When using multiple Access Points, wireless clients moving between access points have control of which wireless access point they remain connected to. This can result in a wireless client choosing to stay connected to a distant access point, even when moving to a now nearer wireless access point could result in a better connection.
By not moving to the nearer wireless acess point, the client wouldn't benefit from the stronger signal and possibly better connectivity. The wireless access point will also need to send wireless transmissions further, spending more time transmitting to the more distant client than local ones, due to the difference in achievable wireless transmission rates.
VigorAP wireless access points improve this situation by using DrayTek's AP-assisted Client Mobility feature. DrayTek's AP-assisted Client Mobility tracks a wireless client's Signal Strength (RSSI) between the associated / connected access point. When a device moves out of optimal range for connection to a VigorAP access point, the VigorAP will check that device's achievable signal strength with other VigorAP access points.
If another VigorAP indicates that it can achieve better signal strength for that wireless client, the original VigorAP will disconnect that client, allowing the wireless client to re-associate with the nearer VigorAP, resulting in better signal strength, with potentially better wireless throughput and lower latency.
In the [Wireless LAN] > [Roaming] menu, there are multiple options to control how clients move between access points:
Mode | Description |
---|---|
Minimum Basic Rate | Disassociates wireless clients when their throughput rate decreases to the specified level. The Rate can decrease when signal strength decreases or where interference causes the achievable Rate to decrease. This does not check signal quality with other VigorAP access points. |
Disable RSSI Requirement | Clients are allowed to remain connected to a VigorAP until the client loses signal or chooses to associate with another closer VigorAP. The VigorAP does not control the association of wireless clients to the VigorAP. |
Strictly Minimum RSSI | Disassociates wireless clients when their signal strength goes below the specified value. This does not check signal quality with other VigorAP access points. |
Minimum RSSI (Recommended) |
When clients go below the specified signal strength value, the VigorAP checks potential signal strength with other VigorAPs and will disassociate a wireless client if that client can achieve a better signal with a nearer VigorAP. |
DrayTek VigorAP wireless access points that support AP-assisted Client Roaming, when configured to help wireless clients move between access points with Minimum RSSI mode, will keep track of the Signal Strength (RSSI) of each wireless client connected to the VigorAP, along with the RSSI value of all nearby wireless clients, whether they are associated with that particular VigorAP or not.