Assisted Roaming

802.11k neighbor list and assisted roaming

The 802.11k neighbor list and assisted roaming is a wireless roaming optimization feature that

  • allows an AP to inform 802.11k-capable clients of neighboring BSSIDs (APs in the same SSID)

  • helps clients optimize their scanning and roaming behavior, and

  • includes Assisted Roaming Prediction Optimization for non-802.11k clients to discourage roaming to suboptimal APs.

Prediction based roaming for non-802.11k clients

You can optimize roaming for non-802.11k clients by generating a prediction neighbor list for each client without sending an 802.11k neighbor list request. When prediction based roaming enables a WLAN, after each successful client association/re-association, the same neighbor list optimization applies on the non-802.11k client to generate and store the neighbor list in the mobile station software data structure. Clients at different locations have different lists because the client probes are seen with different RSSI values by the different neighbors as the clients usually probe before any association or re-association. This list is created with the most updated probe data and predicts the next AP that the client is likely to roam to.

The wireless infrastructure discourages clients from roaming to those less desirable neighbors by denying association if the association request to an AP does not match the entries on the stored prediction neighbor list.

Key configuration parameters for prediction based roaming:

  • Denial count: Maximum number of times a client is refused association.

  • Prediction threshold: Minimum number of entries required in the prediction list for the assisted roaming feature to activate.


Note
We recommend not configuring two SSIDs with the same name in the controller, which may cause roaming issues.

For more information, see https://www.cisco.com/c/en/us/td/docs/wireless/controller/8-5/Enterprise-Mobility-8-5-Design-Guide/Enterprise_Mobility_8-5_Deployment_Guide/Chapter-11.html#pgfId-1140097.

Restrictions for assisted roaming

  • This feature is supported only on 802.11n capable indoor access points. For a single band configuration, a maximum of 6 neighbors are visible in a neighbor list. For dual band configuration, a maximum of 12 neighbors are visible.

  • You can configure assisted roaming only using the CLI.

Configure assisted roaming (GUI)

Configure assisted roaming to enable clients to request neighbor reports containing information about known neighbor access points that are candidates for a service set transition.

Assisted roaming allows clients to request neighbor reports containing information about known neighbor access points that are candidates for a service set transition.

Procedure

Step 1

Choose Configuration > Tags & Profiles > WLAN and click Add to add a WLAN or select an existing WLAN.

Step 2

On the Advanced tab, go to the Assisted Roaming (11K) and select the Prediction Optimization checkbox to optimize roaming for non 802.11k clients by generating a prediction neighbor list for each client without sending an 802.11k neighbor list request.

Step 3

Select the Neighbor List checkbox to optimize roaming for 802.11K clients by generating a neighbor list for each client without sending an 802.11k neighbor list request. By default, the neighbor list contains only neighbors in the same band with which the client is associated. However, if you select the Dual Band Neighbor List checkbox, it allows 802.11k to return neighbors in both bands.

Step 4

Click Apply to Device.

Assisted roaming is configured for the WLAN with the selected optimization options for both 802.11k and non-802.11k clients.

Configure assisted roaming (CLI)

Enable assisted roaming to improve client roaming performance by providing neighbor AP information and prediction capabilities.
Assisted roaming helps wireless clients make better roaming decisions by providing neighbor lists, dual-band lists, and prediction features. This configuration improves overall wireless network performance and client experience.

Procedure

Step 1

Enter global configuration mode.

Example:

Device# configure terminal

Step 2

Configure neighbor floor label bias.

Example:

Device(config)# wireless assisted-roaming floor-bias dBm-value

Example:

Device(config)# wireless assisted-roaming floor-bias 20

The valid range is from 5 to 25 dBm, and the default value is 15 dBm.

Step 3

Enter WLAN configuration submode.

Example:

Device(config)# wlan wlan-id

Example:

Device(config)# wlan wlan1

The wlan-id is the profile name of the configured WLAN.

Step 4

Configure an 802.11k neighbor list for a WLAN.

Example:

Device(wlan)# assisted-roaming neighbor-list

By default, assisted roaming is enabled on the neighbor list when you create a WLAN. The no form of the command disables assisted roaming neighbor list.

Step 5

Configure a dual-band 802.11k dual list for a WLAN.

Example:

Device(wlan)# assisted-roaming dual-list

By default, assisted roaming is enabled on the dual list when you create a WLAN. The no form of the command disables assisted roaming dual list.

Step 6

Configure assisted roaming prediction list feature for a WLAN.

Example:

Device(wlan)# assisted-roaming prediction

By default, the assisted roaming prediction list is disabled.

Note

 

A warning message is displayed and load balancing is disabled for the WLAN if load balancing is already enabled for the WLAN.

Step 7

Configure the minimum number of predicted APs required for the prediction list feature to be activated.

Example:

Device# wireless assisted-roaming prediction-minimum count

The default value is 3.

Note

 

If the number of the AP in the prediction assigned to the client is less than the number that you specify, the assisted roaming feature will not apply on this roam.

Step 8

Configure the maximum number of times a client can be denied association if the association request is sent to an AP that does not match any AP on the prediction.

Example:

Device# wireless assisted-roaming denial-maximum count

Example:

Device# wireless assisted-roaming denial-maximum 8

The valid range is from 1 to 10, and the default value is 5.

Step 9

Exit configuration mode and return to privileged EXEC mode.

Example:

Device(config)# end
Assisted roaming is now configured with the specified parameters, enabling improved client roaming performance through neighbor lists, dual-band support, and prediction capabilities.

Verify assisted roaming

This command can be used to verify assisted roaming configured on a WLAN:

Command Description
show WLAN id WLAN-id

Displays the WLAN parameters on the WLAN.

Configuration examples for assisted roaming

Configuration examples for assisted roaming demonstrate the necessary commands and syntax to configure neighbor floor label bias, disable neighbor list on specific WLANs, configure prediction lists, and set prediction thresholds and maximum denial counts.

This example shows how to configure the neighbor floor label bias:


Device# configure terminal
Device(config)# wireless assisted-roaming floor-bias 10
Device(config)# end
Device# show wlan id 23

This example shows how to disable neighbor list on a specific WLAN:


Device# configure terminal
Device(config)# wlan test1
Device(config (wlan)# no assisted-roaming neighbor-list
Device(config)(wlan)# end
Device# show wlan id 23

This example shows how to configure the prediction list on a specific WLAN:


Device# configure terminal
Device(config)# wlan test1
Device(config)(wlan)# assisted-roaming prediction
Device(config)(wlan)# end
Device# show wlan id 23

This example shows how to configure the prediction list based on assisted roaming prediction threshold and maximum denial count on a specific WLAN: 


Device# configure terminal
Device(config)# wireless assisted-roaming prediction-minimum 4
Device(config)# wireless assisted-roaming denial-maximum 4
Device(config)# wlan wlan-name
Device(config)(wlan)# end
Device# show wlan id 23