Optimized channel selection for virtual access point (vap) enabled networks

An apparatus, comprising:

• one or more network interfaces to communicate with a network;
• a processor coupled to the network interfaces and configured to execute one or more processes;
• and
• a memory configured to store a process executable by the processor, the process when executed operable to:
• form a virtual access point (VAP) for a node in the network, wherein a plurality of access points (APs) in the network are mapped to the VAP as part of a VAP mapping, and wherein the node treats the APs in the VAP mapping as a single AP for purposes of communicating with the network;
• determine a traffic type of traffic associated with the node;
• assign the node to a selected wireless channel based in part on the traffic type of the traffic associated with the node;
• and
• control the VAP to use the channel assigned to the node.

A tangible, non-transitory, computer-readable medium storing program instructions that cause a device in a network to execute a process comprising:

• forming, by the device, a virtual access point (VAP) for a node in the network, wherein a plurality of access points (APs) in the network are mapped to the VAP as part of a VAP mapping, and wherein the node treats the APs in the VAP mapping as a single AP for purposes of communicating with the network;
• determining, by the device, a traffic type of traffic associated with the node;
• assigning, by the device, the node to a selected wireless channel based in part on the traffic type of the traffic associated with the node;
• and
• controlling, by the device, the VAP to use the channel assigned to the node.