WLAN Controller CPU Load Reduction via AP Association Segmentation
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
In high-density WLAN scenarios, a large number of mobile terminals requesting access concurrently overloads the WLAN controller's CPU, leading to prolonged waiting times for access.
Innovation Solution
The method involves APs receiving association requests, temporarily storing data frames, and sending combined association query requests to the WLAN controller only when specific thresholds of request quantity or duration are met, allowing the controller to manage associations efficiently and reduce network load by disassociating STAs when necessary.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the WLAN controller centrally processes all association requests from STAs to APs, then configuration management is simplified, but the controller's CPU load increases and processing capability is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the association processing function into two parts: the AP handles the association request locally and performs preliminary authentication, while the WLAN controller only performs final authorization. This segmentation reduces the processing burden on the controller while maintaining centralized management capabilities.
Solution Approach 2:
The AP performs preliminary authentication and association processing before forwarding the request to the WLAN controller. This preliminary action filters out invalid requests early and reduces the workload on the controller, allowing it to focus only on final authorization decisions.
2Reliability
If the WLAN controller processes a large quantity of concurrent association requests, then all STAs can be managed centrally, but the CPU load limitation causes long waiting times for access
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting the processing workload between AP and controller, the patent enables parallel processing where the AP handles time-consuming authentication tasks locally while the controller handles authorization, significantly reducing waiting times while maintaining centralized management.
Solution Approach 2:
The AP acts as an intermediary that handles the time-consuming authentication and association tasks before presenting the processed request to the controller. This intermediary role reduces the time the controller needs to spend on each request while maintaining centralized control.
3Reliability
If the AP sends association query requests to the WLAN controller for each STA, then authorization is ensured, but the network load increases and processing efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple association query requests into a single batched request sent to the WLAN controller. The AP collects multiple STA authorization requests and combines them into one communication transaction, reducing network load and improving processing efficiency while ensuring each STA is properly authorized.
Data Source
Figure 1~2A
Figure 2B~2D
Figure 3~4
AI summary
A method, an apparatus, and a system for enhancing a concurrent processing capability of a wireless local area network (WLAN) are disclosed. The method includes: receiving a first association request including an identifier of a first STA that is sent by the first STA; performing association with the first STA; sending a first association query request including the identifier of the first STA to a WLAN controller; after the first STA is associated, receiving an association query response returned by the WLAN controller; and performing disassociation from the first STA when the association query response is used to instruct an AP not to associate with the first STA. The present invention resolves a problem that a large quantity of mobile terminals cannot be successfully associated with an AP due to a limitation on CPU load of a WLAN controller when a large quantity of association events need to be concurrently processed. When a large quantity of association events need to be concurrently processed, a STA is associated with at first, improving user experience.