Provides a wireless network management standard that optimizes client connectivity and improves overall network performance through enhanced management frames and procedures.
The 802.11v is a wireless network management standard that:
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enables network-assisted roaming to optimize client connectivity,
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helps balance client load by providing guidance to client devices, and
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improves wireless performance through enhanced management frames and procedures.
802.11v is part of the IEEE 802.11 family of Wi-Fi standards. It includes features such as network-assisted roaming, which allows network infrastructure (such as wireless controllers) to direct clients to better access points (APs), reducing congestion and improving overall network efficiency.
Roaming and management enhancements
The following sections detail how 802.11v supports roaming and client management:
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Enhancement of roaming with 802.11v support: When 802.11v support is enabled on a Workgroup Bridge (WGB), it enhances roaming by enabling the WGB to proactively select optimal APs based on updated neighborhood information. The WGB can actively initiate roaming to suitable APs from dynamically updated lists, and periodic checks ensure that the WGB maintains the most accurate AP neighbor data.
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Basic service set transition request frame: The Basic Service Set (BSS) Transition Request frame includes channel information of neighboring APs. Limiting scanning to these specified channels significantly reduces roaming latency in environments that use multiple channels.
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Disassociate the client on the AP using WLC: The Wireless LAN Controller (WLC) can disassociate a client based on factors such as AP load, Received Signal Strength Indicator (RSSI), and data rate. The WLC can notify 802.11v-enabled clients of an impending disassociation through the BSS transition management request frame. If the client fails to re-associate with another AP within a configurable time, the disassociation is enforced.
Administrators can enable the disassociation-imminent configuration on the WLC, which activates the optional field within the BSS transition management request frame. For detailed information of 802.11v configuration on the WLC, see Cisco Catalyst 9800 Series Wireless Controller Software Configuration Guide .