WIRELESS CLIENT DEVICE DETECTION AND STEERING ON A NETWORK WITH MULTIPLE ACCESS POINTS

A method for automatic steering of client devices accessing a network to a different access point on the network is provided. A network controller of the network device automatically identifies a pre-determined type of electronic client device gaining access to the network and automatically designates the client device as non-steerable when identified as the predetermined type of electronic client device. Thus, when the network controller selects a client device for being steered to a different access point of the network during a steering event, client devices designated as non-steerable by the network controller are prevented from being steered and only client devices that are not designated as non-steerable are available as candidates to be steered. A network device is also provided.