Techniques to create, update, disseminate, and use dynamic subset backhaul channel lists in a mesh network

摘要

A mesh network includes a controller, root access points (APs), and mesh APs assigned to different groups of APs. The controller creates for each group a distinct subset channel list of backhaul channels used by root APs of the group that are connected to the controller. The controller updates, for each group, the subset channel list as root APs assigned to the group connect with and disconnect from the controller. The controller sends, for each group, the subset channel list to the mesh APs assigned to the group that are connected with the controller through respective root APs when the subset channel list is created and updated.

主权项

1. A method comprising:
at a controller of a mesh network of access points (APs) including mesh access points (MAPs) and one or more root APs (RAPs) that are collectively assigned to different AP groups, each RAP having a wired connection to the controller and configured to form a root of a tree in which the MAPs of a given group are linked back to the RAP of that group through parent-child connections over wireless backhaul channels:
for each group, creating a distinct subset channel list that identifies a subset of a full set of regulatory domain backhaul channels assigned to or actually used by RAPs of the group that are connected to the controller;for each group, updating the subset channel list as RAPs assigned to the group connect with and disconnect from the controller; andfor each group, sending the subset channel list to the MAPs assigned to the group that are connected with the controller through respective RAPs when the subset channel list is created and updated, and that roam between parent APs in the group,wherein the respective subset channel list that is sent to each MAP in each group identifies the only backhaul channels to be searched by the MAP, instead of the full set of regulatory domain backhaul channels, for a respective new parent AP in the group if the respective MAP loses a backhaul connection to an initial parent AP in the group.