Steering connection requests for an access point to a best-serving access point
AssigneeFortinet, Inc.
InventorsSung-Wook Han, Mohan Ram
Life of this patent
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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.
Claims15
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 system-wide conditions from a controller that is in communication with other access points on the wireless network;
- receiving a probe request for connection from a network device;
- responsive to the probe request, generating a probability function that defines a likelihood of granting the network device a connection, 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;
- and
- sending the probe response to the probe request and the one or more subsequent probe requests to the network device.
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 processor;
- and
- a memory, storing:
- a first module to connect to the wireless network;
- a second module to receive system-wide conditions from a controller that is in communication with other access points on the wireless network and to receive a probe request for connection from a network device;
- a third module, responsive to the probe request, to generate a probability function that defines a likelihood of granting the network device a connection, 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;
- and
- a fourth module to send the probe response to the probe request and the one or more subsequent probe requests to the network device.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.