How to setup Multiple AP with roaming?

Would anyone please confirm if the following a correct procedure for
setting up AP roaming (not WDS)?

1) All APs (with wired ethernet) configured with same ESSID
2) For adjacent APs, the channel are different
3) All workstations/PDA/clients are configured to talk to the same
ESSID

I have some more questions about roaming
1) Is roaming a standard feature of most APs? or enterprise class
feature ?
2) The workstations and clients are able to automatically switch to
stronger signal AP?
3) Is there any TCP connection drop when switch ? e.g. when FTP,
downloading is in progress, will it be broken when switching (not ping
between it is not connection oriented)
4) Is it necessary to install special client driver or software to
enable switching?

Thanks for advice


James Wong

My system is a Linksys WRT54G wireless router/AP and a Linksys WAP54G wireless
AP. I have the WAP set up as a repeater of the WRT.

Both have the same SSID, are on the same channel and same WEP key.

I believe roaming is part of the 802.11 IEEE standard. My laptop, with a Dell
TrueMobile 1300 WLAN mini PCI card, which is made by Broadcom, automatically
selects the strongest AP. I don't know about any TCP connection drop. I don't
notice problems. No special software is needed to enable switching. All
configurations are done through the Linksys firmware web pages. However my WAP
only repeats with the WRT.

"James Wong" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
news:(E-Mail Removed) om...

> 1) All APs (with wired ethernet) configured with same ESSID

Yes.

> 2) For adjacent APs, the channel are different

Use only 1,6 or 11.

> 3) All workstations/PDA/clients are configured to talk to the same
> ESSID

Yes.

Also make sure SSID broadcast is turned on.!

> 1) Is roaming a standard feature of most APs? or enterprise class
> feature ?

All devices.

> 2) The workstations and clients are able to automatically switch to
> stronger signal AP?

Yes, at a certain threshold.

> 3) Is there any TCP connection drop when switch ? e.g. when FTP,
> downloading is in progress, will it be broken when switching (not ping
> between it is not connection oriented)

Normally only milliseconds. Should not be a problem. You will need to test.

> 4) Is it necessary to install special client driver or software to
> enable switching?

No, but all AP's need to be on the same IP lan. AP's are a layer 2 device.
Most setups require the same IP network, the same layer 2 network.

Frank

-----------------------------
Pasadena Networks, LLC http://www.pasadena.net
Wireless News and Hotspot Search: http://www.pasadena.net/wifi/



---
Outgoing mail is certified Virus Free.
Checked by AVG anti-virus system (http://www.grisoft.com).
Version: 6.0.605 / Virus Database: 385 - Release Date: 3/1/2004