User`s guide
Wireless Topologies 26
As the mobile client seamlessly switches from cell to cell, its network connectivity is 
preserved. The user can move freely between the Harmony 802.11a Access Points on 
the network. When the roaming client leaves the transmission range of one 802.11a 
Access Point, the software automatically polls the other 802.11a Access Point(s) in the 
same Extended Service Set (ESS) to continue the network connection.
Note: The Access Points’ cells must overlap to ensure that there are no gaps in cov-
erage so that the roaming client will always have a connection available.
See Figure 3 for an example of a roaming Infrastructure network that includes a 
Harmony Access Point Controller. A network that has one or more Harmony Access 
Point Controllers provides additional security and management features, such as AP 
Groups and the Harmony Security Protocol. In addition, you can install Harmony 
802.11a Access Points on different IP subnets from the AP Controller, allowing mobile 
users to roam across routers. For more information on the Harmony AP Controller and 
Access Points, refer to the 
Harmony Access Point Controller User’s Guide
.
Guidelines for Roaming
• A Harmony 802.11a client can only roam between 802.11a Access Points.  An 
802.11a client cannot communicate with Harmony 802.11b or OpenAir Access 
Points.
• All 802.11a Access Points must have the same SSID.
• All workstations with Harmony 802.11a client adapters installed must use either 
an SSID of “any” or the same SSID as the Access Points that they will roam 
between.
• All 802.11a Access Points and clients must have the same security settings to 
communicate.
• The Access Points’ cells must overlap to ensure that there are no gaps in coverage 
and to ensure that the roaming client will always have a connection available.
• Access Points in the same vicinity should each use a unique, independent Chan-
nel to avoid potential interference.
• Access Points that use the same Channel should be installed as far away from 
each other as possible to reduce potential interference.










