When a wireless device is connected to an AP, it continuously monitors the signal strength and quality of the connection. If the signal strength falls below a certain threshold, the device will start scanning for nearby APs with a stronger signal. The device will then switch to the new AP with the best signal quality, a process known as roaming.

Roaming aggressiveness is not the only factor in a good roaming experience.

Many enterprise and prosumer routers (like Ubiquiti, Aruba, or Cisco) allow administrators to kick a device off the network automatically if its signal drops below a specific threshold (e.g., -75 dBm), forcing the device to connect to a closer AP.

Roaming aggressiveness is a feature in WiFi networks that enables wireless devices to quickly switch between access points (APs) or wireless networks to ensure a stable and high-quality connection. In this write-up, we will explore the concept of roaming aggressiveness, its benefits, and how it works.

Algorithms vary heavily by manufacturer (Samsung, Google, Xiaomi).

The roaming aggressiveness setting determines how quickly the device roams to a new AP. A higher roaming aggressiveness setting means the device will scan for and switch to a new AP more quickly, while a lower setting means the device will wait longer before switching.

Roaming is more frequent as the device more actively seeks better signals. Environments with many access points and frequent movement.

Modern WiFi standards are trying to make "Roaming Aggressiveness" obsolete. New protocols (often found in WPA3 enterprise networks) allow the network to tell the client when to roam.

The client frequently scans for other access points with stronger signals, making it more willing to drop the current connection to join a better one.

Most client devices offer a few settings for this feature, often categorized as:


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