Linksys Re7000 Max-Stream
1733 Mbit/s, 300 Mbit/s
Question about Linksys Re7000 Max-Stream
Does seamless roaming with this extender only work in conjunction with a Linksys MAX-STREAM router or with any router?
Helpful answer
I have a home network that should offer seamless roaming with LinkSys components, there are 3 LAN APs and 3 extenders (all as required with the same SSID and security settings and the 802.11r protocol enabled).
However, the clients must also support this protocol, which depends on the model, the network interface and the drivers - you have to find out for iOS, Android, Windows, Linux, etc.; on my S9+, for example, "aggressive WLAN handover" must be activated in the developer options). On a 1st generation Surface Book, the Marvell AVASTAR adapter does not have a setting for 108.11r, but it seems to work quite well.
In operation, I sometimes see this and sometimes that with the S9+ - i.e. there can be uninterrupted streaming or phone calls (VoLTE) when changing floors, whereby the device is then actually connected to a new AP - but sometimes the device also remains "stuck" to the previous AP or extender, although I am directly in front of another one...
According to LinkSys, a MaxStream router provides the central control for seamless roaming, especially in order to place the devices optimally.
However, since success is not guaranteed even with all the necessary components and settings, and since not too many clients support the 108.11 r protocol so far, I would not expect miracles at the moment.
However, the clients must also support this protocol, which depends on the model, the network interface and the drivers - you have to find out for iOS, Android, Windows, Linux, etc.; on my S9+, for example, "aggressive WLAN handover" must be activated in the developer options). On a 1st generation Surface Book, the Marvell AVASTAR adapter does not have a setting for 108.11r, but it seems to work quite well.
In operation, I sometimes see this and sometimes that with the S9+ - i.e. there can be uninterrupted streaming or phone calls (VoLTE) when changing floors, whereby the device is then actually connected to a new AP - but sometimes the device also remains "stuck" to the previous AP or extender, although I am directly in front of another one...
According to LinkSys, a MaxStream router provides the central control for seamless roaming, especially in order to place the devices optimally.
However, since success is not guaranteed even with all the necessary components and settings, and since not too many clients support the 108.11 r protocol so far, I would not expect miracles at the moment.
I can give at least a partial answer. Swamless roaming does not work even if you have two MAX-STREAM products if you define the extender as an access point and not as a repeater. This is a bit surprising, as both devices would then be connected to the same LAN and would be able to communicate with each other easily. I tried this with an iPad and a Facetime video call. When using the extender as a repeater (and that's what it's mostly about), I can't say anything because I haven't tried it out.
Otherwise, I had a somewhat ambivalent impression of this MAX-STREAM extender anyway. I couldn't find and configure it on the net, even with the Linksys software. An HP printer never wants to print from a Macbook when it is connected to this access point, but as soon as it connects directly to the router, it works. However, I now use a different router. My network is actually as normal as you can imagine. All network components are connected to the LAN.
Otherwise, I had a somewhat ambivalent impression of this MAX-STREAM extender anyway. I couldn't find and configure it on the net, even with the Linksys software. An HP printer never wants to print from a Macbook when it is connected to this access point, but as soon as it connects directly to the router, it works. However, I now use a different router. My network is actually as normal as you can imagine. All network components are connected to the LAN.