An SDN-based access point virtualization solution for multichannel IEEE 802.11 networks

摘要

As we move into increasingly denser Wi-Fi scenarios with a more significant number of connected objects, problems such as load unbalance and collisions between transmissions become more severe. While client-based handoff is inefficient to mitigate these challenges, network-wide migration decisions would allow better management of network resources. This work proposes an access point virtualization solution based on the SDN paradigm to allow client handover conducted by the network, based on a global scope. The evaluation of our solution reveals that the handover of stations did not lead to significant delays or packet losses in the clients’ connections while providing greater flexibility to the management of IEEE 802.11 wireless networks.