testing through automated analysis.
3Adaptability or versatility
If comprehensive testing is performed for all client devices, then compatibility is improved, but testing complexity and duration increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies partial action by focusing testing efforts on specific choreographies (frame exchange sequences) and critical information elements rather than attempting to test every possible client device configuration. This targeted approach ensures backward compatibility is verified for essential functions while maintaining high testing efficiency.
Data Source
AI summary
Wireless configuration diagnosis framework may be provided. A label for a choreography comprising a sequence of frames to be exchanged between a first access point and a first client device may be created by a controller. A reference footprint for the choreography may be created. The reference footprint may comprise, for each frame of the sequence of frames, a frame type, an information element for the frame type, and a bit value for the information element. The reference footprint may be sent to the first access point. A plurality of frames exchanged between the first access point and the first client device associated with the choreography and an outcome for the choreography may be received from the first access point in response to the choreography being triggered.