Enhancing Network Reliability with WLAN Client Device Heartbeat

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Enhancing Network Reliability with WLAN Client Device Heartbeat

In the realm of networking, ensuring continuous connectivity for devices is crucial, especially for devices that require a constant internet connection such as public Network Attached Storage (NAS) or cloud-connected cameras. Zyxel Networks introduces an innovative solution to address this need through the WLAN Client Device Heartbeat feature, available on mobile routers and mobile router pro versions. This feature enhances network reliability and provides users with the peace of mind that their devices remain online and operational.

Overview of the Client Device Heartbeat Feature

The Client Device Heartbeat is a sophisticated feature designed for mobile routers, enabling them to periodically verify the connectivity status of devices listed by the user. It allows users to add devices to a client list on their mobile router, which then checks if each device remains connected to the network. This is particularly useful for ensuring that essential devices, such as those needed for home security or data access, maintain their connection to the internet.

Setting Up and Managing Your Client List

To leverage this feature, users can add new devices to their mobile router's client list by specifying a name and an IP address for each device. It is recommended to assign static IP addresses to these devices to avoid identification issues if the IP address changes.

Once a device is added, users can edit its name but must remove and re-add the device to change its IP address. This management process ensures that users can maintain an accurate and up-to-date list of devices they wish to monitor.

How It Works: The Technicalities

The mobile router utilizes Address Resolution Protocol (ARP) queries to check the connectivity status of each device on the list, conducting three ARP queries for every IP address every 10 minutes. The responses to these queries are used to determine the connectivity status, which is indicated by three colors:

Green: Indicates that all ARP requests received a reply, confirming the device is online.

Orange: Signifies that only one or two ARP requests received replies, suggesting partial connectivity.

Red: Denotes that none of the ARP requests received a reply, implying the device is offline.

The results of these checks are stored locally on the mobile router and are periodically uploaded to the Nebula Control Center (NCC) every 300 seconds. This means that even if there is a temporary disconnection from NCC, the mobile router will continue to monitor the client list and update NCC once the connection is restored.

Limitations and Considerations

The Client Device Heartbeat feature supports a maximum of five devices on the client list.

Rebooting the mobile router or experiencing interruptions in the ProPack license will reset or disable the client heartbeat information, respectively.

A white connectivity status indicates a lack of data, which could result from various scenarios such as device reboot when NCC is offline, license expiration and renewal, or the addition of a new device.

Final Thoughts

The WLAN Client Device Heartbeat feature by Zyxel Networks represents a significant advancement in network management and reliability. By enabling users to monitor the connectivity status of their critical devices, Zyxel empowers them to ensure uninterrupted service and security. As we continue to rely more heavily on internet-connected devices, features like the Client Device Heartbeat become essential tools in our digital lives.