Transient Client Management

The primary goal of Transient Client Management (TCM) is to enhance airtime for user traffic by minimizing management traffic and encouraging clients to connect to the optimal Access Point (AP).

This feature is particularly beneficial in scenarios with a high density of APs and clients, especially in close proximity or line of sight, and when airtime utilization is high. TCM allows only those clients that stay within the coverage region of the AP for a minimum configured period to associate. For instance, in high-traffic areas like train stations or downtown regions, passersby who do not intend to connect may still conduct active or passive scanning, potentially disrupting the experience of connected users. TCM uses statistical methods to delay the association of such transient clients.

Configuration parameters can be tuned based on typical observed dwell times and RSSI of transient clients, ensuring efficient airtime utilization and minimizing cellular-to-Wi-Fi handoffs and AP-to-AP roaming of transient clients. TCM controls client connections based on RSSI/SNR thresholds, where APs ignore or reject requests with low signal strength, and by allowing only clients that remain within the AP coverage area for a specified period to associate, thus delaying transient clients. Additionally, TCM reduces duplicate probe requests and minimizes retries of management frames, ensuring more efficient use of airtime, particularly in high-density environments with significant overhead traffic.

Enable TCM in the Advanced Options of the WLAN configuration and tune up additional TCM settings using the AP CLI.

Note: For additional instructions to configure these parameters using the AP CLI, refer to the RUCKUS SmartZone Troubleshooting and Diagnostics guide.

Parent topic: Wireless Services