Democratic Wireless Channel Assignment: Fair Resource Allocation in Wi-Fi Networks

Ivan Marsá-Maestre, José Manuel Giménez-Guzmán, Marino Tejedor-Romero, Enrique de la Hoz, Pradeep K. Murukannaiah

Abstract: User experience is the ultimate quality of service criterion for modern WLAN networks. However, network configuration approaches are mainly network-centric. We envision a paradigm shift, empowering users in network management. We study how automated negotiation and collective intelligence can support the democratic configuration of a wireless network, leveraging client and provider interests. This new paradigm allows for flexible network configuration, which enables better exploitation of resources considering the clients’ real usage and needs, and a fair distribution of throughput among users.