wifi4 ============ .. toctree:: :maxdepth: 1 :hidden: :includehidden: wifi4/802_11n wifi4/802_11e wifi4/802_11h wifi4/802_11i wifi4/802_11k wifi4/802_11r wifi4/802_11w wifi4/802_11v wifi4/802_11s wifi4/802_11u Wi-Fi protocols define wireless communication standards that govern speed, frequency, and range for devices on a wireless local area network (WLAN). .. list-table:: :widths: 20 60 20 :header-rows: 1 * - Protocol - Description - Use Case * - 802.11n - Introduced MIMO technology with data rates up to 600 Mbps on 2.4 and 5 GHz bands. *High-throughput WLANs for homes and enterprises.* - High-speed home and office WLANs * - 802.11e - Adds QoS features for prioritizing different traffic types in Wi-Fi networks. *Supports voice, video, and time-sensitive data transmission.* - Multimedia streaming, VoIP, gaming * - 802.11h - Adds dynamic frequency selection (DFS) and transmit power control (TPC) to comply with European regulations. *Helps avoid interference with radar systems and manages power for coexistence.* - Regulatory compliance, radar avoidance, power control in 5 GHz band * - 802.11i - Security enhancement standard introducing WPA2 with AES encryption. *Provides robust wireless network security.* - Secure Wi-Fi authentication and encryption * - 802.11r - Introduces fast BSS transition for secure and low-latency roaming between access points. *Enhances mobility for real-time applications like VoIP.* - Enterprise Wi-Fi, VoIP, seamless handoff in WLANs * - 802.11k - Provides radio resource measurements and neighbor reports to improve roaming decisions. *Optimizes handoff efficiency in multi-AP environments.* - Enterprise Wi-Fi, managed networks, fast and intelligent roaming * - 802.11w - Protects management frames by adding cryptographic security. *Improves Wi-Fi network security against spoofing and DoS attacks.* - Secure management frame protection * - 802.11v - Enhances wireless network management and client steering for better network performance. *Improves network-assisted roaming and power-saving features.* - Network-assisted client management, load balancing, optimized roaming * - 802.11s - Adds mesh networking support to allow wireless devices to form decentralized multi-hop networks. *Enables dynamic, self-healing wireless mesh topologies.* - Community Wi-Fi, industrial IoT, wireless mesh deployments * - 802.11u - Enables interworking with external networks and improved network discovery. *Facilitates seamless roaming and public hotspot access.* - Hotspot 2.0, carrier Wi-Fi, roaming .. tab-set:: .. tab-item:: 802.11n (High Throughput) **IEEE Standard:** IEEE 802.11n-2009 **Main Features:** - Operates on 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz bands - Introduces MIMO technology and channel bonding (up to 40 MHz) - Supports data rates up to 600 Mbps - Backward compatible with 802.11a/b/g **Use Cases:** - Home and enterprise Wi-Fi networks requiring high throughput - Streaming HD video and gaming - Mixed device environments needing dual-band support **Alternative or Related Protocols:** - 802.11ac – Advanced 5 GHz throughput - 802.11ax – Efficiency and dense environments - 802.11g – Legacy 2.4 GHz support .. panels:: :container: container pb-4 :column: col-lg-12 p-2 :card: What You Will Learn in This Section **Let us learn more about 802.11n:** .. button-link:: ./wifi4/802_11n.html :color: primary :shadow: :expand: Jump to "802.11n" .. tab-set:: .. tab-item:: 802.11e (QoS Enhancements) **IEEE Standard:** IEEE 802.11e-2005 **Main Features:** - Adds Quality of Service (QoS) support to Wi-Fi data frames - Introduces Enhanced Distributed Channel Access (EDCA) and HCF - Supports traffic differentiation for voice, video, best effort, and background - Foundation for Wi-Fi Multimedia (WMM) **Use Cases:** - Voice over Wi-Fi (VoWiFi) and video conferencing - Multimedia streaming with prioritized traffic - Enterprise WLANs requiring traffic management **Alternative or Related Protocols:** - 802.11ae – QoS for management frames - WMM – Wi-Fi Multimedia QoS system - 802.11ax – Advanced QoS features .. panels:: :container: container pb-4 :column: col-lg-12 p-2 :card: What You Will Learn in This Section **Let us learn more about 802.11e:** .. button-link:: ./wifi4/802_11e.html :color: primary :shadow: :expand: Jump to "802.11e" .. tab-set:: .. tab-item:: 802.11h (Spectrum and Power Management) **IEEE Standard:** IEEE 802.11h-2003 **Main Features:** - Adds Dynamic Frequency Selection (DFS) to detect and avoid radar interference - Implements Transmit Power Control (TPC) to manage power levels and reduce interference - Designed to ensure regulatory compliance in the 5 GHz band, especially in Europe - Enhances coexistence with other radio systems **Use Cases:** - Wi-Fi deployments in regions requiring DFS and TPC compliance - Environments with radar systems, such as weather or military radars - Enterprise and public networks operating in 5 GHz to avoid interference **Alternative or Related Protocols:** - 802.11d – Regulatory domain update and channel availability - 802.11a – Original 5 GHz PHY without DFS/TPC - 802.11ac – Later 5 GHz enhancement with improved throughput .. panels:: :container: container pb-4 :column: col-lg-12 p-2 :card: What You Will Learn in This Section **Let us learn more about 802.11h:** .. button-link:: ./wifi4/802_11h.html :color: primary :shadow: :expand: Jump to "802.11h" .. tab-set:: .. tab-item:: 802.11i (Security Enhancements) **IEEE Standard:** IEEE 802.11i-2004 **Main Features:** - Enhances Wi-Fi security with robust encryption (WPA2) - Introduces AES-CCMP for data confidentiality and integrity - Provides mutual authentication with 802.1X/EAP - Protects management frames (802.11w integration) **Use Cases:** - Enterprise and secure Wi-Fi networks - Protection against unauthorized access and eavesdropping - Government and mission-critical wireless deployments **Alternative or Related Protocols:** - 802.11w – Management frame protection - WPA3 – Latest Wi-Fi security standard - 802.1X – Network authentication framework .. panels:: :container: container pb-4 :column: col-lg-12 p-2 :card: What You Will Learn in This Section **Let us learn more about 802.11i:** .. button-link:: ./wifi4/802_11i.html :color: primary :shadow: :expand: Jump to "802.11i" .. tab-set:: .. tab-item:: 802.11k (Radio Resource Management) **IEEE Standard:** IEEE 802.11k-2008 **Main Features:** - Enhances roaming by providing information about neighboring access points - Introduces Neighbor Reports to help clients make informed handoff decisions - Supports radio measurements such as signal strength, channel load, and noise - Improves overall WLAN efficiency by assisting with AP selection **Use Cases:** - Enterprise and campus Wi-Fi networks with multiple APs - Optimized client roaming in high-density environments - Load balancing and radio management in large deployments **Alternative or Related Protocols:** - 802.11r – Fast BSS Transition for low-latency handoffs - 802.11v – Assists clients in network management decisions - 802.11i – Security support for seamless transitions .. panels:: :container: container pb-4 :column: col-lg-12 p-2 :card: What You Will Learn in This Section **Let us learn more about 802.11k:** .. button-link:: ./wifi4/802_11k.html :color: primary :shadow: :expand: Jump to "802.11k" .. tab-set:: .. tab-item:: 802.11r (Fast BSS Transition) **IEEE Standard:** IEEE 802.11r-2008 **Main Features:** - Enables fast and secure handoff between access points (Fast BSS Transition) - Reduces authentication delay during roaming - Maintains session continuity for latency-sensitive applications like VoIP - Compatible with WPA2 security (802.11i) **Use Cases:** - Enterprise and campus WLANs with mobile users - Voice-over-Wi-Fi (VoWiFi) and video conferencing - Seamless roaming in large Wi-Fi deployments (e.g., hospitals, warehouses) **Alternative or Related Protocols:** - 802.11i – Underlying security mechanisms (WPA2) - 802.11k – Neighbor reports for efficient roaming - 802.11v – Network-assisted client management .. panels:: :container: container pb-4 :column: col-lg-12 p-2 :card: What You Will Learn in This Section **Let us learn more about 802.11r:** .. button-link:: ./wifi4/802_11r.html :color: primary :shadow: :expand: Jump to "802.11r" .. tab-set:: .. tab-item:: 802.11w (Management Frame Protection) **IEEE Standard:** IEEE 802.11w-2009 **Main Features:** - Provides protection for management frames against spoofing and forgery - Uses encryption and authentication for management frame types - Enhances overall Wi-Fi security posture - Works alongside 802.11i and WPA2 security mechanisms **Use Cases:** - Enterprise and secure Wi-Fi deployments - Environments requiring strong protection against DoS attacks on management frames - Critical infrastructure wireless networks **Alternative or Related Protocols:** - 802.11i – Security enhancements and WPA2 - WPA3 – Latest Wi-Fi security standard - 802.1X – Network authentication .. panels:: :container: container pb-4 :column: col-lg-12 p-2 :card: What You Will Learn in This Section **Let us learn more about 802.11w:** .. button-link:: ./wifi4/802_11w.html :color: primary :shadow: :expand: Jump to "802.11w" .. tab-set:: .. tab-item:: 802.11v (Wireless Network Management) **IEEE Standard:** IEEE 802.11v-2011 **Main Features:** - Enhances network management with client steering and load balancing - Supports network-assisted roaming to improve client handoff decisions - Provides power-saving mechanisms for client devices - Improves overall network performance and user experience **Use Cases:** - Enterprise and campus WLANs requiring optimized client distribution - Networks with dense client environments needing load balancing - Battery-powered devices benefiting from power management features **Alternative or Related Protocols:** - 802.11k – Radio resource measurement for better roaming decisions - 802.11r – Fast BSS transition for seamless handoff - 802.11u – Interworking with external networks .. panels:: :container: container pb-4 :column: col-lg-12 p-2 :card: What You Will Learn in This Section **Let us learn more about 802.11v:** .. button-link:: ./wifi4/802_11v.html :color: primary :shadow: :expand: Jump to "802.11v" .. tab-set:: .. tab-item:: 802.11s (Mesh Networking) **IEEE Standard:** IEEE 802.11s-2011 **Main Features:** - Enables wireless mesh networking (multi-hop communication) - Allows APs and client devices to act as routers in a mesh topology - Supports self-forming and self-healing network structures - Operates over any PHY layer (e.g., 802.11a/b/g/n) **Use Cases:** - Community and municipal Wi-Fi networks - Industrial IoT and sensor networks - Campus or outdoor wireless mesh deployments **Alternative or Related Protocols:** - 802.11n – Mesh PHY/MAC layer foundation - 802.11u – Interworking with external networks - 802.11ai – Fast initial link setup (used in advanced mesh) .. panels:: :container: container pb-4 :column: col-lg-12 p-2 :card: What You Will Learn in This Section **Let us learn more about 802.11s:** .. button-link:: ./wifi4/802_11s.html :color: primary :shadow: :expand: Jump to "802.11s" .. tab-set:: .. tab-item:: 802.11u (Interworking with External Networks) **IEEE Standard:** IEEE 802.11u-2011 **Main Features:** - Provides mechanisms for interworking with external networks like cellular - Supports network discovery and selection before association - Enables seamless handoff between Wi-Fi and cellular/mobile networks - Supports Hotspot 2.0/Passpoint features for secure and automatic access **Use Cases:** - Public Wi-Fi hotspots with roaming agreements - Seamless user experience switching between cellular and Wi-Fi - Carrier-grade Wi-Fi deployments **Alternative or Related Protocols:** - Hotspot 2.0 – Built on 802.11u for automatic secure access - 802.11aq – Pre-association service discovery - 802.1X – Network authentication framework .. panels:: :container: container pb-4 :column: col-lg-12 p-2 :card: What You Will Learn in This Section **Let us learn more about 802.11u:** .. button-link:: ./wifi4/802_11u.html :color: primary :shadow: :expand: Jump to "802.11u"