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    Can pfSense support wifi AP handover (management)?

    Scheduled Pinned Locked Moved General pfSense Questions
    13 Posts 6 Posters 5.8k Views
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    • GruensFroeschliG
      GruensFroeschli
      last edited by

      Such a feature has to be supported by the client.
      Not really much on the AP you can do.

      Unless you are talking about a wireless system where you have a central controller which handles association/authentication for multiple access points.
      This is not a feature which is possible with pfSense.

      We do what we must, because we can.

      Asking questions the smart way: http://www.catb.org/esr/faqs/smart-questions.html

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      • T
        tmacka88
        last edited by

        Thanks.

        Any idea what the best solution would be for a wifi network with pfsense then?

        thnaks

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        • D
          doktornotor Banned
          last edited by

          Shrug. Set up as many APs as you need, same SSID, same security level, same key, serving IPs from same DHCP server/pool… see how the roaming goes.

          However, you must realize that triggering the roam is completely client dependent.

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          • ?
            Guest
            last edited by

            Ubiquiti has an option in the APs called ZH - zero handoff.
            Look into that product, not handled all by the client.

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            • D
              doktornotor Banned
              last edited by

              @JoeMcJoe:

              Ubiquiti has an option in the APs called ZH - zero handoff.
              Look into that product, not handled all by the client.

              Before wasting money on that, you should read this, notably:

              Zero Handoff Roaming works with any type of client (legacy included). However, all UAPs in the ZH-Enabled WLAN Group must be on the same layer-2 network (same subnet) and use the same wireless channel (e.g., Channel 1).  … ZH Roaming should not be enabled on High-Density WLANs. This is because ZH requires the same channel be used on all access points across the BSSID. In addition, all associated wireless clients are using the same channel. So in a high density environment, when ZH is enabled, the channel faces overuse. Stations will experience higher latency and lower throughput.

              Beyond practical technical issues, the implementation breaks regulatory requirements in many countries, that do NOT allow you to hardcode used channel, esp. for 5GHz band.

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              • J
                jasonlitka
                last edited by

                It's not a waste of money, but like most interesting solutions it has some catches.  I'm waiting on the edge of my seat for 3.0 to drop so I can upgrade my warehouse APs. The wireless scanners we use over there take about a minute to reconnect to a new AP.

                I can break anything.

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                • T
                  timthetortoise
                  last edited by

                  I'd recommend giving the beta a go. I have had no problems whatsoever with the latest betas.

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                  • J
                    jasonlitka
                    last edited by

                    @timthetortoise:

                    I'd recommend giving the beta a go. I have had no problems whatsoever with the latest betas.

                    How many APs are you using?  What models (I use LRs in the warehouse and Pros in the HQ)?  Do you use VLANs? Guest portal?

                    I can break anything.

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                    • T
                      timthetortoise
                      last edited by

                      Currently testing about 20 of the standard UAPs, and 1 UAP-AC. 3 SSIDs over 2 VLANs, no guest portal.

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                      • T
                        tmacka88
                        last edited by

                        looked into the Unifi. they look pretty good and not too expensive compared to other enterprise solutions. might have t get some and have a play.

                        any idea when v3 will be released?

                        also how did you find setting these up with pfsense? was it very difficult?

                        thanks

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                        • J
                          jasonlitka
                          last edited by

                          @tmacka88:

                          any idea when v3 will be released?

                          At the rate they've been moving, never.

                          I can break anything.

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                          • T
                            timthetortoise
                            last edited by

                            @tmacka88:

                            looked into the Unifi. they look pretty good and not too expensive compared to other enterprise solutions. might have t get some and have a play.

                            any idea when v3 will be released?

                            also how did you find setting these up with pfsense? was it very difficult?

                            thanks

                            No clue when v3 will be released. The betas are very stable at this point though, so it shouldn't be too far down the road.

                            As far as setting them up with pfSense, what do you mean? They'll work with any routed network, really, regardless of your L3 device. I plugged them in, the controller server saw them, I adopted them, done.

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