topic Re: iPhone/iPad wireless roaming in Wireless

iPhone/iPad wireless roaming

wscotty2012 — Thu, 10 Mar 2022 07:24:45 GMT

Can someone confirm that Apple iPhones/iPads only support uninterrupted roaming on a Cisco wireless network using PSK authentication?

If we want to use 802.1x authentication is CCKM required?

Thank you

iPhone/iPad wireless roaming

Leo Laohoo — Sat, 01 Sep 2012 00:08:49 GMT

You mean "sticky MAC"?

We are about to roll out 802.1X which will affect iDevices (including Macs) with CCKM. Testing is showing good results.

Re: iPhone/iPad wireless roaming

George Stefanick — Sat, 01 Sep 2012 01:06:04 GMT

Well sticky Mac and cckm are two different things. Also, sticky Mac has a limit 8 per ap. If you have a large environment sticky won't really work ..

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Re: iPhone/iPad wireless roaming

George Stefanick — Sat, 01 Sep 2012 01:06:49 GMT

Also your device has to support cckm, apple does not.

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iPhone/iPad wireless roaming

wscotty2012 — Sat, 01 Sep 2012 12:52:41 GMT

Ok. We are currently using hreap with 802.1x authentication and there is delay when apple iphones running mobile 8 roam. If iphones dont support CCKM, will standard WPA with PSK be ok? Will the reauthentication be quick enough that devices wont notice?

Re: iPhone/iPad wireless roaming

Scott Fella — Sat, 01 Sep 2012 13:49:02 GMT

The iPhone and iPads don't roam well at all, so you will see issues when roaming... This is an Apple product issue not any wireless vendor. There is a feature like George mentioned, but really only works in an environment of 8 or fewer APs.

http://www.cisco.com/en/US/docs/wireless/controller/release/notes/crn7_2.html#wp855316

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Re: iPhone/iPad wireless roaming

George Stefanick — Sat, 01 Sep 2012 15:23:55 GMT

CCKM is used when EAP is deployed for security. It negates the need for the client to talk to the radius server during each roam. If you deploy PSK, yes it will enhance romaing as no radius server is required with PSK. But as Scott has mentioned and as I have tested apple devices arent robust roamers when it comes to video and voice on the go.

Re: iPhone/iPad wireless roaming

wscotty2012 — Sat, 01 Sep 2012 15:43:46 GMT

Thanks guys.

Whats the typical recomendation here? This deployment will have roughly 15 access points configured in hreap per site. Is there anything that can be done to make i devices more robust when roaming? The sites will only support 100 voice users so will stciky mac be ok? How have you found andriod mobile devices?

Re: iPhone/iPad wireless roaming

Scott Fella — Sat, 01 Sep 2012 15:51:21 GMT

These devices to be honest don't roam like devices should. If you have apps that require a persistent connection, you should look at doing it in Citrix that support persistent connections or else look at something like NetMotion. I have clients in the medical and distribution areas that have used these with no issues. This doesn't improve roaming, it just helps keep a connection to an application.

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iPhone/iPad wireless roaming

George Stefanick — Sat, 01 Sep 2012 15:54:47 GMT

I would test your current setup with PSK and see if it meets your needs. You are already armed with a wealth of knowledge as to what to expect if you do have problems.