New Training: Identify Wireless Joining and Roaming Processes

In this 9-video skill, CBT Nuggets trainer Jacob Moran covers the specific 802.11 frames that are used to join a wireless client to an access point or roam about a larger wireless network. Learn how lightweight access points discover and join a wireless LAN controller. Watch this new Cisco training.

Watch the full course: Cisco CCNP Enterprise Core

This training includes:

• 9 videos

• 43 minutes of training

You’ll learn these topics in this skill:

• Intro to Wireless Joining and Roaming

• Identifying Wireless Frame Types

• Discovering Wireless Networks

• Describing the Wireless Connection Process

• Deconstructing Wireless Traffic Flow

• Describing Autonomous Wireless Roaming

• Identifying L2 Controller Assisted Wireless Roaming

• Identifying L3 Controller Assisted Wireless Roaming

• Describe How Lightweight APs Join a WLC

What is Wireless Roaming?

Wireless roaming is when a wireless client device leaves the range of one access point (AP) while entering the range of another. When this occurs, the client device must disconnect from the original AP and connect to the new one in a handoff process.

This process takes three steps. First, once Received Signal Strength Indicator (RSSI) values fall below a certain level, the client device must identify and select an alternative AP, based on client-device-defined criteria. Next, the client device must make an authentication request to the new AP and wait for the AP to either approve or reject the request. Finally, once a new AP approves the client device, the client device must make a re-association request to it. Then, after the re-association has been completed, the client must send a disassociation request to the original AP, which will complete the handoff.

The handoff process can take less than a half-second if the APs are set up correctly.