I know the EX8000 supports smart roaming using the 802.11k standard, however I need to know if this only works when using the unit in extender mode or if it also applies when you are using it in AP mode via a wired connection?Anyone any experience with roaming in AP mode?

In AP mode i've no problem then i walk around the house.. the IP number and MAC of the client remains te same(one subnet for all AP's + router) and that is sufficient.

Hey ChrisL1971,What is the router you are roaming to and from with the EX8000? Does it also support 802.11k? With any luck Netgear will implement 802.11v and r as well as 802.11k on the EX8000.

Wireless STA can switch in a reasonable time from one AP STA to another AP/router STA usually. For this, the advanced modes are not required - no doubts that this does basically work - without 802.11k, 802.11v and 802.11r. However, for truly seamless roaming, especially with multiple AP STA in reach, there is no way around 802.11k Radio Resource Management (RRM) and 802.11r aka. fast BSS transition (FT) also called fast roaming. This will allow ongoing VoIP calls or video streams while changing BSS.

Hi, I have the same issue with EX8000 in AP mode. I have two EX8000 connected to my wired network as access points. The performance and the coverage is great, however my clients does not roam from one AP to the other one. I have several android clients and I'm using Wifi Analizer. It clearly shows the SSID name and the MAC addresses behind the ssid name. In my setup I can see 4 MAC addresses (2 times 2 5GHz radio). I can also see the mac for the AP where my client is connected. Even if there is very big signal strenght difference (ie 25-30dBm), my android still connects to the far end AP (instead of the closer one). In the EX8000's config page I could not see any options for smart roaming (maybe it is not available in AP mode) nor any settings related to minimum RSSI. Any idea, how can my clients roam smarter between the APs?

EX8000 802.11k when in AP mode | NETGEAR Communities

10 Replies

ChrisL1971
Guide
Oct 09, 2018
In AP mode i've no problem then i walk around the house.. the IP number and MAC of the client remains te same(one subnet for all AP's + router) and that is sufficient.
- DaveIRE
  Aspirant
  Oct 09, 2018
  Hey ChrisL1971,
  
  What is the router you are roaming to and from with the EX8000? Does it also support 802.11k?
  
  With any luck Netgear will implement 802.11v and r as well as 802.11k on the EX8000.
  - ChrisL1971
    Guide
    Oct 09, 2018
    My router is a R7800
schferenc
Aspirant
Nov 18, 2018
Hi,

I have the same issue with EX8000 in AP mode. I have two EX8000 connected to my wired network as access points. The performance and the coverage is great, however my clients does not roam from one AP to the other one. I have several android clients and I'm using Wifi Analizer. It clearly shows the SSID name and the MAC addresses behind the ssid name. In my setup I can see 4 MAC addresses (2 times 2 5GHz radio). I can also see the mac for the AP where my client is connected. Even if there is very big signal strenght difference (ie 25-30dBm), my android still connects to the far end AP (instead of the closer one). In the EX8000's config page I could not see any options for smart roaming (maybe it is not available in AP mode) nor any settings related to minimum RSSI. Any idea, how can my clients roam smarter between the APs?
- ChrisL1971
  Guide
  Nov 18, 2018
  schferenc wrote:
  
  Hi,
  
  I have the same issue with EX8000 in AP mode. I have two EX8000 connected to my wired network as access points. The performance and the coverage is great, however my clients does not roam from one AP to the other one. I have several android clients and I'm using Wifi Analizer. It clearly shows the SSID name and the MAC addresses behind the ssid name. In my setup I can see 4 MAC addresses (2 times 2 5GHz radio). I can also see the mac for the AP where my client is connected. Even if there is very big signal strenght difference (ie 25-30dBm), my android still connects to the far end AP (instead of the closer one). In the EX8000's config page I could not see any options for smart roaming (maybe it is not available in AP mode) nor any settings related to minimum RSSI. Any idea, how can my clients roam smarter between the APs?
  
  HI There is no way to push a client to pick a other AP. Turn of the fair away AP and it will connect the closer one or wait till it find it him self..(and that can take sometimes 15 min or more ).
  - schferenc
    Aspirant
    Nov 19, 2018
    Hi,
    
    based on this article: https://kb.netgear.com/000059680/What-is-Smart-Roaming-and-how-does-it-work-with-my-Nighthawk-Pro-Gaming-router
    
    I think the EX8000 supports 802.11k which means the client (if it supports too) will re-connect to the closer AP. The only question is (I'll evaluate this evening) whether it works in AP mode too (just enable the one wifi name feature and it will work in AP mode as wll), or the EX8000 should be configured as extender to allow smart roaming. I dont believe such expensive toys does not support such a great feature (smart roaming). I'll update this post later on...

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EX8000 802.11k when in AP mode