Wireless Fast Transition Option

[netdood]

I'm trying to understand what the Fast Transition option does.  It's on the 5508 GUI under WLAN -> SSID -> Security -> Layer 2.

From what I just read,

http://www.cisco.com/en/US/docs/wireless/controller/release/notes/crn7_2_110_0.html

http://wireless-richard.blogspot.com/2012/09/80211r-support-in-ios-6.html

http://support.apple.com/kb/HT5535

The Fast transition feature enables the 802.11r protocol that makes the client authenticate to all APs so that when the client roams to a different AP the authentication step is done already?  How much real time savings is noticeable in doing this? I'm guessing fraction of seconds because roaming is pretty quick without this option already (although Apple devices have problems roaming regardless).

A caveat with using this option is that older devices don't support 802.11r like the IPad 2nd generation and iphone 4.  This is enough reason for me to not use this feature.

Please help me understand this feature.

[Scott Fella · Accepted solution]

It helps with faster roaming by authenticating the device prior to a possible roam. Especially with voice/video on these smartphones and or tablets, it helps! Especially with iOS devices that roam poorly. Here is another blog explaining 802.11r

http://blogs.cisco.com/wireless/fast-roaming-with-802-11r/

Sent from Cisco Technical Support iPhone App

[netdood]

I'm going to implement fast roaming next week.  So have you deployed or seen a cisco wireless network where apple ios devices can stream video and roam with no problems?  Just want to know if it's possible or if it's an apple problem that cannot be accomodated for through cisco config.

[Scott Fella]

Tim just make sure you know what devices support FT. If you have older devices that doesn't support FT, they will never join. To be honest, it should help. I have never had issues when not using FT also.

Sent from Cisco Technical Support iPhone App

[netdood]

Hmm well if it can work without FT, then I don't want to do FT because older apple devices can't do 802.11r. 

Is there any show or debug commands I can use to figure out the apple device problem with roaming and video stream?

For instance I have an

ipad2 on version 5.1.1 (9B206) that can play streaming video like (youtube or INE videos) but an ipad2 with version 6 just gets a play icon with a circle crossed out and will never play the video.  Iphone 5 with 6.1.3 (latest update) will not do streaming video either.

Here's my WLAN settings,

L2 - WPA + WPA2

WPA2 Policy

WPA2 Encryption  AES,TKIP

802.1X

QOS platinum

[Chris Arrowood]

https://www.cisco.com/c/en/us/support/docs/wireless/5508-wireless-controller/200072-Cheat-Sheet-Common-Wireless-issues.html

Review Scenario 19

[Scott Fella]

Your link above shows what devices is compatible with FT

http://support.apple.com/kb/HT5535

It's most likely due to the code running in the devices. Take a look at the Apple forums regarding issues with video streaming on iOS 6. Might find your answer there

Sent from Cisco Technical Support iPhone App

[netdood]

Yah, I've read a lot of the Apple forums about ios 6 and wifi problems but you said you've never had issues and there must be someone with ios6 on your network.  Maybe they just never complained about not being able to watch videos over wifi.