Wireless Switch Cluster Management for Resilient WLAN Administration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current wireless local area network (WLAN) systems with centralized intelligent switches are vulnerable to malfunctions, leading to network disruptions, and existing cluster management techniques are cumbersome to configure and administer due to the need for frequent configurations across multiple machines within a cluster.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a cluster-based management scheme where multiple wireless switches share a common identifier and can act as 'master nodes' for processing commands and gathering monitoring data, allowing centralized configuration and monitoring from a single administrative node, with no single node designated as a permanent master, enhancing efficiency and convenience.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a single centralized wireless switch is used to control all access points, then centralized administration and simplified configuration is achieved, but network reliability deteriorates because switch malfunctions or power failures can render the entire wireless network unavailable
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the centralized switch into multiple nodes within a cluster, where each node can independently manage access points. This segmentation allows the system to maintain functionality even if one node fails, resolving the contradiction between centralized administration and network reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces dynamic role assignment where nodes can switch between master and slave roles based on operational status. This parameter change enables the system to adapt to node failures while maintaining centralized management capabilities, thus improving both reliability and ease of operation.
2Reliability
If multiple switches are deployed in clusters to improve reliability, then network availability is improved, but device complexity and administrative burden increase due to the need to configure multiple machines
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the management functions of multiple switches into a unified cluster management system. By combining configuration and monitoring operations across all nodes through a single interface, the patent reduces administrative complexity while maintaining the reliability benefits of multiple switches.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a universal management interface that can control any node in the cluster regardless of its specific role or configuration. This multi-functional approach simplifies administration by allowing a single management system to handle all cluster nodes uniformly, reducing the complexity of managing multiple machines.
3Ease of operation
If a permanent master node is designated in the cluster, then command processing is simplified, but system flexibility and adaptability are reduced because no other node can assume master responsibilities
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic role assignment where master and slave roles are not fixed but can change based on operational conditions. This dynamic approach maintains ease of command processing while enabling any node to assume master responsibilities when needed, thus improving adaptability and versatility.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses parameter changes to switch between different operational modes (master/slave roles). By changing the operational state parameter of nodes dynamically, the system can simplify command processing when needed while maintaining flexibility and adaptability when role changes are required.
Data Source
AI summary
Wireless switch are monitored or configured on a cluster basis rather than being limited to configuration on an individual switches. A switch cluster is made up of two or more wireless switches that share a cluster number or other identifier. A command is received from a user interface module at a first node in the cluster, and an instruction related to the command is transmitted from the first node to the other nodes in the cluster. After receiving responses from at least some of the other nodes in the cluster as to the effect of the instruction, the first node provides an updated response to the administrator. The administrator is therefore able to configure or monitor each of the nodes in the cluster from a single administrative node.