802.11 wireless protocol

802

Overview

Basics of physical and logical networking concepts.

802.1

Bridging

LAN/MAN bridging and management. Covers management and the lower sub-layers of OSI Layer 2, including MAC-based bridging (Media Access Control), virtual LANs and port-based access control.

802.2

Logical Link

Commonly referred to as the LLC or Logical Link Control specification. The LLC is the top sub-layer in the data-link layer, OSI Layer 2. Interfaces with the network Layer 3.

802.3

Ethernet

"Grandaddy" of the 802 specifications. Provides asynchronous networking using "carrier sense, multiple access with collision detect" (CSMA/CD) over coax, twisted-pair copper, and fiber media. Current speeds range from 10 Mbps to 10 Gbps. Click for a list of the "hot" 802.3 technologies.

802.4

Token Bus

Disbanded

802.5

Token Ring

The original token-passing standard for twisted-pair, shielded copper cables. Supports copper and fiber cabling from 4 Mbps to 100 Mbps. Often called "IBM Token-Ring."

802.6

Distributed queue dual bus (DQDB)

"Superseded **Revision of 802.1D-1990 edition (ISO/IEC 10038). 802.1D incorporates P802.1p and P802.12e. It also incorporates and supersedes published standards 802.1j and 802.6k. Superseded by 802.1D-2004." (See IEEE status page.)

802.7

Broadband LAN Practices

Withdrawn Standard. Withdrawn Date: Feb 07, 2003. No longer endorsed by the IEEE. (See IEEE status page.)

802.8

Fiber Optic Practices

Withdrawn PAR. Standards project no longer endorsed by the IEEE. (See IEEE status page.)

802.9

Integrated Services LAN

Withdrawn PAR. Standards project no longer endorsed by the IEEE. (See IEEE status page.)

802.10

Interoperable LAN security

Superseded **Contains: IEEE Std 802.10b-1992. (See IEEE status page.)

802.11

Wi-Fi

Wireless LAN Media Access Control and Physical Layer specification. 802.11a,b,g,etc are amendments to the original 802.11 standard. Products that implement 802.11 standards must pass tests and are referred to as "Wi-Fi certified."

802.11a

Specifies a PHY that operates in the 5 GHz U-NII band in the U.S. -- initially 5.15-5.35 AND 5.725-5.85 - since expanded to additional frequencies
Uses Orthogonal Frequency-Division Multiplexing
Enhanced data speed to 54 Mbps
Ratified after 802.11b

802.11b

Enhancement to 802.11 that added higher data rate modes to the DSSS (Direct Sequence Spread Spectrum) already defined in the original 802.11 standard
Boosted data speed to 11 Mbps
22 MHz Bandwidth yields 3 non-overlaping channels in the frequency range of 2.400 GHz to 2.4835 GHz
Beacons at 1 Mbps, falls back to 5.5, 2, or 1 Mbps from 11 Mbps max.

802.11d

Enhancement to 802.11a and 802.11b that allows for global roaming
Particulars can be set at Media Access Control (MAC) layer

802.11e

Enhancement to 802.11 that includes quality of service (QoS) features
Facilitates prioritization of data, voice, and video transmissions

802.11g

Extends the maximum data rate of WLAN devices that operate in the 2.4 GHz band, in a fashion that permits interoperation with 802.11b devices
Uses OFDM Modulation (Orthogonal FDM)
Operates at up to 54 megabits per second (Mbps), with fall-back speeds that include the "b" speeds

802.11h

Enhancement to 802.11a that resolves interference issues
Dynamic frequency selection (DFS)
Transmit power control (TPC)

802.11i

Enhancement to 802.11 that offers additional security for WLAN applications
Defines more robust encryption, authentication, and key exchange, as well as options for key caching and pre-authentication

802.11j

Japanese regulatory extensions to 802.11a specification
Frequency range 4.9 GHz to 5.0 GHz

802.11k

Radio resource measurements for networks using 802.11 family specifications

802.11m

Maintenance of 802.11 family specifications
Corrections and amendments to existing documentation

802.11n

Higher-speed standards -- under development
Several competing and non-compatible technologies; often called "pre-n"
Top speeds claimed of 108, 240, and 350+ MHz
Competing proposals come from the groups, EWC, TGn Sync, and WWiSE and are all variations based on MIMO (multiple input, multiple output)

802.11x

Mis-used "generic" term for 802.11 family specifications

802.12

Demand Priority

Increases Ethernet data rate to 100 Mbps by controlling media utilization.

802.13

Not used

802.14

Cable modems

Withdrawn PAR. Standards project no longer endorsed by the IEEE.

802.15

Wireless Personal Area Networks

Communications specification that was approved in early 2002 by the IEEE for wireless personal area networks (WPANs).

802.15.1

Bluetooth

Short range (10m) wireless technology for cordless mouse, keyboard, and hands-free headset at 2.4 GHz.

802.15.3a

UWB

Short range, high-bandwidth "ultra wideband" link

802.15.4

ZigBee

Short range wireless sensor networks

802.15.5

Mesh Network

Extension of network coverage without increasing the transmit power or the receiver sensitivity
Enhanced reliability via route redundancy
Easier network configuration - Better device battery life

802.16

Wireless Metropolitan Area Networks

This family of standards covers Fixed and Mobile Broadband Wireless Access methods used to create Wireless Metropolitan Area Networks (WMANs.) Connects Base Stations to the Internet using OFDM in unlicensed (900 MHz, 2.4, 5.8 GHz) or licensed (700 MHz, 2.5 – 3.6 GHz) frequency bands. Products that implement 802.16 standards can undergo WiMAX certification testing.

802.17

Resilient Packet Ring

IEEE working group description

802.18

Radio Regulatory TAG

IEEE 802.18 standards committee

802.19

Coexistence

IEEE 802.19 Coexistence Technical Advisory Group

802.20

Mobile Broadband Wireless Access

IEEE 802.20 mission and project scope