Basic introduction to AP Mesh and Fast Roaming

This article applies to: All Omada AP

Contents

Objective

Requirements

Introduction

How does Mesh Work?

How does Fast Roaming Work?

Objective

In this article you can find more helpful information and professional explanations on how AP Mesh and Fast Roaming work.

Requirements

• Omada Controller (software Controller / hardware Controller / CBC, v5.9 and above)
• Omada AP

Introduction

To begin with, we need to clarify the two concepts. Some people might confuse the Mesh and Fast Roaming functions.

• Mesh function means that satellite APs can connect to the root AP wirelessly without a cable.

• Fast roaming is a feature in the wireless network that allows a wireless client to quickly switch from one AP to another while maintaining a stable and uninterrupted connection. This is particularly important in environments with multiple APs, such as large office buildings, airports, or public spaces, where users may move around and need to seamlessly transition between APs without experiencing a drop in connectivity.

Note: Not all AP models support Mesh and Fast Roaming. You can refer to Omada Mesh Devices and EAP’s datasheet to check whether your APs support Mesh and Fast Roaming respectively.

How does Mesh Work?

Traditionally, if you want Wi-Fi to cover your home indoors and outdoors, you have to connect all the APs to the main router or PoE switch via Ethernet cables, which is time-consuming. In some hard-to-wire areas, maintaining a cable connection is even impractical. For these cases, you can connect APs effortlessly via a wireless connection, regardless of where they are relative to the main router or PoE switch. In the typical Omada Mesh scenario, a root AP is deployed and connected via a cable. Once the other APs are powered on, they act as Mesh APs and wirelessly connect to the root AP. All the APs work as an integrated system to provide seamless Wi-Fi service for users.

Please visit Frequently Asked Questions about EAP Mesh Network for the detailed information on Mesh functionality on Omada AP. To set up the wireless Mesh on the Controller, please go to How to Build a Mesh Network via Omada EAP in Controller Mode for instructions.

How does Fast Roaming Work?

TP-Link Omada AP products combine IEEE 802.11k and 802.11v protocol to help shorten the time required for a wireless client to roam between APs, thus reducing the impact of roaming on performance.

Here is the 802.11k/v Fast Roaming process of Omada AP:

1) After powering on the AP, they will scan the surrounding environment to find other APs nearby.

2) Once a wireless client connects to the AP’s Wi-Fi, the AP continuously monitors the signal strength of the client. When it detects the signal strength of this client becomes weak, it initiates an 802.11k request to collect information about the surrounding APs.

3) By analyzing the 802.11k information received from the client, the Omada AP determines if there is a target AP. If a target AP is identified, the Omada AP will send an 802.11v roaming suggestion to the client to guide it to perform seamless roaming.

Notes:

To benefit from the 802.11k/v Fast Roaming feature, please ensure the following:

• All APs and the wireless clients support 802.11k and 802.11v protocols.
• Omada Controller is managing the APs properly and keep running.
• All the AP devices are having the same SSID and security settings.
• The wireless coverage between adjacent AP is overlapped for 20%-30%.
• It's better to choose different channels to reduce wireless interference between APs.

Get to know more details of each function and configuration please go to Download Center to download the manual of your product.