- Roaming is the capacity of a device to switch from one access point to another using wireless network cards. These cards can either be a PCI or the PC cards that are used by laptops and other mobile devices. There are three types of roaming that are used the most often.
- In Layer 2 roaming, signal strength from the available access point is used to choose whether the device is roaming. Power-saving protocol, or PSP, is often used with this type of roaming. PSP involves the transfer of packets of information that are being buffered to transfer from one access point to another. This allows the device to go to a low power, such as when the computer or other device is "asleep," and have their packets buffered while on this low setting to save battery life and increase energy efficiency.
- Layer 3 roaming allows for roaming across large areas of space, such as from building to building or across town. This type of roaming utilizes foreign networking to achieve maximum efficiency. A foreign network is often used to transfer a user's device out of her home network while still maintaining Internet access. Layer 3 roaming can only begin after Layer 2 roaming is completed. Devices can only roam between access points with the same SSID, so keep that in mind when attempting to go from home to the office across town.
- Seamless roaming creates the opportunity for the user to move from one access point to another with little to no delay. The device that goes through this type of roaming maintains the same IP address, so the user can still use the system to update his software or to troubleshoot problems with his device. Seamless roaming is typically the type used in wireless devices as they move in and out of a particular service area. Mobile users will experience little delay when moving from one access point to another in this type of roaming.
Layer 2
Layer 3
Seamless Roaming
SHARE
