Association update message and method for updating associations in a mesh network

摘要

An association update message for mesh networks according to the IEEE 802.11s standard provides the ability to include a plurality of associations in an association update message and thus ensure simultaneous updating of a plurality of associations of representative nodes with respect to the proxy nodes (proxy mesh stations) thereof. A threatened inconsistency in an association update in conventional systems, which provides for only one transmission of an association update message per association update, is thereby eliminated. The proxy information field has an identification field with a plurality of identification fields. The identification fields advantageously allow variable structuring of the proxy information fields, that is, dependent on the information transmitted, which also provides the ability to prevent redundant information in the proxy information fields.

主权项

1. A proxy node of a mesh network,
wherein the proxy node represents at least one network-external node for updating association information maintained in the proxy node or in another proxy node of the mesh network using an association update message, the proxy node comprising a proxy processor configured to generate the association update message for the other proxy node or to receive and process the association update message from the other proxy node, wherein the association update message includes at least one proxy information field that incorporates a flag array, wherein the flag array includes a flag that indicates whether an association defined in the proxy information field is to be deleted from or added to the association information, and wherein the flag array includes a flag that indicates whether the proxy information field includes the specification of a proxy information live time.