Can pfSense support wifi AP handover (management)?
-
Am doing some research on what I will need for my setup (im new to pfSense) and am wondering, if pfsense support wifi AP hand over (I forgot the actual term used for this). Basically, I have a large house where I need multiple AP to cover the house, however, with current consumer router & AP's devices will not switch to the stronger AP. They just hang on to the 1st AP until it completely loses the connection and then it looks for the next (closer) one.
I want to be able to walk throughout the house and devices switch to the best AP to get the best connection.
So can pfSense support this and how would you go about setting the AP's to do this with pfSense?
Thanks
-
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. -
Thanks.
Any idea what the best solution would be for a wifi network with pfsense then?
thnaks
-
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.
-
Ubiquiti has an option in the APs called ZH - zero handoff.
Look into that product, not handled all by the client. -
@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.
-
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'd recommend giving the beta a go. I have had no problems whatsoever with the latest betas.
-
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?
-
Currently testing about 20 of the standard UAPs, and 1 UAP-AC. 3 SSIDs over 2 VLANs, no guest portal.
-
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
-
-
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.
