Distributed seamless roaming in wireless networks
AssigneeUbiquiti Networks, Inc.
InventorsSriram Dayanandan, Bo-chieh Yang, Yuan-Hsiang Lee, Keh-Ming Luoh, Robert J. Pera
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Abstract
One embodiment of the present invention provides a system for configuring an access point in a wireless network. During operation, the access point discovers one or more existing access points associated with the wireless network. The access point then obtains a set of configuration information from one existing access point, and synchronizes a local timestamp counter to a selected existing access point, thereby allowing the access point to be configured without using a centralized management station.
Claims17
A method for associating a user station with an access point in a wireless network, comprising:
- receiving a first authentication packet from the user station;
- placing the user station in an association-arbitration list;
- broadcasting signal-strength indication associated with the user station;
- receiving signal-strength indication associated with the user station from other access points in the wireless network;
- determining whether the access point has the best signal strength associated with the user station;
- and
- in response to the access point having the best signal strength, associating the user station with the access point.
A wireless access point, comprising a processor and a memory coupled to the processor and storing instructions which when executed by the processor cause the processor to perform a method for associating a user station with the access point, the method comprising:
- receiving a first authentication packet from the user station;
- placing the user station in an association-arbitration list;
- broadcasting signal-strength indication associated with the user station;
- receiving signal-strength indication associated with the user station from other access points in the wireless network;
- determining whether the access point has the best signal strength associated with the user station;
- and
- in response to the access point having the best signal strength, associating the user station with the access point.
A computer system for facilitating association of a user station with an access point in a wireless network, the computer system comprising:
- a processor;
- a receiving mechanism operable to receive a first authentication packet from the user station;
- a placement mechanism operable to place the user station in an association-arbitration list;
- a broadcast mechanism operable to broadcast signal-strength indication associated with the user station;
- wherein the receiving mechanism is further operable to receive signal-strength indication associated with the user station from other access points in the wireless network;
- a determination mechanism operable to determine whether the access point has the best signal strength associated with the user station;
- and
- an association mechanism operable to, in response to the access point having the best signal strength, associate the user station with the access point.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.