WO2022051966A1

WO2022051966A1 - Dual interface ip steering

Info

Publication number: WO2022051966A1
Application number: PCT/CN2020/114417
Authority: WO
Inventors: Peng Tao; Quan Chen; Feng Jiang; Haokeng YU
Original assignee: Arris Enterprises Llc
Priority date: 2020-09-10
Filing date: 2020-09-10
Publication date: 2022-03-17

Abstract

A network device for providing dual interface Internet Protocol (IP) steering. A first interface provides a first type of IP connection and a second interface provides a second type of IP connection. An IP routing table is configured to set the first interface as a default for communication of data and when partial data steering is selected and the first interface is used for communication of the first type of the data to and from the client device and the second interface is used without disconnecting the client device from and reconnecting the client device to the first interface and the second interface. When complete data steering is selected, an IP routing table is configured to route all of the data by the second interface without disconnecting and reconnecting the client device to the first interface and the second interface.

Description

DUAL INTERFACE IP STEERING

BACKGROUND

The subject matter of the present disclosure relates to IP steering using two IP interfaces without disconnecting and reconnecting interfaces. A home network directs Wi-Fi devices to the radio/node with the best performance (e.g., a better signal or idle bandwidth) . Basic Service Set (BSS) Transition Management (BTM) enables an AP to request a voice client to transition to a specific AP, or suggest a set of preferred APs to a client, due to network load balancing or BSS termination. BTM enables an access point (AP) to suggest its connected client to roam to another AP with a better network condition. While BTM steering process will be much faster than legacy clients steering, both BTM and legacy steering need to disconnect and reconnect Wi-Fi, which would take a few or dozens of seconds to complete the process.

SUMMARY

Aspects of the present disclosure are drawn to using a routing table and dual interfaces with separate IP connections to provide steering of data without disconnecting and reconnecting the interfaces. A network device sets a first interface configured to provide a first type of Internet Protocol (IP) connection and sets a second interface configured to provide a second type of IP connection. An IP routing table is configured to set the first interface as a default for communicating a first type data. Partial data steering or complete data steering of data by the client device is provided. When partial data steering is selected, the IP routing table is configured to route a second type of the data via the second interface, and without disconnecting the client device from and reconnecting the client device to the first interface and the second interface, the first interface is used for communication of the first type of the data to and from the client device and the second interface is used for communication of the second type of the data to and from the client device. When complete data steering is selected, the IP routing table is configured to route the first type and the second type of data via the second interface, and without disconnecting the client device from and reconnecting the client device to the first interface and the second interface, the second interface is used for communication of the first type and the second type of data to and from the client device. The second interface is set as the default for communicating data when complete data steering is selected.

The first interface is configured for communicating data using a first frequency, such as 2.4 GHz, and the second interface is configured for communicating data using a second frequency, such as 5 GHz. The first type of the data may be low bandwidth data and the second type of the data may be high bandwidth data, such as video data. The IP routing table may be configured to route video data via the second interface. Partial data steering may be selected to provide load balancing between the first interface and the second interface. Complete data steering may be selected when the first interface experiences an operational deficiency.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and form a part of the specification, illustrate example embodiments and, together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the present disclosure. In the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a schematic diagram of a system.

Fig. 2 is a diagram of dual Wi-Fi used in a mesh network.

Fig. 3 is a diagram of IP connection via MoCA/Ethernet and Wi-Fi.

Fig. 4 illustrates a block diagram of a network device.

Fig. 5 illustrates a block diagram of a client device.

Fig. 6 is a diagram of a dual band AP and dual Wi-Fi client device.

Figs. 7 is a flow chart of a method f for providing dual interface Internet Protocol (IP) steering.

While implementations are described herein by way of example, those skilled in the art will recognize that the implementations are not limited to the examples or figures described. It is understood that the figures and detailed description thereto are not intended to limit implementations to the particular form disclosed but, on the contrary, the intention is to cover modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope as defined by the appended claims. The headings used herein are for organizational purposes and are not meant to be used to limit the scope of the description or the claims. As used throughout this application, the word “may” is used in a permissive sense (i.e., meaning having the potential to) , rather than the mandatory sense (i.e., meaning must) . Similarly, the words “include, ” “including, ” and “includes” mean “including, but not limited to. ”

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The following detailed description is made with reference to the accompanying drawings and is provided to assist in a comprehensive understanding of various example embodiments of the present disclosure. The following description includes various details to assist in that understanding, but these are to be regarded merely as examples and not for the purpose of limiting the present disclosure as defined by the appended claims and their equivalents. The words and phrases used in the following description are merely used to enable a clear and consistent understanding of the present disclosure. In addition, descriptions of well-known structures, functions, and configurations may have been omitted for clarity and conciseness. Those of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that various changes and modifications of the examples described herein can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure.

The subject matter of the present disclosure using a routing table and dual interfaces with separate IP connections to provide steering of data without disconnecting and reconnecting the interfaces.

Fig. 1 is a schematic diagram of a system 100.

As shown in Fig. 1, the system includes a network device 102 connected to the Internet 115 via an Internet Service Provider (ISP) 101 and also connected to different wireless devices such as wireless extenders 103 and

client devices

104, 105, 106, 107. The system shown in Fig. 1 includes wireless devices (e.g., wireless extenders 103 and

client devices

104, 105, 106, 107) that may be connected in one or more wireless networks (e.g., private, guest, iControl, backhaul network, or Internet of things (IoT) network) within the system. Additionally, there could be some overlap between wireless devices (e.g., wireless extenders 103 and

client devices

104, 105, 106, 107) in the different networks. That is, one or more network devices could be located in more than one network. For example, the wireless extenders 103 could be located both in a private network for providing content and information to a client device, such as

client devices

104, 105, 106, 107, and also included in a backhaul network or an iControl network.

Starting from the top of Fig. 1, the ISP 101 can be, for example, a streaming video provider or any computer for connecting the network device 102 to the Internet 115. The connection 114 between the Internet 115 and the ISP 101 and the connection 113 between the ISP 101 and the network device 102 can be implemented using a wide area network (WAN) , a virtual private network (VPN) , metropolitan area networks (MANs) , system area networks (SANs) , a DOCSIS network, a fiber optics network (e.g., FTTH (fiber to the home) or FTTX (fiber to the x) , or hybrid fiber-coaxial (HFC) ) , a digital subscriber line (DSL) , a public switched data network (PSDN) , a global Telex network, or a 2G, 3G, 4G or 5G network, for example.

The connection 113 can further include as some portion thereof a broadband mobile phone network connection, an optical network connection, or other similar connections. For example, the connection 113 can also be implemented using a fixed wireless connection that operates in accordance with, but is not limited to, 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) Long Term Evolution (LTE) or 5G protocols. It is also contemplated by the present disclosure that connection 113 is capable of providing connections between the network device 102 and a WAN, a LAN, a VPN, MANs, PANs, WLANs, SANs, a DOCSIS network, a fiber optics network (e.g., FTTH, FTTX, or HFC) , a PSDN, a global Telex network, or a 2G, 3G, 4G or 5G network, for example.

The network device 102 can be, for example, a hardware electronic device that may be a gateway device that includes a modem and router for providing content received from the content provider (e.g., ISP 101) to network devices (e.g., wireless extenders 103 and

client devices

104, 105, 106, 107) in the system. It is also contemplated by the present disclosure that the network device 102 can include the function of, but is not limited to, an Internet Protocol/Quadrature Amplitude Modulator (IP/QAM) set-top box (STB) or smart media device (SMD) that is capable of decoding audio/video content, and playing over-the-top (OTT) or multiple system operator (MSO) provided content.

The connections 109 between the network device 102, the wireless extender 103, access point 104 and client device 105, connection 112 between access point 104 and client device 106, connection 111 between wireless extender 103 and client device 107, and connection 110 between network device 102 and client device 108 can be implemented using a wireless connection in accordance with any IEEE 802.11 Wi-Fi protocols, Bluetooth protocols, Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) , or other short range protocols that operate in accordance with a wireless technology standard for exchanging data over short distances using any licensed or unlicensed band such as the citizens broadband radio service (CBRS) band, 2.4 GHz bands, 5 GHz bands, 6 GHz, 60 GHz bands, etc. Additionally, the

connections

109, 110, 111, 112 can be implemented using a wireless connection that operates in accordance with, but is not limited to, RF4CE protocol, ZigBee protocol, Z-Wave protocol, or IEEE 802.15.4 protocol. It is also contemplated by the present disclosure that the

connections

109, 110, 111, 112 can include connections to a media over coax (MoCA) network. One or more of the

connections

109, 110, 111, 112 can also be a wired Ethernet connection.

The wireless extender 103 can be, for example, hardware electronic devices used to extend the wireless network by receiving the signals transmitted by the network device 102 and rebroadcasting the signals to, for example, client device 107, which may out of range of the network device 102. The wireless extender 103 can also receive signals from the client device 107 and rebroadcast the signals to the network device 102, or

other client devices

105, 106, 108.

Client devices

104, 105, 106, 107, 108 can be, for example, hand-held computing devices, personal computers, electronic tablets, smart phones, smart speakers, IoT devices, iControl devices, portable music players with smart capabilities capable of connecting to the Internet, cellular networks, and interconnecting with other devices via Wi-Fi and Bluetooth, or other wireless hand-held consumer electronic devices capable of executing and displaying content received through the network device 102. Additionally, the client devices 104 can be a TV, an IP/QAM STB or an SMD that is capable of decoding audio/video content and playing over OTT or MSO provided content received through the network device 102.

Connections

109, 110, 111, 112 are implemented through a wireless connection that operates in accordance with, but is not limited to, any IEEE 802.11 protocols. Additionally,

connections

109, 110, 111, 112 can also be implemented through a WAN, a LAN, a VPN, MANs, PANs, WLANs, SANs, a DOCSIS network, a fiber optics network (e.g., FTTH, FTTX, or HFC) , a PSDN, a global Telex network, or a 2G, 3G, 4G or 5G network, for example.

Connections

109, 110, 111, 112 can also be implemented using a wireless connection in accordance with Bluetooth protocols, Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) , or other short range protocols that operate in accordance with a wireless technology standard for exchanging data over short distances using any licensed or unlicensed band such as the CBRS band, 2.4 GHz bands, 5 GHz bands, 6 GHz bands, or 60 GHz bands. One or more of the

connections

109, 110, 111, 112 can also be a wired Ethernet connection.

A detailed description of the exemplary internal components of the network device 102, the wireless extenders 103, and the client devices 104 shown in Fig. 1 will be provided in the discussion of Figs. 2-3. However, in general, it is contemplated by the present disclosure that the network device 102, the wireless extenders 103, and the client devices 104 include electronic components or electronic computing devices operable to receive, transmit, process, store, and/or manage data and information associated with the system, which encompasses any suitable processing device adapted to perform computing tasks consistent with the execution of computer-readable instructions stored in a memory or a computer-readable recording medium.

Further, any, all, or some of the computing components in the network device 102, wireless extender 103, access point 104, and

client devices

105, 106, 107, 108 may be adapted to execute any operating system, including Linux, UNIX, Windows, MacOS, DOS, and ChromOS as well as virtual machines adapted to virtualize execution of a particular operating system, including customized and proprietary operating systems. The network device 102, wireless extender 103, access point 104, and

client devices

105, 106, 107, 108 are further equipped with components to facilitate communication with other computing devices over the one or more network connections to local and wide area networks, wireless and wired networks, public and private networks, and any other communication network enabling communication in the system.

Network device 102 includes a first interface 130 configured to provide a first type of Internet Protocol (IP) connection and a second interface 132 configured to provide a second type of IP connection. An IP routing table 140 is used to set the first interface 130 as a default for communicating a first type data. Client device 108 includes a first interface 150 and a second interface 152. Communication between client device 108 and network device 102 is represented by connection 110. However, connection 110 may be communication between first interface 150 of client device 108 and first interface 130 of network device 102. Connection 110 may also represent communication between second interface 152 of client device 108 and second interface 132 of network device 102. As described above, communication between first interface 150 of client device 108 and first interface 130 of network device 102 and between second interface 152 of client device 108 and second interface 132 of network device 102 may be by a wireless connection in accordance with Bluetooth protocols, Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) , or other short range protocols that operate in accordance with a wireless technology standard for exchanging data over short distances using any licensed or unlicensed band such as the CBRS band, 2.4 GHz bands, 5 GHz bands, 6 GHz bands, or 60 GHz bands, or may be by a wired Ethernet connection.

Network device 102 selects whether to provide partial data steering or complete data steering of data communicated with client device 108. When partial data steering is selected, the IP routing table 140 is configured to route a second type of the data via the second interface 132, and without disconnecting the client device 108 from and reconnecting the client device 108 to the first interface 130 and the second interface 132. The network device 102 uses the first interface 130 for communication of the first type of the data to and from client device 108 and uses the second interface 132 for communication of the second type of the data to and from the client device 108. When complete data steering is selected, the network device 102 configures the IP routing table 140 to route the first type and the second type of data via the second interface 132 and without disconnecting the client device 108 from and reconnecting the client device to the first interface 130 and the second interface 132 uses the second interface 132 for communication of the first type and the second type of data to and from the client device 108. The second interface 132 is set as the default for communicating data when complete data steering is selected. The first interface 130 is configured for communicating data using a first frequency and the second interface 132 is configured for communicating data using a second frequency. For example, the first frequency may be 2.4 GHz and the second frequency may be 5 GHz, but other combinations are contemplated. The first type of the data comprises low bandwidth data that is handled by the first interface 130. The second type of the data comprises high bandwidth data, wherein the high bandwidth data may be video data. The IP routing table 140 is configured to route video data via the second interface 132. Partial data steering is selected by the network device 102 to provide load balancing between the first interface 130 and the second interface 132. Complete data steering is selected by the network device 102 when the first interface 130 experiences an operational deficiency so that all data is handled by the second interface 132.

Fig. 2 is a diagram of dual Wi-Fi used in a mesh network 200.

In Fig. 2, an access point (AP) 210 is provided in a mesh network along with an extender 220. AP 210 and extender 220 are configured to provide dual Wi-Fi. Client device 230 is configured with dual Wi-Fi capability. For example, AP 210 and extender 220 may each include transceivers for 2.4 GHz and 5.0 GHz signals. However, AP 210 includes a routing table that is configured with a first interface as a default, e.g., 2.4 GHz. Extender 220 includes a routing table that is configured with a second interface as a default, e.g., 5.0 GHz. Thus, client device 230 may communicate with AP 210 using the 2.4 GHz band and the extender 220 communicates with the client device 230 using the 5.0 GHz band. However, for client device 220 to communicate with AP 210 using the other band, e.g., the 5.0 GHz band, the client device 230 must disconnect from the 2.4 GHz interface of the AP 210 and reconnect to the AP 210 using the 5.0 GHz interface. For client device 220 to communicate with extender 220 using the other band, e.g., the 2.4 GHz band, the client device 230 must disconnect from the 5.0 GHz interface of the extender 220 and reconnect to the extender 220 using the 2.4 GHz interface.

Fig. 3 is a diagram of IP connection via MoCA/Ethernet and Wi-Fi 300.

In Fig. 3, client device 340 is coupled to extender 320 via MoCA/Ethernet connection 350. Client device 340 may include another interface for providing Wi-Fi connection 352, which may be with AP device 310. AP 310 is connected to device 330 via MoCA or Ethernet 354. An extender 320 is connected to device 330 via MoCA or Ethernet 356. AP 310 and extender 320 may be coupled via MoCA/Ethernet connection 358 and via Wi-Fi connection 360. However, a change in the type of connection between client device 340 and AP 310 and extender 320, client device 340 must disconnect one interface and reconnect to a different interface.

Fig. 4 illustrates a block diagram of a network device 400.

In Fig. 4, network device 400 may be coupled to a cable modem termination system (CMTS) 402 by a cable 410, for example, a coaxial cable. A diplex filter 412 may be used to separate the upstream channel signals 414 and the downstream channel signals 416. An RF tuner 420 receives an incoming signal received from the CMTS 402 on a downstream channel 416 via the cable 410 while outgoing data is directed to the CMTS 402 on an upstream channel 414. The RF tuner 420 converts the RF signal from the downstream channel 416 to IF signals 422 and outputs the IF signals 422 to a filter 424, such as a surface acoustic wave (SAW) filter, where the signal is filtered and limited to a predetermined bandwidth, e. g., a 6 MHz bandwidth. The filtered signal 426 is passed through an amplifier 428 to a receiver/demodulator 430, where an analog-to-digital (or “A/D” ) conversion of the signal, followed by a QAM demodulation, Viterbi decoding and forward error correction (FEC) of the filtered signal 426 may also be performed to produce a digital signal 432. The digital signal 432 is then transmitted to a media access controller (or “MAC” ) 440 which controls the protocol and administration layer of the network device 400. The MAC 440, which may be implemented in either hardware or a combination of hardware and software, assigns frequencies and data rates for upstream transmissions and allocates time slots for upstream transmission. From the MAC 440, data continues on to a network interface 450.

In addition to being part of the downstream path from a CMTS 402, the MAC 440 is also in the upstream path and extends to the upstream channel 414. Digital data received at the network interface 450, or stored in memory 460, may be transferred to MAC 440. From the MAC 440, the digital data is passed on to the modulator 470. There, the digital data is modulated onto a selected frequency and converted into an analog signal 472. From the modulator 470, the analog signal 472 is transmitted to a low pass filter 474, and a power amplifier 476 to produce a signal on the upstream channel 414. The signal on the upstream channel 414 enters the diplex filter 412. The diplex filter 412 directs the signal on the upstream channel 414 onto the cable 410 for transmission to the CMTS 402.

Network device 400 also includes memory, processor 462, and controller 464. Memory 460 may include routing table 462. The processor 462, controller 464, network interface 450, and memory 460 are coupled to MAC 440 by a bus 470. The controller 464 controls operation of the network device 400, including band selection and tuning, for example, using information residing in the memory 460, such as routing table 466.

Network device 400 scans the downstream channels 416 looking for a physical layer link channel (PLC) . Each downstream channel 416 contains a PLC embedded within it. Once the PLC is detected, the receiver/demodulator 430 decodes the PLC to obtain information on the downstream channel 416. Searching for the PLC can be relatively time consuming. A PLC is a signaling sub-channel with information that the network device 400 uses to acquire and maintain lock on OFDM downstream signals. PLCs include a timestamp, energy management information, a trigger message for synchronizing an event between the CMTS 402 and the network device 400, and a message channel for bringing network device 400 online. Without the PLC acquisition, the network device 400 cannot decode data from the CMTS 402.

Network device 400 includes network interfaces 450 for communicating with other devices such as a client device 108 as shown in Fig. 1. Network interfaces 450 may provide wireless connections 452 and/or wired connections 454. IP routing table 466 is maintained in memory 460 to provide information to controller 464 for directing communication using wireless connections 452 and/or wired connections 454. Again as described above, communication between a client device and the network interface 450 of network device 400 may be by a wireless connection 452 in accordance with Bluetooth protocols, Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) , or other short range protocols that operate in accordance with a wireless technology standard for exchanging data over short distances using any licensed or unlicensed band such as the CBRS band, 2.4 GHz bands, 5 GHz bands, 6 GHz bands, or 60 GHz bands, or may be by a wired connection 454, such as an Ethernet connection. Multiple interfaces may be provided by network interfaces 450 for communication using wireless connections 452 and/or wired connections 454.

Network device 400 determines how to process signals when partial data steering or complete data steering of data is used by a client device, such as client device 108 shown in Fig. 1. When partial data steering is used, the IP routing table 466 that is maintained in memory 460 is configured to route a first type data via an appropriate first interface provided by network interfaces 450, and without disconnecting the client device 108 shown in Fig. 1 from and reconnecting the client device 108 shown in Fig. 1. A second type of data may be via an appropriate second interface provided by network interfaces 450, and without disconnecting the client device 108 shown in Fig. 1 from and reconnecting the client device 108 shown in Fig. I. The network device 400 uses the network interfaces 450 for communication of data via wireless connections 452 or wired connections 454.

When complete data steering is used, the network device 450 configures the IP routing table 466 to route all data via a selected interface provided by network interfaces 450, such as a second interface selected from the network interfaces 450. This second interface selected from the network interfaces 450 may be set as the default for communicating data when complete data steering is selected.

Fig. 5 illustrates a block diagram of a client device 500.

In Fig. 5, client device 500 includes a signal processing component 510. Signal processing component may include a vocoder 512 that analyzes and processes voice signals. Data compression/decompression 514 provides computational resources for encoding signals prior to transmission and decoding signals that are received by the client device 500. Client device 500 includes user interfaces 520, such as microphone 522, display/touch screen 524, speaker 526, and keypad 528. A power subsystem 530 may provide power to the client device 500. Power subsystem may include a power supply with an input to be coupled to AC power source and a DC power source. A battery 540 may be connected to DC Power to generate DC power. DC Power may be used whenever client device 500 is connected to power supply and DC power may be provided as long as a battery has charge.

A control application 540 is provided to configure, monitor, and control one or more features of client device 500. For example, control application 540 may be coupled to a Global Positioning System (GPS) receiver 542 to provide location data for processing. Buffer 544 may buffer data used by control application 540. Other applications may be provided, such as applications 552 maintained in memory 552.

Processor 560 is coupled to memory 550. Processor 560 implements a controller 562 and traffic monitor 564. Controller 562 of client device 500 may provide partial data steering or complete data steering of data. Traffic monitor 564 may monitor flow from the client device 500 and provide data for determining to use provide partial data steering or complete data steering. A transceiver 570 provides for transmitting and receiving communication signals. Transceiver 570 includes wired network interfaces 572 for wired connections 574. For example, wired network interfaces 572 may provide wired connections374, such as Ethernet connections. Transceiver 570 may also include wireless network interfaces 576 for supporting wireless connections 578. Wireless network interfaces 576 includes a first interface 580 configured to provide a first type of Internet Protocol (IP) connection, such as a 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi connection. Wireless network interfaces 576 also includes a second interface 582 configured to provide a second type of IP connection, such as a 5.0 GHz connection. Wireless network interfaces 576 may also provide additional available wireless interfaces 584, such as 6 GHz, 60 GHz, etc.

When partial data steering is selected, the 2.4 GHz interface 580 is used for communication of the first type of the data to and from the client device and the 5.0 GHz interface 582 is used for communication of the second type of the data to and from the client device 500. For example, when partial data steering is selected, the 2.4 GHz interface 580 may be used for communication of low bandwidth data to and from the client device 500 and the 5.0 GHz interface 582 may be used for communication of high bandwidth data, such as video data, to and from the client device 500. Partial data steering may thus be used to provide load balancing between the 2.4 GHz interface 580 and the 5.0 GHz interface 582.

When complete data steering is selected, the 5.0 GHz interface 582 may be used for communication of the first type and the second type of data to and from the client device 500. For example, when complete data steering is selected, the 5.0 GHz interface 582 may be used for communication of all data. Complete data steering may thus be used to route all data using the 5.0 GHz interface 582 when the 2.4 GHz interface 580 experiences an operational deficiency. Those skilled in the art will recognize that the selection of the wired network interfaces 572 and the wireless network interfaces 576 may be altered based on the type of traffic, network conditions, and other factors.

Fig. 6 is a diagram of a dual band AP and dual Wi-Fi client device 600.

In Fig. 6, an AP 610 has dual Wi-Fi connections. Client device 620 has a first interface 630 and a second interface 632 providing duel Wi-Fi connections with AP 610. First interface 630 may be configured to provide a first type of Internet Protocol (IP) connection, such as a 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi connection, with AP 610. Second interface 632 may be configured to provide a second type of IP connection, such as a 5.0 GHz connection, with AP 610. Other network interfaces may be used to provide different types of connections. When partial data steering is selected, the 2.4 GHz interface 630 is used for communication of the first type of the data to and from the client device 620 and the 5.0 GHz interface 632 is used for communication of the second type of the data to and from the client device 620. For example, when partial data steering is selected, the 2.4 GHz interface 630 may be used for communication of low bandwidth data to and from the client device 620 and the 5.0 GHz interface 632 may be used for communication of high bandwidth data, such as video data, to and from the client device 620. Partial data steering may thus be used to provide load balancing between the 2.4 GHz interface 630 and the 5.0 GHz interface 632.

When complete data steering is selected, the 5.0 GHz interface 632 may be used for communication of the first type and the second type of data to and from the client device 620. For example, when complete data steering is selected, the 5.0 GHz interface 632 may be used for communication of all data. Complete data steering may thus be used to route all data using the 5.0 GHz interface 632 when the 2.4 GHz interface 630 experiences an operational deficiency.

Figs. 7 is a flow chart of a method 700 for providing dual interface Internet Protocol (IP) steering.

In Fig. 7, method 700 starts (S702) , and a first interface is configured to provide a first type of IP connection (S710) . A second interface is configured to provide a second type of IP connection (S714) . An IP routing table is configured to set the first interface as a default for communication of data (S718) . A determination is made whether partial data steering or complete data steering will be provided (S730) . When partial data steering is selected (S732) , an IP routing table is configured to route a first type of the data by the first interface and to route a second type of the data by the second interface (S740) . Without disconnecting the client device from &reconnecting the client device to the first interface and the second interface, the first interface is used for communication of the first type of the data to and from the client device and the second interface is used for communication of the second type of the data to and from the client device (S744) . The method then ends (S7702) . When complete data steering is selected (S750) , an IP routing table is configured to route all of the data by the second interface (S754) . The second interface is set as the default for transmitting data (S756) . Without disconnecting/reconnecting the client device to the first interface and the second interface, the second interface is used for communication of the first and second type of the data to and from the client device (S760) . The method then ends (S7702) .

The processes discussed in this disclosure may be implemented in hardware, software, or a combination thereof. In the context of software, the described operations represent computer-executable instructions stored on one or more computer-readable storage media that, when executed by one or more hardware processors, perform the recited operations. Generally, computer-executable instructions include routines, programs, objects, components, data structures, and the like that perform particular functions or implement particular abstract data types. Those having ordinary skill in the art will readily recognize that certain steps or operations illustrated in the figures above may be eliminated, combined, or performed in an alternate order. Any steps or operations may be performed serially or in parallel. Furthermore, the order in which the operations are described is not intended to be construed as a limitation.

Embodiments may be provided as a computer program product including one or more non-transitory computer-readable storage media having stored thereon instructions (in compressed or uncompressed form) that may be used to program a computer (or other electronic device) to perform processes or methods described herein. The computer-readable storage media may include one or more of an electronic storage medium, a magnetic storage medium, an optical storage medium, a quantum storage medium, or the like. For example, the computer-readable storage media may include, but are not limited to, hard drives, floppy diskettes, optical disks, read-only memories (ROMs) , random access memories (RAMs) , erasable programmable ROMs (EPROMs) , electrically erasable programmable ROMs (EEPROMs) , flash memory, magnetic or optical cards, solid-state memory devices, or other types of physical media suitable for storing electronic instructions. Further, embodiments may also be provided as a computer program product including a transitory machine-readable signal (in compressed or uncompressed form) . Examples of machine-readable signals, whether modulated using a carrier or unmodulated, include, but are not limited to, signals that a computer system or machine hosting or running a computer program may be configured to access, including signals transferred by one or more networks. For example, a transitory machine-readable signal may comprise transmission of software by the Internet.

Separate instances of these programs can be executed on or distributed across any number of separate computer systems. Thus, although certain steps have been described as being performed by certain devices, software programs, processes, or entities, this need not be the case. A variety of alternative implementations will be understood by those having ordinary skill in the art.

Additionally, those having ordinary skill in the art readily recognize that the techniques described above can be utilized in a variety of devices, environments, and situations. Although the subject matter has been described in language specific to structural features or methodological acts, it is to be understood that the subject matter defined in the appended claims is not necessarily limited to the specific features or acts described. Rather, the specific features and acts are disclosed as exemplary forms of implementing the claims.

Claims

A network device, comprising:

a memory storing computer-readable instructions; and

a processor configured to execute the computer-readable instructions to:

set a first interface configured to provide a first type of Internet Protocol (IP) connection;

set a second interface configured to provide a second type of IP connection;

configure an IP routing table to set the first interface as a default for communicating a first type data;

select whether to provide partial data steering or complete data steering of data communicated with a client device;

when partial data steering is selected, configure the IP routing table to route a second type of the data via the second interface, and without disconnecting the client device from and reconnecting the client device to the first interface and the second interface, utilize the first interface for communication of the first type of the data to and from the client device and utilize the second interface for communication of the second type of the data to and from the client device; and

when complete data steering is selected, configure the IP routing table to route the first type and a second type of data via the second interface, and without disconnecting the client device from and reconnecting the client device to the first interface and the second interface, utilize the second interface for communication of the first type and the second type of data to and from the client device.
The network device of claim 1, wherein the processor sets the second interface as the default for communicating data when complete data steering is selected.
The network device of claim 1, wherein the first interface is configured for communicating data using a first frequency and wherein the second interface is configured for communicating data using a second frequency.
The network device of claim 3, wherein the first frequency is 2.4 GHz and the second frequency are 5 GHz.
The network device of claim 1, wherein the first type of the data comprises low bandwidth data and wherein the second type of the data comprises high bandwidth data, the high bandwidth data including video data, the IP routing table configured to route video data via the second interface.
The network device of claim 1, wherein the processor selects the partial data steering to provide load balancing between the first interface and the second interface.
The network device of claim 1, wherein the processor selects the complete data steering when the processor determines the first interface experiences an operational deficiency.
A method for providing IP route steering, comprising:

configuring a first interface to provide a first type of Internet Protocol (IP) connection;

configuring a second interface to provide a second type of IP connection;

configuring an IP routing table to communicate a first subset of data using the first interface and to communicate a second subset of the data using the second interface; and

without disconnecting a client device from and reconnecting the client device to the first interface and the second interface, utilizing the first interface for communication of the first subset of the data and utilizing the second interface for communication of the second subset of the data.
The method of claim 8, wherein the configuring the IP routing table to communicate the first subset of data using the first interface and to communicate the second subset of the data using the second interface further comprises configuring the IP routing table to set the first interface as a default for transmitting a first type of the data, wherein the utilizing the first interface for communication of the first subset of the data further comprises utilizing the first interface for communication of the first type of the data, and wherein the utilizing the second interface for communication of the second subset of the data further comprises utilizing the second interface for communication of a second type of the data.
The method of claim 8, wherein the utilizing the second interface for communication of the second subset of the data further comprises utilizing the second interface for communication of video data.
The method of claim 8, wherein the configuring the IP routing table to communicate the first subset of data using the first interface and to communicate the second subset of the data using the second interface further comprises configuring the IP routing table to utilize the second interface to communicate all of the data, and wherein the utilizing the second interface to communicate the second subset of the data further comprises utilizing the second interface to communicate all of the data.
The method of claim 8, wherein the configuring the first interface to provide the first type of IP connection further comprising configuring the first interface for communication using a first frequency, and wherein the configuring the second interface to provide the second type of IP connection further comprises configuring the second interface for communication using a second frequency.
The method of claim 8, wherein the utilizing the first interface for communication of the first subset of the data further comprises utilizing the first interface for communication of low bandwidth data, and wherein the utilizing the second interface for communication of the second subset of the data further comprises utilizing the second interface for communication of high bandwidth data.
The method of claim 8, wherein the utilizing the first interface for communication of the first subset of the data and the utilizing the second interface for communication of the second subset of the data further comprises balancing a communication load between the first interface and the second interface.
A non-transitory, computer-readable media having computer-readable instructions stored thereon, the computer-readable instructions being capable of being read by a network device, wherein the computer-readable instructions are capable of instructing the network device to provide IP route steering, comprising:

configuring a first interface to provide a first type of Internet Protocol (IP) connection;

configuring a second interface to provide a second type of Internet Protocol (IP) connection;

configuring an IP routing table to set the first interface as a default for communicating a first type of data;

selecting whether to provide partial data steering or complete data steering;

when partial data steering is selected, configuring the IP routing table to route a second type of the data via the second interface, and without disconnecting a client device from and reconnecting the client device to the first interface and the second interface, utilizing the first interface for communicating the first type of the data to and from the client device and utilizing the second interface for communication of the second type of the data to and from the client device; and

when complete data steering is selected, configuring the IP routing table to route all of the data by the second interface, and without disconnecting the client device from and reconnecting the client device to the first interface and the second interface, utilizing the second interface for communication of all of the data to and from the client device.
The non-transitory, computer-readable media of claim 15, wherein comprising setting the second interface as the default for transmitting data when complete data steering is selected.
The non-transitory, computer-readable media of claim 15, further comprising configuring the first interface for communication using a first frequency and configuring the second interface for communication using a second frequency.
The non-transitory, computer-readable media of claim 17, wherein the configuring the first interface for communication using the first frequency comprises configuring the first interface for communication using 2.4 GHz and wherein the configuring the second interface for communication using the second frequency comprises configuring the first interface for communication using 5 GHz.
The non-transitory, computer-readable media of claim 15, wherein the utilizing the first interface for communication of the first type of the data further comprises utilizing the first interface for communication of low bandwidth data, and wherein the utilizing the second interface for communication of the second type of the data further comprises utilizing the second interface for communication of high bandwidth data, including video data, and configuring the IP routing table to communicate video data via the second interface.
The non-transitory, computer-readable media of claim 15, wherein the selecting the partial data steering provides load balancing between the first interface and the second interface and wherein the selecting the complete data steering further comprises determining the first interface experiences an operational deficiency.