Which type of scanning occurs when wireless clients perform intercontroller layer 2 roaming?

When wireless clients perform intercontroller layer 2 roaming, passive scanning occurs. This type of scanning involves the clients listening for beacons from the access points, which broadcast their presence and information such as available services and the network name. During the roaming process, the client device searches for beacons from nearby access points to determine whether it can switch to a more suitable access point that may provide better signal strength or faster connectivity.

Passive scanning is essential in environments where clients frequently switch between access points, as it helps in quickly identifying available networks without actively probing them. It allows the client to maintain connection continuity while addressing changes in the wireless landscape as it roams.

Active scanning, in contrast, would involve the client sending out probe requests to actively solicit responses from nearby access points. Hybrid scanning combines both methods for a more comprehensive approach, while continuous scanning refers to the ongoing monitoring of available access points without focusing on roaming specifically. Understanding these differences is critical for optimizing wireless network performance and ensuring seamless connectivity for users.