Roaming Between Multiple Access Points - Proxim Skyline User Manual

Introduction

Roaming Between Multiple Access Points

For larger environments, Skyline 802.11a client devices may roam from one Skyline
802.11a Access Point to another while maintaining the same network connection. The
802.11a Access Points establish coverage areas or cells similar in concept to those of
a cellular phone network. The mobile clients will connect to any 802.11a Access Point
that is within range.
Each Skyline 802.11a Access Point within a roaming network must be configured to
use the same SSID and security settings (if applicable), but with a unique,
independent Channel for each Access Point.
Mobile clients equipped with 802.11a wireless adapters are configured to operate in
Infrastructure mode and have the same SSID and security settings as the Access
Points. Alternatively, the mobile client may use an SSID of "any" to associate with any
available Access Point, regardless of the Access Point's SSID.
As the mobile client seamlessly switches from cell to cell, its network connectivity is
preserved. The user can move freely between the Skyline 802.11a Access Points in the
network. When the roaming client leaves the transmission range of one 802.11a
Access Point, the software automatically polls the other 802.11a Access Point(s) in the
same Extended Service Set (ESS) to continue the network connection.
Note: The cells must overlap to ensure that there are no gaps in coverage so that
the roaming client will always have a connection available.
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