Wireless load balancing across bands
AssigneeTrapeze Networks, Inc.
InventorSudheer Poorna Chandra Matta
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A technique for wireless load balancing involves providing a wireless infrastructure that creates a target band option and helps push clients toward that band. An example of a method according to the technique involves, by way of example but not limitation, responding only to probe requests on a first band when a client is detected on the first band and a second band. For example, using the techniques described herein, a platform that is both 802.11a and 802.11b/g compliant may attempt to connect preferentially to the 802.11b/g band of a wireless network, and be migrated toward the 802.11a band instead.
Claims22
A method comprising:
- receiving from a wireless device a first probe request on a first band and a second probe request on a second band;
- responding to the first probe request on the first band;
- refusing to respond to the second probe request on the second band;
- wherein responding to the first probe request and refusing to respond to the second probe request creates an impression at the wireless device that a first service set identifier (SSID) is unavailable on the second band;
- wherein, in response to a received strength signal indicator (RSSI) on the first band dropping below an acceptable signal threshold:
- responding to a third probe request on the second band;
- refusing to respond to a fourth probe request on the first band;
- wherein the responding to the third probe request and refusing to respond to the fourth probe request creates an impression at the wireless device that a second SSID is unavailable on the first band.
A system comprising:
- memory having executable modules stored therein;
- a processor coupled to the memory and capable of executing the executable modules stored in the memory;
- a first radio, coupled to the memory, associated with a first wireless band;
- a second radio, coupled to the memory, associated with a second wireless band;
- said memory including:
- a received strength signal indicator (RSSI) module for determining a first signal strength of a platform on the first wireless band and a second signal strength of the platform on the second wireless band;
- a targeting module for determining that the first wireless band is a target band;
- a service set identifier (SSID) forwarding module for responding to the platform on the target band;
- wherein, in operation, the platform is unaware the second band is available and accordingly connects on the first band.
A system comprising:
- means for receiving from a wireless device a first probe request on a first band and a second probe request on a second band;
- means for responding to the first probe request on the first band;
- means for refusing to respond to the second probe request on the second band;
- wherein responding to the first probe request and refusing to respond to the second probe request creates an impression at the wireless device that a first service set identifier (SSID) is unavailable on the second band;
- wherein, in response to a received strength signal indicator (RSSI) on the first band dropping below an acceptable signal threshold:
- responding to a third probe request on the second band;
- refusing to respond to a fourth probe request on the first band;
- wherein the responding to the third probe request and refusing to respond to the fourth probe request creates an impression at the wireless device that a second SSID is unavailable on the first band.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.