UPGRADING MESH ACCESS POINTS IN A WIRELESS MESH NETWORK
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A method comprising:
- accepting new software for a controller of a wireless mesh network, the mesh network comprising a root access point and other mesh points, including one or more mesh access points, the root access point and the mesh points coupled by a wireless backhaul network, the root access point coupled to an active controller that controls the root access point and mesh access points, and to a standby controller capable of controlling the root access point and mesh access points;
updating one of the controllers with the accepted software while the other controller controls the root access point and mesh access points;
switching the root access points and the mesh access points of the mesh network to the updated controller; and
updating the non-updated controller with the accepted software while the updated controller controls the root access point and mesh access points.
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Abstract
A method, system, and logic for upgrading mesh points of a wireless mesh network. One method includes maintaining a mesh topology data structure containing information on the tree topology of a wireless mesh network. The method further includes using a tree-walking method to send an upgrade message to the root access point and to each other mesh point in the wireless mesh network until each mesh point has received the upgrade message. Receiving the upgrade message enables the receiving mesh point to upgrade according to the contents of the upgrade message without necessarily disrupting the mesh network.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. A method comprising:
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accepting new software for a controller of a wireless mesh network, the mesh network comprising a root access point and other mesh points, including one or more mesh access points, the root access point and the mesh points coupled by a wireless backhaul network, the root access point coupled to an active controller that controls the root access point and mesh access points, and to a standby controller capable of controlling the root access point and mesh access points; updating one of the controllers with the accepted software while the other controller controls the root access point and mesh access points; switching the root access points and the mesh access points of the mesh network to the updated controller; and updating the non-updated controller with the accepted software while the updated controller controls the root access point and mesh access points. - View Dependent Claims (2)
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3. A method comprising:
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maintaining a mesh topology data structure containing information on a tree topology of a wireless mesh network comprising mesh points, including a root access point and one or more other mesh points including at least one mesh access point, the root access point forming the root of the tree topology; and using a tree-walking method to send an upgrade message to the root access point and to each other mesh point in the wireless mesh network until each mesh point has received the upgrade message, wherein receiving the upgrade message enables the receiving mesh point to upgrade according to the contents of the upgrade message without necessarily disrupting the mesh network. - View Dependent Claims (4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A method comprising:
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sending an upgrade message to upgrade mesh points of a wireless mesh network, the mesh network comprising a root access point and one or more other mesh points including at least one mesh access point, the sending comprising sending the upgrade message to the root access point, wherein the upgrade message to a mesh point includes a configuration upgrade message comprising one or more configuration parameters for the mesh point including one or more of channel change information, a power setting information, and/or data rate information, and wherein the root access point is operable to send one or more action messages to each intended mesh point comprising the corresponding new configuration parameter or parameters, the sending of the action messages as a result of the root access point receiving the configuration upgrade message, and wherein receiving the action message or messages enables the receiving mesh point to upgrade its configuration according to the contents of the configuration upgrade message without necessarily disrupting the mesh network. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14)
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15. Logic encoded in one or more tangible media for execution, and when executed operable to:
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maintain a mesh topology data structure containing information on a tree topology of a wireless mesh network comprising mesh points, including a root access point and one or more other mesh points including at least one mesh access point, the root access point forming the root of the tree topology; and use a tree-walking method to send an upgrade message to the root access point and to each other mesh point in the wireless mesh network until each mesh point has received the upgrade message, wherein receiving the upgrade message enables the receiving mesh point to upgrade according to the contents of the upgrade message without necessarily disrupting the mesh network.
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16. A system comprising:
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a controller; a root access point coupled to the controller; and one or more other mesh points, including at least one mesh access point wirelessly coupled via a wireless mesh network to the root access point, the root access point and other mesh points forming a tree topology of mesh points in which the root access point is the root of the tree topology, the controller being operative to control operation of the wireless mesh network, wherein the controller is further operative to maintain a mesh topology data structure containing information on the tree topology, and wherein the controller is further operative to initiate an upgrade of the mesh points, comprising using a tree-walking method to send an upgrade message to the root access point and to each mesh point in the wireless mesh network until each mesh point has received the upgrade message, and wherein receiving the upgrade message enables the receiving mesh point to upgrade according to the contents of the upgrade message without necessarily disrupting the mesh network. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19)
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20. A system comprising:
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a controller; a root access point coupled to the controller; and one or more other mesh points, including at least one mesh access point wirelessly coupled via a wireless mesh network to the root access point, the root access point and other mesh points forming a tree topology of mesh points in which the root access point is the root of the tree topology, the controller being operative to control operation of the wireless mesh network, wherein sending the controller is further operative to send a configuration upgrade message to the root access point, the configuration upgrade message comprising one or more configuration parameters for the mesh points of the mesh network, wherein the root access point is operative to respond to receiving the configuration upgrade message, including upgrading according to the configuration parameters, sending an acknowledgement message to the controller, sending one or more action messages containing the one or more configuration parameters to each of its directly connected mesh points, waiting for acknowledgements from other mesh points of the mesh network, and sending an acknowledgement message to the controller corresponding to the received acknowledgements, wherein each other mesh point is operative to respond to receiving the action messages, including; upgrading according to the configuration parameters, sending an acknowledgement to its immediate parent in the tree topology, and in the case that there are directly connected child mesh points, sending the one or more action messages to each of its directly connected child mesh points, waiting for acknowledgements from its child mesh points of the mesh network, and sending an acknowledgement to its controller corresponding to the received acknowledgements, and wherein the upgrading according to the configuration parameters occurs without necessarily disrupting the mesh network.
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Specification