DISTRIBUTED CLIENT STEERING ALGORITHM TO A BEST-SERVING ACCESS POINT

• US 20140204802A1
• Filed: 01/21/2013
• Published: 07/24/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 01/21/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Fortinet Inc.
• Original Assignee: Meru Networks, Inc. (Fortinet Inc.)
• Inventors: HAN, Sung-Wook, RAM, Mohan
• Granted Patent: US 9,078,198 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 370/255
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 24/08 Testing, supervising or monitoring using real traffic
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/06 Selective distribution of broadcast services, e.g. multimedia broadcast multicast service [MBMS]; Services to user groups; One-way selective calling services
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 48/14 using user query or user detection
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 48/16 Discovering, processing access restriction or access information
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 72/542 using measured or perceived quality
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 76/10 Connection setup
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 84/12 WLAN [Wireless Local Area Networks]

Abstract

Network devices are steered to preferred access points using a probability function. A probe request for connection is received from a network device. The probe request can be from a network device attempting to use a wireless network (e.g., a IEEE 802.11-type network or other suitable type of network). A probability function that defines a likelihood of granting the network device a connection is used to determine whether to accept or deny the response. The probe response is then sent to the network device.

Claims

1. A computer-implemented method in an access point in a wireless network for steering connection requests from network devices to a preferred access point of a wireless network, comprising:

connecting to the wireless network;

receiving a probe request for connection from a network device;

receiving a probability function that defines a likelihood of granting the network device a connection;

applying the probability function to determine a response to the probe request; and

sending the probe response to the network device.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein access point conditions affecting the probability function comprise at least one of a number of exiting connections to network devices, an amount of existing traffic, and a current processing load.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein network device conditions affecting the probability function comprise at least one of an RSSI (Received Signal Strength Indicator), and a connection history.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the probability function is also based on system-wide conditions affecting the probability function and comprise at least one of total number of connections, router or switch loads, spectrum usage or capacity, time of day and day of the week.

5. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

receiving system-wide conditions from a controller that is in communication with other access points on the wireless network.

6. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

generating the probability function, wherein the probability function comprises a probability curve as a sliding scale having a higher probability for favorable local or network device conditions and a lower probability of less favorable local or network device conditions.

7. The method of claim 6, wherein the probability function is generated at a controller that is in communication with a plurality of access points, wherein the probability function is also based on system-wide conditions.

8. The method of claim 6, wherein generating the probability function comprises:

generating the probability function at the access point that is in communication with other access points of the wireless network, wherein the probability function is also based on system-wide conditions.

9. The method of claim 6, wherein generating the probability function comprises:

generating the probability function at the access point that is not in communication with other access points of the wireless network.

10. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

responsive to receiving a preconfigured number of subsequent probe requests from the network device, bypassing application of the probability function to allow the connection.

11. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

responsive to receiving a subsequent probe request, applying a progressively less restrictive probability function, wherein the probability function comprise a set of probability curves.

12. The method of claim 1, wherein the network device complies with a wireless protocol allowing the network device to select an access point for connecting to the wireless network.

13. The method of claim 1, wherein the wireless network comprises an IEEE 802.11 type of network.

14. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

prior to receiving the connection request, broadcasting a beacon that is received by the network device.

15. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

wherein sending the probe response to the network device comprises denying the connection request;

in response to the denial, receiving a probe request for connection from the network device, at a second access point;

receiving a second probability function that defines a likelihood of granting the network device a connection, the probability function based on at least one of local conditions and network device conditions;

applying the second probability function to determine a second response to the probe request; and

sending the second probe response to the network device.

16. A non-transitory computer-readable medium storing instructions that, when executed by a processor, performs a method in an access point in a wireless network for steering connection requests from network devices to a preferred access point of a wireless network, the method comprising:

connecting to the wireless network;

receiving a probe request for connection from a network device;

receiving a probability function that defines a likelihood of granting the network device a connection;

applying the probability function to determine a response to the probe request; and

sending the probe response to the network device.

17. An access point in a wireless network for steering connection requests from network devices to a preferred access point of a wireless network, the access point comprising:

a connections manager to connect to the wireless network and to receive a probe request for connection from a network device;

a probability function engine to receive a probability function that defines a likelihood of granting the network device a connection, the probability function based on at least one of access point conditions and network device conditions, the probability engine to apply the probability function to determine a response to the probe request; and

wherein the connections manager sends the probe response to the network device.