4-story residential Wi-Fi setup for voice over IP
4-story residential Wi-Fi setup for voice over IP
Hi, I really need Wi-Fi access points for my Ascom phones. There’s a private white list for people to contact when I find a system that could work. Some German forum users say no Wi-Fi controller is needed for roaming or handovers. It’s still unclear to me when the phone should switch between access points, like when moving from the attic into the basement. I also want a way to combine access points—for example, a cheaper one without walls and some with beamforming for both apartments.
The client device consistently selects the AP it connects to at a particular time for a specific SSID. Performance varies among devices, influenced by both hardware and software. Initially, managing roaming required a controller and complex setup to direct the device to the right AP, often by assigning a unique BSSID and guiding it silently. While other methods existed, companies generally needed APs with specialized capabilities and tight integration with expensive controllers. A traditional budget solution was Ubiquiti’s Zero Handoff Roaming, which worked with Unifi APs up to 802.11ac, but the chosen chipsets couldn’t fully support its requirements. The newer approach uses standards like 802.11r and 802.11k to enable smoother transitions between APs, especially for applications needing low latency like VOIP. These standards allow clients to connect to nearby APs and receive recommendations, improving handoff reliability. However, both client and AP must enable these features, and on the AP side they need proper configuration. A note on 802.11r is that enabling it might slightly weaken network security, though newer versions like 802.11w help mitigate this. Modern systems such as Unifi support it via “Fast Roaming,” and mesh networks often claim seamless roaming—though verifying compatibility with 802.11k and 802.11r is essential.
I continue importing all details from the various Ascom Support PDFs into a text file. Until I reach: Security standards include 802.11i (TKIP, AES-CCMP), WEP (64/128 bit). Authentication options range from 802.1x with original open/shared keys to WPA-PSK, WPA2-PSK, PEAP-MSCHAPv2, EAP-TLS, EAP-FAST and various certificates. Quality of Service features support 802.11e with WMM, U-APSD and CAC-based mechanisms. Network compatibility covers 802.11a/b/g/n. Roaming capabilities involve pre-authentication, PMKSA caching, CCKM, opportunistic key caching in EU (ETSI): b/g 2400–2483.5 MHz, 5150–5350 MHz, 5470–5710 MHz. It surprises me that the 1W outdoor support is available.
Ubiquiti previously offered "Zero handoff" but later introduced it under "Fast Roaming." I believe Meru is one of the few companies with "Zero Handoff," though their equipment costs around $500 each and the controllers exceed $1000. I've experienced reliable performance with them even in challenging environments like metal walls and refrigerated spaces.
I have some Zyxel Business APs certified by Ascom, and the Power Saving Mode functions well. I received a fresh Accu in 2 days! How long does a Decently working Dect last? I just got the second AP for testing and plan to check Roaming in a less-than-ideal setting (just an unmanaged switch).