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Forum Discussion
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How to tell which satellite a device is connected to? How to make it switch satellites?
Q1. How can I tell from the web interface which satellite a device is connected to? I can use the iOS app to do so, but it seems to be a glating oversight to not have this info be available via the ...
Fast Roaming is IEEE standard 802.11r. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/IEEE_802.11r-2008
Notice in the first sentence, "for devices in motion". It is common for the network software in smartphone, tablets, and laptops to be set up to "roam" (either the 'old way' or 802.11r). Devices that do not move seem to be programmed to connect to an access point and stay connected until the access point signal goes away entirely.
A Ring battery camera is not likely to "roam" because it is physically moved to a new location.
As you have discovered, unless a device is programmed to look for better WiFi connections, there are only three methods that will get it to change:
- Power Cycle the device.
- Have the device "forget" the WiFi, search again, and reconnect. (which can be done on a television, but not on a security camera because once it disconnects it no longer accepts commands)
- Power Cycle the access point.
I doubt very much a complaint will get much traction at Ring. Generally, security cameras are placed somewhere and left there for extended periods of time.
Sorry if I missed the point of the discussion.
Folks,
Do you know of a web site that describes how client devices decide/negotiate which mesh satellite to connect to?
Are the following funtionally the same in re-setting the connection between the client and the mesh system to fix the "connected to the wrong/distant satellite" problem? If not, which is the correct sequence of reboots?
- Rebooting the RBR
- Rebooting the "wrong/distant" satellite that the client is connected to
- Rebooting the client
Willing to read-up and learn.
Aloke
Fast Roaming is IEEE standard 802.11r. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/IEEE_802.11r-2008
Notice in the first sentence, "for devices in motion". It is common for the network software in smartphone, tablets, and laptops to be set up to "roam" (either the 'old way' or 802.11r). Devices that do not move seem to be programmed to connect to an access point and stay connected until the access point signal goes away entirely.
A Ring battery camera is not likely to "roam" because it is physically moved to a new location.
As you have discovered, unless a device is programmed to look for better WiFi connections, there are only three methods that will get it to change:
- Power Cycle the device.
- Have the device "forget" the WiFi, search again, and reconnect. (which can be done on a television, but not on a security camera because once it disconnects it no longer accepts commands)
- Power Cycle the access point.
I doubt very much a complaint will get much traction at Ring. Generally, security cameras are placed somewhere and left there for extended periods of time.
Sorry if I missed the point of the discussion.
Makes sense. A security camera is not designed to switch access points at it is supposed to be installed at a fixed location.
That explains why the camera would doggedly stay connected to a satellite, with very poor signal strength (RSSI measured by the cam) even though I had brought it a few feet from the RBR.
Summary: When moving the Ring (or any security cam) to a new location, power-cycle the cam.