Wireless Network Steering via Selective Probe Response Timing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Users often experience confusion and device misconfiguration when multiple wireless networks are available, leading to unintended connections to guest networks instead of restricted networks, resulting in access errors and increased support cases.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a system where access points can intelligently steer authorized wireless clients to specific networks by withholding responses to probe requests until a triggering event is detected, such as authorization verification, to prioritize connections to preferred networks like restricted networks over non-preferred networks like guest networks.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If wireless clients cache network names and automatically select networks, then user convenience is improved, but network selection accuracy deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The access point performs preliminary actions by withholding probe responses until a triggering event occurs, thereby controlling the timing of network information disclosure to guide clients toward the preferred network before automatic selection logic takes over
Solution Approach 2:
The access point acts as an intermediary between the wireless client and the network, mediating the connection process by selectively responding to probe requests and controlling which network information is revealed to the client
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple wireless networks are available, then network coverage and flexibility are improved, but user confusion and misconfiguration increase
Solution Approach 1:
Different networks are given different local qualities through selective probe response transmission, where the preferred network receives priority response treatment while non-preferred networks are temporarily withheld, creating distinct connection experiences for each network type
3Speed
If clients automatically connect to cached networks, then reconnection speed is improved, but connection to intended network deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary authorization verification and triggers selective probe responses before the client's automatic reconnection logic executes, ensuring that even cached clients are directed to the preferred network first
Solution Approach 2:
The access point provides feedback to clients through selective probe response transmission, creating a signal that guides clients toward the preferred network while maintaining the appearance of normal network availability
Data Source
AI summary
Systems, methods, and computer-readable media for steering authorized wireless clients to preferred or restricted wireless networks. In some examples, an access point associated with a preferred wireless network and a non-preferred wireless network can receive one or more probe requests from a wireless client. The access point can withhold a response to the one or more probe requests from the wireless client until a probe response triggering event is detected. In response to detecting the probe response triggering event, the access point can steer the wireless client towards the wireless network by sending, to the wireless client, a first probe response associated with the preferred wireless network and withholding a second probe response associated with the non-preferred wireless network.