Predictive and nomadic roaming of wireless clients across different network subnets
First Claim
1. A method comprising:
- detecting a neighboring wireless network access point;
determining if the neighboring wireless network access point is connected in a first network subnet different than a current network subnet;
providing tunneling information to the neighboring wireless network access point in response to the determination that the neighboring wireless network access point is connected in the first network subnet, wherein the tunneling information establishes a connection between a first network device in the first network subnet and a second network device in the current network subnet;
connecting with a first wireless client via a first network connection;
determining predictive roaming information that identifies the first wireless client;
providing the predictive roaming information to the neighboring wireless network access point while connected with the first wireless clientsreceiving a query message that identifies a home network subnet associated with the first wireless client sent in response to the determination that the identifying information does not match at least a portion of the predictive roaming information;
sending a response to the query message including additional tunneling information that establishes a network connection between a third network device in the home network subnet and the second network device in the current network subnet;
establishing a second network connection from the first wireless client to the third network device in the home network subnet via the second network device in the current network subnet, wherein all network traffic associated with the first wireless client passes through the third network device in the home network subnet via the second network connection.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Wireless access points detect neighboring wireless access points in different subnets. Upon connecting with a wireless client, a wireless access point determines predictive roaming information for the wireless client. Predictive roaming information identifies the wireless client; its home network subnet; and includes connection information associated with the wireless client. The wireless access point forwards the predictive roaming information associated with a wireless client to neighboring wireless access points while the wireless client is still connected with the wireless access point. Neighboring wireless access points store received predictive roaming information. Upon connecting with a wireless client, a neighboring wireless access point determines if the wireless client matches the stored predictive roaming information. If so, the neighboring wireless access point uses the predictive roaming information to quickly connect with the wireless client and to establish a tunnel to redirect network traffic associated with the wireless client through to its home subnet.
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Citations
19 Claims
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1. A method comprising:
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detecting a neighboring wireless network access point; determining if the neighboring wireless network access point is connected in a first network subnet different than a current network subnet; providing tunneling information to the neighboring wireless network access point in response to the determination that the neighboring wireless network access point is connected in the first network subnet, wherein the tunneling information establishes a connection between a first network device in the first network subnet and a second network device in the current network subnet; connecting with a first wireless client via a first network connection; determining predictive roaming information that identifies the first wireless client; providing the predictive roaming information to the neighboring wireless network access point while connected with the first wireless clients receiving a query message that identifies a home network subnet associated with the first wireless client sent in response to the determination that the identifying information does not match at least a portion of the predictive roaming information; sending a response to the query message including additional tunneling information that establishes a network connection between a third network device in the home network subnet and the second network device in the current network subnet; establishing a second network connection from the first wireless client to the third network device in the home network subnet via the second network device in the current network subnet, wherein all network traffic associated with the first wireless client passes through the third network device in the home network subnet via the second network connection. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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17. A system comprising:
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a means for detecting a neighboring wireless network access point; a means for determining if the neighboring wireless network access point is connected in a first network subnet different than a current network subnet; a means for providing tunneling information to the neighboring wireless network access point in response to the determination that the neighboring wireless network access point is connected in the first network subnet, wherein the tunneling information establishes a connection between a first network device in the first network subnet and a second network device in the current network subnet; a means for connecting with a first wireless client via a first network connection; a means for determining predictive roaming information that identifies the first wireless client; a means for providing the predictive roaming information to the neighboring wireless network access point while connected with the first wireless client; a means for receiving a query message that identifies a home network subnet associated with the first wireless client sent in response to the determination that the identifying information does not match at least a portion of the predictive roaming information; a means for sending a response to the query message including additional tunneling information that establishes a network connection between a third network device in the home network subnet and the second network device in the current network subnet; a means for establishing a second network connection from the first wireless client to the third network device in the home network subnet via the second network device in the current network subnet, wherein all network traffic associated with the first wireless client passes through the third network device in the home network subnet via the second network connection. - View Dependent Claims (18)
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19. A system comprising:
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a means for detecting a neighboring wireless network access point in a first network subnet different than a current network subnet; a means for receiving tunneling information from the neighboring wireless network access point, wherein the tunneling information establishes a network connection between a first network device in the first network subnet and a second network device in the current network subnet; a means for receiving predictive roaming information that identifies wireless clients connected with the neighboring wireless access point in the first network subnet; a means for storing the predictive roaming information; a means for connecting with a first wireless client; a means for receiving identifying information from the first wireless client; a means for comparing the identifying information of the first wireless client with the stored predictive roaming information; a means for establishing a first network connection from the first wireless client to the first network device in the first network subnet via the second network device in the current network subnet in response to the determination that the identifying information matches at least a portion of the stored predictive roaming information, wherein network traffic associated with the first wireless client passes through the first network device in the first network subnet via the first network connection; a means for sending a query message that identifies a home network subnet associated with the first wireless client in response to the determination that the identifying information does not match at least a portion of the stored predictive roaming information; a means for receiving a response to the query message including additional tunneling information that establishes a network connection between a third network device in the home network subnet and the second network device in the current network subnet; a means for establishing a second network connection from the first wireless client to the third network device in the home network subnet via the second network device in the current network subnet, wherein network traffic associated with the first wireless client passes through the third network device in the home network subnet via the second network connection.
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Specification