Abstract: Techniques are provided to load balance point of presence traffic for a group of network devices, such as switches, that are configured to support network connectivity in a wired network for client devices that roam between wireless access points served by the respective switches. The point of presence traffic may tend to be allocated to a particular switch due to network topology, whereby the switch may be located at a building entrance and therefore receive the majority of new association requests for mobile devices entering the building. Load is monitored by each switch and load information is exchanged between the switches. Requests and responses are exchanged between the switches such that point of presence responsibility may be transferred to switches with a lighter load.

Abstract: Techniques are provided to load balance point of presence traffic for a group of network devices, such as switches, that are configured to support network connectivity in a wired network for client devices that roam between wireless access points served by the respective switches. The point of presence traffic may tend to be allocated to a particular switch due to network topology, whereby the switch may be located at a building entrance and therefore receive the majority of new association requests for mobile devices entering the building. Load is monitored by each switch and load information is exchanged between the switches. Requests and responses are exchanged between the switches such that point of presence responsibility may be transferred to switches with a lighter load.