802.11s - Basics ==================== .. panels:: :container: container pb-4 :column: col-lg-12 p-2 :card: shadow .. panels:: :container: container pb-4 :column: col-lg-12 p-2 :card: shadow **What is IEEE 802.11s?** IEEE 802.11s is a Wi-Fi amendment that defines mesh networking to enable wireless devices to form multi-hop mesh networks. .. panels:: :container: container pb-4 :column: col-lg-12 p-2 :card: shadow **Why is 802.11s important?** It enables expanded wireless coverage and improved network resilience by allowing devices to relay data without a central access point. .. panels:: :container: container pb-4 :column: col-lg-12 p-2 :card: shadow **What is a mesh network?** A mesh network is a decentralized wireless network where nodes dynamically connect and route data between one another. .. panels:: :container: container pb-4 :column: col-lg-12 p-2 :card: shadow **What are Mesh Points (MPs)?** Mesh Points are wireless nodes in an 802.11s network that forward packets and maintain mesh connectivity. .. panels:: :container: container pb-4 :column: col-lg-12 p-2 :card: shadow **What routing protocol does 802.11s use?** It primarily uses the Hybrid Wireless Mesh Protocol (HWMP) combining proactive and reactive routing methods. .. panels:: :container: container pb-4 :column: col-lg-12 p-2 :card: shadow **Which frequency bands does 802.11s operate on?** Typically 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz bands, depending on the underlying Wi-Fi hardware. .. panels:: :container: container pb-4 :column: col-lg-12 p-2 :card: shadow **Can 802.11s be implemented on existing devices?** Yes, many devices support 802.11s through firmware or driver updates without hardware changes. .. panels:: :container: container pb-4 :column: col-lg-12 p-2 :card: shadow **How does 802.11s handle security?** It uses IEEE 802.11i security features with Simultaneous Authentication of Equals (SAE) for secure peer authentication. .. panels:: :container: container pb-4 :column: col-lg-12 p-2 :card: shadow **What is a Mesh Portal Point (MPP)?** An MPP is a mesh node that connects the mesh network to an external network such as the Internet or wired LAN. .. panels:: :container: container pb-4 :column: col-lg-12 p-2 :card: shadow **Is 802.11s compatible with traditional Wi-Fi networks?** Mesh networks interoperate with traditional Wi-Fi networks via portal points but use mesh routing internally. .. panels:: :container: container pb-4 :column: col-lg-12 p-2 :card: shadow **How does 802.11s support node mobility?** Routing paths are dynamically updated to adapt to node movement, maintaining connectivity. .. panels:: :container: container pb-4 :column: col-lg-12 p-2 :card: shadow **What is the maximum hop count in 802.11s?** There is no strict limit; practical hop counts depend on latency and throughput requirements. .. panels:: :container: container pb-4 :column: col-lg-12 p-2 :card: shadow **How does 802.11s improve network reliability?** Through multiple redundant routes and self-healing capabilities that reroute traffic upon link failures. .. panels:: :container: container pb-4 :column: col-lg-12 p-2 :card: shadow **What types of topologies can 802.11s support?** Flexible, dynamic mesh topologies where nodes can join or leave without disrupting the network. .. panels:: :container: container pb-4 :column: col-lg-12 p-2 :card: shadow **Does 802.11s support Quality of Service (QoS)?** Yes, it integrates with 802.11e to provide traffic prioritization over the mesh. .. panels:: :container: container pb-4 :column: col-lg-12 p-2 :card: shadow **What is the Mesh Configuration Entity?** It manages mesh-specific settings like authentication, channel selection, and routing parameters. .. panels:: :container: container pb-4 :column: col-lg-12 p-2 :card: shadow **How is power management handled in 802.11s?** It uses standard Wi-Fi power-saving mechanisms adapted for mesh operation to reduce node energy consumption. .. panels:: :container: container pb-4 :column: col-lg-12 p-2 :card: shadow **Where is 802.11s typically used?** In community wireless networks, industrial IoT, campus networks, smart cities, and disaster recovery communications. .. panels:: :container: container pb-4 :column: col-lg-12 p-2 :card: shadow **Is 802.11s suitable for IoT applications?** Yes, mesh networks provide the coverage, reliability, and scalability ideal for IoT deployments. .. panels:: :container: container pb-4 :column: col-lg-12 p-2 :card: shadow Topics in this section, * :ref:`Learnings in this section <802_11s_step1>` * :ref:`Terminology <802_11s_step2>` * :ref:`Version Info <802_11s_step3>` * :ref:`802_11s Version&IEEE Details <802_11s_step4>` * :ref:`802_11s Basic Setup on Ubuntu using IPv4 <802_11s_step5>` * :ref:`802_11s Basic Setup on Ubuntu using IPv6 <802_11s_step6>` * :ref:`Reference links <802_11s_step16>` .. _802_11s_step1: .. tab-set:: .. tab-item:: Learnings in this section * In this section, you are going to learn .. _802_11s_step2: .. tab-set:: .. tab-item:: Terminology * Terminology .. _802_11s_step3: .. tab-set:: .. tab-item:: Version Info * Version Info .. _802_11s_step4: .. tab-set:: .. tab-item:: 802.11s Version&RFC Details * rfc details .. _802_11s_step5: .. tab-set:: .. tab-item:: 802.11s Basic Setup on Ubuntu using IPv4 * setup .. _802_11s_step6: .. tab-set:: .. tab-item:: 802.11s Basic Setup on Ubuntu using IPv6 * setup .. _802_11s_step16: .. tab-set:: .. tab-item:: Reference links * Reference links