The roaming of a wireless device 115 extends the effective range of a wireless network 100 by passing a device 115 between access points as the device leaves the coverage area of one and enters another. Roaming can be slow and problematic if an old link is disconnected prior to establishing a new link, especially if authentication and security is required. The present invention speeds up roaming by using existing mechanisms to initiate a new link with a new access point 120 prior to disconnecting the old link with an old access point 110.