WLAN Controller Distributed Discovery Across Layer 3 Boundaries
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current wireless network architectures restrict WLAN controllers to a single layer 2 network, limiting dynamic discovery across layer 2 and layer 3 network boundaries, and lack a scalable mechanism for dynamic adoption of access points, hindering the formation of flexible distributed wireless networks.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a wireless distributed network architecture that allows WLAN controllers to discover and register with seed controllers across layer 2 and layer 3 boundaries, synchronizing wireless device information and dynamically updating access point lists to facilitate seamless roaming and AP adoption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If WLAN controllers are restricted to a single layer 2 network, then discovery mechanisms can use simple layer 2 broadcast protocols, but the network architecture lacks flexibility and cannot support distributed wireless networks across layer 3 boundaries
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces seed WLAN controllers as intermediary nodes that receive layer 3 unicast messages from configuration servers, extract controller information, and distribute it to other WLAN controllers via layer 2 broadcast. This intermediary mechanism enables distributed network discovery across layer 3 boundaries while maintaining simple broadcast-based discovery protocols at the implementation level.
2Adaptability or versatility
If WLAN controllers are distributed across multiple layer 2 and layer 3 networks, then network flexibility and scalability improve, but dynamic discovery across network boundaries becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary action by having seed WLAN controllers pre-process configuration server messages to extract and prepare controller information before distribution. This preliminary processing enables other WLAN controllers to quickly discover and register with appropriate controllers without complex real-time discovery protocols across layer 3 boundaries.
3Ease of operation
If a centralized configuration server provides a global list of WLAN controllers, then controller information is readily available, but access points cannot dynamically select the most appropriate controller for adoption
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by modifying the global controller list locally at each WLAN controller to reflect its specific network position and connectivity. Controllers insert their own addresses and re-prioritize the list based on local network conditions, enabling access points to dynamically select the most appropriate controller for adoption based on local network topology and performance considerations.
Data Source
AI summary
WLAN controllers in a same mobility domain are able to dynamically discover other WLAN controllers in the same mobility domain across one or more layer 2 or layer 3 network boundaries. A WLAN controller in the mobility domain determines an address of at least one seed WLAN controller in the mobility domain from a configuration server. The WLAN controller registers with the at least one seed WLAN controller in the mobility domain and receives information for other WLAN controllers in the mobility domain from the at least one seed WLAN controller. The WLAN controller also receives synchronized wireless device information that allows a wireless device to roam from one AP adopted by the WLAN controller in a first access network to another AP adopted by another WLAN controller in a second different access network in the same mobility domain.