802.11s MAC Functions
What are MAC functions in 802.11s?
MAC functions in 802.11s define how mesh devices handle frame forwarding, routing, and coordination at the Medium Access Control layer.
How does 802.11s MAC support mesh forwarding?
The MAC layer forwards frames between mesh points using mesh routing protocols and peer-to-peer link management.
What role does the MAC layer play in path selection?
The MAC layer interacts with the routing protocol (HWMP) to determine optimal paths for packet forwarding.
How does MAC handle frame addressing in mesh?
MAC frames in 802.11s use additional address fields to support multi-hop mesh routing and forwarding.
Does 802.11s MAC support power saving?
Yes, MAC incorporates mechanisms adapted for mesh operation to reduce power consumption of mesh points.
What is the Mesh Control field in MAC frames?
It carries mesh-specific information such as TTL (Time To Live) and sequence numbers for frame management.
How are broadcast and multicast handled at MAC?
MAC handles broadcast/multicast frames with special forwarding rules to propagate within the mesh efficiently.
What is MAC-level fragmentation in 802.11s?
MAC fragmentation breaks large frames into smaller ones to ensure reliable delivery over mesh links.
How does MAC manage link establishment?
MAC coordinates with peer mesh points for link setup, authentication, and maintenance.
Are MAC retransmissions used in 802.11s?
Yes, the MAC layer supports retransmission of lost frames to improve reliability over multi-hop links.
How is congestion managed at MAC?
MAC monitors medium usage and collaborates with routing to avoid congested paths.
Does 802.11s MAC support QoS?
Yes, MAC integrates with 802.11e to prioritize mesh traffic based on QoS requirements.
What is the MAC role in mesh peering?
MAC manages the peering relationship by exchanging mesh peering management frames.
How does MAC handle frame sequence numbers?
MAC uses sequence numbers to detect duplicates and maintain frame order in the mesh.
How are hidden nodes addressed by MAC?
MAC uses RTS/CTS handshaking and other techniques to reduce collisions caused by hidden nodes.
What is the MAC’s role in link metric measurement?
MAC collects link quality metrics such as signal strength and packet loss to aid routing decisions.
How does MAC handle mesh network scalability?
MAC implements efficient forwarding and frame management to scale in large mesh deployments.
Can MAC layer detect and handle routing loops?
MAC helps prevent routing loops using TTL fields and duplicate detection mechanisms.
How does MAC interact with physical layer in 802.11s?
MAC works closely with PHY to adapt transmissions based on link conditions and perform rate control.
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