Method and system for fast roaming of a mobile unit in a wireless network

A system, comprising:

• a wireless computing unit generating a packet which includes unit identifying data and an association request to establish wireless communications;
• an access point receiving and processing the packet to initiate an authentication procedure of the unit using the unit identifying data;
• and
• an authentication server connected to the access point,
• wherein the authentication procedure is performed by at least one of the access point and the authentication server,
• wherein wireless transmissions of further packets between the unit and the access point are prioritized, the further packets being related to the authentication procedure and
• wherein upon a completion of the authentication procedure, a determination is made if the association request of the unit be granted.

An access point, comprising:

• a wireless transmitter receiving from a wireless computing until a packet which includes unit identifying data and an association request to establish wireless communications via the access point;
• and
• a processor processing the packet to initiate an authentication procedure of the unit, the processor performing the authentication procedure using the unit identifying data,
• wherein wireless transmissions of further packets between the unit and the access point are prioritized, the further packets being related to the authentication procedure and
• wherein upon the completion of the authentication procedure, the processor determines if the association request of the unit be granted.