Pre-emptive roaming mechanism allowing for enhanced QoS in wireless network environments
AssigneeCisco Technology, Inc.
InventorsRobert Friday, Paul Dietrich
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A preemptive roaming mechanism in wireless network environments. In one implementation, the present invention provides a wireless client that implements a preemptive roaming mode that, when an attribute of the signal (e.g., Signal to Noise Ratio (SNR), etc.) between the access point with which the client is currently associated crosses a threshold, scans for other access points with which to associate. In one implementation, the client switches between the scanning mode and a traffic mode to allow data to be transferred between the client and the current access point. The pre-emptive roaming functionality can be configured to support desired data rates or other QoS levels.
Claims36
A wireless client, comprising
- a wireless network interface for communicating with an access element;
- a processor;
- a memory;
- a wireless network interface driver application, stored in the memory, comprising instructions operable to cause the processor and the wireless network interface to
- monitor, during an associated state with a first access element, radio frequency signals transmitted by the first access element relative to a signal attribute;
- and
- if the signal attribute crosses a threshold value, alternate between a pre-emptive scanning mode to scan for access elements with which to associate, and a traffic mode to communicate with the first access element to transmit or receive wireless frames.
A method for facilitating roaming in wireless networks, comprising
- monitoring, during an associated state with a first access element, radio frequency signals transmitted by the first access element relative to a signal attribute;
- and
- if the signal attribute crosses a threshold value, alternating between a pre-emptive scanning mode to scan for access elements with which to associate, and a traffic mode to communicate with the first access element to transmit or receive wireless frames.
An apparatus facilitating roaming in wireless networks, comprising
- means for wirelessly communicating with an access element;
- means for monitoring, during an associated state with a first access element, radio frequency signals transmitted by the first access element relative to a signal attribute;
- and
- means for alternating between a pre-emptive scanning mode to scan for access elements with which to associate, and a traffic mode to communicate with the first access element to transmit or receive wireless frames, if the signal attribute crosses a threshold value.
A wireless network access device operative to facilitate roaming in wireless networks, comprising
- a wireless network interface for communicating with a wireless client;
- a processor;
- a memory;
- a wireless network access application, stored in the memory, comprising instructions operable to cause the processor and the wireless network interface to
- receive an association request from a wireless client;
- determine a roaming list for the wireless client, wherein the roaming list identifies at least one wireless network access device;
- transmit the roaming list to the wireless client.
A method facilitating roaming in wireless networks, comprising
- receiving an association request from a wireless client;
- determining a roaming list for the wireless client, wherein the roaming list identifies at least one wireless network access device;
- and
- transmitting the roaming list to the wireless client.
A wireless network access device operative to facilitate roaming in wireless networks, comprising
- means for wireless communicating with a wireless client;
- means for receiving an association request from a wireless client;
- means for determining a roaming list for the wireless client, wherein the roaming list identifies at least one wireless network access device;
- and
- means for transmitting the roaming list to the wireless client.
A wireless network system facilitating roaming in a wireless network environment, comprising
- a plurality of access elements for wireless communication with at least one wireless client and for communication with a central control element;
- wherein the access elements are each operative to
- establish and maintain, in connection with a central control element, wireless connections with wireless clients;
- transmit received wireless frames to a central control element;
- at least one central control element for supervising the access elements, wherein the central control element is operative to
- manage wireless connections between the access elements and corresponding wireless clients, and
- receive, through an access element, an association request from a wireless client;
- determine a roaming list for the wireless client, wherein the roaming list identifies at least one access element;
- transmit, through the access element, the roaming list to the wireless client.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.