Why don't the devices associate with the closer access point when users move to the conference room?

The situation described indicates that the devices are not associating with the closer access point when users move to the conference room due to the signal strength not meeting the device's trigger threshold. This threshold is a predefined level of signal strength that devices use to determine when they should switch from one access point to another. If the signal strength from the closer access point does not exceed this threshold, the devices will continue to connect to the farther access point despite the proximity.

In environments with multiple access points, devices often maintain their connection to an existing access point until the signal falls below a certain level. This can lead to situations where even if a nearer access point is available, the device will not connect to it until the signal from its current access point is weak enough to trigger a switch. By correctly understanding this behavior, one can troubleshoot network issues effectively and ensure that access points are strategically placed and configured for optimal performance and user experience.