What is the precondition for the user to be able to roam at Layer 3? (Multiple choice)

Question

Options

• AThe two APs that the user roams and switches must have the same SSID
• BThe two APs that the user roams and switches must have the same VLAN
• CUser roaming requires two AP signals to cover overlapping areas
• DThe SSID released by the two APs that the user roams and switches must have the same

• A
  81% (38)
• B
  19% (9)

Explanation

For Layer 3 roaming to work, the client device must be able to identify the target AP as the same network and physically reach its signal - options A, C, and D all address these requirements. Both APs must advertise the same SSID (A and D, which are closely related) so the client's wireless driver recognizes the target network as the same one it should seamlessly transition to; without a matching SSID, the device treats it as a different network entirely. Overlapping coverage areas (C) is a physical prerequisite - the client must be able to detect and associate with the new AP before losing the old one, otherwise the roam fails entirely.

Why B is wrong: Requiring the same VLAN is actually the condition for Layer 2 roaming, not Layer 3. Layer 3 roaming is specifically designed to handle transitions across different subnets/VLANs, which is what distinguishes it from Layer 2 roaming - the controller (or anchor AP) tunnels traffic to maintain the client's original IP address.

Memory tip: Think of the layers literally - Layer 3 roaming crosses subnet boundaries (that's its whole point), so same VLAN is a Layer 2 concern. The actual requirements are all about the wireless layer: same network name (SSID) and physical signal overlap.

No community discussion yet for this question.