AP load balance based handover in software defined WiFi systems

Abstract

In existing wireless systems it's hard for an operator to change the network strategy under heavy load due to its proprietary and inflexible hardware based architectures. This paper explores the concept of software defined networking (SDN) in wireless networks. An access point (AP) load balance based handover scheme in SDN WiFi systems is proposed for overlapping wireless local area network cells to take efficient handover based on AP load. We implemented the proposed load balancing handover scheme in Mininet-WiFi emulator which could handle the APs from a centralized controller and help the test client determine how and when to connect with the right AP and take efficient handover based on AP load. New interface is added with the station, client's traffic is tested at different positions and improved throughput for mobile clients is obtained. Experimental results show that total network throughput is enhanced after a successful handover.