Client roaming techniques, such as those set forth in 802.11k, are extended to access point-based client roaming in a distributed multi-band wireless networking system. In particular, access points (APs) implement a series of algorithms that compare signals and make decisions on when to switch a client from one AP to another AP in a distributed multi-band wireless networking system. The invention exploits to advantage the fact that the APs can communicate with each other via the dedicated backhaul.