DISpatCH: Uma abordagem SDWN para o gerenciamento do processo de handoff nas redes Wi-Fi

Abstract

One of the most important aspects concerning the implementation of a Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN) is that in an area covered by several Access Points (APs), there must exist mechanisms to keep the user connected at any time, regardless of his/her physical location in the network and, primarily, ensure that the applications do not suffer from loss of connectivity. In this context, handoff performance, which consists of changing the AP as the station moves within the same area, is a preponderant factor when it comes to applications that are delay-sensitive. The process is usually started by the stations that once disconnected from an AP, start scanning the existing channels searching for other available APs in a smooth fashion, but in the order of seconds, which makes it difficult to use real-time applications. The challenge is to create a more efficient mechanism to manage this process, providing the required Quality of Service (QoS) for the applications. This work presents the use of mechanisms to improve the performance of the handoff process by employing an approach based on the a Software DefinedWireless Network (SDWN), which was implemented to validate the proposal. The tests performed showed a decrease in the time spent in the handoff, contributing to guarantee the QoS of the applications.