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EP-4736391-A2 - DYNAMIC FEEDBACK INFORMATION ABOUT A NETWORK ERROR

EP4736391A2EP 4736391 A2EP4736391 A2EP 4736391A2EP-4736391-A2

Abstract

A communication network device that selectively provides dynamic feedback information is described. When an error associated with the communication network device occurs, the communication network device may provide a beacon with the feedback information associated with the error, where the feedback information includes an error message that indicates the error in human-readable form. Notably, the feedback information may be included in a secondary attribute associated with the communication network device. Notably, the feedback information may be included in Passpoint information associated with a wireless local area network (WLAN) provided by the communication network device. Alternatively or additionally, the feedback information may be included in an SSID associated with the communication network device. For example, when the error occurs, the communication network device may dynamically change the SSID of a wireless local area network (WLAN) provided by the communication network device to include the feedback information.

Inventors

  • MARTIN, Steve, A.
  • GIVONI, DORON

Assignees

  • Shasta Cloud, Inc.

Dates

Publication Date
20260506
Application Date
20240610

Claims (20)

  1. 1. A communication network device, comprising: an interface circuit; a processor; and memory that stores program instructions, wherein, when executed by the processor, causes the communication network device to perform operations comprising: when an error associated with the communication network device occurs, providing a beacon with feedback information associated with the error, wherein the feedback information comprises an error message that indicates the error in human-readable form.
  2. 2. The communication network device of claim 1, wherein the error occurs when an electronic device attempts to associate with the communication network device or when the communication network device attempts to communicate with a service in a network that includes the communication network device.
  3. 3. The communication network device of claim 1, wherein comprises: an access point, a switch or a router.
  4. 4. The communication network device of claim 1, wherein the feedback information is included in or associated with a selective service set identifier (SSID) associated with the communication network device.
  5. 5. The communication network device of claim 4, wherein, when the error occurs, the operations comprise dynamically changing the SSID of a wireless local area network (WLAN) provided by the communication network device to include the feedback information.
  6. 6. The communication network device of claim 1, wherein the feedback information is included in a secondary attribute associated with the communication network device.
  7. 7. The communication network device of claim 6, wherein the feedback information is included in Passpoint information associated with a wireless local area network (WLAN) provided by the communication network device.
  8. 8. The communication network device of claim 7, wherein the Passpoint information identifies the communication network device that is associated with the error.
  9. 9. The communication network device of claim 1, wherein the feedback information comprises an image associated with the error.
  10. 10. The communication network device of claim 9, wherein image comprises a barcode or a quick response (QR) code.
  11. 11. The communication network device of claim 1, wherein the feedback information comprises information about a remedial action to perform to address the error.
  12. 12. The communication network device of claim 1, wherein the feedback information comprises a communication performance metric of a network that includes the communication network device and that is impacted by the error.
  13. 13. The communication network device of claim 1, wherein the feedback information is provided without requiring that a user login to the communication network device or a network that includes the communication network device.
  14. 14. The communication network device of claim 1, wherein, when the error occurs, the operations comprise changing a property of a service associated with a network that includes the communication network device.
  15. 15. A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium for use in conjunction with a communication network device, the computer-readable storage medium storing program instructions, wherein, when executed by the communication network device, cause the communication network device to perform one or more operations comprising: determining or receiving information indicating that an error associated with the communication network device has occurred; and providing a beacon with feedback information associated with the error, wherein the feedback information comprises an error message that indicates the error in human-readable form.
  16. 16. The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium of claim 15, wherein the feedback information is included in Passpoint information associated with a wireless local area network (WLAN) provided by the communication network device.
  17. 17. The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium of claim 15, wherein the feedback information is included in or associated with a selective service set identifier (SSID) of the communication network device.
  18. 18. A method for selectively providing dynamic feedback information, comprising: by a communication network device: determining or receiving information indicating that an error associated with the communication network device has occurred; and providing a beacon with feedback information associated with the error, wherein the feedback information comprises an error message that indicates the error in human-readable form.
  19. 19. The method of claim 18, wherein the feedback information is included in Passpoint information associated with a wireless local area network (WLAN) provided by the communication network device
  20. 20. The method of claim 18, wherein the feedback information is included in or associated with a selective service set identifier (SSID) of the communication network device.

Description

DYNAMIC FEEDBACK INFORMATION ABOUT A NETWORK ERROR FIELD [0001] The described embodiments relate to techniques for providing feedback information when an error (such as a connection problem) occurs in a network that includes a communication network device. BACKGROUND [0002] Many electronic devices are capable of wirelessly communicating with other electronic devices. For example, these electronic devices can include a networking subsystem that implements a network interface for a wireless local area network (WLAN), e.g., a wireless network such as described in the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) 802.11 standard (which is sometimes referred to as ‘Wi-Fi’). For example, a wireless network may include an access point that communicates wirelessly with one or more associated electronic devices (which are sometimes referred to as ‘clients’ or ‘stations’). [0003] During operation, an electronic device may discover a proximate access point. For example, the access point may broadcast beacons in a WLAN with information about the access point. When the electronic device receives a beacon, the electronic device may establish a connection with the access point (which is sometimes referred to as ‘association’). Alternatively or additionally, the electronic device may provide a probe request to the access point, and in response the access point may provide a probe response with information about the access point. Then, using this information, the electronic device may associate with the access point. [0004] However, problems sometimes occur when an electronic device attempts to associate with or establish a connection with an access point. This is often frustrating for a user of an electronic device that is trying to establish a connection, because it is difficult for the user to obtain information about the source of the problem and, thus, to troubleshoot the problem. For example, the user may need to first login to the access point (and, more generally, a ‘communication network device,’ which may also include a switch or a router), which may be difficult because of the aforementioned connection issue and the restricted or limited user interface on the access point. Alternatively or additionally, the user may need to contact technical support. This is also frustrating, because the user may not have the knowledge needed to explain the problem or even to identify the problematic access point, and it may be difficult for remotely located technical support to identify and solve the problem. SUMMARY [0005] A communication network device that selectively provides dynamic feedback information is described. This communication network device includes: an interface circuit, memory storing program instructions, and a processor that executes the program instructions. When an error associated with the communication network device occurs, the communication network device provides a beacon with the feedback information associated with the error, where the feedback information includes an error message that indicates the error in a human-readable format. [0006] For example, the error may occur when an electronic device attempts to associate with the communication network device or when the communication network device attempts to communicate with a service in a network that includes the communication network device. [0007] Note that the communication network device may include: an access point, a switch or a router. [0008] Moreover, the feedback information may be included in or associated with a selective service set identifier (SSID) associated with the communication network device. For example, when the error occurs, the communication network device may dynamically change the SSID of a WLAN provided by the communication network device to include the feedback information. [0009] Alternatively or additionally, the feedback information may be included in a secondary attribute associated with the communication network device. For example, the feedback information may be included in Passpoint information associated with the WLAN provided by the communication network device. Note that the Passpoint information may identify the communication network device that is associated with the error. [0010] Furthermore, the feedback information may include an image associated with the error, such as a barcode or a quick response (QR) code. Additionally, the feedback information may include information about a remedial action to perform to address the error, such as an individual to contact regarding the error. [0011] Note that the feedback information may include information associated with the error, such as real-time information. For example, the information may include a communication performance metric of the network that is impacted by the error. [0012] Moreover, the feedback information may be provided without requiring that a user login to the communication network device or the network. [0013] In some embodiments