Wireless Repeater MAC Virtualization for Accurate Device Identification
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Solution Overview
Problem
In telecommunications networks, the use of wireless repeaters virtualizing MAC addresses leads to inconsistent and inaccurate data collection, as devices connected directly and indirectly through repeaters are identified with different MAC addresses, causing inferior analysis and incorrect assessment of signal strength.
Innovation Solution
A method to process records by determining the Network Interface Controller (NIC) value and Organisationally Unique Identifier (OUI) of MAC addresses, assigning a unique identifier to each record, and analyzing these to correctly identify user devices and repeaters, ensuring accurate data collection and network configuration.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a wireless repeater virtualizes the MAC address of a user device, then the repeater can manage device connections and extend network coverage, but the MAC address reported to the CPE becomes inconsistent (virtualized instead of actual), leading to inferior analysis and inability to identify all records related to the device
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an Auto-Configuration Server (ACS) as an intermediary between the CPE and the repeater/device. The ACS collects datasets from the CPE, processes the MAC addresses to distinguish virtualized from actual addresses, and performs unified analysis. This intermediary layer resolves the information loss by adding intelligence to the data collection and analysis process, enabling accurate device identification despite MAC address virtualization.
2Ease of operation
If a repeater modifies dataset values such as RSSI to represent repeater signal strength, then the CPE can monitor repeater performance, but the original device signal strength information is lost, resulting in incorrect assessment of signal strength at the device
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the signal strength monitoring function into two distinct parts: the repeater's signal strength (monitored by CPE for network management) and the device's signal strength (needed for quality assessment). By separating these measurements and tracking them independently through the dataset processing, the system can maintain both monitoring capabilities without one compromising the accuracy of the other.
3Productivity
If the ACS collects datasets periodically from the CPE using TR-69 protocol, then the operator can analyze network status and identify faults, but the analysis becomes inferior when MAC addresses are virtualized by repeaters, as the operator cannot identify all records related to a single device
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the ACS analyzes the collected datasets, identifies virtualized MAC addresses, and uses this analysis to improve future data collection and device identification. The system learns from the patterns in the data (such as multiple MAC addresses corresponding to a single device) and adjusts its analysis accordingly, enabling more accurate fault identification and device tracking over time.
Data Source
AI summary
This invention provides a method of operating a wireless local area network, the wireless local area network including a user device, a wireless access point and a wireless repeater, wherein the wireless repeater is configured to virtualise a Media Access Control, MAC, address of the user device when the user device is connected to the wireless repeater by changing the Organisationally Unique Identifier, OUI, of the MAC address, the method comprising the steps of: obtaining data including a plurality of records, wherein each record of the plurality of records relates to the user device and includes a MAC address and a device label of the user device, wherein at least one record of the plurality of records includes a MAC address that has been virtualised by the wireless repeater; processing each record of the plurality of records by: determining that the MAC address of the processed record is a local MAC address, and, if so, identifying another record of the plurality of records that is uniquely associated with the user device based on the MAC address of the processed record by determining a Network Interface Controller, NIC, value of the MAC address of the processed record, determining that the determined NIC value is uniquely associated with a device label in the plurality of records, and identifying another record of the plurality of records having the associated device label, and assigning a unique identifier to the processed record based on the MAC address of the identified other record of the plurality of records; analysing the plurality of records having the unique device identifier; and causing a reconfiguration in the wireless local area network based on the analysis.