Performance optimization for wireless networks with mixed modulation types
AssigneeCisco Technology, Inc.
InventorsTania Sung-Yi Chen, Bretton Douglas, Arnold Bilstad
Life of this patent
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Abstract
In one embodiment, different physical layer standards are segregated into different frequency channels. In one implementation, 802.11b traffic and 802.11g traffic are segregated into different frequency channels. A network management tool allows the user to specify channels to either, e.g., 802.11b-only, 802.11g-only, 802.11b preferred and 802.11g discouraged, or 802.11g preferred and 802.11b discouraged. Access points are given the capability of preventing or discouraging client traffic of either given type.
Claims20
A method for operating a wireless network having two physical layer standards, said method comprising:
- for each of a plurality of channels, selecting one of a plurality of operating modes, said operating modes comprising:
- exclusive use of a first physical layer standard, exclusive use of a second physical layer standard, preferred use of said first physical layer standard and discouraged use of said second physical layer standard, and discouraged use of said first physical layer standard and preferred use of said second physical layer standard;
- and
- operating at least one access point to communicate with clients in accordance with said selections.
A method for operating an access point capable of employing first and second physical layer standards, said method comprising:
- for a selected channel, configuring an operating mode wherein said first physical layer standard is to be preferred for communication of data frames and said second physical layer standard is to be discouraged;
- and
- discouraging data communication on said selected channel in accordance with said second physical layer standard;
- wherein discouraging comprises:
- accepting an association request from a client capable of operating only in accordance with said second physical layer standard;
- sending said client a roaming list specifying access points configured to support data communication in accordance with said second physical layer standard at a higher priority than access points configured to support data communication in accordance with said first physical layer standard;
- and thereafter
- sending a disassociation request to said client.
A computer program product stored on a computer-readable storage medium having computer-readable program codes for operating a network management workstation in conjunction with a wireless network having two physical layer standards, said computer program product comprising:
- code that, for each of a plurality of channels, causes selection of one of a plurality of operating modes, said operating modes comprising:
- exclusive use of a first physical layer standard, exclusive use of a second physical layer standard, preferred use of said first physical layer standard and discouraged use of said second physical layer standard, and discouraged use of said first physical layer standard and preferred use of said second physical layer standard;
- code that causes operation of at least one access point to communicate with clients in accordance with said selections;
- and
- the computer-readable medium that stores the codes.
Apparatus for operating an access point capable of employing first and second physical layer standards, said apparatus comprising:
- a processor that configures an operating mode wherein said first physical layer standard is to be preferred for communication of data frames and said second physical layer standard is to be discouraged and discourages data communication on said selected channel in accordance with said second physical layer standard;
- wherein said processor discourages by accepting an association request from a client capable of operating only in accordance with said second physical layer standard, sending said client a roaming list specifying access points configured to support data communication in accordance with said second physical layer standard at a higher priority than access points configured to support data communication in accordance with said first physical layer standard, and thereafter sending a disassociation request to said client.
Apparatus for operating a wireless network having two physical layer standards, said apparatus comprising:
- means for, for each of a plurality of channels, selecting one of a plurality of operating modes, said operating modes comprising:
- exclusive use of a first physical layer standard, exclusive use of a second physical layer standard, preferred use of said first physical layer standard and discouraged use of said second physical layer standard, and discouraged use of said first physical layer standard and preferred use of said second physical layer standard;
- and
- means for operating at least one access point to communicate with clients in accordance with said selections.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.