CyberCertPrepNetwork FundamentalsWireless BasicsEASYFree question
What is the 802.11k Neighbor Report standard, and how does it improve the roaming experience compared to a client that lacks this capability?
- A.802.11k enables an AP to push firmware updates to clients over the air to fix roaming issues
- B.802.11k is the amendment that standardized WPA2 security for the 802.11 protocol suite
- C.802.11k allows the AP to remotely trigger a channel change on the client to reduce co-channel interference
- D.802.11k allows a client to request a list of neighboring APs (with BSSID, channel, and RSSI data) from its associated AP; instead of scanning all channels to find candidate roam targets, the client already knows which channels and APs to probe, reducing scan time and improving roaming speed
Why D is correct
Without 802.11k, a client needing to roam must scan every possible channel (1, 6, 11 on 2.4 GHz; 36, 40, 44... on 5 GHz) looking for APs to evaluate. This takes 100-300ms per channel. With 802.11k Neighbor Reports, the associated AP tells the client "look at AP2 on channel 36 and AP3 on channel 44" - the client scans only those specific channels, dramatically speeding roam preparation. Part of the 802.11k/r/v roaming optimization suite. 802.11k was ratified in 2008 and incorporated into 802.11-2012.
Know someone studying for Network Fundamentals? Send them this one.