iPhone/iPad wireless roaming

[wscotty2012]

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

[Leo Laohoo]

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. 

[George Stefanick]

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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[George Stefanick]

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

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[wscotty2012]

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?

[Scott Fella]

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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[George Stefanick]

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.

[wscotty2012]

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?

[George Stefanick]

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.

[Scott Fella]

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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