Wi-Fi Roaming Secrets Revealed - Part 2

[thiggins]

In Part 2 of our Wi-Fi Roaming exploration, we show how to tell if your devices support 802.11k,v or r.

Read on SmallNetBuilder

 

[Razor512]

From the looks of at least 802.11k, it doesn't seem like it would cause any compatibility issues, I wonder why more routers and access points don't make use of it?
For example, Netgear seems to disable it by default on their routers.

 

[thiggins]

For example, Netgear seems to disable it by default on their routers.

How do you know that?

 

[Razor512]

Basically on their routers from the past few years, in both the debug page and in the nvram, the 11k option is set to 0 while for their access points/ extenders, it is often set to 1 (enabled).

If a user is using buying one of their range extender products, then it seems like they would be using the product in conjunction with their main wireless router in order to expand the overall WiFi coverage of their home.

From the way 802.11k seems to work, it looks like the client needs to be connected to that AP in order to see that data, thus it seems like it would be beneficial to have it enabled on both the wireless router and the extender.

https://imgur.com/a/wh5wVvh (Image of the typical debug page on their routers, and the typical one on their extenders)

 

[thiggins]

The k "conversation" is between AP and STA. I agree it should be enabled in the router if it is supported.

 

[Sineira]

Well done, and thanks for documenting it!
Surprising with supporting the measurement request and not responding with a proper measurement report.
Could it be because the request wasn't fully correct or misinterpreted?

 

[thiggins]

Well done, and thanks for documenting it!
Surprising with supporting the measurement request and not responding with a proper measurement report.
Could it be because the request wasn't fully correct or misinterpreted?

Could be. Or could be a bug.