Self-configurable wireless local area network node

• US 20060227726A1
• Filed: 12/29/2005
• Published: 10/12/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 04/11/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Interdigital Technology Corporation (InterDigital, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Interdigital Technology Corporation (InterDigital, Inc.)
• Inventors: Rahman, Shamim Akbar, Zuniga, Juan Carlos, Rudolf, Marian
• Granted Patent: US 7,613,119 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 370/254
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 69/24 Negotiation of communication capabilities
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 24/02 Arrangements for optimising operational condition
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 88/08 Access point devices
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 88/12 Access point controller devices
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 92/12 between access points and access point controllers

Abstract

In a wireless local area network including an access controller (AC) and an access points (AP), the AC transmits a functionality inquiry to the AP. Upon receiving the inquiry, the AP transmits a query response including the functional capabilities of the AP. The AC then generates a map of the functional capabilities present in the network based on the inquiry response. Conflicting or redundant functional capabilities are identified and are disabled, enabled, or reconfigured by instructions from the AC. The AC may selectively enable and/or disable functional capabilities at nodes in the network to provide a more balanced load on the network, and to provide for load sharing by allocating functionalities between and among network nodes having common functional capabilities to satisfy a variety of situations encountered in the network.

Claims

1. A method for configuring nodes in a wireless local area network including an access controller (AC) and an access point (AP), the method comprising the steps of:

sending a functionality inquiry from the AC to the AP;

responding to the functionality inquiry by the AP, the response including functional capabilities of the AP;

mapping the functional capabilities of the AP at the AC;

determining whether a capability conflict exists between the capabilities of the AP and the capabilities of the AC, wherein a conflict can include redundant capabilities between the AP and the AC; and

resolving the capability conflict.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the mapping step includes storing the capabilities of the AP at the AC.

3. The method according to claim 1, wherein the resolving step includes disabling conflicting or redundant capabilities at the AP.

4. The method according to claim 3, wherein the disabling step includes sending a capabilities disable message from the AC to the AP.

5. The method according to claim 4, further comprising the step of:

sending an acknowledgement from the AP to the AC upon successfully disabling the conflicting capabilities.

6. The method according to claim 1, wherein the resolving step includes reconfiguring conflicting or redundant capabilities at the AP.

7. The method according to claim 6, wherein the reconfiguring step includes sending a capabilities reconfiguration message from the AC to the AP.

8. The method according to claim 7, further comprising the step of:

sending an acknowledgement from the AP to the AC upon successfully reconfiguring the conflicting capabilities.

9. The method according to claim 1, wherein if the AP does not respond functionality inquiry, the AC maps the AP capabilities as if the AP had all possible capabilities.

10. The method according to claim 9, further comprising the steps of:

setting a timer, the timer being sent when the functionality inquiry is sent;

determining whether the timer has expired; and

mapping the AP capabilities as if the AP had all possible capabilities, the mapping being performed after the timer expires.

11. The method according to claim 9, further comprising the step of:

halting support of services to the AP.

12. An access controller (AC) for configuring nodes in a wireless local area network, comprising:

a transmitter/receiver;

an inquiry device in communication with said transmitter/receiver, said inquiry device configured to send functionality inquiry messages to an access point (AP) in the network;

a capability mapping device in communication with said transmitter/receiver, said capability mapping device configured to receive functionality inquiry reply messages from the AP and to map the functionality capabilities of the AP; and

a capability evaluating device in communication with said capability mapping device, said capability evaluating device configured to determine if any functionality capability conflicts exist between the AP and the AC.

13. The AC according to claim 12, wherein said capability evaluating device is in communication with said transmitter/receiver and is further configured to send capability disabling or reconfiguring messages to the AP.

14. The AC according to claim 12, further comprising:

a timer in communication with said inquiry device and said capability mapping device, said timer being started when said inquiry device sends a functionality inquiry message, said timer being configured to alert said capability mapping device when said timer expires.

15. The AC according to claim 14, wherein said capability mapping device, upon receiving the alert from said timer, is configured to determine if the reply message has been received from the AP and if no reply message has been received, said capability mapping device is further configured to map the AP capabilities as if the AP had all possible capabilities.