Load balancing in data transfer networks
First Claim
1. A network comprising a plurality of access nodes, each said access node comprising a transceiver and being connected to a common communication control means for controlling access to said access node, and at least one host also comprising a transceiver wherein said at least one host and said access nodes are arranged to communicate with each other by a plurality of wireless links via respective said transceivers and each wireless link originating from one of said access nodes, said wireless links imposing a load onto said access nodes from which said link originates and said communication control means being arranged to monitor said load on each of said access nodes and to control which of said access nodes is used for each of said wireless links so as to control the distribution of said loads between said access nodes, wherein said communication control means is capable of switching at least one of said plurality of said links from one said access node to another said access node.
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Abstract
A data transfer network comprises a plurality of access nodes 14, 15, 16 connected to a server 12 which includes a network controller 13. A number of hosts 20, 21, 22 are arranged to communicate with the access nodes 14, 15, 16 by means of respective wireless links. The network controller 13 is arranged to monitor the load on each of the access nodes 14, 15, 16 and to control which of the access nodes is used for each of the wireless links so as to control the distribution of loads between the access nodes.
49 Citations
26 Claims
- 1. A network comprising a plurality of access nodes, each said access node comprising a transceiver and being connected to a common communication control means for controlling access to said access node, and at least one host also comprising a transceiver wherein said at least one host and said access nodes are arranged to communicate with each other by a plurality of wireless links via respective said transceivers and each wireless link originating from one of said access nodes, said wireless links imposing a load onto said access nodes from which said link originates and said communication control means being arranged to monitor said load on each of said access nodes and to control which of said access nodes is used for each of said wireless links so as to control the distribution of said loads between said access nodes, wherein said communication control means is capable of switching at least one of said plurality of said links from one said access node to another said access node.
- 8. A controller for a network which comprises a plurality of access nodes and at least one host wherein said at least one host and said access nodes each comprise a transceiver and are arranged to communicate with each other by means of a plurality of wireless links via said transceivers, each wireless link imposing a load on an access node, said controller being arranged to monitor said load on each of said access nodes and to control which of said access nodes is used for each of said links so as to control the distribution of said loads between said access nodes wherein said controller is capable of switching at least one of said plurality of said links from one said access node to another said access node.
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14. A method of controlling the operation of a network which comprises a plurality of access nodes and at least one host, both of said access nodes and said host comprising a communication means wherein said at least one host and said access nodes are arranged to communicate with each other by means of a plurality of wireless links via said communication means, the method comprising the steps of:
- monitoring the load imposed onto each of said access nodes from which a said wireless link originates and controlling which of said access nodes is used by each of said hosts so as to control the distribution of said loads between said access nodes.
- View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 21)
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20. A computer readable memory device encoded with a data structure for controlling the operation of a network which comprises a plurality of access nodes and at least one host which is arranged to communicate by means of a plurality of wireless links with each of said access nodes, the data structure being arranged to cause a controller to monitor the load on each of said access nodes and to control which of said access nodes is used for each of said wireless links so as to control the distribution of loads between said access nodes wherein said data structure is capable of causing said controller to switch at least one of said plurality of said links from one said access node to another said access node.
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23. A network comprising a plurality of access nodes each access node comprising a transceiver and being connected to a common controller, and at least one host also comprising a transceiver wherein said at least one host and said access nodes are arranged to communicate with each other by means of a plurality of wireless links via respective said transceivers, said wireless links imposing a load onto said access nodes from which said link originates and said common controller being arranged to monitor said load on each of said access nodes and to control which of said access nodes is used for each of said wireless links so as to control the distribution of said loads between said access nodes, wherein said communication control means is capable of switching at least one of said plurality of said links from one said access node to another said access node.
- 24. A communication control means for controlling communications associated with a hub for a wireless network for a network which comprises a plurality of said hubs and at least one processing means capable of wirelessly communicating with said hubs wherein said at least one processing means and said hubs each comprise a communication means for sending and receiving signals and are arranged to communicate with each other by means of a plurality of wireless links via said communication means, each wireless link imposing a load on one of said hubs, said communication control means being arranged to monitor said load on each of said hubs and to control which of said hubs is used for each of said wireless links so as to control the distribution of said loads between said hubs wherein said communication control means is capable of switching at least one of said plurality of said links from one said hub to another said hub.
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26. A controller for a network which comprises a plurality of access nodes and at least one host wherein said at least one host and said access nodes each comprise a transceiver and are arranged to communicate with each other by means of a plurality of wireless links via said transceivers, each wireless link imposing a load on one of said access nodes, said controller being arranged to monitor said load on each of said access nodes and to control which of said access nodes is used for each of said links so as to control the distribution of said loads between said access nodes'"'"' wherein said controller is capable of switching at least one of said plurality of said links from one said access node to another said access node;
- wherein said controller determines whether to switch said link within an application layer of said controller.
Specification