Roaming Recommender

The insight provides a thorough review of client roaming behavior and the potential impact of activating Fast Transition (FT). Users can now optimize network performance by examining roaming information, client distribution (FT-capable and non-capable), and expected latency improvements. The comparison to similar peer environments, as well as the examination of client compatibility, guarantee that recommendations are customized for easy implementation, lowering roaming latency and improving overall connectivity.

To access the insight, complete the following steps:

1. Access the Insights page. For more information, see Accessing Insights Page.

2. Click the Roaming Recommender tab.

   Figure 1: Roaming Recommender Insight

   

By default, the 7 Days tab is displayed. To view the metrics from the last 24 hours, click the 24 Hours tab.

You can view the following metrics:

• Actions—This card recommends enabling the 802.11r (Fast Transition) configuration for an SSID at a site. The recommendation is generated by comparing the impacted group to a peer environment where Fast Transition is already enabled.

  Click the View button to view the FT Roam Config Recommendation page. The FT Roam Config Recommendation page displays the roaming statistics for different client types, highlighting the distribution of FT-capable and non-capable clients. It also estimates the potential reduction in roaming latency if Fast Transition (FT) is enabled.

  Note:

  If you experience frequent roaming failures while 11r is enabled, you can disable the FT Roam configuration for WLAN in Classic Central.

  Figure 2: FT Roam Config Recommendation

  

  In the FT Roam Config Recommendation page you can view the following details:

  • Clients Impacted—The pie chart displays the total count of impacted clients. Under Clients Impacted section you can view the following graphs:

    • Auth Server Metrics—The graph displays the current and projected authentication count for the SSID. You can hover over the graph to view the actual values.

    • Latency Metrics—The graph displays the current and projected latency for the SSID. You can hover over the graph to view the actual values.

  • Client Count per OS—The graph depicts the number of impacted clients by operating system and the corresponding failure statistics. You can hover over the graph to view the exact count.

    In the Client Types table, you can view the following details:

    Table 1: Impacted Client Type Details

    Parameter	Description
    CPDI Type	Displays the model number or operating system of the client device.
    Client Vendor	Displays the vendor of the wireless client.
    OUI Year	Displays the year of manufacture.
    Total Clients	Displays the number of impacted clients.
    High Roaming Latency Clients	Displays the number of client connections that had high latency value.
    Max/Min/Avg Time to Roam (ms)	Displays the maximum, minimum, and average roaming time taken by the client.
    Failed Roams	Displays the total number of failed roams.
    Total Roams	Displays the total number of roams.

• Roaming Experience—The graph displays trends in total roams and high-latency roams. In the 7-day view, the data is aggregated and displayed hourly, but in the 24-hour view, the data is provided in 15-minute intervals.

  Figure 3: Roaming Experience

  

• Failed Roam(s)—The chart indicates the client failed roams as a result of the PMK key being missing from the AP or specific clients failing to honor PMK key renewal periods. You can hover over the graph to view the exact count.

  Figure 4: Failed Roams

  

• Impacted BSSID(s) and Impacted Clients—These charts indicate the impacted clients and impacted BSSID(s) for each roaming type. In the 7-day view, the data is aggregated and displayed hourly, but in the 24-hour view, the data is provided in 15-minute intervals.

  Figure 5: Impacted BSSID(s) and Impacted Client(s) Graphs

  

• Impacted Access Points—This card displays the access point pairs that experienced high-latency roams. The impacted access points can be examined both in a tabular format and visually on the floor plan as listed below:

  • Floorplan View—The floorplan view depicts access points inside the site layout. APs with high-latency roam are highlighted with dotted lines. You can now link the roaming patterns with the actual positioning of access points, allowing for more effective troubleshooting and optimization.

    Figure 6: Floorplan View

    

  • View Table—The tabular format view displays detailed information on access point pairs involved in high-latency roams.

    Figure 7: View Table Screen

    

    You can view the following access point details:

    Table 2: Access Point Details

    Parameter	Description
    Target Access Point	Displays the target AP.
    Source Access Point	Displays the source AP.
    Opmode	Displays the operational mode.
    Total Roams	Displays the number of roams in each AP.
    High Latency Roams	Displays the number of high latency roams.
    Number of Impacted Clients	Displays the number of impacted clients.
    Minimum Latency (ms)	The minimum latency that occurred in each AP.
    Maximum Latency (ms)	The maximum latency that occurred in each AP.
    Average Latency (ms)	The average latency that occurred in each AP.
    Average RSSI (dB)	Displays the average signal received by the AP.