QoS-Oriented Load Balancing for WLANs

The load balancing (LB) is essential for improving the WLAN efficiency, especially for VoIP over WLAN. Although 802.11v forms an important step to standardize LB in WLAN, nevertheless the concept, algorithms, and system model of LB are still required. In that respect, this paper proposes a novel concept for LB according to the graph representation of WLAN environment. In relation with WLAN features, a load distribution graph is constructed as the basis of the presented LB concept and algorithms in local scope. Accordingly, a QoS-oriented LB method and a system model are developed. Based on that, a system prototype, called Lobaq, is implemented according to the centralized architecture. The experimental results present the major functionalities of system behavior and provide an improvement of network balance in relation with the test scenario from lower than 37% to more than 73%. Moreover, these results confirm the LB according to the QoS requirements