Transparent roaming in virtual access point (vap) enabled networks

An apparatus, comprising:

• one or more network interfaces to communicate with a network;
• a processor coupled to the one or more network interfaces and configured to execute a process;
• and
• a memory configured to store the process executable by the processor, the process when executed configured to:
• form a virtual access point (VAP) for a node in the network, wherein a set of access points (APs) in the network are mapped to the VAP as part of a VAP mapping, and wherein the node treats the APs in the VAP mapping as a single AP for purposes of communicating with the network;
• receive measurements from the APs in the VAP mapping regarding communications associated with the node;
• identify a movement of the node based on the received measurements from the APs in the VAP mapping;
• and
• adjust the set of APs in the VAP mapping based on the identified movement of the node.

A tangible, non-transitory, computer-readable medium storing program instructions that, when executed by a supervisory device in a network, cause the supervisory device to perform a process comprising:

• forming, by the supervisory device, a virtual access point (VAP) for a node in the network, wherein a set of access points (APs) in the network are mapped to the VAP as part of a VAP mapping, and wherein the node treats the APs in the VAP mapping as a single AP for purposes of communicating with the network;
• receiving, at the supervisory device, measurements from the APs in the VAP mapping regarding communications associated with the node;
• identifying, by the supervisory device, a movement of the node based on the received measurements from the APs in the VAP mapping;
• and
• adjusting, by the supervisory device, the set of APs in the VAP mapping based on the identified movement of the node.