Wireless Network Control Plane Segregation for QoS
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional wireless networks face limitations in reliability, scalability, and quality of service due to shared medium access, leading to unpredictable access and decreased bandwidth as more mobile nodes connect, particularly in enterprise and carrier networks.
Innovation Solution
A wireless network architecture with control plane segregation, where multiple access points are coupled to a wired network and a controller maintains traffic information to enable cooperation among access points, allowing for advanced services like quality of service and traffic prioritization, and segregating control and data planes to improve efficiency and predictability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If multiple mobile nodes share a single wireless connection pathway to an access point, then the network structure remains simple, but the access predictability and quality of service deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the control plane from the data plane, creating separate communication pathways. Control messages between mobile nodes and access points traverse a dedicated control plane, while data traffic uses the data plane. This segmentation ensures that control signaling is not blocked by data traffic congestion, improving access predictability and QoS without significantly increasing overall network structural complexity.
2Adaptability or versatility
If more mobile nodes connect to an access point, then network coverage and connectivity improve, but the available bandwidth per node decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a new dimension to network communication by establishing separate control and data planes. This dimensional separation allows control plane messages to traverse independently of data plane traffic, effectively creating an additional communication layer. As a result, even as more nodes connect and data plane bandwidth per node decreases, control plane responsiveness and access predictability are maintained through the dedicated control pathway.
3Ease of manufacture
If a single wireless connection pathway is used for all communications, then the system remains simple to implement, but the quality of service and real-time performance deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements segmentation by dividing the communication pathway into distinct control plane and data plane channels. Control plane messages (authentication, resource allocation, QoS parameters) travel through one pathway while data traffic uses another. This segmentation can be implemented through protocol layering and routing rules rather than physically separate infrastructure, maintaining relative implementation simplicity while dramatically improving QoS and real-time performance through predictable control message delivery.
Data Source
AI summary
A wireless network having control plane segregation is described herein. In one embodiment, an exemplary network architecture includes, but is not limited to, multiple access points coupled to a wired network, where each of the access points is capable of communicating with one or more mobile nodes over a wireless network. The exemplary network architecture further includes a controller coupled to the access points over the wired network, where the controller maintains network traffic information of the wireless network and communicates the network traffic information with the access points to enable the access points to cooperate with each other to provide network services to the one or more mobile nodes over the wireless network. Other methods and apparatuses are also described.