Wireless network having control plane segregation

• US 20060104230A1
• Filed: 11/18/2004
• Published: 05/18/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 11/18/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Sanjay M. Gidwani
• Original Assignee: Sanjay M. Gidwani
• Inventors: Gidwani, Sanjay M.
• Granted Patent: US 7,917,624 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 370/328
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 84/00 Network topologies
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 84/12 WLAN [Wireless Local Area Networks]
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 88/08 Access point devices
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 88/12 Access point controller devices

Abstract

A wireless network having control plane segregation is described herein. In one embodiment, an exemplary network architecture includes, but is not limited to, multiple access points coupled to a wired network, where each of the access points is capable of communicating with one or more mobile nodes over a wireless network. The exemplary network architecture further includes a controller coupled to the access points over the wired network, where the controller maintains network traffic information of the wireless network and communicates the network traffic information with the access points to enable the access points to cooperate with each other to provide network services to the one or more mobile nodes over the wireless network. Other methods and apparatuses are also described.

Claims

1. A network architecture, comprising:

a plurality of access points coupled to a wired network, each of the access points being capable of communicating with one or more mobile nodes over a wireless network; and

a controller coupled to the access points over the wired network, the controller maintaining network traffic information of the wireless network and communicating the network traffic information with the access points to enable the access points to cooperate with each other to provide network services to the one or more mobile nodes over the wireless network.

2. The network architecture of claim 1, wherein the controller is separated from the access points and is to centrally maintain and manage the network traffic information on behalf of the access points.

3. The network architecture of claim 2, wherein the controller periodically queries each of the access points regarding status of the respective access point, and wherein the controller further provides status updates regarding other access points to each of the access points.

4. The network architecture of claim 1, wherein the controller communicates with the access points regarding the network traffic information over a control and command channel that is different than a data channel where the data is transmitted.

5. The network architecture of claim 4, wherein the control and command channel is established using a communication frequency different than a communication frequency of the data channel.

6. The network architecture of claim 1, wherein each of the access points further maintains a local network traffic profile including at least a portion of the network traffic information of the controller.

7. The network architecture of claim 6, wherein each of the access points manages the network traffic of the respective access point using the network traffic information provided by the controller over a wired network when a communication link between the controller and the respective access point is available.

8. The network architecture of claim 7, wherein each of the access points manages the network traffic of the respective access point using the local network traffic information maintained locally by the respective access point when a communication link between the controller and the respective access point is unavailable.

9. The network architecture of claim 8, wherein the respective access point synchronizes the network traffic information with the controller when the link becomes available again.

10. The network architecture of claim 1, wherein the network traffic information includes at least one of a frequency usage, a power usage, and frequency interference.

11. The network architecture of claim 1, wherein the controller communicates with the access points over a communications channel in a secure and encrypted manner.

12. The network architecture of claim 1, wherein the access points communicate with the mobile nodes over a communications channel in a secure and encrypted manner.

13. The network of claim 11, wherein a security mechanism used for a given channel changes from time to time.

14. The network architecture of claim 11, wherein the control and command channel is established using a different security mechanism than a communication frequency of the data channel.

15. The network architecture of claim 11, wherein the control and command channel is established using a plurality of security mechanisms.

16. The network architecture of claim 11, wherein the data channel is established using a plurality of security mechanisms.

17. The network architecture of claim 11, where in a plurality of data channels are established using a given security mechanism.

18. The network architecture of claim 11, wherein a plurality of data channels are established using a plurality of security mechanisms.

19. The network of claim 12, wherein the security mechanism used for a given channel changes from time to time.

20. The network architecture of claim 12, wherein the control and command channel is established using a different security mechanism than a communication frequency of the data channel.

21. The network architecture of claim 12, wherein the control and command channel is established using a plurality of security mechanisms.

22. The network architecture of claim 12, wherein the data channel is established using a plurality of security mechanisms.

23. The network architecture of claim 12, where in a plurality of data channels are established using a given security mechanism.

24. The network architecture of claim 12, wherein a plurality of data channels are established using a plurality of security mechanisms.

25. A method, comprising:

maintaining network traffic information within a controller coupled to a plurality of access points over a wired network, each of the access points being capable of communicating with one or more mobile nodes over a wireless network; and

the controller communicating the network traffic information with the access points to enable the access points to cooperate with each other to provide network services to the one or more mobile nodes over the wireless network.

26. An apparatus, comprising:

means for maintaining network traffic information within a controller coupled to a plurality of access points over a wired network, each of the access points being capable of communicating with one or more mobile nodes over a wireless network; and

means for the controller communicating the network traffic information with the access points to enable the access points to cooperate with each other to provide network services to the one or more mobile nodes over the wireless network.