Distributed load balancing in wireless networks
View Patent ↗Distributed load balancing in wireless digital networks. In a network having a plurality of access nodes with at least one wireless client connected to a first access node, the client is encouraged to move to a different access node by reducing the apparent signal strength of transmissions from the access node to the client. Apparent signal strength can be reduced by reducing transmit power, by using beam forming, antenna switching, or a combination. Other access nodes may send unsolicited frames, such as probe response frames to the client, encouraging the client to move.
1. A computer implemented method, comprising:
determining, at a computing device, that a condition is met for transferring a wireless client to a subsequent wireless access node of a wireless network, wherein the wireless client is connected to an initial wireless access node on the wireless network, and wherein the initial wireless access node and the subsequent wireless access node are compliant with an IEEE 802.11 specification;
altering a transmission characteristic of the initial wireless access node, wherein altering includes decreasing a received signal strength at the wireless client;
generating a command to broadcast an advertisement frame that indicates availability of the subsequent wireless access node to a new wireless client, wherein receiving the command at the subsequent wireless access node causes the subsequent wireless access node to broadcast the advertisement frame, and wherein receiving the advertisement frame at the wireless client facilitates connection of the wireless client to the subsequent wireless access node; and
coordinating transfer of the wireless client from the initial wireless access node to the subsequent wireless access node, wherein coordinating includes transmitting the command, wherein receiving the command at the subsequent wireless access node facilitates the transfer of the wireless client, wherein coordinating includes altering a transmission characteristic of the subsequent wireless access node, and wherein altering the transmission characteristic of the subsequent wireless access node includes increasing a wireless signal strength of the subsequent wireless access node received at the wireless client.
2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the transmission characteristic of the subsequent wireless access node is a transmit power.
3. The method of claim 1 , wherein the transmission characteristic of the initial wireless access node is a transmit power.
4. The method of claim 1 , wherein altering includes decreasing a transmit power of the initial wireless access node in a series of steps.
5. The method of claim 1 , wherein the subsequent wireless access node is one of a plurality of subsequent wireless access nodes and wherein each of the plurality of subsequent wireless access nodes operate on a same IEEE 802.11 wireless channel.
6. A system comprising:
one or more processors;
a non-transitory computer readable medium communicatively coupled to the one or more processors, the non-transitory computer readable medium including instructions that, when executed by the one or more processors, cause the one or more processors to perform operations including:
determining that a condition is met for transferring a wireless client to a subsequent wireless access node of a wireless network, wherein the wireless client is connected to an initial wireless access node on the wireless network, and wherein the initial wireless access node and the subsequent wireless access node are compliant with an IEEE 802.11 specification;
altering a transmission characteristic of the initial wireless access node, wherein altering includes decreasing a received signal strength at the wireless client;
generating a command to broadcast an advertisement frame that indicates availability of the subsequent wireless access node to a new wireless client, wherein receiving the command at the subsequent wireless access node causes the subsequent wireless access node to broadcast the advertisement frame, and wherein receiving the advertisement frame at the wireless client facilitates connection of the wireless client to the subsequent wireless access node; and
coordinating transfer of the wireless client from the initial wireless access node to the subsequent wireless access node, wherein coordinating includes transmitting the command, wherein receiving the command at the subsequent wireless access node facilitates the transfer of the wireless client, wherein coordinating includes altering a transmission characteristic of the subsequent wireless access node, and wherein altering the transmission characteristic of the subsequent wireless access node includes increasing a wireless signal strength of the subsequent wireless access node received at the wireless client.
7. The system of claim 6 , wherein the transmission characteristic of the subsequent wireless access node is a transmit power.
8. The system of claim 6 , wherein the transmission characteristic of the initial wireless access node is a transmit power.
9. The system of claim 6 , wherein altering includes decreasing a transmit power of the initial wireless access node in a series of steps.
10. The system of claim 6 , wherein the subsequent wireless access node is one of a plurality of subsequent wireless access nodes and wherein each of the plurality of subsequent wireless access nodes operate on a same IEEE 802.11 wireless channel.
11. A non-transitory computer readable medium comprising instructions that, when executed by one or more processors, cause the one or more processors to perform operations including:
determining that a condition is met for transferring a wireless client to a subsequent wireless access node of a wireless network, wherein the wireless client is connected to an initial wireless access node on the wireless network, and wherein the initial wireless access node and the subsequent wireless access node are compliant with an IEEE 802.11 specification;
altering a transmission characteristic of the initial wireless access node, wherein altering includes decreasing a received signal strength at the wireless client;
generating a command to broadcast an advertisement frame that indicates availability of the subsequent wireless access node to a new wireless client, wherein receiving the command at the subsequent wireless access node causes the subsequent wireless access node to broadcast the advertisement frame, and wherein receiving the advertisement frame at the wireless client facilitates connection of the wireless client to the subsequent wireless access node; and
coordinating transfer of the wireless client from the initial wireless access node to the subsequent wireless access node, wherein coordinating includes transmitting the command, wherein receiving the command at the subsequent wireless access node facilitates the transfer of the wireless client, wherein coordinating includes altering a transmission characteristic of the subsequent wireless access node, and wherein altering the transmission characteristic of the subsequent wireless access node includes increasing a wireless signal strength of the subsequent wireless access node received at the wireless client.
12. The medium of claim 11 , wherein the transmission characteristic of the initial wireless access node is a transmit power.
13. The medium of claim 11 , wherein the transmission characteristic of the subsequent wireless access node is a transmit power.
14. The medium of claim 11 , wherein altering includes decreasing a transmit power of the initial wireless access node in a series of steps.
15. The medium of claim 11 , wherein the subsequent wireless access node is one of a plurality of subsequent wireless access nodes and wherein each of the plurality of subsequent wireless access nodes operate on a same IEEE 802.11 wireless channel.