Operation Manual
Chapter 3 Wi-Fi 23
The table below shows which iOS devices can support 802.11k and 802.11r with iOS. Even if an
iOS device doesn’t support 802.11r, iOS 5.1 added support for “pairwise master key identier
caching” (PMKID caching), which can be used with some Cisco equipment to improve roaming
between APs. Additional SSIDs might be necessary to support both FT-capable iOS devices and
PMKID-caching iOS devices.
iOS device 802.11k/r support iOS 6 and later
supported methods
Pre-iOS 6 supported
methods
iPad Air 2, iPad mini 3,
iPhone 6, iPhone 6 Plus,
iPhone 5s. iPhone 5c,
iPad Air, iPad mini with
Retina Display, iPad (4th
generation), iPad mini,
iPhone 5, iPod touch (5th
generation)
Yes FT, PMKID caching Not applicable
iPad (3rd generation),
iPhone 4s
Yes FT, PMKID caching PMKID caching
iPad (2nd generation)
and earlier, iPhone 4 and
earlier, iPod touch (4th
generation) and earlier
No PMKID caching PMKID caching
•
Prior to iOS 5.1, no
method for optimized
AP roaming existed
in iOS.
•
“Sticky key caching”
(SKC) is a form of
PMKID caching. SKC
is not equivalent to,
nor compatible with,
opportunistic key
caching (OKC).
To view Apple’s wireless roaming reference, see the Apple Support article iOS 8: Wireless
roaming reference for enterprise customers. For more information about roaming with 802.11k
and 802.11r, see the Apple Support article iOS: Wi-Fi network roaming with 802.11k and 802.11r.
Plan for coverage and capacity
Although it’s important to provide Wi-Fi coverage where Apple devices are used, it’s also
essential to plan for the density of devices in a given area to ensure proper capacity.
Most modern, enterprise-class access points are capable of handling up to 50 Wi-Fi clients or
even more, although the user experience would likely be disappointing if that many devices
were actually using a single 802.11n access point. The experience for each user depends on the
available wireless bandwidth on the channel the device is using, and on the number of devices
sharing that bandwidth. As more devices use the same channel, the relative network speed for
those devices decreases. You should consider the expected usage pattern of the Apple devices as
part of your Wi-Fi network design.
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