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Simulating Roaming

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Roaming enables you to seamlessly switch the network connection of your client device as your client device moves in and out of range between different access points. This maintains a constant connection to the network. To test roaming, you need to have at least two access points that have the identical SSID and configuration information. This test scenario uses two access points that are configured using the configuration parameters for the CE8021X access point.

The CEPC that is used in this test scenario does not provide the portability to physically roam between two access points. Therefore, you will simulate roaming by connecting your CEPC to one of the two CE8021X access points, and then powering down that same access point. If your network is configured correctly, your CEPC should seamlessly connect to the second CE8021Xaccess point without any interruption in connectivity.

To test roaming by powering down one of the two access points

  1. Connect your CEPC to one of the two CE8021X access points by completing the steps described in the Testing Wireless Connectivity Using Certificates procedure.
  2. Disable the CE8021X access point, to which your CEPC device is connected. You can disable your access point either by powering the access point down or by disabling it through the Web-based configuration page.
  3. Wait for sixty seconds. After sixty seconds have passed, you will be prompted for your user credentials when you associate with the second CE8021X access point.
  4. Do not type any credentials. Your CEPC will try to connect to the second access point using the credentials you provided previously. There should be no interruption in connectivity as your CEPC switches the connection to the second access point.
  5. To verify that you have successfully connected to the second CE8021X access point, launch the Web browser on your CEPC and type the IP address of the second access point in the address bar. If you are connected to the network, the configuration page for the access point appears.

You can test roaming between two access points in different coverage areas by using a portable Windows CE-based device, such as a Web pad.

  1. To test roaming between two access points in different coverage areas. Move one of the two CE8021X access points to another location, so that its coverage area creates a minimal overlap with the coverage area of the other access point. For information about the coverage area and range of your access points, see the product-specific documentation.
  2. Enroll your Windows CE-based device for a certificate by completing the steps described in the Enrolling the CEPC for a Certificate procedure.
  3. Connect your Windows CE-based device to the CE8021Xaccess point in the nearest coverage area by completing the steps described in the Testing Wireless Connectivity Using Certificates procedure.
  4. Move your device away from the coverage area of the access point that your device is connected to towards the coverage area of the second CE8021X access point.
  5. As you leave the coverage area of your first access point and enter the range of the second access point, you will be prompted for your user credentials as you associate with the second CE8021X access point.
  6. Do not type any credentials. Your CEPC will try to connect to the second access point using the credentials you provided previously. There should be no interruption in connectivity as your CEPC switches the connection to the second access point.
  7. To verify that you have successfully connected to the second CE8021X access point, launch the Web browser on your CEPC and type the IP address of the second access point in the address bar. If you are connected to the network, the configuration page for the access point appears.

See Also

Testing Wireless Connectivity | How to Set Up an 802.1x Network and Connect to It with a CEPC

Last updated on Wednesday, April 13, 2005

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