Wireless Network Controller Load Balancing via Seed AP Selection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional wireless network controllers lack the ability to dynamically manage load balancing and consider existing access point (AP) neighbor relationships when allowing new APs to join, leading to inefficient Radio Resource Management (RRM) and increased inter-controller roaming traffic.
Innovation Solution
The method involves selecting 'seed' APs to join designated wireless network controllers first, with remaining APs associating with these seed APs based on RF neighbor relationships, allowing for dynamic load balancing and grouping of APs with RF relationships on the same controller, thereby maintaining balanced controller loads and improving RRM efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional wireless network controllers reject APs when fully loaded without considering neighbor relationships, then controller load is managed, but RRM efficiency deteriorates and inter-controller roaming traffic increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by having seed APs join their designated controllers before remaining APs join. This pre-establishment of seed APs creates initial load distribution and neighbor relationship mappings that guide subsequent AP joins, preventing inefficient controller assignments before they occur and maintaining both load balance and RRM efficiency
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses seed APs as intermediaries between remaining APs and controllers. Seed APs establish initial connections and neighbor relationships that serve as mediators for guiding other APs to appropriate controllers, reducing direct controller-to-controller communication overhead and improving RRM efficiency
2Ease of operation
If APs join controllers without considering RF neighbor relationships, then controller assignment is simplified, but inter-controller roaming traffic increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary establishment of seed APs with their designated controllers before remaining APs join. This pre-configured seed network creates initial RF neighbor relationship mappings that guide subsequent AP assignments, ensuring that APs with RF relationships are grouped together on the same controller without complex real-time calculations
Solution Approach 2:
Seed APs serve as intermediaries that establish RF neighbor relationship mappings between controllers. These seed APs mediate the assignment process by providing pre-established relationship information that guides remaining APs to appropriate controllers, reducing inter-controller roaming traffic while maintaining simple assignment procedures
3Productivity
If seed APs are selected and assigned to controllers before remaining APs join, then load balancing is achieved, but joining process complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the AP population into two distinct groups: seed APs and remaining APs. Seed APs are selected and assigned to controllers first to establish initial load distribution and neighbor relationships. This segmentation simplifies the overall process by creating a structured two-phase joining approach rather than attempting to manage all APs simultaneously
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements preliminary selection and assignment of seed APs before remaining APs join the network. This pre-establishment phase creates a foundation of load-balanced controller assignments and RF neighbor relationship mappings that guide subsequent AP joins, achieving load balancing through a structured preliminary phase rather than complex real-time adjustments
Data Source
AI summary
In one embodiment, a method includes selecting at a network device, seed access points from a plurality of access points and assigning each of the seed access points to a wireless network controller. The seed access points join the assigned wireless network controllers before the remaining access points join the wireless network controllers. Each of the remaining access points is associated with one of the seed access points and joins the same wireless network controller as the seed access point. An apparatus and logic are also disclosed herein.