Device Identification

ExtremeWireless can identify the device type and operating system used by clients associated with an ExtremeWireless AP. Gathering this information in a site deployment furthers mobile user statistical reporting on the controller or Cloud. This feature is supported on the ExtremeWireless AP38xx or AP39xx series APs. This discovery is implemented on the AP through deep packet inspection of the DHCP (Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol) and HTTP packets. Regardless of how the traffic is bridged -- at the controller or routed -- fingerprinting is handled on the AP. This approach offers a consistent implementation that does not require a large processing load. The AP fingerprints the same messages as Extreme Access Control.

Device ID is based on a DHCP database. The database is defined by an XML file that is built into both the AP and controller image. The XML file can be updated each time the image file is updated.

The precision of the client‘s identity improves overtime. Each DHCP fingerprint has an assigned weight in the XML file. HTTP fingerprints are assigned a greater weight than DHCP fingerprints. The AP tracks the weight of a client‘s fingerprint. If a client is identified with a fingerprint that has a greater weight than what was previously stored in the database, the new device identity and weight value are updated in the database.

The AP reports device identity changes to the controller and to the Cloud. This information is available to the user through the ExtremeWireless dashboard and through the controller reporting system. The client device type is included in all data streams where client parameters are included. For instance, this information is available to the ExtremeWireless Location Engine and to Extreme Management Center™.