Radio sensor coverage estimation for wireless network assurance

Abstract

An apparatus, computer program product, and method relating to radio sensor coverage estimation for wireless network assurance. A network controller estimates a network sensor coverage level for candidate access points (APs), based on potential use of the candidate APs as network sensors to measure at least one key performance indicator (KPI). The controller determines a subset of the candidate APs, based on evaluating candidate APs for suitability as network sensors. The controller estimates a second network sensor coverage level for the subset of candidate APs, based on potential use of the subset of candidate APs as network sensors. The controller determines that the second network sensor coverage level is within a pre-defined threshold of the first network sensor coverage level, and provisions a radio in each AP in the subset of candidate APs as a network sensor to measure at least one KPI.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A network controller, comprising:
 a processor; and   a memory containing a program that, when executed on the processor, performs an operation, the operation comprising:
 estimating a first network sensor coverage level for a plurality of candidate access points (APs), based on potential use of the plurality of candidate APs as network sensors to measure at least one key performance indicator (KPI); 
 determining a subset of the plurality of candidate APs, based on evaluating the plurality of candidate APs for suitability as network sensors; 
 estimating a second network sensor coverage level for the subset of the plurality of candidate APs, based on potential use of the subset of the plurality of candidate APs as network sensors; 
 determining that the second network sensor coverage level is within a pre-defined threshold of the first network sensor coverage level; and 
 provisioning a radio in each AP in the subset of the plurality of candidate APs as a network sensor to measure at least one KPI.