Client steering

A method for steering a client within a wireless network, the wireless network including a plurality of access points (APs), the method comprising:

• determining AP metrics for the APs;
• determining client metrics for the client generating a respective cost metric for each AP, wherein each cost metric is at least partially based on a respective AP distance metric;
• setting a steering decision threshold as a function of the respective cost metrics for at least two of the APs;
• and
• making a steering decision for the client as a function of a relationship between the client metrics and the steering decision threshold;
• wherein:
• generating the respective cost metric for each AP comprises:
• summing the AP metrics for a first AP of the APs to generate a first AP cost metric,
• summing the AP metrics for a second AP of the APs to generate a second AP cost metric;
• and
• the method further comprises:
• setting the steering decision threshold to approximate the second AP cost metric minus the first AP cost metric;
• summing the client metrics to generate a client cost;
• and
• determining the client metrics pass the steering decision threshold when the client cost is greater than the steering decision threshold.

A method for steering a client within a wireless network, the wireless network including a plurality of access points (APs), the method comprising:

• determining AP metrics for the APs;
• determining client metrics for the client;
• generating a respective cost metric for each AP, wherein each cost metric is at least partially based on a respective AP distance metric;
• setting a steering decision threshold as a function of the respective cost metrics for at least two of the APs;
• making a steering decision for the client as a function of a relationship between the client metrics and the steering decision threshold;
• receiving a first report at a second AP of the plurality of APs, the first report including AP metrics for a first AP of the plurality of APs;
• receiving a client report at the second AP, the client report including the client metrics for the client;
• and
• instigating a steering operation with transmission of a steering request message from the second AP to the first AP when the client metrics pass the steering decision threshold.

A method for operating a first access point (AP) of a plurality of APs, the plurality of APs coordinating to support a wireless network, the method comprising:

• determining AP metrics for the plurality of APs;
• setting a steering decision threshold as a function of a difference between the AP metrics of the first AP and the AP metrics of a second AP of the plurality of APs;
• and
• implementing an AP-based steering decision by requesting the second AP to steer a client to the first AP when the steering decision threshold is passed.