Do Cell Phones move automatically from one WAP to another?

[Jaxman12]

My question is:  In a building with 6 WAPs.  When a person enters the building, does their cell phone log onto the nearest WAP address?  As that person moves through the building, does their cell phone automatically log disconnect from the low signal WAP and connect to the WAP with the highest available signal?  The WAP model #s are AIR-CAP7021-A-K9.

[marce1000]

 - You mean if they use WiFi right ? They should, GSM(/data traffic)  either 3,4 or 5G depends on the availability of their signals for the phone to connect too.

 M.

[Jaxman12 · Accepted solution]

Yes, cellphones moving from one wap to another would be WIFI. Some Wireless Networks require you to log off of one WAP when you go out of range before you can log on to another wap with a greater signal. Other wireless networks use a controller (some built into the router) that will force a cell phone to automatically move connect to the nearest wap with the stronger signal. My question is how does the Cisco Wireless handle this?

[Rasika Nayanajith · Accepted solution]

Roaming decision is taken by client, depend on how different client device manufacturer implement it. Apple & Samsung has publish client roaming procedure, so you can get an idea.

1. iOS device roaming 

2. MacOS device roaming

3. Samsung device roaming

Therefore you will see different devices behaving differently. From Cisco WLC side, you can influence little bit, but end of the day client is taking the decision for it.

HTH

Rasika

*** Pls rate all useful responses ***

[Jaxman12]

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[marce1000 · Accepted solution]

 - As stated by Rasika roaming decision is >only handled by the client.

    M.

[Leo Laohoo]

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@Jaxman12 wrote:

When a person enters the building, does their cell phone log onto the nearest WAP address?  As that person moves through the building, does their cell phone automatically log disconnect from the low signal WAP and connect to the WAP with the highest available signal?

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Depends on the "age" of the wireless clients.  Take, for example, the iPhone.  It wasn't until iPhone OS 9.X.X did the wireless client able to "roam" properly.  Before OS 9.X.X, roaming was "best effort".  

In regards to Android OS, how it "roams" will depend entirely on the OS version and whether or not the manufacturer have included additional apps to help with the roaming.  There are one or two Android-based apps to help old Android wireless clients roam better.