COAP: A Software-Defined Approach for Managing Residential Wireless Gateways
Wireless gateways (e.g., Access Points, wireless Set-Top Boxes) act as the primary mode of internet access in most residential network deployments today. A diverse set of WiFi- capable devices access Internet-based services through these gateways, e.g., laptops, tablets and other handhelds, game controllers (XBox, Wii), media streaming devices (Apple TV, Google TV, Roku), and many more. Given its central role in these home networks, the performance and experience of users at homes depend centrally on efficient and dynamic configuration of these gateways.
In our proposed service, called COAP (Coordination framework for Open APs), participating wireless gateways (e.g., Access Points) are configured to securely connect to a cloud- based controller (Figure 2). The controller provides all necessary management services that can be operated by a third-party (potentially distinct from the individual ISPs). In general, it is desirable that all nearby APs use the same controller service for the management function. In the context of large apartment buildings, we envision that the apartment management contract with a single controller service and all residents are asked to utilize the designated controller service within the building.
The architectural components of COAP are based on work done by this team as part of the MobilityFirst Future Internet Architecture project.
For more information and collaboration opportunities, please contact: Prof. Suman Banerjee (suman@cs.wisc.edu).