802.11v - Wireless Network Management ========================================= .. toctree:: :maxdepth: 1 :hidden: :includehidden: 802_11v/802_11v 802_11v/mac_functions 802_11v/mac_timings 802_11v/packet_formats 802_11v/power_save 802_11v/interoperability 802_11v/physical_rates 802_11v/ppdu 802_11v/channels 802_11v/PHYs 802.11v enables network-assisted client management for improved roaming, load balancing, and power efficiency in Wi-Fi networks. .. list-table:: :widths: 20 60 20 :header-rows: 1 * - Category - Description - Use Case * - MAC Functions - Implements mesh-specific MAC features such as peer link establishment, mesh path selection, and forwarding. - Enabling dynamic, self-organizing mesh networks with efficient routing and resilience * - MAC Timings - Supports synchronization of beacon transmissions and timing coordination between mesh points. - Ensuring low latency and reliable mesh communication through coordinated timing * - Packet Formats - Defines mesh data and control frame formats including mesh headers and routing information. - Supporting multi-hop packet forwarding and mesh topology management * - Power Save - Incorporates power-saving strategies adapted for mesh environments, including PS mode in mesh peers. - Enhancing battery life of mesh clients and devices in power-sensitive deployments * - Interoperability - Maintains compatibility with legacy 802.11 devices while extending MAC for mesh networking. - Facilitating coexistence of mesh nodes with standard Wi-Fi clients and access points * - Physical Rates - Relies on underlying 802.11 PHY rates without introducing new physical layer rates. - Utilizing proven PHY rates to provide reliable multi-hop mesh communications * - PPDU - Uses existing PPDU formats from base 802.11 PHYs with no mesh-specific PHY changes. - Keeping PHY operations transparent while enabling mesh MAC functionalities * - Channels - Operates over standard Wi-Fi frequency bands and channels with mesh-aware channel management. - Allowing adaptive channel selection and load balancing in dense mesh deployments * - PHY Overview - Builds mesh capabilities on top of existing PHY layers such as 802.11a/b/g/n/ac. - Delivering scalable mesh network support using established Wi-Fi physical layers .. tab-set:: .. tab-item:: 802.11v (Wireless Network Management) **Standard:** IEEE 802.11v (2011) **Main Features:** - Enhances wireless network management and client steering - Provides mechanisms for network-assisted client transitions (BSS Transition Management) - Enables improved radio resource management (RRM) with client feedback - Supports network-assisted power saving and load balancing - Allows over-the-air network configuration and management - Improves roaming decisions and overall network efficiency **Use Cases:** - Steering clients to better access points for load balancing - Improving user experience with seamless roaming - Remote management of client settings and network parameters - Reducing interference and optimizing channel usage - Power-saving optimizations for battery-powered devices **Related Concepts:** - BSS Transition Management Request/Response frames - Neighbor Reports for roaming decisions - Network Assisted Power Save (NAPS) - Client Load Balancing - Over-the-Air Configuration Updates .. panels:: :container: container pb-4 :column: col-lg-12 p-2 :card: What You Will Learn in This Section **Explore the key features and mechanisms of 802.11v:** * :ref:`Learnings in this section <802_11v_step1>` * :ref:`Terminology <802_11v_step2>` * :ref:`Version Info <802_11v_step3>` * :ref:`802_11v Version & IEEE Details <802_11v_step4>` * :ref:`802_11v Basic Setup on Ubuntu using IPv4 <802_11v_step5>` * :ref:`802_11v Basic Setup on Ubuntu using IPv6 <802_11v_step6>` .. button-link:: ./802_11v/802_11v.html :color: primary :shadow: :expand: Jump to "802.11v Basics" .. tab-set:: .. tab-item:: 802.11v MAC Functions **Standard:** IEEE 802.11v (2011) **Main Features:** - Provides enhanced MAC layer control for network management features - Supports BSS Transition Management for seamless client roaming - Manages client steering and load balancing at the MAC level - Enables MAC-level reporting for network-assisted power saving - Coordinates MAC frame exchanges for network configuration and updates - Integrates with upper-layer network management protocols **Use Cases:** - Steering clients to optimal access points based on load and signal quality - Managing client transitions to improve roaming performance - Enhancing network-wide power saving and resource allocation **Related Functions:** - BSS Transition Management Request/Response frames - Client Load Balancing mechanisms - Network Assisted Power Save (NAPS) - MAC-level configuration and management frames .. panels:: :container: container pb-4 :column: col-lg-12 p-2 :card: What You Will Learn in This Section **Explore the details of 802.11v MAC Functions:** * :ref:`Reference links ` .. button-link:: ./802_11v/mac_functions.html :color: primary :shadow: :expand: Jump to "802.11v MAC Functions" .. tab-set:: .. tab-item:: 802.11v MAC Timings **Standard:** IEEE 802.11v (2011) **Main Features:** - Defines timing coordination for network management action frames - Supports timing for BSS Transition Management exchanges - Coordinates power saving and wake-up schedules at the MAC level - Synchronizes timing for network configuration updates and notifications - Ensures low latency for client transition and roaming assistance - Manages timing for controlled channel switching and load balancing **Use Cases:** - Coordinating client transitions with minimal service disruption - Synchronizing power save schedules for improved battery life - Timing network management frame exchanges efficiently for scalability **Related Timing Parameters:** - BSS Transition Management frame timing - Power Save schedule coordination - Client roaming and wake-up timing - Network configuration update intervals .. panels:: :container: container pb-4 :column: col-lg-12 p-2 :card: What You Will Learn in This Section **Explore the details of 802.11v MAC Timings:** * :ref:`Reference links ` .. button-link:: ./802_11v/mac_timings.html :color: primary :shadow: :expand: Jump to "802.11v MAC Timings" .. tab-set:: .. tab-item:: 802.11v Packet Formats **Standard:** IEEE 802.11v (2011) **Main Features:** - Defines management frame formats for network management and client assistance - Introduces BSS Transition Management frames to assist client roaming decisions - Supports Network Management Action frames for load balancing and resource control - Uses TLV (Type-Length-Value) structures for flexible message content encoding - Includes Power Management frames to support network-assisted power saving - Maintains compatibility with standard 802.11 management and action frames **Use Cases:** - Facilitating seamless client roaming with BSS Transition Management frames - Enabling load balancing via network management messages - Supporting power saving and network configuration through specialized frames **Related Frame Types:** - BSS Transition Management Request/Response frames - Network Management Action frames - Power Management and Sleep Mode frames - Measurement and Report frames .. panels:: :container: container pb-4 :column: col-lg-12 p-2 :card: What You Will Learn in This Section **Explore the details of 802.11v Packet Formats:** * :ref:`Reference links ` .. button-link:: ./802_11v/packet_formats.html :color: primary :shadow: :expand: Jump to "802.11v Packet Formats" .. tab-set:: .. tab-item:: 802.11v Power Saving Mechanisms **Standard:** IEEE 802.11v (2011) **Main Features:** - Provides network-assisted power saving features for client stations - Supports Network Assisted Power Save (NAPS) to coordinate client wake/sleep schedules - Allows access points to manage power states based on network load and client activity - Enables improved battery life for mobile and IoT devices on Wi-Fi networks - Integrates with existing power management frames and protocols - Coordinates power saving with network management and roaming features **Use Cases:** - Enhancing client battery life in enterprise and home Wi-Fi networks - Reducing power consumption during idle or low traffic periods - Coordinated power saving in networks with high device density **Related Mechanisms:** - Network Assisted Power Save (NAPS) - Scheduled and on-demand wake/sleep coordination - Integration with BSS Transition and network load management .. panels:: :container: container pb-4 :column: col-lg-12 p-2 :card: What You Will Learn in This Section **Explore the details of 802.11v Power Saving mechanisms:** * :ref:`Reference links ` .. button-link:: ./802_11v/power_save.html :color: primary :shadow: :expand: Jump to "802.11v Power Saving" .. tab-set:: .. tab-item:: 802.11v Interoperability **Standard:** IEEE 802.11v (2011) **Main Features:** - Fully interoperable with existing 802.11 standards and legacy devices - Extends standard management frames with additional network management features - Supports coexistence with devices that do not implement 802.11v enhancements - Allows optional adoption of network-assisted roaming and power management - Ensures backward compatibility to avoid service disruption in mixed environments - Integrates seamlessly with other 802.11 amendments such as 802.11k and 802.11r **Use Cases:** - Enhancing client roaming and power management without impacting legacy devices - Deploying network management features in mixed vendor environments - Facilitating gradual rollout of advanced network-assisted services **Related Mechanisms:** - BSS Transition Management with fallback to legacy roaming - Network Assisted Power Save (NAPS) optional deployment - Standard management frame extensions with backward compatibility .. panels:: :container: container pb-4 :column: col-lg-12 p-2 :card: What You Will Learn in This Section **Explore the details of 802.11v Interoperability mechanisms:** * :ref:`Reference links ` .. button-link:: ./802_11v/interoperability.html :color: primary :shadow: :expand: Jump to "802.11v Interoperability" .. tab-set:: .. tab-item:: 802.11v Physical Rates **Standard:** IEEE 802.11v (2011) **Main Features:** - Utilizes physical rates defined in underlying 802.11 PHY standards (e.g., 802.11a/b/g/n/ac/ax) - Does not modify PHY layer or physical rate definitions - Relies on PHY rate adaptation for efficient communication within managed networks - Supports reporting of link quality metrics to assist network management decisions - Physical rate usage optimized through network-assisted roaming and load balancing - Maintains compatibility with rate control algorithms in client devices and APs **Use Cases:** - Assisting network-controlled rate adaptation to optimize client performance - Improving handoff decisions based on PHY layer metrics - Enhancing overall network efficiency in managed Wi-Fi environments **Related Concepts:** - PHY rate adaptation and reporting in 802.11 networks - Link quality measurements for network management - Integration with 802.11k and 802.11r for seamless performance .. panels:: :container: container pb-4 :column: col-lg-12 p-2 :card: What You Will Learn in This Section **Explore the details of 802.11v Physical Rates:** * :ref:`physical_rates in 802.11v ` * :ref:`Reference links ` .. button-link:: ./802_11v/physical_rates.html :color: primary :shadow: :expand: Jump to "802.11v Physical Rates" .. tab-set:: .. tab-item:: 802.11v PPDU **Standard:** IEEE 802.11v (2011) **Main Features:** - Uses standard PPDU structures defined by the underlying PHY layers (e.g., 802.11a/n/ac/ax) - PPDU format remains consistent with base 802.11 standards to maintain compatibility - Network management and BSS transition frames are carried within standard PPDU data payloads - Supports transmission of management enhancements without PHY layer modifications - Enables PHY-level measurements and reports to assist in client steering and power management - Maintains backward compatibility with devices not supporting 802.11v using standard PPDU **Use Cases:** - Carrying BSS Transition Management Requests and Reports - Transmitting network-assisted power save and network management frames - Supporting seamless client roaming and network optimization **Related Concepts:** - Management frame encapsulation within PPDU payload - PHY-MAC coordination for enhanced network management - Use of standard preambles and signaling for interoperability .. panels:: :container: container pb-4 :column: col-lg-12 p-2 :card: What You Will Learn in This Section **Explore the details of 802.11v PPDU:** * :ref:`Reference links ` .. button-link:: ./802_11v/ppdu.html :color: primary :shadow: :expand: Jump to "802.11v PPDU" .. tab-set:: .. tab-item:: 802.11v Channels **Standard:** IEEE 802.11v (2011) **Main Features:** - Operates using channel plans and frequency bands as defined by underlying PHY standards (e.g., 802.11a/n/ac/ax) - Supports both 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz bands, aligned with client and AP capabilities - Does not introduce new channels but leverages existing Wi-Fi channels for network management and client steering - Facilitates network-assisted channel management to optimize client association and roaming - Supports dynamic channel recommendations to reduce interference and improve performance - Integrates with other amendments (e.g., 802.11k, 802.11r) for holistic network optimization **Use Cases:** - Advising clients on preferred channels during BSS Transition Management - Coordinating channel selection to minimize interference and congestion - Enabling efficient network-managed channel use in dense Wi-Fi deployments **Related Concepts:** - Channel recommendation mechanisms in client steering - Use of channel metrics for network management decisions - Compliance with base 802.11 PHY channel regulations .. panels:: :container: container pb-4 :column: col-lg-12 p-2 :card: What You Will Learn in This Section **Explore the details of 802.11v Channels:** * :ref:`List of channels ` * :ref:`List of channel widths ` * :ref:`List of Bands ` * :ref:`Reference links ` .. button-link:: ./802_11v/channels.html :color: primary :shadow: :expand: Jump to "802.11v Channels" .. tab-set:: .. tab-item:: 802.11v PHY **Standard:** IEEE 802.11v (2011) **Main Features:** - Builds network management enhancements on top of existing 802.11 PHY standards (e.g., 802.11a/n/ac/ax) - Inherits PHY modulation, coding, and channel characteristics from base standards - Utilizes PHY-layer measurements and reporting to assist in client steering, power management, and roaming decisions - PHY metrics enable optimized BSS Transition Management and network-assisted roaming - No changes to PHY layer itself; all 802.11v features operate at MAC and higher layers - Enhances overall network performance by leveraging PHY feedback for management protocols **Use Cases:** - Supporting network-assisted client roaming with PHY-layer signal reports - Enabling power-efficient client operation using PHY measurements - Improving network management and client association decisions with PHY data **Related Concepts:** - PHY-layer measurements used for network optimization - Modulation and coding schemes per base 802.11 standards - Signal strength and link quality metrics supporting management frames .. panels:: :container: container pb-4 :column: col-lg-12 p-2 :card: What You Will Learn in This Section **Explore the details of 802.11v PHY and its role in network management:** * :ref:`Reference links ` .. button-link:: ./802_11v/PHYs.html :color: primary :shadow: :expand: Jump to "802.11v PHY"