Distributed seamless roaming in wireless networks
First Claim
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1. A method for handing over a user station to a remote access point in a wireless network, comprising:
- determining, by a local access point of the wireless network, a signal strength for a user station associated with the local access point;
receiving signal strength values associated with the user station from one or more other access points of the wireless network, wherein receiving the signal strength values involves multicasting a station query message to the one or more other access points, and wherein the station query message includes at least a media access control (MAC) address for the user station;
in response to determining that a remote access point has the best signal strength value for the user station, handing over the user station to the remote access point.
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Abstract
One embodiment of the present invention provides a system for configuring an access point in a wireless network. During operation, the access point discovers one or more existing access points associated with the wireless network. The access point then obtains a set of configuration information from one existing access point, and synchronizes a local timestamp counter to a selected existing access point, thereby allowing the access point to be configured without using a centralized management station.
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Citations
21 Claims
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1. A method for handing over a user station to a remote access point in a wireless network, comprising:
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determining, by a local access point of the wireless network, a signal strength for a user station associated with the local access point; receiving signal strength values associated with the user station from one or more other access points of the wireless network, wherein receiving the signal strength values involves multicasting a station query message to the one or more other access points, and wherein the station query message includes at least a media access control (MAC) address for the user station; in response to determining that a remote access point has the best signal strength value for the user station, handing over the user station to the remote access point. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. A wireless access point, comprising a processor and a memory coupled to the processor and storing instructions which when executed by the processor cause the processor to perform a method for handing over a user station to a remote access point in a wireless network, the method comprising:
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determining a signal strength for a user station associated with the local wireless access point; receiving signal strength values associated with the user station from one or more other access points of the wireless network, wherein receiving the signal strength values involves multicasting a station query message to the one or more other access points, and wherein the station query message includes at least a media access control (MAC) address for the user station; in response to determining that a remote access point has the best signal strength value for the user station, handing over the user station to the remote access point. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. A computer system for handing over a user station to a remote access point in a wireless network, the computer system comprising:
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a processor; a determining mechanism operable to determine a signal strength for a user station associated with the computer system; a receiving mechanism operable to receive signal strength values associated with the user station from one or more other access points of the wireless network; a multicasting mechanism operable to multicast a station query message to the one or more other access points, wherein the station query message includes at least a media access control (MAC) address for the user station; a station-handover mechanism operable to hand over the user station to the remote access point in response to determining that a remote access point has the best signal strength value for the user station. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21)
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Specification